Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Empress's Perplexity

Inside the palace, the Empress lounged in her seat, idly stroking the armrest with a look of profound boredom. Being confined to the palace was an agonizing experience. She had no idea how much the world outside had changed or what events had transpired in her absence.

Before she could ponder this further, the roar of the Emperor of Zhou shattered the silence. "What exactly do you think you are doing?"

The Empress, feeling she had done nothing wrong, arched her eyebrows and let out a cold snort. "Why are you having another fit? What have I done wrong?"

"You still don't know? Last night, Qing-er used my imperial decree to try and throw the First Prince into prison. Are you aware of this?"

The Empress nodded, her expression remaining indifferent. Did such a trivial matter really warrant a personal visit from him? "I know. What is the big deal? You don't like the First Prince either, do you? Just find an excuse or an opportunity to lock him up." She made a downward gesture, signaling the Emperor to finish off the First Prince once and for all.

But was this the time for such talk? The Emperor kicked over a nearby table, his eyes filled with icy rage. "You foolish woman, do you not understand what I am saying? Where did Qing-er get the imperial decree? When did I ever issue an order to arrest the First Prince?"

"The First Prince was already declared innocent before all the officials. If I have him arrested now, will I not appear as a heartless, fickle tyrant in the eyes of everyone?"

The Emperor was rightfully furious. He had always considered the Empress’s ruthlessness a virtue, but was a woman without a shred of common sense even fit to be his Empress?

The Empress, in turn, was incensed by his rage. She had merely borrowed a seal—what was the big deal? The throne of Zhou would eventually belong to the Third Prince anyway; was there anything wrong with letting him take control a little early? "Don't you hate the First Prince, too? Why not take this chance to kill him? He beat Qing-er for no reason yesterday, and it broke my heart."

"Qing-er?" The Emperor felt as if his temples were about to burst with blood. The Empress was under house arrest—how had the Third Prince even managed to see her?

"Qing-er? You are under house arrest; how did he manage to see you?"

The Empress looked unconcerned, as if it were of no consequence. "He came in. What of it? I am the one under house arrest, not him. Is there something wrong with a son visiting his mother?"

The Emperor fell silent. She was right; a son visiting his mother was only natural. But to use that visit to usurp his imperial seal and his authority was an unforgivable crime.

"Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but he used that decree to mobilize the Imperial Guards. In the eyes of the court, that is tantamount to treason." The Emperor no longer wished to explain himself. There was no way to reason with a fool, and no point in trying. As for this "pig" of a woman, she just needed to stay put.

His anger suddenly drained away, replaced by a lingering sense of resentment. "Forget it. Stay in the palace for now. You will not be released from your confinement until the First Prince departs the capital for his fief."

With that, the Emperor turned and left, not even sparing her a glance. The Empress was outraged. She had done nothing wrong; why should she continue to be confined? If that cursed Zhou Hao never left for his fief, was she to be locked up for life? "Tell me clearly! What do you mean I won't be released until he leaves? Am I less important than a mere prince?"

The Emperor shook his head, lacking the energy to explain. "You only need to know that you are a complete fool—too foolish to ever go up against the First Prince. Don't do anything else, and don't say anything else. Every action you take only makes things worse. Staying out of sight for a while won't kill you!"

"He hurt Qing-er! If I don't kill him, can I at least not oppose him? Are you afraid of him?" The Empress looked frantic, her eyes burning with resentment toward the Emperor. He was no better than the rest; he didn't even care about Qing-er's pain, and he had even restricted Qing-er's movements.

***

At the gates of the prison, the Grand General stood with Bi Ruxue, waiting for Zhou Hao. The General had actually missed the boy during his absence. Bringing Bi Ruxue along was primarily to foster the budding relationship between the two. After all, they were to set off for the fief in two days; if he didn't help them grow closer now, when would he ever get to hold his grandchildren?

"Son-in-law, how was it in prison? Come, let us return to my estate for wine and meat."

Zhou Hao responded casually before turning his gaze to Bi Ruxue. "Miss Bi, did you come to welcome me?"

Bi Ruxue nodded. "You may call me Ruxue from now on. Young Master Zhou, your capabilities are truly impressive. I am filled with admiration."

Had she not interacted with him, Bi Ruxue might have harbored prejudices based on the rumors. But after witnessing these recent events, she realized that Zhou Hao was far from the debauched, gluttonous prince the rumors suggested. His wit and methods were beyond even what her own father could muster. And at this critical moment, he had even managed to get the Third Prince confined. At the very least, the Third Prince would not be causing trouble until Zhou Hao left the capital.

Zhou Hao looked at her, a glimmer of realization in his eyes. Wasn't she cold and dismissive before? Why the change in attitude today? And asking him to call her Ruxue?

The Grand General laughed heartily and clapped Zhou Hao on the shoulder. "Son-in-law, why think so much? Let's get on our horses. You’ve spent a night in that cell; you must be exhausted."

Was there any need to cultivate their relationship further? It was already perfect! As expected, his judgment never failed him. Even a fallen prince would eventually become a soaring dragon.

He then turned to the soldiers accompanying Zhou Hao. "You all have done well guarding the First Prince. Go to my treasury and see my accountant; there will be rewards for you all."

The soldiers were overjoyed. Serving the Grand General was their duty, but receiving a reward on top of it was a wonderful surprise.

Zhou Hao mounted his horse, choosing not to ask about the Third Prince’s fate. The street was no place for such talk. Instead, he chatted idly with the Grand General about the local customs of the barbarian lands and exchanged lighthearted banter with Bi Ruxue, his expression one of complete satisfaction and ease.