Chapter 7: Did the Emperor Hear It?

Seeing this, Nangong Qing was about to take his leave when he heard Jiang Mingzhu say, "Jiang Su is coming now, and he must be here for the new policies. You should hide in the back and listen to what Jiang Su has to say."

Jiang Mingzhu knew that while Nangong Qing seemed to believe her words on the surface, he likely had his doubts. It was better to let him listen to Jiang Su himself.

"Mother, are you sure about this?" Nangong Qing naturally knew that Empress Dowager Jiang had many secrets involving her family. Jiang Su's visit must be to discuss something confidential with the Empress Dowager, and he, as the Emperor, would surely be the first person Jiang Su wanted to deal with.

"What I say, the Emperor may not believe, so you should hear what Jiang Su has to say for yourself," Jiang Mingzhu replied.

From the moment she was reborn, Jiang Mingzhu had made up her mind to eliminate this "tumor" called Jiang Su. But how to do so? She would need the Emperor's power. After all, she couldn't act too overtly against Jiang Su without it being questionable, and if she could use Jiang Su and the second branch of the family to secure Jiang's survival, that would be the best outcome.

Since Jiang Mingzhu had said so, Nangong Qing naturally wouldn't refuse. But the Empress Dowager's actions were becoming more and more difficult to decipher.

"Please ask General Jiang to come in," Jiang Mingzhu ordered after letting Nangong Qing into the inner chamber.

At this moment, Jiang Su was in high spirits. He entered with an air of authority, exuding an invincible presence. Walking with purpose and his head held high, he looked at Jiang Mingzhu.

"Little sister, what's going on with you? The Emperor is pushing forward the new policies, clearly to weaken your power. His intentions are malicious. Why are you stopping my older brother from confronting the Emperor in the court? If not for this, today's court session wouldn't have ended this way. We could have forced the Emperor to agree not to implement the new policies."

Jiang Su immediately began to question Jiang Mingzhu, leveraging his position as her older brother, speaking to her with an almost dismissive tone.

"Second brother, are you questioning the Empress Dowager?" Jiang Mingzhu narrowed her eyes, her tone not pleased.

Jiang Mingzhu was no puppet Empress Dowager to be manipulated by the Jiang family. Even in the past, she wouldn't tolerate anyone's disrespect.

Jiang Su was upset because he hadn't gained the upper hand in the court, and with a few words from others stirring his anger, he stormed in to confront Jiang Mingzhu. However, when he met her cold and sharp gaze, his anger suddenly cooled.

"Little sister, I didn't mean to question you. I just wanted to know what you're thinking so that I can act accordingly."

"Second brother, I've already told the older brother my stance. Didn't he pass the message to you?"

"This… little sister, I don't understand. Why show mercy to the Emperor? You must not soften your heart. The Emperor appears gentle and respectful toward you, but he hasn't yet fully taken control of the court. Once he does, and you lose your power, it will be too late to regret."

"Second brother, what the Emperor may do to me in the future is another matter. But regarding the implementation of the new policies, I've already made it clear—no interference. Surely you know this. Why aren't you following my instructions?"

"Little sister, this new policy the Emperor is pushing forward is clearly an attempt to divide your power and interests. We cannot allow him to succeed."

In the inner chamber, Nangong Qing remained stoic, his expression unreadable, though his eyes were cold and heavy. Beneath his wide sleeves, his fists were clenched.

No wonder the Empress Dowager was so set on undermining him, as if she wished for his death. With Jiang Su behind her, stoking her ambitions, it made sense.

"Fortunately, second brother, you're a person with foresight. But you only see this much? Yes, the new policy will divide the power and interests of both me and many powerful officials, but in return, it will benefit the common people. The people are living in poverty right now. This world belongs to the people, and if it's for their sake, I am willing to support the Emperor."

"Little sister, the Emperor would be eager to eliminate both you and the Jiang family. Now is not the time for idealism. How could you be so naïve? And even aside from everything else, think about Prince Qi. This world should belong to him. For his sake, you cannot back down."

Jiang Su's words were audacious, especially with Nangong Qing present in the inner chamber. Jiang Mingzhu couldn't help but twitch her lips.

"Qi'er is not fit to shoulder such a responsibility. If he were to become Emperor, Da Qi would be doomed. Don't speak of such things again, nor harbor such delusions."

"Little sister, Qi'er is still young. With your guidance, he will be no worse than the Emperor."

"You want me to reconsider?"

"Little sister…"

"Enough. My son knows his limits. He is no match for the Emperor. For now, the issue is the new policy. Even if we must oppose it, we cannot make an enemy of the Emperor. How to proceed, I'll think carefully and send word to you. This time, I don't want you to act rashly."

Jiang Su finally seemed to take her words to heart after she spoke so firmly.

"I'll wait for your instructions, little sister. I only hope you don't make a foolish mistake."

Jiang Mingzhu waved her hand, signaling for Jiang Su to leave. Once he was gone, Nangong Qing emerged from the inner room, his expression still shifting, difficult to read. But it was clear that Jiang Su's words had left an impact.

"Did the Emperor hear all of this?" Jiang Mingzhu asked.

Without waiting for Nangong Qing to respond, she continued, "My second brother has become more and more muddled over the years. Not only does he show this much respect for you, but even if I give him an order, if it doesn't suit his interests, he'll surely go through the motions and defy me in secret."

"Does the Empress Dowager not want Prince Chen to become Emperor? I thought everything you've done up until now was aimed at that goal," Nangong Qing remarked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

They had all been tacitly aware of it before, but never openly acknowledged it. Now, with Jiang Su's words, it was as if the curtain had been pulled back.

"I did have such thoughts before. After all, I'm just a woman, an ordinary mother who wants to give the best to her son."

Jiang Mingzhu's words were calm, but when she met Nangong Qing's composed face, she continued, "I admit I've done things before that have wronged you. If you want to kill me, I wouldn't be surprised."

"Has the Empress Dowager changed her mind now?"

"My fate is poor. I raised such a useless son with his head full of straw. If someone like him became Emperor, Da Qi would meet its end. Let's not speak of him anymore. And certainly, don't entertain such thoughts."

Nangong Qing knew exactly why Jiang Mingzhu was speaking this way. To say that Prince Qi had caused such a stir over a common woman was beyond his imagination. Though he had played a part in it, the real reason was Jiang Mingzhu's own calculating nature. Her words might sound genuine, but her true intentions were hard to decipher—perhaps another smokescreen.