Chapter Sixty-Three: You May Beg Me Now (Please Keep Reading)
It is often said that a mother’s status is elevated by her son’s. When the Crown Prince was deposed and confined within the Eastern Palace, although Empress Zhang herself was not implicated, her heart was racked with agony and she lived in constant terror…
For the past month, she had been consumed with the desire to overturn her son’s verdict.
But the Crown Prince had committed an unpardonable crime, and it was the Emperor himself who had deposed him. Even her father, Zhang Song, dared not speak on the matter—how could she, a woman of the inner palace, possibly reverse the verdict?
At first, Empress Zhang considered using pillow talk, hoping that Emperor Yonghe might recall the bond between father and son and show some magnanimity…
Yet after making several oblique attempts, not only did she fail to sway him, but instead provoked the “pure and ascetic” Emperor’s displeasure, and suffered cold neglect…
She had to abandon the idea.
Later, she heard that a new Chief of the Western Depot was to be selected in the palace, and that it would be the Western Depot that dealt with the Emperor’s deepest anxieties!
A sudden inspiration struck her, and she went to observe the martial demonstrations, hoping to learn more about the candidates for the Chief’s position…
She even imagined secretly negotiating with this new Chief, so that when the Western Depot dealt with the Emperor’s troubles…
They might conveniently “discover” evidence proving the Crown Prince had been “framed”…
But what she never anticipated was that the position would fall to that young eunuch from Cining Palace, Xu Boqing!
She had once been as close as sisters with Empress Dowager Chen and Consort Liu, and thus knew well that the young Xu Boqing was greatly favored by the Empress Dowager.
But about a year ago, their sisterly bond seemed to fade imperceptibly, and their interactions grew infrequent…
Initially, she wondered if it was her imagination, but then she noticed that Consort Liu and the Empress Dowager remained close—it was only she herself who seemed subtly excluded from their circle.
She once considered investigating what the two of them were plotting, or what they wished to keep her out of…
But soon after, she heard that her brother had been killed in broad daylight, and before long, it was discovered that her imperial son had colluded with martial artists who conspired to assassinate the Emperor…
One disaster after another.
She no longer had the energy to dwell on the matter.
Now, half a year later, her attention returned to Cining Palace and that young eunuch Xu Boqing.
She had paid little attention before, but during the martial demonstrations, she deliberately observed and noticed that the Empress Dowager’s regard for the young eunuch was far from ordinary!
The obsession, anxiety, and coyness in her gaze—none of it resembled how an Empress Dowager would look at her servant…
No one becomes Empress by being a fool.
Afterwards, upon learning that Consort Liu often invited Xu Boqing to Yongning Palace, she began to investigate…
A few threats and bribes to servants familiar with him, and she uncovered many suspicious points!
Combining these with her own observations, it was easy enough to deduce the truth!
First she went to Yongning Palace for a “casual chat” with Consort Liu, watching her old friend’s reactions…
After learning that Consort Liu had gone alone to Cining Palace afterward, she timed her own visit to the Empress Dowager accordingly.
Her aim was to confirm her suspicions!
And during the conversation, her dear elder sister betrayed many flaws; with all these factors combined, she was now ninety percent certain.
A little probing would yield the last ten percent!
That Xu Boqing was certainly a fake eunuch!
And not only was he involved with the Empress Dowager, but with Consort Liu as well!
A false eunuch defiling the inner palace!
As Empress, mistress of the harem, she naturally felt both ashamed and annoyed by such a scandal—but then another thought struck her…
With such leverage in her hands, could she not strike a bargain with Xu Boqing, the newly appointed Chief of the Western Depot!?
Perhaps… even manipulate him at will!?
…………
Perhaps it was hunger.
Or perhaps it was a sense of reluctance upon learning that Xu Boqing was about to leave the capital.
Consort Liu was like a greedy little squirrel—though her belly was full, she still stuffed her cheeks, afraid of being left hungry…
It was not until dawn the next day that Xu Boqing managed to coax her to sleep, and he himself, rubbing his waist, left the gates of Yongning Palace…
It was just like those nights in his previous life when he’d spend all night at an internet cafe and only leave at daybreak, muttering as he walked: “Never again, I’m not coming back.”
Returning to Cining Palace…
Xu Boqing, knowing he hadn’t returned all night, thought to check in with the Empress Dowager and arrange his departure from the capital.
But as he pushed open the door…
He paused, brow furrowing in surprise.
For not only was the Empress Dowager present in her chambers, but there was also a beautiful, elegantly dressed woman.
Empress Zhang!?
Why was she still here!?
Seeing the two women looking at him, Xu Boqing quickly recovered, cupped his hands, and smiled, “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“There is no need for such courtesy, Director Xu,” Empress Zhang replied coolly, while Empress Dowager Chen’s expression was far from pleased.
Empress Zhang glanced at her companion and asked, “Your Majesty, might I have a private word with Director Xu?”
Xu Boqing’s gaze sharpened; he sensed something amiss.
Seeing that Empress Dowager Chen seemed somewhat resentful but unable to say so, he hurried to reassure her, “Your Majesty, I also have matters to discuss with the Empress.”
He gave her a reassuring glance…
And Empress Dowager Chen, calmed by his look, nodded, “I shall go wash some fruit and vegetables. Whatever you need to discuss, do so—but keep the peace, that is all.”
With that, she rose and left. As she passed Xu Boqing, she glanced meaningfully back at the phoenix bed.
Once the chamber doors were closed, Empress Zhang rose and appraised Xu Boqing. “Director Xu, you are tall and handsome. No wonder you enjoy such favor from the Empress Dowager…”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty…”
Xu Boqing shook his head. “You dismissed the Empress Dowager to speak with me alone—now that we are the only ones here, you may speak frankly.”
“Director Xu, you are indeed forthright.” Empress Zhang spoke as though she held the upper hand. “It’s nothing urgent—I simply wish you to do something for me…”
“Something for you?” Xu Boqing arched a brow. “And what might that be?”
“I trust you are aware of the Crown Prince’s deposition?”
“I have heard a little.”
Empress Zhang fixed him with a deep look. “Now that you are Chief of the Western Depot, entrusted with removing the Emperor’s gravest concerns, I am filled with admiration.
“What I ask is simple—indeed, for you, it would be a trifling matter.” She paused, then continued, “After arresting those involved, all you need do is fabricate some evidence proving the Crown Prince was framed.”
Xu Boqing’s eyes narrowed, but he did not reply. At last, he understood why Empress Zhang had come to him!
The Crown Prince had been deposed and confined for colluding with assassins intent on killing Emperor Yonghe.
And now Xu Boqing, as Chief of the Western Depot, was soon to deal with these conspirators.
The Empress, unable to bear her son’s suffering, wanted him to forge evidence to clear the Prince’s name…
What a cunning scheme…
Yet, for someone making a request, Empress Zhang still maintained an icy superiority, as if she were doing him a great favor by allowing him to help her. Her attitude left much to be desired…
“It is indeed a trifling matter,” Xu Boqing replied with a smile, before his tone shifted. “But what if I refuse?”
“Refuse?” Empress Zhang showed no surprise, as if well prepared, and sneered, “Then, Director Xu, your secret as a false eunuch defiling the inner palace will no longer be hidden~~”
Xu Boqing was momentarily stunned. Now he understood why the Empress Dowager had seemed resentful yet unable to speak, and where Empress Zhang’s confidence came from.
Since things had reached this point, there was no need for pretense…
His expression grew odd as he sat by a chair, half smiling as he asked, “I wonder, Your Majesty, do you act so haughtily in asking my help because you truly believe you hold all the cards?”
“Is that not so?” Empress Zhang snorted, her face as cold as ice. “I am the Empress, the mistress of the inner palace! For a false eunuch to violate the sanctity of the harem is my disgrace as well! Now I choose not to pursue the matter, and only ask you to do this one thing—must I beg you, a false eunuch?”
“Pride and prejudice indeed…” Xu Boqing shook his head, still smiling, and crooked his finger.
Empress Zhang’s face changed as she cried out in alarm—suddenly her body moved against her will, flying straight towards him. Before she could react, a hand clamped around her throat!
“Now you may beg me…”