Shangguan Yao, enraged by the Empress Dowager's shrewish tantrum, roughly shoved her away, causing her to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down her aged face as she gazed at everything with resentment.
"Yes, why can he enjoy such good conditions while I cannot? One was born to an emperor, and I am merely a bastard. From that moment on, I swore I would take back what belonged to me."
Shangguan Yao's handsome features lifted in a look of smug satisfaction. He no longer needed to feign anything.
Since his mother dared to speak those words just now, what reason did he have to hide anything from her? Moreover, he was certain she would never betray him, her son. In all of Eastern Qin, no one but him could inherit the Shangguan imperial throne.
"Back then, you already...?"
The Empress Dowager raised her eyebrows in disbelief, pointing at him in shock. How old was he then? Just ten years old. Had he already harbored ambitions to seize the throne?
Memories resurfaced. It seemed from the very beginning, this child had not been so… Since around the age of ten, he had suddenly become clingy and adept at acting spoiled.
Most importantly, he knew how to exploit her guilt, and then comfort her in return.
But now, he was telling her that all of this was a pretense. Was that truly the case?
"Yes, my mother. From the age of ten, I wished to seize these things. You have finally helped me fulfill my desire. If we, mother and son, had always lived in harmony, I would have doted on you. But you were always dictatorial and constantly hindered my actions, which made me increasingly detest this feeling."
Shangguan Yao looked down at the Empress Dowager, his lips curving into a beautiful arc, proud of his own achievements. Who had said he was immature? Who had said he lacked kingly bearing?
He had even managed to deceive his most cunning mother. What could possibly be beyond his grasp?
"No, Shangguan Yao, you are like this."
The Empress Dowager collapsed on the ground, weeping. Outside the study, Xiao Tingzi and a group of eunuchs and palace maids exchanged glances, trembling with fear. They had no idea what was happening inside, only that the Empress Dowager was crying so miserably and despairingly.
Could it be that the Ye family was about to be punished, and that was why the Empress Dowager was so heartbroken?
Inside the imperial study, Shangguan Yao waited until his mother had cried herself out before slowly crouching down and extending a hand to help the weakened woman, supporting her to a nearby sofa.
But at that moment, the Empress Dowager suddenly broke free of his hand and lunged towards the study's bookshelves, intending to take her own life.
Shangguan Yao's expression changed. With a swift movement, he intercepted her, but due to the speed, she still grazed her scalp. Blood trickled down her cheek, though it was a superficial wound and not serious.
"Mother, why must you do this? Yao'er will be filial. Can you not simply stay out of court affairs?"
Seeing the Empress Dowager injured, Shangguan Yao still felt a pang of heartache. Over the years, his mother had genuinely cared for him. His heart was also made of flesh and blood, so his voice was gentle, hoping she would understand.
However, the Empress Dowager's face was ashen, and she spoke coldly.
"Just let me die with the Ye family, so I am no longer an eyesore."
Shangguan Yao's pupils darkened, and he said in a deep, stern voice, "Do not threaten me with death again. I have compromised once, and I will not compromise again."
"Then let me die, Your Majesty. This empire, and everything the Shangguan family possesses, is yours alone. You decide. You can have me and the Ye family executed together."
"I did not say the Ye family would be executed."
He truly had not intended to kill anyone from the Ye family. His only aim was to seize military power. As for his own maternal uncle, he would consider familial ties and show leniency. However, if his mother continued to cause trouble and angered him, he wouldn't bother with such considerations.
"If Mother continues to cause trouble, then I do not mind executing the Ye family."
Shangguan Yao stood up and spoke with a cold, lethal aura.
The Empress Dowager froze. Thinking of the Ye family, tears welled in her eyes. After a long moment, she finally spoke, "Then, who does Your Majesty intend to appoint as the Minister of War?"
"That is my affair, Mother. The inner palace must not interfere with state affairs. I hope Mother will always remember this."
Shangguan Yao showed no leniency, employing a completely iron-fisted approach. From now on, he would no longer allow his mother to meddle in court politics.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, despair in her eyes and powerlessness in her heart.
Perhaps Eastern Qin was truly doomed, and it was all her doing. She was a sinner for all eternity.
"Mother, just remember, as long as you are safe, I will spare the lives of the Ye family."
After speaking, Shangguan Yao did not even look at the Empress Dowager's bleeding face. He directly commanded from outside the door, "Guards, escort the Empress Dowager back to Changxin Palace."
Several young palace maids rushed into the study and helped the Empress Dowager out.
She had arrived with such imposing presence, but she left without any strength, completely supported by others as she was taken back.
The court was now entirely one-sided. Those who had pinned their hopes on the Empress Dowager to intervene, all sprang into action, fawning over Lan Qinglun, this great tree. The Ministry of War would soon be in Lan Qinglun's hands.
Even the Empress Dowager's intervention had been useless. Ye Suxue did not even need to show herself. When they visited the Empress Dowager, the two women could only weep, heartbroken again and again, yet utterly helpless.
The Empress Dowager summoned Ye Qingtian to the palace, and the two met in secret to discuss countermeasures.
Ultimately, they knew it was impossible for the Ye family to regain military power. The task at hand was to ensure that the position of Minister of War did not fall into the hands of that scoundrel, Lan Qinglun. Who knew what kind of person he truly was?
He was not part of their faction at all, so the most crucial matter was to promote a member of the Ye faction.
The Empress Dowager instructed Ye Qingtian to discreetly seek out trustworthy old officials and select a capable individual to promote. This way, the empire would not experience significant upheaval.
Now, they could only wait. As long as Ye Suxue gave birth to a prince, she would become the Empress of Eastern Qin.
The Emperor had already elevated Ye Suxue's rank; she had become Noble Consort. He had also issued a decree stating that of the two consorts in the palace, Consort Xian and Noble Consort, whoever gave birth to a prince first would become the Empress of Eastern Qin.
This imperial decree gave the Empress Dowager hope. Success hinged on whether Suxue would conceive. If she conceived quickly and gave birth before Ye Yuyun, then the Ye family would have a chance to rise again.
Regarding the Empress Dowager's unwavering desire for Ye Suxue to ascend to the position of Empress,
Ye Qingtian was somewhat dismissive. The Emperor had already declared that the first consort to give birth to a prince would attain the empress's position.
Whether it was Ye Suxue or Ye Yuyun, they were both people under their influence. Therefore, Ye Qingtian felt a slight resentment towards the Empress Dowager's singular focus on Ye Suxue's ascension.
This was the first disagreement between the two in many years, and it resulted in an unpleasant parting. For a considerable period afterward, Ye Qingtian did not visit the palace.
This made the Empress Dowager even more disheartened. She was now past her prime. Did men truly never change their hearts? She doubted it. If it were in the past, why would Qingtian treat her like this?