Chapter 103: Divergent Paths
Outside the Empress Dowager’s chamber in the Northern Huaxia palace, the scorching sun blazed overhead, the air heavy and stifling.
Liu Li waited for a moment before the messenger reappeared, wearing an apologetic expression. Before the man could speak, Liu Li strode to the door.
“Your Majesty! Please wait, the Empress Dowager is truly napping!”
Liu Li glanced dismissively at the man blocking the way. Gao Hai stepped forward and shoved him aside.
Seizing the opportunity, the crowd surged forward but was powerless against Gao Hai. They could only watch in panic as Liu Li barged inside without hesitation.
Pushing open the door, Liu Li entered swiftly. Before he could utter a word, both Liu Zhong and the Empress Dowager were already looking at him.
The three shared startled gazes that gradually steadied, turning into sorrow and frustration.
Liu Li stood stunned for a long moment, then clarity dawned. After some thought, he stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, I pay respects to Mother Empress Dowager! Greetings to Second Brother!”
The Empress Dowager replied coldly, “No need for formalities. What brings you to see me?”
Liu Li glanced at Liu Zhong without hesitation. “I wish to ask Mother Empress Dowager how this matter should be resolved. Though the innocent shall be vindicated, the rumors are frightening, and some already believe I am the culprit. To stabilize the people and mend relations, this must be handled swiftly—with the truth uncovered.”
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, unbothered by the tension. Liu Zhong’s face looked as pale and cold as frost-covered pears, shadowed by a grim melancholy.
“Of course it must be so. But why come to ask me? You and the Second Prince both stand here now, both seeking my counsel. Is there to be a hierarchy between you?”
Calmly sipping her tea, the Empress Dowager watched the brothers confront each other, inwardly delighted. No matter the outcome, she stood to gain.
“What does Your Majesty mean?”
“Second Brother!”
“You call me Second Brother, yet fail to show respect. Are you now going to compete with me?”
Liu Li paused, then looked at Liu Zhong. “Of course not—we are family. But finding the truth is everyone’s duty.”
The Empress Dowager set down her cup, her expression as cold as Liu Zhong’s as she stared at Liu Li. “Then why are we not all working together to catch the culprit? Instead, you stand there frozen and have the audacity to storm into my chamber. Is this a sign of distrust toward your mother?”
Liu Li hesitated, unsure what to say under their strange gazes.
“Third Brother, you have always been humble and courteous. Why now act out of line? This matter concerns you deeply and unfolded before your very eyes. Whether you seek the truth or to clear your name, I expect you to present evidence. Otherwise, do not blame me for turning my back on you!”
Liu Li nodded, swallowing his sorrow, and smiled faintly. “As you both advise, I shall clarify matters, uncover the truth, restore facts to all, and defend my innocence. Since you wish to discuss further without me interrupting, I will take my leave.”
Turning to go, Liu Li was called back sharply by Liu Zhong.
“Third Brother, don’t forget—you no longer have the right to call yourself ‘I’ in the imperial sense! Don’t think that because Eunuch Liu took the blame for you, you can act with impunity. No one can predict what lies ahead!”
Liu Li sneered coldly. “Naturally. This is my last sincere word.”
With that, he turned and left, fearing he might waver the next moment.
From the moment he pushed open the door and saw their expressions, Liu Li had already understood everything. Since he began suspecting the Empress Dowager, steadying his emotions and setting his course, he had never been clearer about who he was. He regained his sharpness and insight, as if polishing the window of his soul.
If many paths were offered but some insisted on crossing a narrow bridge alone, then they were not traveling the same road.
Watching Liu Li’s departing figure, Liu Zhong sighed, “Paths differ; no alliance is possible.”
“What do you mean?” The Empress Dowager suppressed her delight and asked calmly, “You came to me—what is it you want to say? Your mother spoke plainly; haven’t you learned that virtue?”
“I think the Empress Dowager should not have kept Eunuch Liu, nor been so lenient with Third Brother. You mishandled this matter.”
The Empress Dowager smiled lightly. “Why do you say that?”
“Liu Zhong advised you to stop tolerating Liu Li. He is a good-for-nothing! Your politics, thoughts, and aims differ from his. So why pretend all is harmonious?”
The Empress Dowager smiled tenderly. “Why accuse me and the Emperor so? Has the death of Consort Shu struck you too deeply? Or do you believe the rift between the Emperor and me is beyond repair?”
“Blood is not always kin—where is the gratitude of nurture?” Liu Zhong smiled smugly. “In truth, Empress Dowager, you need not pretend. I know he is not your true son. You raised him as a puppet!”
The Empress Dowager paused, then laughed. “Your mother told you this?”
“Yes. Two months ago, she revealed this secret, claiming to know the cause of the late Emperor’s death and wanting to use it to blackmail so she could leave the palace and meet me. I thought it would proceed smoothly, but that secret became my survival talisman! My mother’s blackmail failed—what of me?”
“Do you think your mother’s target was me?” The Empress Dowager smiled, enunciating each word. “She aimed at the Emperor. That is why he killed your mother.”
“I don’t care about that. Since you refuse to help him, why not join forces?”
“Join forces for what?” The Empress Dowager smiled, thinking: No need for me to persuade you—you’ve come to persuade me. Fascinating! Yet I didn’t expect such cold resolve.
“We’ll overthrow Liu Li. He holds no real power. You have influence; I have reason. Together, we can pressure him to abdicate. You’ve kept him all these years—surely not because you want him to remain Emperor?”
“Abdicate?” The Empress Dowager considered and asked cautiously, “Then who becomes Emperor?”
“Of course, the eldest brother! You always favored him and wished for his ascension, didn’t you?”
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily, then looked at Liu Zhong with a trace of sorrow. “You’re half right. I do want the eldest prince on the throne, but he refuses. Otherwise, he would have ascended long ago. Do you think I keep him because there is no choice? I regret driving away so many princes back then. Now only you three remain…”
“The eldest prince refuses, the third is unfit, so…”
“You are the only one left!”
The Empress Dowager and Liu Zhong exchanged prolonged looks, each lost in thought.
“The Empress Dowager values me so? I am but an outcast, stationed at White River all these years!”
“No, you are not an outcast,” the Empress Dowager said softly, thinking: You’re not an outcast—you are a pawn.
Liu Zhong’s expression mingled joy and sorrow, eyes shining with hope. Who could resist the lure of the throne?
“Empress Dowager!”
“Perhaps you should try addressing me as ‘Mother Empress Dowager’ now.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you say? To overthrow the Emperor, there must be a new one. Are you willing to be that new Emperor?”
“I… I… I am willing!” Liu Zhong exclaimed. “I will stand with you, united against Liu Li!”
“But this is no simple matter,” the Empress Dowager smiled. “It seems he has erased all evidence—no clues remain. How can we charge him?”
“That…”
“Ah, although this is a grave crime, with our joint efforts, overthrowing an Emperor is still difficult. After all, it involves state affairs and many complexities. Without solid evidence, or…”
“Or if he were dead?”
The Empress Dowager looked at Liu Zhong in horror. “He is your Third Brother, and usually so concerned for you!”
“Empress Dowager, are you unwilling to kill him?”
“Not at all!”
“Then let me do it. Consider it paving the way for the throne. Throughout history, when emperors have abdicated, it has always stirred storms and bloodshed. I want to honor my mother. After all, he harbored ill intent.”
The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze and smiled. “Then, do you require my help in any way?”