Chapter Eighty-One: Empress Guo Through the Eyes of Chun Tao

As Zhu Hao spoke, he glanced at Empress Guo, only to see her wearing an expression that clearly read, “Do you really expect me to believe that?” Zhu Hao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: “This old woman is truly not easy to fool! Fine, then—I’ll give her a bit of the truth!”

With that thought, he began, “I know all too well that my own strength is insufficient to rule this vast realm. Should my elder brother ascend the throne with Your Majesty’s counsel, the influence you command would surely help the court weather this turbulent time. My actions aren’t born of some lofty virtue, but from understanding that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains whole. That’s why I’ve come to seek your cooperation today. However, before we proceed, I have one minor request, which I hope Your Majesty can grant.”

Empress Guo raised her chin slightly and replied, “Speak, and I shall consider whether to agree.”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao laid his heart bare without pretense, voicing the worry that had long haunted him: “I know well that, because of the late Emperor, Your Majesty has always harbored resentment toward my mother. Once my brother becomes emperor, you will be the Empress Dowager. I only hope that Your Majesty will not make things difficult for my mother in the years to come. Nothing more.”

As she listened, Empress Guo’s expression changed several times. She had to admit, because of Zhu Changluo, she had indeed thought more than once about doing away with Zhu Hao and his mother. But those were merely thoughts—she had never truly acted on them. After all, with her power, had she wished it, not even Zhu Changluo’s protection would have saved mother and son from doom. Her mind drifted to memories—moments with Zhu Changluo, the past flooding back in an endless tide.

Seeing her silent for so long, Zhu Hao feared she would not agree and spoke again: “Though I am only a junior, and perhaps it is not my place to say this, in these times of crisis, I must. The grudge between you and my mother is rooted in the late Emperor. But my mother bears no fault. Since I was a child, my mother has never uttered a single ill word about Your Majesty before the Emperor. When, in anger, I spoke against you, she always stopped me. At first, I did not understand, but later she told me that you were not a bad person—merely a pitiable one. The late Emperor gave all his love to my mother, driving a wedge between you. She told me that when she first entered the palace, you were truly kind to her, but over time, because of the Emperor, you grew distant. My mother said she would always remember your kindness and never resent you, even if you now bear her a grudge. If I do not say these words now, I fear that once Prince Fu enters the capital and ascends the throne, I shall never have the chance.”

When Zhu Hao finished, Empress Guo sighed heavily. “Now I understand why the late Emperor favored Consort Liu alone. She remembers only the good in others, repaying enmity with kindness, while I, out of love, became jealous, and from jealousy, resentful. No wonder the late Emperor did not favor me! Enough, enough—this was all my doing. I promise you, once your brother takes the throne, I shall retire to a life of seclusion and prayer, seeking blessings for the late Emperor and atonement for myself.”

Just as Zhu Hao was about to speak, Chuntao, who had been standing behind the Empress, burst out in indignation, “Your Majesty, you are simply too good, and that’s why they all take advantage of you! Today, I must finally say what’s in my heart, or I’ll suffocate! The grievances you’ve suffered all these years are beyond measure. When several of the late Emperor’s sons died in succession, he thought it was your jealousy and forgot that you, too, lost two children in infancy.

You knew all along it was Consort Dowager Zheng who orchestrated these tragedies. She first murdered the late Emperor’s heirs, then claimed his lack of sons was a sign of weak fortune, unfit to inherit the throne, persuading the Wanli Emperor not to name him crown prince, so her own son could inherit instead.

You knew, yet because the late Emperor was at the center of the ‘struggle for the heir,’ you didn’t want any further conflict between him and Consort Dowager Zheng, for fear it would endanger him. So you let the Emperor misunderstand you for years, suffering in silence. Who but me, Chuntao, knows your pain? My heart aches for you!”

At this, a stern light flashed in Empress Guo’s eyes and she barked, “Chuntao, enough! Be silent! I chose this path and never thought it bitter!”

Chuntao, usually obedient, seemed to lose all restraint. Pouting, she pressed on, “No! I must speak. If I don’t, the world will think you a villain, but I know you are the noblest woman alive, a true paragon of virtue!

Remember the year when the Crown Prince’s mother was poisoned in secret by Consort Dowager Zheng? Fearing for the Crown Prince’s safety, you brought him into your own palace and shielded him. Yet the late Emperor thought you, childless and insecure in your rank, murdered his mother for her son. Still, you did not wish to endanger his position as heir by fueling conflict, so you accepted his accusations and even quarreled fiercely with him, saying it was all for his sake, that such wrongs were worth enduring. That night you wept alone in your chambers, and after that, the Emperor seldom set foot in your quarters. You went days without food and wasted away, until the old Grand Secretary himself pleaded with you to eat, and only then did you slowly recover.”

As Chuntao recounted these memories, Empress Guo slipped further into the past, her eyes growing damp. She took a deep breath and waved her hand weakly, “Enough, Chuntao. It is enough that you understand me. Everything is in the past now, and the late Emperor is gone.”

But Chuntao, defiant for the first time, shook her head firmly. “No! I must speak your grievances. I remember when the Wanli Emperor, hounded by his ministers, was forced to name the late Emperor as heir. You feared Consort Dowager Zheng would again slander him and cause trouble, so you went alone to persuade her to support him as crown prince, even ceding influence at court. Only thus did the late Emperor secure his position.

But I know—you bargained with the very woman who murdered your own son, all while bleeding inside, yet you had to smile for the sake of peace. Who can understand such agony?

Yet you always said it was all worth it for the Emperor. But what did he do for you all these years? He neglected you, sought to depose you, to depose the Crown Prince—caring nothing for your dignity…”

At that, Empress Guo flared up in anger. “Chuntao! You forget yourself! The late Emperor is not for you to malign! For the years you have served me, I’ll let it pass this time. Speak so again, and you will not be spared!”

Chuntao murmured, “My life belongs to you, Your Majesty. Had you not saved me, I would have starved in the streets long ago. If you wish for my life, take it! I know you are ruthless when you must be—like that old maid of the Fifth Prince, whom you had executed in secret. You said the prince was at fault, but a servant has no right to judge their master! We pleaded for her, but you did not relent. Today, if you will not spare me, at least I have said what I’ve held in for years. I can die without regret! Today I must say it—the late Emperor was a scoundrel, the most heartless man in the world!”

At these words, Empress Guo was beside herself with fury and snapped, “Chuntao, you go too far! I cannot keep you here. Guards—!”

She had only begun to call for her attendants to seize Chuntao and mete out severe punishment when Zhu Hao, who had listened in silence all this time, suddenly intervened. He fell to his knees—the first time he had ever willingly bowed to Empress Guo—and spoke: “Mother, please calm your anger! Though I am not your own son, as the mistress of the inner palace you are as a mother to me, and I beg your pardon for calling you thus. Had I not heard Chuntao today, I would never have known how much you sacrificed for the late Emperor. In the past, I have offended you; I now beg your forgiveness! I apologize on behalf of my father, too, for he truly wronged you all these years. And I beg you, for Chuntao’s loyalty, spare her this once.”

Chuntao glanced at Zhu Hao, kneeling and pleading for her, then at her agitated mistress. She pouted, “Fifth Prince, you ought to apologize to Her Majesty. Consort Dowager Zheng has harmed countless people in the inner palace over the years. Do you think it was the late Emperor who protected you and your mother? He was too busy with state affairs to watch over the harem. If he had, so many would not have died. It was only because Her Majesty dared confront Consort Dowager Zheng, threatening to become her mortal enemy if she acted again, that she restrained herself. Thus, you and your mother lived in peace all these years.

I once asked Her Majesty why she did this, and she said the late Emperor cared for you and your mother, and she couldn’t bear to see him grieve. She hoped Consort Liu could take her place in caring for him.”

Zhu Hao pondered her words and realized they must be true. As understanding dawned, a complex, ineffable feeling welled up within him.