Chapter 099: The Death of Consort Dowager Shu

Imperial Dowager Shu was greatly alarmed, and adamantly refused to let Liu Zhong drink the wine. Liu Zhong, for his part, was unwilling to let her have it either. And so the two fell into a dispute, spilling more than half the wine.

“Mother, give it to me!”

“No, Zhong'er, don't snatch!”

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager was both astonished and angered, and could not help but slam her hand on the table.

Crack—

The heavy sound brought the chaotic scene to silence. Even the musicians dared not continue their playing, and the dancers stood frozen in place, bewildered.

Such was the Empress Dowager's authority, for when she gave in to anger, it always heralded endless seas of blood and blazing fire...

All eyes turned and fell squarely upon the Empress Dowager. She noticed that Imperial Dowager Shu was furtively pouring wine into a cup, and so she forced a smile.

“This mother and son are truly devoted to each other—after all these years apart, still so considerate. It quite makes me envious. And just now, His Majesty could not take his eyes off someone else, which cannot help but stir a little jealousy in me. Do pardon me, everyone!”

Hearing this, the gathering relaxed considerably—all except Imperial Dowager Shu, whose expression remained perfectly composed.

“Mother, there is no need for that. I too shall toast you!” Liu Li walked to the Empress Dowager's side and quietly urged, “This is Second Brother's reunion with the Imperial Dowager. Do calm your anger, Mother, and don't let it spoil the occasion!”

The Empress Dowager cast a sidelong glance at Imperial Dowager Shu, then nodded with a faint, ambiguous smile. “Yes, yes, I'll listen to you!”

Liu Li smiled and poured wine for the Empress Dowager, and the two drank several cups together in good cheer.

At that moment, Liu Zhong rose once more to offer a toast, though this time he poured a cup of fruit wine instead.

“Mother, this wine has a better taste. If you insist on drinking, then let it be this cup!”

“Very well! Whatever my son gives me, I shall treasure!”

Imperial Dowager Shu glanced at the Empress Dowager, then drained the cup in one go. As Liu Zhong turned and made his way back to his seat, Imperial Dowager Shu covered her face with her sleeve and drank another cup of wine.

Its aroma was pungent, yet it entered the mouth sweet and clear, with a hint of some herbal remedy.

Music and dance flourished in celebration, and after the wine had made its rounds, a tipsy haze began to settle over the gathering. Though each person harbored their own private thoughts, together they had woven a scene of harmony and warmth.

They bantered, conversed, laughed, and offered toasts to one another...

Suddenly, an eunuch arrived in haste with a report, shattering the peaceful, joyful atmosphere.

“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the North Garden is on fire!”

Liu Li started in alarm. The North Garden was close to Imperial Dowager Shu's residence. Could it be that—

The Empress Dowager and Imperial Dowager Shu, however, remained fairly composed, leaving only His Majesty and the Second Prince anxious and concerned.

“Mother, if the fire at the North Garden may spread far, perhaps I should go and see to it first!”

“I am willing to accompany Third Brother, so that I may be of some assistance!”

The Empress Dowager smiled, and looked at Imperial Dowager Shu. “This fire was perhaps set by someone taking advantage of the master's absence. Since it concerns the Imperial Dowager's residence, why not ask her opinion?”

Hearing this, Imperial Dowager Shu rose and replied, “Since it is the North Garden that burns, then I bear some responsibility for it. It is best that I go.”

“Very well then,” the Empress Dowager said. “Let one of you two princes accompany the Imperial Dowager, so that she may be looked after. Who shall go?”

Liu Zhong glanced at Liu Li and the Empress Dowager, as if about to speak, but held himself back.

Liu Li, however, saw no harm in it and said to Liu Zhong, “Second Brother has only just returned and is not yet familiar with the palace. This is a fine opportunity to tour the grounds and prepare for the days ahead!”

Hearing this, Liu Zhong was overjoyed and was about to accept when he turned and met the Empress Dowager's icy gaze. He faltered. Thinking it over, he realized that Her Majesty's look suggested she did not wish for him to go. He could keep his mother company for now, but the consequences afterward might not end well. It was better not to contend with His Majesty.

“Third Brother, as you said, I am not well acquainted with these places. The fire must be dealt with swiftly, and I would only be in the way. I shall leave it to you to accompany Mother!”

Liu Li was about to reply, but the Empress Dowager cut him off.

“The fire has likely already spread far. This is no time for delay—Your Majesty, please go at once!” She smiled calmly, then found a few more pretexts. “The Second Prince has just endured a long, weary journey; it would not do to trouble him. Besides, the North Garden lies deep within the inner palace—how could we let the Second Prince go there?”

“Very well. Imperial Dowager Shu, if you please!”

The two departed together, and a long while passed without their return. Liu Zhong grew increasingly anxious...

With the two gone, the banquet felt all the more desolate, leaving only the Empress Dowager and the Second Prince facing each other in silence. The Empress Dowager perceived his restlessness and unease, smiled secretly to herself, and counted the hours.

“Is the Second Prince worried for Imperial Dowager Shu?”

“I confess, Your Majesty, I am.”

“No need for concern. Let us wait here a while; if they still have not returned, we shall go and look for them.”

“That would be excellent. My thanks to Your Majesty!”

The banquet's fireworks blazed brilliantly overhead, but in a secluded little courtyard nearby, all was dark and silent.

The fire at the North Garden had already been extinguished—it had been but a small blaze, its thick smoke rising to startle the palace servants.

Now the servants had dispersed, and Imperial Dowager Shu led Liu Li into a Buddhist temple in the North Garden.

The temple was dimly lit, with only a guttering candle and much cold wind.

Liu Li studied Imperial Dowager Shu's expression, sensing that something was not quite right, yet still puzzled as to her purpose.

“Imperial Dowager Shu, why have you brought Me here?”

Imperial Dowager Shu said nothing, but produced a small bottle. “This is a rare poison from the Western Regions—an item belonging to Ping Liang. I... I have no choice. You must not blame me!”

“What?”

Imperial Dowager Shu pressed the bottle into Liu Li's hand and, from her sleeve, drew a small dagger. “You must not blame me. If anyone is to blame, blame your mother!”

With that, she plunged the dagger into her own abdomen, then seized Liu Li's arm with a death grip. Liu Li stared at her in horror, pressing his hand against her wound and looking toward the outside, desperate to cry for help.

“Don't call out—it will only hasten your death!”

Liu Li pulled out a small pouch and fed one pellet to Imperial Dowager Shu. “Imperial Dowager Shu, you must hold on. Second Brother has only just returned—would you cast him aside so soon? What is he to do without you?”

“Don't be like this. You only fill me with guilt... Were it not for the Empress Dowager, I would never have done this!”

Liu Li shook his head, both furious and grieved. “Why did you do this?”

“Don't concern yourself. And don't give me any antidote—it will not work. I am telling you... you...”

A thick, dark purplish-black blood seeped from the corners of Imperial Dowager Shu's mouth. She suffered in agony for a long while, then heard footsteps approaching outside. Bearing the pain, she grabbed Liu Li by the collar and drew close to his ear, whispering, “When I die, the Empress Dowager will bury me at once. If you wish to stay alive, if you wish to know the truth, then... then find me within ten hours, and... dig me out...”

Liu Li had no time to question her, for he heard only the sound of her final breath, along with the voices of the Second Prince and the Empress Dowager.

The Buddhist temple suddenly grew bright, as many palace servants surrounded it with lanterns. The Empress Dowager and Second Prince rushed in, stricken with terror.

Seeing the blood on the ground and Imperial Dowager Shu lying there, Liu Zhong nearly went mad.

“What happened?!”

Liu Zhong fell to his knees, cradling Imperial Dowager Shu in his arms, calling out to her with anguish and heartbreak—but all she offered him was a body slowly turning cold and a face growing pale.

“Mother! Mother!”

The Empress Dowager pulled Liu Li to his feet, her face a mask of disbelief and fury. “You unfilial son! What have you done?!”

“Mother, I have done nothing!”

Liu Li stared blankly at the Empress Dowager, searching her expression for even a shred of concern or heartache—but he found none. He saw only agitation and shock, yet they did not carry the same purity as the others'.

“Done nothing?” The Empress Dowager shoved Liu Li, saying with indignation, “Is this how I have raised you? This is Imperial Dowager Shu! Why would you—what grudge do you bear against her? Did you... was it an accident, or perhaps—”

“Mother!” Liu Li shouted, his voice grave and indignant. “I swear to Heaven that I never harmed Imperial Dowager Shu. This scene was brought about by her own hand, and I myself do not know the reason! Do you mean to say that just because you came upon this sight, I am to be declared her murderer?!”

The Empress Dowager paused, searching for some other evidence but finding none, and answered in a softer tone, “But so many eyes have witnessed this. How am I to protect you?”

“I don't want your protection!” Liu Zhong looked at the Empress Dowager and His Majesty with a gaze burning with fury and grief, and said vehemently, “You two are the ones who killed my mother—both of you! Your family holds all the power, and we have never vied for anything, and yet it comes to this. I had only just seen my mother once before you could not wait to do such a thing. How ruthless and venomous you both are!”

Liu Li shook his head in grief and indignation, trying to placate Liu Zhong. “It is not what you think, Second Brother!”

Liu Zhong let out a cold snort. “Do not call me Second Brother. I have no brother as cold-blooded and poisonous as you!”

“Second Prince! Calm yourself!”

Liu Zhong glanced at the Empress Dowager, then rose to his feet, seething with hatred. “What if I killed you—would your son be calm then?”

“Second Brother, don't be rash!” Liu Li stepped in front of the Empress Dowager, blocking Liu Zhong's advance. “Imperial Dowager Shu brought Me to this place, took poison, and then stabbed herself in the abdomen. The evidence is upon her body. If you do not believe me, summon a coroner this very moment to conduct the examination!”

“What is there to examine? So many eyes have seen it—only you and Mother were together, only you had both the opportunity and the motive. Mother left the banquet in perfect health, everything was normal—how is it that she now lies here in this Buddhist hall? This temple was a place Mother loved, her sanctuary. Had she not been coerced, how could her body have ended up here? This is clearly the result of your pursuit and murder!”

“Second Brother, this place—”

“My son!”

Just as Liu Li was about to explain, the Empress Dowager, seeing how matters stood, cut him off. She did not want Liu Li to find too many chances to defend himself, nor did she want the tide of public opinion to turn. She had to seize this momentum to win over Liu Zhong's heart.

“Mother, what is the meaning of this?”

The Empress Dowager patted Liu Li. “First, we must pacify the Second Prince. Bear with it for now. Let your mother settle this matter!”

Liu Zhong let out a few bitter laughs. “What more is there to say? You are both murderers. My poor mother... I should never have listened and come back!”

Liu Li was taken aback, and looked at the Empress Dowager in confusion. “Who was it that persuaded Second Brother to return? Was it not the matter of the famine that—”

The Empress Dowager, feigning innocence, walked up to Liu Zhong.

“Second Prince, do not jump to conclusions so quickly. His Majesty and Imperial Dowager Shu came to the North Garden to inspect the fire. The flames were indeed fierce—even now there is still some lingering heat. And it was, moreover, right at the Imperial Dowager's own residence. All of this is perfectly reasonable!”

Liu Zhong nodded, weeping even as he sneered. “Is this not exactly a scheme you have laid out? Everyone knows how vicious your methods are. What difficulty is it to craft an elaborate trap?”