Chapter 144 - The Past Will Repeat Itself
Chapter 144 – The Past Will Repeat Itself
Luan He Hall, where the Empress resided was the most beautiful palace in the Imperial Palace. Empress Qin Wenya and Emperor, Zhao Wang Lei, both were from two different empires.
In the past, the Qin Empire where Qin Wenya had spent seventeen years of her life was the enemy of the Xin Empire for almost five decades.
It was only two decades ago that the Emperor of both of the Empire changed and both of them decided to end this enmity.
For this, the Emperor of Qin proposed the marriage of her younger sister with the Young Emperor of Xin.
The Emperor, Zhao Wang Lei naturally honored the proposal and even made Qin Wenya his Empress.
When the Empress had entered the Imperial Palace, Luan He hall was especially gifted by the Emperor to the Empress.
Today looking around the same hall, Empress Qin Wenya suddenly doubted whether she had taken the right decision in her life when she had agreed to marry the Emperor of Xin.
She was the most favored Princess in her empire. She didn't like to share her things with anyone but after marrying Zhao Wang Lei she had to share him with so many concubines and consort.
The two decades in the Xin has given her many things, out of which she had cherished only two.
Her children.
If she wanted she could marry any minister and also force him to not take any wife other than her. However, she didn't do that.
Because she didn't want her children to work under someone else.
That's why when she has the opportunity of becoming an Empress of a prosperous Empire like Xin, she held onto it tightly.
Fortunately, the Emperor also respected her and favored her.
She birthed two children. Since then, she had only worked hard for their future.
The Emperor favored her children also. With time, Qin Wenya felt that it was not even that bad to marry Zhao Wang Lei and become an Empress.
Her only dream was to see her son on the throne. However, she had not imagined that the same dream would be shattered by the man whom she trusted so much.
"Mother, this son has disappointed you."
Qin Wenya came out of her trance and looked at her son who was kneeling before her.
Her hands were tightly clutching her dress as she whispered
"How can he do this? Bengong will talk to him."
The Empress stood up from the couch, ready to go and talk to the Emperor, forgetting that it was midnight.
But Zhao Zhuang Chen knew this so he hurriedly held his mother and said
"Mother, it is already midnight."
Qin Wenya looked outside the window with a pale face when she heard his son's words.
But Zhao Zhuang Chen had not finished yet.
"And even if you talk to Father Emperor, it will change nothing. That Prime Minister has trapped Father in his snare. Now, Father Emperor only trusts him unknown that he is, instead, betraying him."
Princess Wenling who had just entered the chambers heard her brother's words and frowned in displeasure.
She walked forward and said
"Brother, don't talk about Lord Xi like that. He is not betraying Father Emperor."
Zhao Zhuang Chen looked at his sister who was defending the cunning minister. He remembered how Xi Ying was provoking him and felt furious.
"Wenling, do you trust that man more than your brother. Believe me, he does not mean any good for any of us. I can guarantee that he is protecting Li Clan while hiding himself under the Father Emperor's shelter. I have seen him talking to General Li, that too very friendly. He…"
Princess Wenling raised her hand to stop her brother and said
"Enough brother. You can't slander anyone just because you don't know the whole matter."
"Prime Minister Xi is actually pretending that he is on Li Clan's side while he is planning something big to destroy them. Father Emperor also knows this."
The Empress's eyes flickered when she heard her daughter's words but Zhao Zhuang Cheng still didn't believe his sister's words.
Holding her daughter's hand, Qin Wenya asked in a low voice.
"Wenwen, where did you hear that?"
Princess Wenling smiled and patted her mother's hand.
"Mother, that shadow guard, An San came and informed just a few hours ago."
Qin Wenya nodded her head slowly while Zhao Zhuang Chen frowned.
"Wenwen, that shadow guard, in the end, works for that man. How can you be so naïve and believe his words."
Princess Wenling looked at her brother with a displeased face and said firmly
"Brother, An San would never lie to me."
Zhao Zhuang Chen didn't argue with his sister, instead, he looked at his mother.
"Mother, even if he is planning to destroy Li Clan that will not make me Crown Prince again. In the end, he is still the reason for my dethronement."
Qin Wenya frowned and sat down on the couch and Zhao Zhuang Cheng continued speaking.
"That man is too clever. He is playing very well. Keeping himself safe and at the same time he is fooling everyone by making them believe that he is on their side."
Qin Wenya's frown suddenly smoothened as she whispered
"But what if we make him come on our side."
Zhao Zhuang Chen stopped blabbering when he heard his mother's words. He looked confused and said
"But how can we do this?"
In truth, he didn't like his mother's suggestion that much. He disliked Xi Ying and didn't want to work with him in any situation.
However, his mother would never suggest anything wrong so he could only follow his mother's wishes.
On the other hand, hearing her son's question, Qin Wenya looked at her daughter and whispered with a cold smile
"Just like how General Li had made him come on his side."
Princess Wenling was confused but Zhao Zhuang Chen understood his mother's words.
"Mother, that would be wrong. I will not let Wenling do something like this."
Although he wanted to become the Emperor, he loved his sister and mother very much.
But Qin Wenya had already decided. Looking in her son's eyes she said seriously.
"This is the only way we have and it's not like Wenwen doesn't want what we are going to do, right Wenwen?"
Princess Wenling was still confused and looked between her mother and brother.
But when she heard her mother's plan, her eyes brightened up and she vigorously nodded her head.
"I'm ready.. I will do as you will ask me to do."