This chapter has been brought to you by me, and Adnana.
Chapter Eighty-Eight: Death of a Phoenix
“Do you not have any blood on your hands?” The Empress smiled unconcernedly. “Now that your wings are fully grown, you bribed one of my people to poison the Empress Dowager and caused me to be imprisoned. I will admit that I am not as skilled as you, but you do not need to act so tragic. We are all on the same path, and you are not much cleaner than I am.”
Lin shi’s smile froze slightly and then she said, “You can only win verbally now. I will let you see how the entire Fang Family falls!”
The lack of concern on the Empress’ face finally disappeared. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” Lin shi listened to the sound of thunder outside and giggled. “The thunder is really pleasing to the ear. Empress, enjoy the last days of being the empress in jail. Maybe not long in the future, you will not be the empress but a criminal consort.”
The Empress reached out through the bars of the prison and grabbed the corner of Lin shi’s clothes. “What do you want to do to the Fang Family?!”
Lin shi pulled the corner of her dress and then pressed the Empress’s hand hard under her foot. “When you were bullying me, you should have thought of the day when retribution would come!”
“Ah!” The bone-crushing pain caused the Empress to cry out. “Lin shi, you will not die a good death!”
“A person who is already living in hell will not fear death.” Lin shi laughed until she almost cried. “It is only my pitiful child. His reputation was ruined from when he was born. He became the inauspicious star that would bring calamity to the world. The child is innocent. When you had people spread rumors about my child, you never thought of leaving some way for us to survive.”
The Empress stilled. She looked in shock at Lin shi. “You think that I did that?”
“You do not have to act so well.” Lin shi smiled coldly. “You ruined my son’s life, and I will take your entire Fang Clan in exchange!”
Lin shi moved her foot away. She touched the silver hairpins in her hair. While she did not have any makeup on her face, her tender skin was enough to make up for countless flaws.
She walked out of the prison. Looking at the pouring rain, she unhesitatingly stepped into the storm.
“Mistress, it has not been a month since you gave birth. It was not good for you to leave the rooms. You cannot get rained on, or you will become ill in the future.” The servant behind her put up an umbrella to shield her from the rain. However, the rain was too heavy. Even though there was an umbrella, many drops of rain still reached Lin shi’s face.
Lin shi smiled unconcernedly and continued to stride forward.
She was standing in this shaking core of power—what future was there?
A crowd of imperial doctors and grand doctors were squeezed in the side hall of the Empress Dowager’s palace. There were many of the Yan Clan standing outside. As the Empress Dowager remained unconscious, the faces of the Imperial House members outside got uglier.
When had their Imperial Yan Clan ever had an empress who poisoned the empress dowager? This ugly matter could not be concealed and was definitely going to enter the history books.
When they thought of this, their expressions became even uglier. It was likely that thousands of years later, when people mentioned the Yan Clan’s imperial dynasty, they would not forget this ugly matter.
Daughter-in-law poisoning Mother-in-law, that was unfilial. Empress poisoning Empress Dowager, that was treasonous. Yet, this person who was unfilial and treasonous was the very empress whom the Emperor had insisted on investing with the empress title in the past.
Of those present, Qilong Emperor’s expression was the ugliest. He had acted the filial son for so many years, but now, his empress had poisoned the Empress Dowager. Not only did this cause all of his previous efforts to go to waste, but it also created a stain on his life that would be difficult to erase.
Everyone knew that the Empress Dowager was not his birth mother. No matter all the excuses he could use, these people would not believe his words. He didn’t know how those scholars would judge this matter, and him.
There were not many emperors who did not care about how the history books would record them. Qilong Emperor was the same. When he thought about how the people in the future would misunderstand him because of this matter, Qilong Emperor felt a fire burning inside that could not be extinguished.
“Emperor, Xian Wang and Xian Wang Fei have arrived.”
Qilong Emperor looked towards the doorway. Yan Jin Qiu and Hua shi were hurrying over. The lower half of Yan Jin Qiu’s robes was soaked in water, and his clothing was wrinkled. Hua shi was wearing simple clothing, and her hair was in a simple bun. Her beautiful embroidered slippers had become grey due to having touched dirty water.
If these two met with the Emperor looking like this at a normal time, people would definitely feel that they were breaking etiquette. However, the Empress Dowager was in such a dangerous state right now. Xian Wang had been raised by the Empress Dowager, so the two of them had came to the palace without even changing. Even the sternest person would think that these two had pure hearts.
Who in Jing did not know of the handsome Xian Wang and the stunning beauty of Xian Wang Fei? Who had seen them so disheveled? It could be seen just how panicked the two had felt on their way here.
Yan Jin Qiu and Hua Xi Wan came in front of Qilong Emperor and knelt down. Yan Jin Qiu did not make excuses and said directly, “This subject and wife have broken etiquette. Emperor, please give your punishment.”
“Virtuous Nephew, Virtuous Niece-in-law, please rise. Zhen understands what you two feel. The Empress Dowager would also be moved by your filialness.” Qilong Emperor’s eyes became rimmed in red as he personally reached out to help Yan Jin Qiu up. He said in a choked voice, “Zhen right now… zhen feels guilty.” Finishing, he covered his face with his sleeve and started to cry without any sign of composure.
Hua Xi Wan silently lowered her head. This Qilong Emperor was really working hard at washing himself clean. He was using this move of crying and sobbing in front of so many people. She just didn’t know if other people thought that he was truly feeling it or was just acting.
“Please, Emperor, do not be like this. Imperial Grandmother frequently talks to this subject about your filialness and consideration to her. No one could have predicted what happened today.” Yan Jin Qiu’s eyes also turned red and he started to sob. “This subject… this subject only hopes that Imperial Grandmother can be healthy and unharmed.”
Seeing Yan Jin Qiu also take out his Oscar-winning skills, Hua Xi Wan sighed. She hadn’t thought that after being reborn, she still had to continue her old line of work. This was a tragic story.
“Wang Ye, do not be like this.” Hua Xi Wan pinched a corner of her handkerchief and wiped at her eyes without any elegance. She quickly started to cry to the point she couldn’t breathe. She acted out a woman who was afraid and shocked and worried about her husband. “If Imperial Grandmother knows that you have neglected your body so, when Imperial Grandmother recovers, won’t she feel pain for your health? You… do not be too sad.” While she urged Yan Jin Qiu to not be sad, she was crying sorrowfully.
Yan Jin Qiu put an arm around Hua Xi Wan. Disregarding the other Imperial Family members in the room, he sobbed. “Today, I am willing to kneel here to pray for Imperial Grandmother, and only wish for her to be safe, and in good health.”
“Wang Ye, qie will accompany you.”
“Your body is not strong. Do not…”
“Husband and wife should be one. You are worried and sad for Imperial Grandmother—how can qie bear to just watch you?”
Many of the womenfolk were moved by this scene and their eyes also turned red.
Xian Wang was really a filial child, and Xian Wang Fei was a virtuous, filial and good wife. Why had they thought that Xian Wang Fei was a person who only had beauty and wasn’t worthy of Xian Wang’s favor? That had been very biased. Look how good a woman Xian Wang Fei was.
Ning Wang looked with admiration at the Emperor and the Xian couple crying one sadder than the other. He silently wiped his face. He turned his head to look at the lightning and thunder that was causing the world to shake and felt great respect for the acting skills of these three people.
No, it should only be two people. Of the three, only Xian Wang Fei was sincerely crying. Females always followed their men. This Xian Wang was sad, so she naturally felt sad. It was a pity that she didn’t know that the man next to her wasn’t truly feeling sad but acting.
“Emperor, the Empress Dowager has woken up!”
Everyone looked with shocked expressions as the Xian husband and wife. Had these two’s filialness moved the heavens and caused the Empress Dowager who had been unconscious for so many hours to wake up?
Even Ning Wang was slightly shocked. So there were really such coincidences in this world?
The Empress Dowager woke up, but that didn’t mean that she was fine. When everyone walked into the room, they saw the Empress Dowager leaning back against the pillows. Her eyes were bright with alertness. Their hearts jumped. This was… the last gasp before death?
But no one dared to say this. They only knelt docilely and waited for the Empress Dowager to speak.
“You have all come?” Empress Dowager’s gaze swept across the people and then landed on Yan Jin Qiu at the end. She smiled as she beckoned towards Yan Jin Qiu. “Zi Ling, came to Imperial Grandmother.”
“Imperial Grandmother.” Yan Jin Qiu hurriedly used his sleeve to wipe his eyes and tried to make his tone seem more natural. “Are you feeling better?”
“It will not get better.” The Empress Dowager looked at the doorway to the hall and sighed. “Aijia has stayed for over two decades in this palace. It is time to rest.”
Yan Jin Qiu gripped her warm hand and didn’t speak.
“You are a good child. Out of all of aijia’s imperial grandchildren, you are the most filial. Now that aijia has seen you before leaving, aijia’s worries have eased.” The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor. “Your birth mother was of low birth. The previous emperor had me raise you. Aijia never thought that you have been mistreated. But aijia never thought that this life would be lost by the hand of your empress.”
Qilong Emperor’s body swayed where he was kneeling on the ground. He had not expected that the Empress Dowager would say in front of so many people that his mother was of low birth. He raised his head and looked at the court recorder who was furiously writing in the corner. His face darkened but he managed to bear it.
“All right, all right, aijia is old, and cannot manage you.” The Empress Dowager suddenly looked behind the Emperor and said, “The previous emperor is here?”
Qilong Emperor felt a cold sweat on his back. He couldn’t help but look back. It was empty behind him.
The Empress Dowager suddenly shouted harshly, “Emperor!”
She had given her entire life to the Yan Imperial Clan. Just before death, she suddenly found that she hated the previous emperor.
Her gaze swept Yan Jin Qiu for the last time. She had caused the death of this child’s mother and separated the child from his father. Before death, she would help him once.
“Emperor, treat aijia’s Zi Ling well. He is a filial child.”
She had said this in front of so many people. Even if the Emperor wanted to do something in the future, he could not take this child’s life.
She only hoped…
The magnificence of when she had ascended the phoenix throne in the past flashed through her mind. A smile floated at the corner of her mouth and she breathed her last.
Yan Jin Qiu felt the hand in his palm suddenly tremble and then become motionless.
He stilled and his index finger trembled as he moved it to her nose. His gaze gradually became sorrowful. “Imperial Grandmother!”
Hua Xi Wan looked dazedly at the woman on the phoenix bed. The most noble and powerful woman in the Yan Imperial Dynasty had died like this?
Translator Ramblings: The empress dowager wanted to help Yan Jin Qiu in the end.
Thanks for the chapter
I don’t know how to feel about the dowager empress, she did so many cruel things to our ML but then ends up helping him in the end
Well, it was a help but we know that YJQ’s going to make his moves anyway. The Dowager really made ML suffer as a child.
Well, this is sad. And yet, the passing of the Empress Dowager now sets the stage for YJQ and HXW to rise to power. With the Empress imprisoned, the Crown Princess the subject of rumors, the unborn child named inauspicious, and the public image of the Emperor in shambles… someone needs to fill in the power void.
And who else but the couple that’s loved by the people and blessed by the beloved Empress Dowager?
Everything I wanted to say!
I think the Empress Dowager was not so much helping our new power couple but, sealing the emperor’s coffin. What better way to expose all the key elements of the emperor’s schemes and the people he used to do them
Best Ensemble acting skills goes to the Imperial Family.😆😆😆
Lol, they sweep all of the oscars
What I found hilarious: Ning Wang thinking that HXW wasn’t acting. So in order of what each person knows…
Emperor: The other two are legit, but I gotta fake it to make it.
Ning Wang: The Oscar goes to those three! No, wait, those two, because women can’t possibly be as calculating as men.
YJQ and HXW: We’re all fakers, but at least we’re fakers together. *laughs secretly at everyone else*
So true, if our beloved couple is in the modern world they’ll be taking the Oscar’s together hahhahahhaha
Which means HSW was the best among them. Ning Wang didn’t think she was acting when it was actually the opposite lol
Funny breakdown
YJQ lucked out that HXW was a very good actress in her past life. Imagine if she had been an idol?! 😂😂
I think the Emperor was probably actually crying. After all, the long years where he had to act filial were all cleanly wasted in one afternoon.
Looks like this chapter is enforcing something I mentioned in the comments before. There’s no reason to feel “pity” for any of the imperial family members. They’re all guilty of their own crimes. (and as before, I don’t exclude QJY from this. We’re shown some blood on his hands already but I’m sure there’s much more behind the scenes that we’re not shown.)
“Seeing Yan Jin Qiu also take out his Oscar-winning skills, Hua Xi Wan sighed. She hadn’t thought that after being reborn, she still had to continue her old line of work. This was a tragic story.” -> This amused me more than it should have. It’s very accurate though heh.
“It was a pity that she didn’t know that the man next to her wasn’t truly feeling sad but acting.” -> Even more of a pity thatt Ning Wang didn’t realize it was all three lol.
I don’t really know what to think of the Empress Dowager in the end… She had her schemes, but it’s clear she doted on QJY as much as she could. Also, although it was a ploy, QJY does have her to thank for having such a beautiful wife next to him. … Best not to delve too deeply into it. I’m sure like every other Imperial Family member, there’s a lot done behind the scenes that I wouldn’t personally approve of. I’ll just leave things on a relatively positive note and say that overall I liked her more than I disliked her.
Actually there were many hints in the previous chapters where some problems tht the male lead’s rivals faced were because of the male lead’s own doing. I cant rmbr since it’s been a long time since i last read this novel. But for such an ambitious guy, its obvious the male lead has been plotting some stuff to harm his rivals while acting like the one who doesnt want to be implicated in the fight for the throne.
Even in this chapter, it’s hinted at that the male lead might have been the one behind the crown princess’s rumors though Im not sure if this is correct. Its just my guess. Need to wait for new chapters to confirm
I agree completely, just that because it’s all “implied” rather than stated. I don’t want to add my own interpretations into things.
Even if we ignore the implications though, we’re shown at least one torture victim (leading to his death and use in a ploy) alongside a chamber of more torture victims at the very minimum. This is directly stated and there’s no way to disprove it.
Meaning at the very least QJY has his own share of blood that he spilled.
You can’t fault Ning wang for not being able to figure out HXW. Even YJQ took a while and that was while living with her.
hahaha definately not! It’s just highly amusing to consider as a reader. You feel sad for her…. but did you know she too was acting? XD
Can’t really blame them from spilling blood, is that or dying in that harsh environment.
LOL Ning Wang, little do you know that Hua Xi Wan is the best actor on this stage…
*“A person who is already living in hell will not fear death.” Lin shi laughed until she almost cried. “It is only my pitiful child. His reputation was ruined from when he was born. He became the inauspicious star that would bring calamity to the world. The child is innocent. When you had people spread rumors about my child, you never thought of leaving some way for us to survive.”*
The tragedies of the imperial family. Tut tut.
—
*Daughter-in-law poisoning Mother-in-law, that was unfilial. Empress poisoning Empress Dowager, that was treasonous. Yet, this person who was unfilial and treasonous was the very empress whom the Emperor had insisted on investing with the empress title in the past.*
Meh~
—
*Everyone knew that the Empress Dowager was not his birth mother. No matter all the excuses he could use, these people would not believe his words. He didn’t know how those scholars would judge this matter, and him.*
Aaaaah I get it now. Since the Emperor invested heavily on his Empress and the ED is now poisoned, is it any wonder then if people thought HE was behind it after all.
—
*Yan Jin Qiu’s eyes also turned red and he started to sob. “This subject… this subject only hopes that Imperial Grandmother can be healthy and unharmed.”*
I’m sorry YJQ, I felt a cold chill when this happened. You scare me, dude.
—
*“Husband and wife should be one. You are worried and sad for Imperial Grandmother—how can qie bear to just watch you?”*
Oh dear….more goosebumps. Meanwhile, I can’t help but snicker too. How can anybody truly suspect these two after such a show?
—
*It was a pity that she didn’t know that the man next to her wasn’t truly feeling sad but acting.*
*Snicker*
—
*“You are a good child. Out of all of aijia’s imperial grandchildren, you are the most filial. Now that aijia has seen you before leaving, aijia’s worries have eased.” The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor. “Your birth mother was of low birth. The previous emperor had me raise you. Aijia never thought that you have been mistreated. But aijia never thought that this life would be lost by the hand of your empress.”*
This alone would mark the Empress’ death. Goodbye~ Empress Dowager sure knows how to take one down with her.
Ooolala please forgive this lengthy comment. I miss you guys T_T This was a wonderful chapter. Layer upon layer of intense political maneuvering. Thanks again!
Thanks for the chapter
Uh her death….just why
All I want to say is that….at least the Imperial Dowager is good for something.
Thanks for the new chapter!
She had, after all, taken his parents.. out of his life. I guess it’s her last bit of conscience.
—…great respect for the acting skills of these three people.
No, it should only be two people. Of the three, only Xian Wang Fei was sincerely crying.–
Pfft~! Which means Xian Wang Fei surpassed her husband’s and the emperor’s acting. Hahaha Ning Wang should also join them.
Thank you for the chapter ( ’ω’)旦~~┏━┓ fuu~
*watches drama, sips tea*
Well, even if she can’t live to see it, the empress dowager had been working to get Yan Jin Qiu on the throne, and against her dead husband’s son, the current emperor. The emperor and empress had not treated her especially well, and not getting her due, she was absolutely out to get them. Plus, she apparently harbored loathing for her husband all this time, long past his own death, even for making her raise the current emperor, son of some low-ranking woman. Anything to take them out with her is going to help further her desires and help satisfy her spite.
Hua Xi Wan can’t catch a lazy-girl break these days. She has to go deal with the in-laws endlessly, now that they’re knocking each other off like the homicidal megalomaniacs they are. She even has to pretend to care. Ugh. The weeping, keeping the eye rolling on the inside, the destroyed clothing – it’s exhausting.
Raising the emperor was not a bad thing for her. As a childless empress she needs to adopt a child to secure her position in the future and the only possible thing is an unflavored concubine with a low birth. Because this kind of woman has no support. The emperor can only get his throne because he was raised by her as an empress too, otherwise why wouldn’t either the previous Xianwang or Sheng Wang have got the throne instead?
They were so loved so that they evwn got the gold scroll to secure their life in the future from previous emperor.
From this chapter it is anyhow explained that both were killed secretly by empress dowager.
In this case, this emperor has actually been unfilial indeed, that empress dowager even got slighted by palace servants until she needed to humiliate the empress last time with the bird nest soup drama.
The imperial family is really dirty. All of them are top actress.
LOL, someone should just give them Oscars….I thought YJQ has a hand with the ED’s poisoning and never would have thought that it was through the crown princess hands. Thanks for this chapter.
Sure, but who made it possible for her to get poison in to the Empress Dowager via the Empress?
The sobbing scene was funny. Ning wang still underestimating Hua Xi Wan. She’s the best of the bunch
Ning Wang: “Of the three, only Xian Wang Fei was sincerely crying.“
ROFL, even an old hand like Ning Wang completely fell for HXW’s acting. She’s that good at her old job xD.
I couldn’t help but laugh at Ning Wang ‘s words…If only he knew she was the greatest actor of the three, really professional.
I am liking Ning Wang….he’s a cute old fox 😉
Right? I’m hoping the novel gives him a decent end xD He’s been unintentionally amusing from the moment he was introduced.
I guess despite being cunning the Empress Dowager really did love YJQ as her grandson. She killed his mother and took him for her own benefits but the fact that she does care for him doesn’t change. At least, in he rlast breath…she gave him the support and protection YJQ will be needing. Besides, I feel like the Empress Dowager can be the love Cupid of HXW and YJQ😌
Anyways, out of the three(YJQ, Emperor and HXW)…HXW still is th best (actress)…even that Ning Wang was fooled 😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the chapter!! 😊
And…the Golden Horse/Oscar/Palm’d’or/ Bear/Lion goes to….Imperial Family Ensemble cast!!!!
Special Mention for HXW in light of her stunning portrayal of a grieving wife.
*slow golf clap of admiration*
In her final breath, the dowager empress managed to get a Xanatos gambit. She gets Everyone, coming or going. Such is the talent of a long resident of the Imperial Harem.
Thank you for the chapter.
And the saga intensifies……
AND this year’s BEST ACTOR AND ACTRESS goes to……………………………………………………………
YAN JIN QUI AND HWA XI WAN!!!🏆🏆👑👑
Damn!! They are good, very good🙇🙇🙇🙇👍👍👍
Thank you for the chapter~
And the oscar goes to….
The power of grandmother’s love. Until her last breath, she was trying to protect Yan Jin Qiu.
Thank you for the chapters.hugs. ❤
I’m still more inclined to think of it as guilt. She had always put herself first, killing his mother just so that she can raise him an have a pawn in her hands so as to gain power in the future. Unfortunately, her calculations were off. It is difficult to dreg up pity for her, but at least she didn’t drag him down in the end.
sorry Emperor, you are totally not that off track,,,granddaughter in-law harming grandmother in-law
No, it should only be two people. Of the three, only Xian Wang Fei was sincerely crying. Females always followed their men. This Xian Wang was sad, so she naturally felt sad. It was a pity that she didn’t know that the man next to her wasn’t truly feeling sad but acting.
Ning Wang, you thought HAHAHAHAHAHA omg can’t help laughing. All those people think that our dear lazy MC is innocent at heart. Dude, Ning Wang, HYX is the only official actress out of the three!
Lol at Ning Wang haha. Thank you <3
“Seeing Yan Jin Qiu also take out his Oscar-winning skills, Hua Xi Wan sighed. She hadn’t thought that after being reborn, she still had to continue her old line of work. This was a tragic story.” 😂😂😂😂
& the worst part is, she is so good at it, others won’t even know she is part of the plot. 😂😂😂😂
Meaningless death.. Royalties holds the highest prestige, power and fame. When they die they all die full of regret looking back their past.. ho meaningless it is.. loving yourself too much to the point of selfishness.. When you die its all meaningless
“Emperor, the Empress Dowager has woken up!”
Everyone looked with shocked expressions as the Xian husband and wife. Had these two’s filialness moved the heavens and caused the Empress Dowager who had been unconscious for so many hours to wake up?
Even Ning Wang was slightly shocked. So there were really such coincidences in this world?
I’ve been reading the comments but why don’t more people find this part funny?
Thanks for the updates
I know the ED dying scene is suposed to be a sad and somber affair but it is ridiculously funny to me.
From HXWs internal eyerolling due to the imperial family’s (esp her husband’s) penchant for acting thus pulling her along with the impromptu acting scene to Ning Wang’s gullible nature.
Then it suddenly took a turn to B horror movie status with
“Qilong Emperor felt a cold sweat on his back. He couldn’t help but look back. It was empty behind him.
The Empress Dowager suddenly shouted harshly, “Emperor!”
And ED prolly too busy to scheme that it took her a lifetime to realize that “she suddenly found that she hated the previous emperor.”
This chap is too amusing and knowing that ED is bo saint, I dont even feel bad abt it. 😅😅😅
The court recorder be like: OH DAAAAMN, WHAT IS GOING OOOOOON
*Writes furiously*
She hadn’t thought that after being reborn, she still had to continue her old line of work. This was a tragic story.” ->
oh God…this is hilarious 😂😂😂
In the end she still saw him as a fool. It was more to help an enemy’s enemy. She’s got a lotta loathing for the emperor and his father the previous one after all.