Jun Hui arrived at Consort Yun's palace, soaked to the bone from the rain.
Consort Yun gazed at Jun Hui, utterly drenched, her heart filled with surprise. This was the first time she had ever seen her son in such a state.
"What's wrong with you? Even if Heavenly Master Xiang Huai lost the competition, there's no need to be so disheartened. Look at yourself! You barely resemble my imperial son!" Consort Yun said coldly, then turned to instruct a palace maid to fetch a towel.
"Take this, wipe yourself." She tossed the towel to him, but he remained motionless.
It was then that Consort Yun realized something was deeply wrong with her son.
"What's wrong?" Her tone held a faint edge of urgency.
Jun Hui suddenly lifted his head, staring fixedly at Consort Yun. "Imperial Mother, do you have even a shred of affection for your son?"
Consort Yun stiffened.
Jun Hui let out a bitter laugh and continued, "Imperial Mother, ever since I was a child, you've only taught your son to scheme and to seize. To act as a good son before Imperial Father and the Empress,
to conceal my sharpness before the Crown Prince, to be a humble and unremarkable brother. Why can't I live as freely as Jun Mo? Why is it that even though I've done everything you told me to, I can't even get a single word of affirmation from any of you?"
"Imperial Father, Imperial Brother, even she – they only see Jun Mo!"
Consort Yun was stunned by his outburst.
"She? Who is 'she'?" Consort Yun asked, puzzled.
Jun Hui murmured, "I cannot stand by and watch her marry another! Absolutely not!"
Only then did Consort Yun realize who 'she' referred to.
Consort Yun seethed with hatred for Su Li. Her son, whom she had painstakingly raised, was behaving like a half-dead wretch all because of a woman! It was outrageous!
"You're talking about Su Li? Didn't Imperial Mother tell you? As long as you ascend to that position, let alone a mere Su Li, what kind of woman couldn't you have?"
Jun Hui looked up at Consort Yun. "Imperial Mother, your son cannot bear to watch her marry someone else. Your son is useless."
It was the first time Consort Yun had seen such a look of helplessness in her son's eyes.
Consort Yun raged, "What kind of spell has Su Li cast on you? To bewitch you so completely!"
Jun Hui looked at Consort Yun with a plea in his eyes. "Imperial Mother, let's make our move! Don't you want your son to ascend to that position? There's another way."
Consort Yun looked at the somewhat frantic Jun Hui, bewildered. "We have no wealth, no military power now. Besides rebuilding our forces, what other way could there be?"
"Imperial Mother, there's another way. It won't require much effort, and it will allow your son to ascend to that position. It only requires Imperial Father's cooperation."
Consort Yun's eyes widened in shock. "You mean... are you mad?!"
"Imperial Mother! If you don't make up your mind now, your son will never get that position! The Crown Prince has recovered, and even his legitimate son is almost due!"
Consort Yun hadn't yet recovered from her shock. She had always taught him to be patient and bide his time, never expecting him to become so impatient now. Could a woman's influence truly be this profound?
"Imperial Mother, I beg you, just indulge your son this once! If you don't agree, your son will do it himself!"
"You wouldn't dare!" Consort Yun roared.
Jun Hui, however, remained calm. "Imperial Mother, I truly cannot wait any longer."
Consort Yun seemed to have all her strength drained, collapsing into a chair.
After a long moment, she murmured, "How do you plan to do it?"
Jun Hui's eyes lit up. "Imperial Mother, I've thought it through. It's not easy to act within the palace, so we'll do it outside. In a few days, it will be the Emperor Emeritus's Memorial Birthday.
Imperial Father will go to Protectorate Temple to perform rites for the Emperor Emeritus. That will be the perfect timing! As long as Imperial Father writes the abdication edict, we will have succeeded!"
Consort Yun saw that his mind was made up; he had clearly planned this out long ago.
"Since you had this plan all along, why did you put on that act! Tell me, what do you need Imperial Mother to do?"
"Imperial Mother, find a way to accompany Imperial Father to Protectorate Temple. I will tell you what to do then. Imperial Mother, rest assured, your son has considered everything thoroughly and will certainly not make any mistakes!"
After a long pause, Consort Yun nodded weakly. Their power was now in ruins. If they wanted that position, they had no choice but to take a risky gamble.
"Imperial Mother can cooperate with you, but you must promise Imperial Mother one condition," Consort Yun said.
Jun Hui smiled. "Please speak, Imperial Mother."
"Do not harm your Imperial Father's life," Consort Yun demanded, looking at her somewhat unfamiliar son.
Jun Hui chuckled. "Naturally. No matter how partial Imperial Father may be, he is still your son's Imperial Father."
He could spare his life, but as for other things, he couldn't guarantee them—like his freedom.
Consort Yun nodded. "Very well. The people Imperial Mother has at hand, you can also use them. There are still several days until the late Emperor's Memorial Birthday. You must not be impatient; the plan must be thorough."
Jun Hui bowed. "Rest assured, Imperial Mother, this plan is not merely a sudden impulse of your son's."
"That's good. Now, go back to your residence and change out of those wet clothes, lest you catch a cold."
"Yes, your son takes his leave."
Watching Jun Hui's retreating back, Consort Yun remained lost in thought for a long time.
Her usually obedient son had changed so much, and this woman, Su Li, was undeniably to blame!
"Old Governess, tell me, was I too strict with Hui'er?" Consort Yun murmured.
An old governess stepped forward. "Your Highness, you were only doing what was best for His Highness. His Highness will eventually understand Your Highness's painstaking efforts."
"When I first entered the palace, how could I not have been innocent and carefree? But after repeated falls, I came to understand the importance of power.
I have no support from my maternal family, and Hui'er has no backing from his mother's side either. To reach this point, we have relied entirely on careful planning!"
"Your Highness is right. His Highness has been clever and astute since childhood. If he hadn't concealed his abilities and hidden his sharpness, I fear..."
Consort Yun sighed. "Yes, alas, Hui'er doesn't understand. All he sees is that I constantly demand he concede, that I am strict with him. I don't want my son to live such a hard life either, but we have no backing, we can only rely on ourselves. Only by ascending to that position can we live easily!"
The old governess's lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing.
She knew her words were insignificant.
Everyone in the palace had their own helplessness, and she had entered the palace with Consort Yun.
Watching her transform from a young girl into a ruthless woman, she had no right to advise her.
After a long moment, Consort Yun rose, looking out at the hall. "Perhaps this is for the best. Before, I worried that Hui'er was too indecisive, not resolute enough. Now, it seems Hui'er has grown up. Since he intends to undertake a great endeavor, then as his Imperial Mother, I can only support him!"
"However, Su Li, this woman who can sway Hui'er, absolutely cannot be allowed to remain!"
Outside the hall, the wind and rain still raged. Jun Hui pushed away the umbrella offered by a palace attendant and strode directly into the curtain of rain.
He felt extraordinarily exhilarated today; he was no longer listening to his Imperial Mother. He would make his own decisions!
What Crown Prince of the realm! What Heaven-blessed marriage!
With him, Jun Hui, here, they could forget it!
All of this belonged to him!
Heavenly Master Wuchen once said that he possessed the aura of a dragon, which meant he was the one truly destined for greatness!
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