NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1. A Leap.
“I gave you my whole heart, never guessing you’d doubt me so much over rumors without any truth!”
At the city gate tower’s highest level, there was a woman clad in white clutching a sharp blade. Her eyes brimming with tears, she emotionally faced the emperor and let her words flow.
Her face was bare, showing no signs of makeup, and it was as white as paper. It was only her lips that showed a hint of color, barely touched by a soft red shade. Still looking beautiful, she seemed to hold a different sort of charm.
Despite her presence, the emperor on the other side maintained a fierce look, as though anger truly consumed him. When he looked at the woman standing alone before him, his anger spilled out uncontrollably.
Emperor Cang Qian made his way, surrounded by eunuchs at his service and flanked by a host of armed guards, all poised for action. They faced a woman dressed in white standing across from them on the city tower.
The white-clad woman was none other than Emperor Cang Qian’s Imperial Consort Chen. Having recently brought the fourth prince, Cang Lingye, into the world, she now found herself in a dire predicament atop the city gate tower under the emperor’s questioning gaze.
“You’ve been by my side for some time now. It’s no secret that the likes of assassins and spies rank high on my list of dislikes. Given all the evidence laid out before me, what more is there for you to add?”
Standing at the peak of the city gate tower, Imperial Consort Chen’s appearance was far from regal, almost on the brink of death, yet Emperor Cang Qian persisted in his harsh interrogation, refusing to back down.
When Emperor Cang Qian took his place as ruler, he had gone through a scary time that almost took his life. This made him very cautious. He became the emperor only after surviving a really life-and-death situation. He probably kept the storm inside him a secret, which might explain why he turned out the way he did.
In the middle of today’s court session, a shocking piece of news arrived out of nowhere. It was revealed that Imperial Consort Chen had been secretly placed next to Emperor Cang Qian by the Blood Clothed Tower with a dark purpose—she was an assassin!
Why would Emperor Cang Qian put up with something so awful taking place? Yet the proof was undeniable. Though he tried to turn away from accepting it, the proof was just too strong to ignore.
After Imperial Consort Chen had a baby, he went to her and showed her the proof he had found. He thought Imperial Consort Chen would have a reasonable explanation for everything, and then the confrontation happened.
“Someone must be framing me, Your Majesty! It has to be someone green with envy over the favor you show me, so they stooped to these low actions. They want to end my life!”
Deep inside Imperial Consort Chen lingered a sliver of hope. Her deepest wish was for Emperor Cang Qian to trust her and let her live.
“What kind of person would resort to such a low tactic to set you up? Quit your trickery. I only trust facts!” Emperor Cang Qian responded harshly, unimpressed by the consort’s efforts to deceive.
Emperor Cang Qian, known for his suspicious and elaborate pondering, now faced overwhelming evidence against the consort and could no longer protect her. So, they had to settle their differences today.
“If my emperor doesn’t trust me, then I feel no need to live. Still, my child is young and guiltless. I trust that your anger will not extend towards my innocent child.”
Imperial Consort Chen’s biggest struggle was to accept parting ways with her young, naive son. She wished that Emperor Cang Qian would sympathize with her situation due to her child.
“You rest assured. He is my son, too. The fact he’s healthy means I won’t harm him, just like a tough tiger that doesn’t prey on its offspring. I’ll make sure he gets a kind, good-hearted mother in his life. So, you can rest easy.”
Anyhow, Emperor Cang Qian was able to harden his heart toward this situation because several women in the harem were childless. Leaving a tainted woman like Imperial Consort Chen alive seemed out of the question for him.
“This concubine thanks Your Majesty. I am already satisfied with having experienced pleasant moments with Your Majesty and having a child of my own. I kneel before you, expressing my gratitude!”
Upon listening to Emperor Cang Qian’s stern words that carried no mercy, Imperial Consort Chen responded this way. She wanted to leave a lasting impression on Emperor Cang Qian, in hopes that he might remember her fondly and with regret. That could also ensure he treats her child kindly in the future.
“Wait!”
As Imperial Consort Chen was prepared to end her own life by leaping off the city gate tower, Emperor Cang Qian suddenly shouted, stopping her just before the impending tragedy.
“Your Majesty, do you have any additional requests?”
Imperial Consort Chen quickly kneeled and submitted to Emperor Cang Qian. She felt optimistic, possibly believing that the Emperor might change his mind about her fate. She was eager to confirm.
Imperial Consort Chen’s eyes displayed both anxiousness and uncertainty, along with a hint of hope. She was hanging onto Emperor Cang Qian’s next words, knowing they could significantly alter her future.
“In addition to you, the Blood Clothed Tower must have other covert agents in place. If you tell me now, I may spare your life.”
Emperor Cang Qian was inquiring about something of import. He was unwilling to tolerate any potential dangers, so he decided to leverage the remaining usefulness of Imperial Consort Chen. This is why he prevented her from committing suicide.
“Haha … Hahaha … It is humorous that you would ask such a question! It appears that, despite everything, you still don’t trust me.” With a sad smile, Imperial Consort Chen stood up.
She cast a mocking gaze at Emperor Cang Qian, surprised by his level of distrust despite their intimate relationship.
“Consider your son. If you live, there’s a chance to see him again and watch him grow up,” proposed Emperor Cang Qian as he attempted to sway Imperial Consort Chen with the thought of their child. His plan was to get her to reveal the names of conspirators linked with the Blood Clothed Tower.
“Hahaha …” Imperial Consort Chen laughed scornfully at Emperor Cang Qian, looking at him with a mocking smile.
Imperial Consort Chen was aware of Emperor Cang Qian’s thoughts. Even if she named the other co-conspirators, based on Emperor Cang Qian’s nature, he wouldn’t forgive her easily. Therefore, she scoffed and addressed Emperor Cang Qian,
“Take note of my words. Even if I perish today, I won’t let you escape unscathed. You won’t end well in this life. I’ll be watching over you from the heavens, waiting for the day of your demise. I’m eager to see how much suffering you’ll endure for the rest of your life.”
Imperial Consort Chen finally stood resolutely on the brink of the city gate tower’s windowsill, her eyes blazing with hatred as she spoke coldly to Emperor Cang Qian. Each word dripped with venom, as though she were cursing him with every breath. Her face, set in steely determination, showed no hint of fear.
Her speech concluded; Imperial Consort Chen hurled the dagger in her hand toward Emperor Cang Qian. The blade, aimed with all her fury, was intercepted by the quick reflexes of the guard beside him, clattering uselessly to the ground.
A strange sense of relief washed over her. With a final, wry smile, Imperial Consort Chen turned and leaped from the city gate tower without a moment’s hesitation.
She had already set an unexpected plot in motion in the palace.
So, even if she died now, she had already taken her revenge on Emperor Cang Qian. What she said just now was the truth. She didn’t want to curse Emperor Cang Qian.