Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 494: Leaving the Palace and Not Returning
Seeing this, the Emperor understood as well.
Thus, he let go and said.
"Since Ming Ruo is willing, then I will trouble you, Mother, to take more care. I will have Dong Yuzhong prepare and send everything needed."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Ming Ruo was also happy upon hearing that she could accompany them.
Seeing his daughter’s genuine smile, the Emperor felt much relieved.
For daughters, there aren’t many days of complete happiness in this world.
Rules, etiquette, husband’s family...
There are always places where they have to endure grievances.
Therefore, being able to grow up happily under his protection is something the Emperor is willing to do.
Lin Wanyi felt a sense of relief upon hearing about this arrangement.
For her, it would be somewhat troublesome if Ming Ruo stayed behind.
Not to mention how to take care of her, the previous matters still left a bit of unease.
Rather than both feeling wronged,
it would be better to let her leave with the Empress Dowager.
However, this little thought she kept to herself, not fit for public discourse.
The matter of the Empress Dowager leaving the palace was set in stone.
Hui Xian had already left, and now in this Shengjing City, the only connection left with the Empress Dowager was Hui Yue.
Thinking that once she leaves, she probably would never return to Shengjing City for the rest of her life,
the Empress Dowager thought it would be good for the mother and daughter to see each other one last time.
Thus, she had Feng Enhai leave the palace to summon Hui Yue to the palace from the Princess Mansion.
When Hui Yue heard the news, her face was full of reluctance.
Her eyes subtly mocked as she said.
"Mother has gone to Wutai Mountain before without needing me to see her off. So why think of me now? Let Hui Xian, who loves being in the limelight, go. It’s best for this princess to continue her detention."
Her words were full of spite, and hearing them made Feng Enhai deeply feel for the Empress Dowager.
Thus, he had to speak up.
"The Princess may not be aware of outside matters due to your confinement. Yesterday, Princess Hui Xian and the Prince Consort suddenly died, now the whole mansion is in mourning. The Empress Dowager feared your two children would be grieved by the sights, so she specifically took them to Wutai Mountain. This time she likely won’t return, hence she wanted to see you before leaving."
"What? Hui Xian is dead?"
Princess Hui Yue was obviously taken aback.
How could someone who was fine before suddenly die?
It’s not surprising if her gravely ill Prince Consort died,
but to hear she’d died too stunned Hui Yue.
So, after some thought, she quickly tidied up and followed Feng Enhai into the palace.
Upon entering the Imperial City Gate, she went straight to Cining Palace.
She didn’t delay at all.
Once inside the palace, she found Nanny Wen directing the packing.
Seeing this, Hui Yue frowned.
Although she felt no farewell sadness towards the Empress Dowager,
at least with the Empress Dowager around, as a princess, she could hold her head high.
Before she could think more, she was led into the main hall.
The Empress Dowager was holding a book, apparently lost in thought.
Upon Hui Yue’s entrance, the Empress Dowager gently set down the book and fixed her gaze on her.
"You’ve arrived."
"This servant greets Mother."
"Sit down."
"Yes."
The mother and daughter rarely had such quiet opportunities to sit and talk face to face.
Especially when Feng Enhai left, he took all the palace attendants with him.
The sudden face-to-face made Hui Yue fearful.
The Empress Dowager, seeing her unconsciously swallow nervously, gave a bitter smile in her heart.
Clearly, they should be the closest people, yet now they seemed like enemies.
Even speaking a word made Hui Yue so tense, proving her incompetence as a mother.
Still, as the Empress Dowager, she never let emotions take charge.
So, straightening her posture, she spoke to Hui Yue.
"I suppose you came to see the Empress Dowager because you heard from Feng Enhai about Hui Xian’s death."
Hui Yue was surprised but quickly relieved.
Her mother, always wise.
Guessing correctly was no surprise.
So she nodded.
The Empress Dowager then continued.
"But do you know why she died?"
Hui Yue’s eyes widened a bit, clearly eager to know the answer.
The Empress Dowager glanced at her, then explained.
"Because she developed treacherous intentions, using the Prince Consort as a shield, and human flesh as a medicinal guide, seeking a demon path, attempting to refine some Elixir of Immortality, and thus overthrow my Da Wei Dynasty. Once discovered, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor dealt with her."
Hearing these words, Hui Yue was shocked into forgetting to breathe.
For her, it’s not just the previous shock.
More so, the words "once discovered, was dealt with."
Her body shuddered with goosebumps.
After a long while, with reddened eyes she said,
"Mother, if one day I threatened the Da Wei Dynasty, would you deal with me the same way?"
"Yes."
The Empress Dowager did not intend to give her hope, so she spoke very directly.
This directness deeply hurt Hui Yue. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Previously she always felt with the Empress Dowager as her pillar, no matter her mischief, she could escape.
Hence, especially willful.
Now, if the Empress Dowager truly was this ruthless, how should she go on?
Hui Yue suddenly didn’t know how to respond.
The Empress Dowager then softened her tone and spoke to her.
"Perhaps this is the last time the Empress Dowager persuades you. You and Hui Xian always resented the Empress Dowager’s past neglect. It’s undeniable the dynasty teetered on the brink, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to abandon you to secure the realm, to safeguard the bigger picture."
"Thus, whether you detest or hate the Empress Dowager, it’s what I deserve, but neither the Emperor nor the people of the kingdom have wronged you. Hui Xian has already paid for her mistakes; the Empress Dowager hopes you come to your senses, live your life well, as the title of Princess ensures a lifetime of peace and stability, understand?"
Hui Yue abruptly accepting so much, was at a loss how to answer.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager felt she’d done her best to speak and act.
Whether they heed it was beyond her control.
So, she called out to Feng Enhai outside.
"The Princess is tired; take her back."
"Yes."
How Hui Yue left Cining Palace, she no longer remembered.
Only when arriving back at the Princess Mansion, her body felt unprecedentedly weak and powerless.
Three days later, she heard news of the Empress Dowager leaving the capital.
Simultaneously, her confinement order was officially lifted.
Yet all this happened so swiftly, Hui Yue had not even reacted.
And it became a fait accompli.
Returning to her chamber, she retrieved an old dusty box from the deepest part of the cabinet.
Inside were old items.
There was a rattle, a silk handkerchief, and a piece of long-dried cake.
And these, were the warmth she once received from the Empress Dowager.
Tears slid down her cheeks, and she murmured softly.
"Mother..."
