Chapter 14 — TVF Chapter 14

The Love-Brained Empress (14) These past few days, Qin Jingzhou hadn’t had a moment to spare. He taught his self-created sword techniques to his personal guards, drilled his two daughters—who now felt a strong sense of crisis—in basic hand-to-hand combat, kept an eye on his eldest son’s recovery while teaching him simple rehabilitation methods, and disciplined the two concubine-born sons who were the IQ sinkhole of the entire household… all as a form of leisure. At the same time, he maintained close contact with the original owner’s old comrades.

Just as he had predicted, less than ten years after Emperor Taizong’s death, the capital’s Imperial Guards had declined sharply in combat strength thanks to the combined chaos caused by the previous and current emperors. In contrast, the border armies across the realm—including the encampment outside the capital—were still in fairly decent shape overall.

Most of the original owner’s old comrades had stepped down due to age and the principle of “new emperor, new ministers.” However, many of the younger men they had trained and promoted back then—as well as some of their own sons and nephews—were still in service.

After doing the math, Qin Jingzhou realized he didn’t even need these generals to respond to him with full force later. As long as they didn’t side with the emperor or the Qi family, and didn’t truly defect to Prince Jing either, his chances were already very good.

He had just reached a tacit understanding with a deputy general from the border armies when the Noble Consort’s youngest brother conveniently fell from a horse and broke his leg…

Scheming against the Noble Consort’s little brother was honestly unnecessary, and the deputy general likely wouldn’t have done it anyway.

When the emperor ordered the empress to go pray for the Empress Dowager, it was only natural for Qin Jingzhou—as her father—to enter the palace again.

In the Hall of Supreme Purity, he saw the emperor and the Noble Consort seated side by side on the high dais. After paying his respects, he spoke while seated, directly targeting the Noble Consort, who was seething with resentment mixed with a hint of smugness.

“The Noble Consort is overestimating her brothers. Young men raised in luxury—once they hear they’re going to war, their families start eagerly dreaming of battlefield glory. With no other choice, they stage a bitter flesh act. The Noble Consort knows perfectly well what kind of person her youngest brother is. Knowing full well he was putting on a show, she seized the chance to cry foul and grab control of palace affairs, all to deal with the soon-to-enter Virtuous Consort.”

The Noble Consort wasn’t surprised that Duke Cheng’en saw through this petty trick. In fact, aside from his initial moment of hot-headedness, even the emperor had already begun to realize what was going on.

But the Noble Consort understood one thing very clearly: since she couldn’t touch Duke Cheng’en himself, venting her revenge on his eldest daughter—the empress—was something both she and the emperor agreed on.

The truth was, Empress Xiao was simply too easy to torment. All it took was the emperor giving her the cold shoulder or a few cutting remarks, and she would collapse into tears—heartbroken, devastated—yet still forcing herself to apologize, admit fault, and desperately try to make it up to him.

Back when Duke Cheng’en had been cultivating pills in the suburbs and ignoring worldly affairs, Empress Xiao had pressured her younger brothers, siphoned countless benefits from the Duke Cheng’en household to the emperor, and used up a great many of the duke’s favors to do dirty work for the emperor—clearing obstacles, silencing enemies. Of course, a fair portion of those benefits ended up in the Noble Consort’s hands… but she would never acknowledge Empress Xiao’s or the Cheng’en household’s contributions.

As Duke Cheng’en once again resorted to mockery, just as he had at their previous meeting, Qi Langhuan lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering as she looked toward the emperor.

“Your Majesty?” she murmured.

With his beloved consort asking for help, the emperor couldn’t ignore her. But there was no need to confront Duke Cheng’en head-on either—after all, he was an old man with only a few days left once he left the capital.

So the emperor forced a bitter smile. “Father-in-law, why be so harsh?”

“The truth is always sharp,” Qin Jingzhou replied with a smile. “Honestly, when you had my eldest daughter shut away to pray, I was rather pleased. It saves her from emptying her natal family’s coffers to subsidize the emperor—only for the emperor to take it for granted and live off her.”

Before this, no matter how biting Duke Cheng’en’s words were, the emperor could always console himself: Military men are naturally unruly; I must have magnanimity. This time, however… the emperor’s defenses shattered.

He suddenly remembered that without marrying into the Xiao family—without Duke Cheng’en—not only would his throne have been unstable, even his father might not have ascended smoothly.

Duke Cheng’en was now openly accusing him of ingratitude.

He had merely favored one woman a little—was that truly wrong? The Xiao clan wasn’t exactly innocent either: slander, false accusations, private punishments, poisoning—nothing was missing. No one had died only because the Xiao clan was lucky, not because they were kind-hearted!

Flushed with shame and anger, the emperor snapped, “You have no idea what the Xiao clan has done. She may be aggrieved, but she is not innocent! Based on her actions alone, deposing her as empress would not be excessive!”

The moment those words fell, shock filled the hall.

The on-duty eunuchs and palace women wore all manner of expressions, frantically exchanging glances.

Qi Langhuan was no exception. Hearing the emperor blurt out such nonsense, her heart sank. Idiot! Is now the time to tear things apart with Duke Cheng’en?! If Duke Cheng’en got angry and refused to leave the capital, what would happen to her and her cousin’s grand plan?!

The emperor grabbed the Noble Consort’s hand and, summoning his courage, said, “Duke Cheng’en, you’ve gone too far!”

Qin Jingzhou didn’t spare a glance for the emperor’s impotent rage. He replied calmly, “Then depose her.”

The emperor choked—and fell silent.

He had built up the Qi family, but he also needed to guard against them growing too powerful. With Lady Mi about to enter the palace, he needed the Xiao clan firmly seated in the empress’s position as a counterbalance.

Once Duke Cheng’en gave his life to pacify the ambitious southern princes and great clans, the emperor would gain a battle-hardened army and finally have the confidence to command all under Heaven.

So at this moment, he absolutely could not depose the empress. His earlier decision to confine her had been impulsive—but not entirely thoughtless.

Seeing the emperor go quiet, Qin Jingzhou let out a cold laugh. “This old minister is going to visit my troublesome daughter.”

With that, he strolled out of the Hall of Supreme Purity.

Moments later, as if awakening from a dream, the emperor smashed a cup in front of the Noble Consort and then ordered her, “Your natal family’s mess—your mother should clean it up. Don’t ruin…” Seeing the Noble Consort trembling with fear, he took a deep breath. “…don’t ruin our grand plans.”

The Noble Consort nodded through tears.

But inside, she was cursing furiously: Useless! Absolute useless trash! Once Duke Cheng’en leaves, she would have her cousin make his move!

The emperor had actually lashed out at the Noble Consort!

The on-duty eunuchs and palace women were shocked yet again.

…

Qin Jingzhou, unaware of the farce unfolding behind him, headed straight for the Great Buddha Hall where his troublesome daughter was currently confined—just south of Chang Le Palace, separated by a small imperial garden.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw his little granddaughter Zhuzhu wobbling toward him. His expression immediately softened, and he scooped the little girl into his arms.

Zhuzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, dimples appearing as she laughed. “Grandfather!”

Empress Xiao’s mind was deteriorating by the day, and many spies had been planted around her. Fortunately, Zhuzhu’s nannies and maids were either old hands arranged by Duke Cheng’en or people from Prince Lu’s side. They genuinely cared for her and constantly praised Duke Cheng’en’s might and invincibility in front of her.

Immersed in that atmosphere, Zhuzhu naturally felt close to her grandfather.

Qin Jingzhou hadn’t seen the little girl many times since transmigrating, but he found her infinitely more agreeable than her troublesome mother.

He bounced Zhuzhu a little, then tossed her gently into the air, making her giggle nonstop.

Finally, he set her on his shoulders before turning to his hesitant daughter. “The emperor just told me that based on what you’ve done, deposing you as empress would be justified.”

Empress Xiao immediately burst into tears. This time, however, she was relatively clear-headed. “He’s ungrateful!”

Qin Jingzhou asked solemnly, “So even now, is it still him or nothing for you?”

Empress Xiao sensed she had to answer seriously. After thinking for a while, she said softly, “Yes. I want him to belong only to me—to look only at me. Father, I’ve given so much. I can’t… end up with nothing.” That answer was interesting. His troublesome daughter was finally showing signs of going dark. At least his efforts hadn’t been wasted.

Qin Jingzhou nodded. “I understand. Pray in peace.”

Empress Xiao widened her eyes. “Father, won’t you find a way to send me back to Kunning Palace?”

Qin Jingzhou chuckled. “Dream on.”

With that, he took Zhuzhu out for a stroll.

Before they’d even left the Great Buddha Hall, Zhuzhu said, “Grandfather, don’t be angry. Mother is just confused.”

Qin Jingzhou pinched her chubby little hand. “You clever little thing. Don’t worry—Grandfather won’t abandon your mother. I just won’t let her keep acting willfully.”

Zhuzhu instantly brightened. “Oh! Okay!”

After spending some time talking with the little girl, Qin Jingzhou finally left the palace.

Before departing, he made sure to have someone pass a message to Prince Lu, asking him to keep a close eye on his precious granddaughter.

…

Two months later, Qin Jingzhou took command and led fifty thousand “elite troops” out of the capital, heading south toward the strongholds of the feudal princes.

No sooner had he left than Zhuzhu—while studying with her brothers—was pushed into a small pond by the Third Prince.

She was rescued in time and unharmed, though badly shaken.

Three days later, Qin Jingzhou received a personal letter from Prince Lu. His expression didn’t change at all. He summoned Qi Er—the Noble Consort’s second brother and current Supervisory Censor—and slammed the letter straight into Qi Er’s face.

Qi Er’s expression immediately darkened as he read it, cursing his sister inwardly for stirring up trouble.

Just as he opened his mouth to explain, a shadow loomed before him… and the next thing he knew, he was flying backward.

None of the generals seated in the tent even glanced his way, as if he didn’t exist at all.

At that moment, Qi Er finally believed what Prince Jing had once said. Even the old Prince Jing would be beaten on the spot for merely voicing dissent, with no one stepping in to defend him. A chill shot from his tailbone straight to his skull; his teeth began to chatter. Duke Cheng’en could kill me at any time… He jerked his head around, ignoring the dull pain in his chest, and shouted, “Lord Wu!”

As the military strategist and libationer, Lord Wu should be able to send word out.

Lord Wu kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, like an old monk in meditation. Better a dead daoist than a dead poor monk. Why bother expending effort for a fool who was clearly doomed?