am-books Chapter 531 - 391: The New Emperor’s Ascension
Chapter 531 - 391: The New Emperor’s Ascension
Chapter 531: Chapter 391: The New Emperor’s Ascension
After Zhou Yi mastered the secret technique, he applied True Qi to massage Empress Xia.
A month passed.
The originally pale-faced Empress Xia gradually regained some rosiness, and the minor internal congestion that had plagued her also completely disappeared.
On this day.
Zhou Yi fed Empress Xia her meal, carefully wiping clean the remnants around her mouth.
True Qi circulated, entering Empress Xia’s body, following the meridian pathways recorded in the massage secret technique, running a complete cycle, and some light yellow impurities surfaced on her skin.
...
“Your Highness, let me wipe your body for you.”
Zhou Yi took a clean towel, soaked it with warm water, and then meticulously cleaned Empress Xia.
Eunuchs are neither male nor female and do not interfere in familial relations, so the Emperor does not avoid them during intimate acts with his consorts, hence this matter also breaches no taboos.
After tidying up, Zhou Yi was about to leave.
Suddenly, Empress Xia relinquished her fierce expression and softly said, “Your name is Little Yi?”
“Your Highness, you’re not crazy...”
Zhou Yi feigned shock, thumped to his knees on the ground, and bowed deeply, saying, “This servant has been disrespectful; I beg for Your Highness’s forgiveness!”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Empress Xia knew Zhou Yi was pretending but did not expose him, as the matter of attending to one’s personal hygiene was too embarrassing. She commanded, “I see you are quite clever, would you be willing to do something for me?”
“This servant would not dare to refuse.”
Zhou Yi agreed repeatedly, his heart stirring with excitement, knowing his opportunity had come.
Empress Xia would rather feign madness and soil herself only if there were a chance to turn the tables; otherwise, it wouldn’t be worth making such a great sacrifice.
“In a few days, when the royal child visits the Cold Palace, someone will surely attempt harm, and you must protect him well!”
“By your command.”
Zhou Yi did not ask Empress Xia about her plan, as such matters must be kept extremely secret, and he himself had only just won her favor and had yet to earn her complete trust.
Bowing, he left the room and sat down on the steps, quietly saying to Old Lu.
“The Empress Dowager isn’t crazy.”
“We know.”
Old Lu said, “A few days ago, when we went out to bask in the sun, I noticed that all the servants in the surrounding palaces had been replaced; certainly, it was Empress Xia’s manipulation from behind the scenes!”
Zhou Yi’s eyes immediately gleamed, “So the Empress Dowager’s grand plan might succeed?”
Zhao Ye retreated in fear, lest his mother bite him.
At heart, Zhao Ye held little respect for his mother, after all, she had been the informant during his first attempt at rebellion.
His pretext of taking care of his mother was merely a means to return to the palace and get closer to his father, thereby possibly getting another chance at the throne, thus he outwardly appeared very affectionate.
Zhou Yi took out a warm towel, expertly wiped away the drool from Empress Xia’s mouth, and spoke softly.
“Your Highness, Her Majesty doesn’t recognize anyone now. If you visit more often, she’ll grow accustomed to you and won’t act like this!”
“Yes, yes, yes, little Yi has worked hard,” Zhao Ye responded.
Seeing the snarling and grimacing appearance of his mother, Zhao Ye no longer had the heart to pretend, he casually praised Zhou Yi and fled the room as if escaping.
A glint of realization flashed through Zhou Yi’s eyes–a true understanding of the bonds within the Imperial Clan.
Empress Xia dropped her ferocious demeanor and commanded, “Remember to protect Zhao Ye well.”
“As you command.”
Zhou Yi was puzzled by Empress Xia’s feigned madness but did not inquire further; instead, he hinted obliquely, “Your Majesty, some strangers have arrived in the surrounding palaces. Do you want your servant to take care of them?”
Empress Xia suspected nothing, assuming Zhou Yi was eager to perform well and thus gain future rewards.
“No need, that is arranged by my own palace.”
———— Damn, I’m a bit stuck on the text today, a few hundred words short. Please wait, and I’ll make up for it.
Empress Xia seemed not to recognize her son, emitting ‘Wu wu wu’ snarls like a vicious dog protecting its food, with saliva running unchecked from her mouth.
Zhao Ye retreated repeatedly, fearfully dreading his mother’s bite.
Deep down, Zhao Ye lacked substantial respect for his mother, since it was she who had reported his first conspiracy to rebel.
However, pretending to take care of his mother was merely a pretense to re-enter the palace and be near his father, thus slightly increasing his chances at the throne, so he outwardly expressed considerable affection.
Zhou Yi took out a warm towel and skillfully wiped away the drool from Empress Xia’s mouth, whispering softly.
“Your Highness, Her Majesty does not recognize anyone now. If you come to visit more often, she will get used to you and won’t react like this!”
“Very well, very well, little Yi is diligent,” replied Zhao Ye.
Upon seeing his mother’s bared teeth and distorted face, Zhao Ye lost any inclination to pretend, he threw out a casual compliment to Zhou Yi and hastily left the room.
A flicker of insight crossed Zhou Yi’s eyes, as he gained a tangible understanding of imperial familial affection.
Empress Xia put away her menacing look and instructed, “Make sure to take good care of Zhao Ye.”
“Understood.”
Zhou Yi was questioning why Empress Xia continued to feign madness, though he did not directly ask. Instead, he ventured cautiously, “Mistress, there are some unfamiliar faces in the neighboring palaces. Shall I send them away?”
Empress Xia was not suspicious, making the mistake of thinking Zhou Yi was just being zealous in his duties, hoping to earn future rewards.
“There’s no need, that is my own arrangement.”