Besides, Liu Shi was, after all, his wife since they were young, and there was still affection between them. He couldn't bear to treat her like this.
With one hand already severed, Liu Shi was no more than a cripple. Killing her or not made little difference. Keeping her alive now was merely to ease his own conscience and prevent overwhelming guilt.
The Empress Dowager scoffed dismissively, her gaze filled with disappointment as she looked at Emperor Xuanwen. "Ultimately, you still have feelings for Liu Shi. Let me ask you, this time Chen Yi arrived just in time to save my life. If I had truly died at Liu Shi's hand, what would you have done? Would you have spared Liu Shi, or would you have killed her immediately?"
"Mother Empress... Mother Empress, please stop speaking nonsense. Mother Empress, you are blessed with immense fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good. Just like this time, you are safe and sound. Furthermore, such a thing will absolutely never happen again."
"I am asking you. Do not speak such useless words. I want you to answer me truthfully. Tell me, what would you do?"
The Empress Dowager's tone was extremely stern, brooking no argument. She wanted to see how the son she had raised with her own hands, the son she had protected with her life, would make a choice at a critical juncture.
"Mother Empress!"
Emperor Xuanwen knelt down with a thud, his eyes filled with panic. For a moment, he didn't know what to do, stammering for a long time without knowing what to say.
Fortunately, the Noble Consort was sensible. Seeing that the situation was not good, she quickly knelt down with Emperor Xuanwen. "Your Majesty, please do not be angered, Empress Dowager. His Majesty has always been most filial to you, naturally putting you first in all matters. Just now, when Liu Shi lunged at you with a knife, His Majesty intended to rush to your side to block it..."
"It was my fault for worrying that His Majesty would be injured, which is why I stopped him. All mistakes are mine, and I beg the Empress Dowager not to blame His Majesty. Whatever punishment you wish to mete out, I will bear it first!"
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly, glaring fiercely at Emperor Xuanwen kneeling on the ground. To have raised her son with her own hands, only for him to be outmatched by his daughter-in-law, was truly a waste of so many years.
Indeed, mother and son were enemies in a past life. This son was here to seek revenge on her, tormenting her in this manner.
"All these years of raising you have truly been in vain. In the end, it has only bred enmity. I will not force you any longer. You are grown, and the choices you make are your own affair!"
The Empress Dowager stood up, her steps slightly unsteady, her back appearing much older. "I am tired. I will not meddle in these matters anymore. Let it all be as you wish... as you wish..."
"Mother Empress..." Emperor Xuanwen reached out to help her, but the Empress Dowager subtly dodged him, as if she hadn't seen him.
"Cough... cough..."
The Empress Dowager coughed several times, covering her mouth. Her gaze fell upon the Noble Consort standing beside her. "Noble Consort, if you are not tired, please accompany me for a walk."
"Your subject obeys!"
The Noble Consort was stunned for a moment before quickly reacting, curtsying her agreement. She stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager's arm and walked with her.
Emperor Xuanwen shook his head slightly, feeling a pang of loneliness. It seemed his mother was utterly disappointed in him. He would have to find a time to sincerely apologize to her.
"Empress Dowager, the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden have bloomed. Let me accompany you to see them."
"The plum blossoms have bloomed so early this year. It seems this winter will not be as cold."
It was so early for plum blossoms to bloom. This was an unusual omen. She hoped no more misfortunes would befall them.
"Yes, it is said that when plum blossoms bloom early, the winter will not be as cold. If it is truly a warm winter, then the palace's charcoal expenses can be saved considerably, reducing expenditures."
A smile played on the Empress Dowager's lips as she looked with satisfaction at the Noble Consort beside her. "You are truly thrifty and capable of managing a household. In the future, all matters of the harem will have to trouble you more."
"What are you saying, Empress Dowager? These are all things your subject should do. If I manage the affairs of the harem well, then His Majesty can focus on matters of the court, and it can be considered your subject assisting His Majesty."
As long as she could do her part to alleviate His Majesty's burdens, her heart would be filled with joy. Even if it meant a little more trouble, it was willingly done.
Seeing the Noble Consort's happy expression, the Empress Dowager's mood also improved considerably.
After so many years in this harem, the Noble Consort was still as she was when she first entered the palace, with a pure and harmless demeanor, defenseless against anyone. Her joys and sorrows were all openly displayed on her face. To maintain such an original heart was truly not easy.
Then there was Liu Shi. Although she had previously appeared petty and calculative, she was considered a gentle and virtuous person. Yet, after only a short time in the palace, she had become consumed by jealousy and hatred, even instigating Chu Yanxi to commit such treasonous acts.
Her transformation was due to two factors: first, failing to guard her original heart within the grand dye vat of the palace; second, the insatiable greed in her heart, which led her to become this way.
"Empress Dowager, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought?"
The Noble Consort noticed the Empress Dowager's distraction and inquired.
"Nothing. I was just thinking that Liu Shi sat on the throne of Empress for so many years and had such influence in the harem. There are still many evil deeds she committed in the harem that I am unaware of."
"Empress Dowager, what you mean is?"
"Have someone investigate. See how many wicked deeds Liu Shi has committed over the years. Once discovered, present all the evidence to His Majesty, so he can clearly see what kind of person Liu Shi truly is."
It seemed that the matter of Chu Yanxi and Liu Shi's rebellion was still not enough to make Emperor Xuanwen completely lose faith in Liu Shi. A stronger dose of medicine was needed to thoroughly awaken Emperor Xuanwen.
The Noble Consort was more than willing to undertake such tasks. She naturally would not miss any opportunity to suppress Liu Shi and readily accepted the task with great joy. "Your subject understands. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. Your subject will investigate this matter thoroughly."
The Empress Dowager knew the Noble Consort's little intentions. Given the Noble Consort's hatred for Liu Shi, entrusting this matter to her would surely unearth all of Liu Shi's hidden misdeeds.
"Only by entrusting this matter to you can I be most at ease. Leave no stone unturned. All the wicked deeds committed by Liu Shi must be uncovered, piece by piece."