Chapter 153 The Empress Is Disgusted to the Point of Vomiting

Chapter 153 The Empress Was Nauseated by the Emperor

It must be said that Consort Li succeeded—Emperor Jingyang indeed felt a pang of regret.

He only regretted not having favored her earlier, leaving her alone in this remote and desolate Weiyang Palace, suffering from unrequited longing.

How hard must it have been for her all these years? She must have lain awake every night, yearning for his arrival.

Yet her nature was so gentle; clearly she missed him, but she was unwilling to speak of it.

If not for Ji Yuntang causing this incident in Weiyang Palace today, and the patrolling guards had discovered the situation and rushing to inform him and the Empress, Emperor Jingyang might never have noticed Consort Li again.

He stepped forward, took Consort Li’s hand, and said tenderly, “Ah, you’re always thinking of others. Why don’t you think of yourself for a change?”

“Now that Prince Ye is bedridden, and Qian Xue is a daughter who will eventually marry, how can you manage without a son by your side to rely on?”

“Fortunately, my health is still relatively good. Perhaps Weiyang Palace could welcome another little prince before long.”

Consort Li wanted to say she already had a son—her son was perfectly healthy!

But reason won over impulse. The words reached her lips but couldn’t be spoken.

She didn’t want to continue discussing the topic of having a son with Emperor Jingyang. Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she shifted the topic.

“Your Majesty, the Empress has worked tirelessly to manage the harem. Revoking the Phoenix Seal is a grave matter. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Emperor Jingyang thought it over and also felt the matter was unwise.

Not to mention that the Empress had committed no wrongdoing; her position was crucial to the stability of the imperial court, and it had the greatest impact on the Crown Prince himself.

Emperor Jingyang’s dragon body was still relatively healthy, and the various princes were locked in fierce struggles.

If he were to strip the Empress of her power, pressuring the Crown Prince too much, he might be driven to kill his father and seize the throne.

Such an event, though unlikely, had occurred in previous dynasties.

Moreover, he couldn’t explain it to that old fossil, Grand Tutor Su.

Additionally, with the Empress managing the entire harem for him, he felt much more relaxed, without having to deal with the scheming and squabbling among the concubines.

After thinking it through, Emperor Jingyang realized that revoking the Empress's Phoenix Seal would do more harm than good, he said to her in a perfunctory tone:

“My beloved consort makes sense. After careful consideration, I think it’s best to leave the harem to the Empress to manage. The matter of handing over the Phoenix Seal is dropped for now.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Li felt a weight lift from her heart.

Only when the Empress’s position was stable could the Crown Prince’s position be secure.

Luo Jingshen’s ability to remain Crown Prince owed much to the Empress and Grand Tutor Su.

If the Empress lost her power, Luo Jingshen would inevitably be greatly affected.

She had heard that Consort Chu had recently gained considerable favor, and Prince Qi was eyeing the position of Crown Prince.

If Consort Chu whispered in Emperor Jingyang’s ear at night, urging him to replace Luo Jingshen with Prince Qi as the Crown Prince...

Then all her years of scheming would be ruined, and that person would likely be furious!

For now, at least, the Empress’s position was preserved.

It wasn’t for nothing that she had put on this long act for Emperor Jingyang.

Luo Qingge had been holding her tongue, but now her anger was growing.

What did her father mean by that? What did he mean by “dropped for now”?

What did he take her mother for?

The Empress knew Luo Qingge well; she could tell that her daughter was about to lash out at Emperor Jingyang.

The Empress herself wasn’t afraid of his wrath, but she feared for her three children.

Afraid that Luo Qingge might speak recklessly and say something treasonous, she stopped her in advance.

“Ge’er, forget it. Let’s go back!”

“But Mother—” Before Luo Qingge could finish, Ji Yuntang said, “Qingge, just listen to the Empress.”

Ji Yuntang blinked and gave Luo Qingge a look, signaling her not to say anything rash.

Emperor Jingyang was completely infatuated with Consort Li at the moment; anything they said would likely seem wrong in his eyes.

As for matters of the heart, Ji Yuntang didn’t need to ask to understand the truth.

Emperor Jingyang no longer had any love for the Empress.

Even if they said more, it would be pointless—just wasted words.

Luo Qingge couldn’t help the Empress either.

Now Ji Yuntang finally understood why the Empress had told her earlier that men couldn’t be relied upon.

Meeting someone as fickle and promiscuous as Emperor Jingyang—yes, indeed, he couldn’t be relied upon.

The Empress’s expression was indifferent; she felt no joy at having retained the Phoenix Seal.

She couldn’t understand why Consort Li, who usually minded her own business, had reacted so strongly to the revocation of the Phoenix Seal, even kneeling to plead for her.

Unable to figure it out, the Empress decided not to dwell on it.

She watched calmly as Emperor Jingyang’s eyes were glued to Consort Li, feeling nothing but disgust.

“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave with Princess Ye and Ge’er.”

“Mm.” Emperor Jingyang responded perfunctorily, not even sparing them an extra glance.

The Empress didn’t want to stay any longer. She left with Luo Qingge and Ji Yuntang.

“Ugh—”

No sooner had they stepped out of Weiyang Palace and reached a secluded spot than the Empress leaned against a large tree and began to vomit.

Luo Qingge rushed over, panicking. “Mother, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

“Ugh—”

The Empress didn’t answer her; she kept vomiting.

Only after she had emptied her stomach did she straighten up, take the handkerchief Tao Ye handed her, and elegantly wipe her mouth.

Ge'er, don't worry. I'm fine, just grossed out.

She was really grossed out by Emperor Jingyang today, so she probably has no appetite for the imperial kitchen's lunch.

But Luo Qingge was still very worried. She turned to look at Ji Yuntang.

"Third Sister-in-law, could you please check on my mother?"

"Alright."

After feeling her pulse, Ji Yuntang gave a slight smile and said, "Her Majesty is in good health. There's no major issue. Looks like she was indeed grossed out by that dirty thing."

The Empress was amused by her saying 'that dirty thing,' and the gloom in her heart cleared up a lot.

She laughed and said, "Tang'er is right. That dirty thing in this palace is truly filthy. Ge'er and An'er, you two should also stay away from that dirty thing in the future, and don't let his bad luck rub off on you."

As for Luo Jingshen, there's no way he'll stay away from that dirty thing.

He can't wait to lick that dirty thing's stinky feet.

Luo Qingge listened to the conversation between Ji Yuntang and the Empress, feeling kind of confused.

How come she felt that the "dirty thing" her mother and third sister-in-law were talking about was her father?

If it really was her father, then she would totally agree.

Emperor Jingyang is truly dirty and disgusting!

Ji Yuntang accompanied the Empress back to Fengyi Palace, and then left the imperial palace with Tao Zhi.

Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace.

Shortly after the Empress left, Emperor Jingyang was also called away by his eunuch Zhang Fugui, who said the Prime Minister had important matters to discuss with him.

Although Emperor Jingyang was reluctant, he still left Weiyang Palace and left Consort Li with a suggestive comment.

"I will come to see my beloved consort tonight. Remember to dress beautifully."

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