Volume 1, Chapter 37: Deception

Shen Ran turned toward Zhao Yuanzhuo and scolded, "You fool!"

"Is this how you protect the Empress?"

"Why are you just kneeling there like a blockhead? Help the Empress sit down at once! If she injures her knees, do you have enough lives to pay for it?"

Facing Shen Ran’s merciless "harsh" reprimand, Zhao Yuanzhuo bowed his head to the floor and whispered, "Yes, this servant deserves death."

He rose immediately and helped Xue Wu to a seat nearby.

Xue Wu gripped his hand, her gaze lingering with concern on his slightly swollen, reddened face and his knees. There were two bloody scratches on his right cheek from a protective finger guard, and his trousers at the knee were soaked through with blood; it was impossible to tell if shards of porcelain had pierced his flesh.

Xue Wu’s expression darkened. Her intention in keeping Zhao Yuanzhuo by her side had been to protect him, but in reality, the youth had been the one shielding her from every blow. With people watching, she wasn't even allowed to let him sit.

Zhao Yuanzhuo gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head to signal he was fine, then stepped back a few paces, standing respectfully behind Xue Wu. In the span of just half a month, he had already adopted the demeanor of a long-serving imperial guard—perfectly deferential, protecting his master without a single unnecessary movement. Yet, it was precisely because of this that no one cast too much scrutiny upon him.

The Empress Dowager was visibly displeased by Shen Ran’s actions. She frowned and said, "Emperor, the Empress has committed a capital crime punishable by the extermination of her clan. How can you let her sit without even asking for the reason?"

Shen Ran’s lips curled into a smile as faint as drifting smoke. He said slowly, "I, too, was just about to ask you, Mother. I wonder what grave error the Empress has committed that could warrant you disregarding your own noble status and the dignity of the Empress as the Mother of the Nation, to make such a scene."

This was, both overtly and covertly, a defense of Xue Wu.

It had been Liu Ruyi before, and now it was Xue Wu; it seemed there would always be a woman in Shen Ran’s heart who carried more weight than his own birth mother. The more the Empress Dowager thought about it, the more her fury burned, and the deeper her hatred for Xue Wu grew.

Her complexion shifted several times before she slammed something onto the table with a loud "clack," saying coldly, "Everyone present can bear witness: this was found in the Empress’s bed. See for yourself!"

Shen Ran looked closely and saw it was a voodoo doll, covered in thin silver needles, with a person’s birth date inscribed on the back.

It was his own birth date.

Scanning the faces of everyone in the room without letting his gaze linger, Shen Ran sneered inwardly. Witchcraft had been a capital offense throughout history, and there had been no shortage of emperors who had used it to wipe out entire clans.

This was not merely an attempt to harm Xue Wu, but to implicate her entire family. He had known Liu Shizhuang and Liu Ruyi would not remain so docile. True to form, they had stayed silent until they could strike a devastating blow.

The Empress Dowager raged, "Emperor, you tell me: is the practice of witchcraft not a crime punishable by the extermination of the nine generations? I have been wondering why you have suddenly been favoring the Empress exclusively of late—perhaps you have been bewitched by this wretch!" She trembled with rage as she spoke, clearly incensed. "I have only one son, the Emperor; how can I allow him to be harmed by this low-born creature!"

Before Shen Ran could speak, Xue Wu hurriedly said, "Mother, I truly did not do this. You—"

The Empress Dowager slammed the table again. "Silence! This was found in your bed; how dare you argue, you wretch! Do you take everyone here for a fool?"

Xue Wu’s expression faltered, and she moved to kneel again. Shen Ran cast a glance at Zhao Yuanzhuo, who was standing behind her.

Zhao Yuanzhuo reached out to steady Xue Wu, whispering, "Is the Empress feeling unwell? Please, take care." In reality, he pressed her firmly back into the chair.

Xue Wu looked at him, pursed her lips, and said nothing more. The Empress Dowager was even more displeased to see this.

Shen Ran turned his gaze to Xue Wu, appearing somewhat surprised. "Is the Empress unwell? Can you manage to stay seated?"

The Empress Dowager retorted sarcastically, "What? If the Empress cannot sit, perhaps she should return to her quarters to rest, while the Emperor and I sit here and wait? We shall wait until the Empress has rested enough."

Shen Ran chuckled. "In that case—"

Not wanting Shen Ran to be caught in the middle, Xue Wu quickly shifted in her seat. "I am merely feeling a slight dizziness; it is nothing serious."

The Empress Dowager let out a heavy huff.

Shen Ran said coolly, "Since the Empress is unwell, let us settle this quickly." He turned to the Empress Dowager. "How does Mother suggest we handle this?"

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Does that even need to be asked? Naturally, the extermination of her nine generations! Throughout the history of our Great Zhou, no emperor has ever shown leniency toward witchcraft!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Wu remained outwardly calm, though her face had paled and her fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Shen Ran did not commit to the Empress Dowager’s words. He turned instead to Liu Ruyi, who remained kneeling on the floor, and asked gently, "What does the Noble Consort think?"

Liu Ruyi, not expecting Shen Ran to solicit her opinion, was stunned for a moment before replying, "This..." She prostrated herself with a delicate air. "Logically, it should indeed be the extermination of the nine generations. However, General Xue has served the country with great merit and holds significant military power, and the Empress has always been diligent. I believe it might be better to seal the news and place the Empress under house arrest in the Yikun Palace, lest General Xue, in his haste upon hearing of his daughter's plight, do something foolish."

This appeared to be a plea for mercy, but in reality, it was a subtle insinuation that Xue Yuandao harbored ambitions of using his military power for his own gain. Liu Ruyi was adept at appearing benevolent while simultaneously poisoning the minds of others against someone.

The Empress Dowager, however, failed to grasp the hidden thorns in Liu Ruyi’s words. Thinking her merely soft-hearted, she snapped, "Noble Consort, what kind of foolish idea is this? One cannot be lenient with witchcraft. With such misplaced kindness, it is no wonder you have managed the Emperor’s inner palace into such chaos."

Liu Ruyi shuddered and said respectfully, "This servant is guilty."

Shen Ran slowly lifted his teacup and took a sip, speaking languidly, "The Noble Consort is naturally kind-hearted; that is her virtue, which is why I trust her. If she were to lose that kindness, she would no longer be worthy of my trust."

This remark clearly carried a double meaning, and Liu Ruyi felt a chill run through her.

Immediately after, Shen Ran smiled. "This matter is of great gravity. Before the Noble Consort came to the Empress’s palace, did you inform anyone else?"

Liu Ruyi was startled and shook her head. "As Your Majesty said, this matter is of utmost importance. Upon hearing the news, I strictly sealed all information; no one else knows besides those present."

Shen Ran asked, "Not even the Prime Minister?"

Liu Ruyi replied, "Naturally, no one."

Shen Ran sighed, "Good. The Noble Consort acts with such caution and discretion; you truly understand my heart. I have not misjudged you."

After a pause, Shen Ran added, "Mother says this voodoo doll was found in the Empress’s bed, but I am truly curious: the affairs within the Empress’s palace are naturally kept very private. How did the news reach you and the Noble Consort?"

The Empress Dowager said, "It was the people in her own palace, resentful of her actions, who came to inform me and the Noble Consort, seeking to atone for their sins."

Shen Ran lowered his head to drink his tea, looking lazy. "I see. Yuanbao, have them brought in; I wish to see them."

Yuanbao acknowledged the order and went to summon them immediately. Before long, two guards brought in a maid of sixteen or seventeen years. She knelt and bowed to the Empress Dowager and Shen Ran. "This servant, Banxia, pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Shen Ran said coolly, "Look up."

There was no discernible emotion in his voice, yet it compelled subconscious obedience. Banxia found herself looking up almost against her own will.

As their eyes met, she suddenly gazed into a pair of deep, chillingly cold eyes.