On the very day the Liu family was dealt with, Tang Qingwan was brought back to the Crown Prince's estate by the Crown Prince himself.
The Empress had been living in fear for two days before her lingering hopes were finally dashed.
Upon learning that Minister Liu had been imprisoned and that the civil and military officials of the entire court were pressuring the Emperor to sentence him to death, she finally fell ill.
She originally thought that when the wall fell, everyone would push it, and that Consort Liang and her son would inevitably laugh at her downfall. Unexpectedly, Consort Liang did not go to the Fengluan Palace at all, and even directly asked for a half-month leave of absence from the morning and evening greetings.
Consort Liang's own son was in a complete mess, so how could she have the time to mock the Empress?
Lying in bed with a sickly complexion, the Empress glanced at the Crown Prince standing below. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a busy man. You have finally remembered to visit your imperial mother.
The Crown Prince replied, I invited the abbot of the temple to perform a releasing ritual for my unborn child, so I did not have the time to visit Imperial Mother. Please forgive me.
He was as respectful as ever, but there was a great deal of perfunctoriness in his tone.
It was as if he was merely going through the motions, putting on a show for the Censorate and the people of the world.
The Empress, after all, was in the wrong. Since you dislike Side Consort Liu so much, let it be. I will pick another gentle and virtuous woman for you. It just so happens that you still have a vacant side consort position.
Side Consort Liu is still in prison and is not yet dead, yet Imperial Mother is already arranging for a newcomer. Isn't such a desire to seek advantage and avoid trouble a bit too obvious?
Today's Liu Wanting was just like Tang Qingwan back then; even before the Liu family had completely fallen, she had already been discarded like a worn-out shoe.
Imperial Mother makes me feel as if I am nothing more than a prostitute selling her body and smiles in the red-light district.
The Empress's face turned purple with anger.
To think that the dignified Crown Prince of a nation would compare himself to such lowly people.
Your Royal Highness, Her Majesty the Empress is unwell. The imperial physician said that Her Majesty must not get angry, a female official nearby advised in a low voice.
The Crown Prince ignored her and continued, The affairs of the Crown Prince's estate will be managed by the Crown Princess. From now on, I will not trouble Imperial Mother with them. I also hope that the people you have arranged can be withdrawn as soon as possible, so as to avoid collateral damage.
It seems that Imperial Mother is in good spirits, so your illness should be of no major concern. I will take my leave now.
After saying that, he turned and left.
His attitude was unprecedentedly unyielding and cold.
The Crown Prince's Estate.
When the Crown Prince arrived at the main courtyard, Mo'er was sitting on the steps, secretly wiping away tears.
Where is the Crown Princess? Xiao Chen asked.
Mo'er hurriedly stood up. The Crown Princess just fell asleep after taking her medicine. After saying that, she hesitated before adding, Your Highness, the Crown Princess has barely eaten anything these past two days, and she is growing thinner by the day. Please persuade her.
Xiao Chen walked in and saw a slightly bulging lump on the bed. Her head was covered by the quilt, curled up into a ball.
His heart ached terribly. He lightened his footsteps, afraid of startling the person on the bed.
Tang Qingwan heard the footsteps in the room but did not speak or move. The bed sank slightly as someone lay down beside her.
Qingwan, the Crown Prince rested his hand on the top of her head, his voice incredibly soft. I had a small Buddhist hall built in the estate to perform a releasing ritual for our child. Would you like to go and see?
The person under the covers seemed to flinch but did not move.
It wasn't until the quilt was lifted that Tang Qingwan, highly unaccustomed to the harsh light, frowned and closed her eyes.
That face, which was always dignified and gentle, was now very haggard. The Crown Prince pursed his lips and caressed her cheek.
Minister Liu has been sentenced to be beheaded after autumn. Liu Wanting will also pay the price for our child.
Tang Qingwan said, But he is already gone.
No matter what was done, it could not be undone.
She did not lose her temper because she had no right to blame Xiao Chen.
Tell those people to leave. I don't want to go, and I certainly don't want to see anyone.
Every time it was mentioned, it felt like a knife was bloodily gouging out her heart, yet she didn't even have the right to speak of pain and regret.
Tears rolled down the corners of her eyes.
Alright, I'll have them all leave. I'll listen to you, Qingwan, the Crown Prince bent down and pulled her into his arms. We will have more children. You must take care of your body. You still have the Cui and Tang families to protect, don't you?
Her body was pitifully thin and frail.
Tang Qingwan's gaze was empty. She stared at a corner of the room in silence.
Compared to Xiao Chen, the one who had let that child down the most was herself. But at this moment, she could only, and must, use this opportunity to fight for greater rights and benefits for the Cui and Tang families.
Even if my father is released, it's impossible for him to be reinstated to his original post.
The Crown Prince released her and tucked the loose strands of hair by her cheek behind her ear. Tell me what you want to do. As long as it doesn't endanger the state, I will yield to you.
Let my brother come back, Tang Qingwan said. To the Ministry of War.
The Crown Prince frowned.
With the fall of the Liu family, there was no telling how many people in the court were eyeing this vacancy in the Ministry of War.
Moreover, given the Emperor's wariness of the Cui and Tang families, he would absolutely never allow a descendant of the Cui or Tang families to take charge of the Ministry of War.
If he did this, it would inevitably tear away all pretense of cordiality with the Emperor, and the consequences could easily be imagined.
This time, his imperial father was already extremely dissatisfied with him. Had Xiao Yi not also been involved, his position as the Crown Prince would inevitably be shaken.
Tang Qingwan was forcing him to become estranged from and contend against the Emperor.
The Crown Prince slightly lowered his eyes. At this critical juncture, bringing your brother back is truly difficult. The Cui and Tang families are one entity. How about we change it to your cousin first? For the Cui and Tang families, it is the same.
Grand Tutor Tang had just gotten into trouble, so letting the eldest son of the Tang family return to the capital right now was no different from forcing the Emperor to abdicate.
Tang Qingwan also knew it was impossible, but what she was waiting for was precisely these words from Xiao Chen.
Alright.
In just a few short days, her chin had sharpened considerably. Xiao Chen caressed her face and leaned down to cover her slightly cold lips with his own.
Qingwan, as long as I let him come back, will you be well?
Tang Qingwan slightly closed her eyes, the corners of her eyes flushed red.
She had won this gamble by a narrow margin, but it also felt like her bones were being scraped and her heart incinerated.
After Tang Qingwan went back to sleep, Xiao Chen instructed Eunuch Liu to summon his subordinate officials to discuss countermeasures.
Eunuch Liu was trembling with fear. Does Your Highness truly want to do this? The Emperor's side... I'm afraid...
Xiao Chen said, Go and do it.
He had always been trying to maintain a balance, wanting to wait a little longer, waiting for his imperial father to abdicate, waiting until he could thoroughly take power.
But this time, Tang Qingwan had told him clearly and unmistakably that for the sake of the Cui and Tang families, she could sacrifice everything, even her life.
Eunuch Liu,
Tell me, does she have me in her heart?
Eunuch Liu replied, Naturally, the Crown Princess has Your Highness in her heart.
Is that so? The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, but as he lowered his eyes, a teardrop fell. Tell me, did she know of that child's existence?
Eunuch Liu could not understand what he meant, so he did not inquire further.
Grand Tutor Tang was released from prison, but the Emperor, citing his poor judgment of character and ineffective discipline, ordered him to be suspended from his position and to reflect on his mistakes within his estate.
A year's time was enough for the political winds in the court to shift drastically and for many, many things to happen.
Being ill, Tang Qingwan could not come to the Department of Punishment to personally receive him.
