A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

Consort Xu slowly regained consciousness, sitting in the empty Zhaoxiang Palace as fragments of memories surfaced in her mind—her childhood, her youth, the moment she was enfeoffed as a consort by His Majesty and moved into this very palace.

Many memories had faded into obscurity, but one remained vivid: the dazzling peach-red skirts of her court attire as she first wore them.

She had sacrificed so much, endured for so many years, all for the dream of one day becoming the emperor’s mother. Yet today, that dream had turned to dust.

The setting sun cast elongated shadows through the windows. Consort Xu gazed at the light and shadows playing across her body, letting out a soft laugh before her voice abruptly cut off.

Someone entered. She lifted her head to look at him.

"Consort Xu, by His Majesty’s decree, your title is revoked, and your position as mistress of Zhaoxiang Palace is abolished." Liu Zhongbao bowed to her. "For now, please accompany this old servant."

Consort Xu sneered. "Do I have the right to refuse?"

Liu Zhongbao smiled without answering.

He turned toward the doorway, where the Empress and Princess Consort of Chen stood bathed in the golden glow of the sunset.

"Consort Xu is patient and scheming, while the Crown Prince is straightforward and guileless. Mother and son are as different as night and day."

"As different as night and day..."

Jiuzhu suddenly recalled the letter left to her by Consort Dowager Zhao, and a wild suspicion took root in her mind.

"Su Meidai, I never imagined a merchant’s daughter like you would be the one to triumph in the end." Consort Xu stepped out of the hall, her eyes burning with hatred. "You’ve brought me to this ruin today, but Liu An will remember this—he will avenge me!"

Her words stunned everyone present.

Consort Xu’s declaration was a blatant warning to the Empress: even in her downfall, she would drag her son into the fray, ensuring he would seek retribution.

What a "loving" mother, so devoted she couldn’t bear to leave her son behind in her disgrace.

Jiuzhu, who had thought she understood the ways of the capital, was once again astonished by Consort Xu’s actions.

The capital truly was a treacherous place.

Such "affection" from a mother.

When Prince Huai sobered up, he learned what had transpired in Zhaoxiang Palace.

"You’re saying my mother openly told the Empress that I would avenge her?" Prince Huai’s laughter was uglier than tears. Did she think his current predicament wasn’t dire enough? Or did she simply not care if he lived or died?

"What else did she do?" He splashed cold water on his face, forcing himself to calm down.

"She sent someone to the Court of Judicial Review to inquire about a confidential case, intending to spread rumors in the palace, sow discord between the Fifth Prince and his wife, and drive a wedge between the Ming family and the imperial household." Princess Huai looked at her husband with pity. "Now, Consort Xu has been imprisoned in the Dragon Guard’s dungeon. His Majesty hasn’t forbidden you from visiting her."

"She’s lost her mind!" Prince Huai could scarcely believe his mother would do such a thing. "The Ming family has served the empire with unwavering loyalty, bringing prosperity to the people. To turn them against the imperial family would only bring suffering to the realm!"

Just yesterday, the Fifth Prince and his wife had gone out of their way to help him. Now, his own mother was scheming against them, trying to plant seeds of distrust between them. How could he ever face them again?

"Clean yourself up properly." Princess Huai pressed a gift list into his hands. "Go and apologize to the Fifth Prince and his wife."

"Thank you for arranging this." Prince Huai noticed that some of the items on the list were from Princess Huai’s dowry. Over the years, his wife had been nothing but dutiful and filial toward his mother, yet Consort Xu had constantly found fault with her. He had failed her.

"These are things you cherish. Keep them. We’ll replace them with others." He removed the dowry items, intending to substitute them with alternatives.

"Your Highness has spent heavily on maintaining scholars and advisors. Since we moved into the palace, our usual allowances have ceased, and your stipend has been suspended. These gifts carry more sincerity than others." Princess Huai softened slightly as she looked at her husband, so pitifully dejected after his mother’s betrayal. "If you feel guilty, you can always compensate me with more treasures once we return to our estate."

Prince Huai took her hand and held it silently for a long moment. "All these years… I’ve wronged you."

Princess Huai pulled her hand away with a mocking smile. "Your Highness is jesting again."

Left empty-handed, Prince Huai had no words to defend himself—only deeper remorse.

Kirin Palace.

Prince Chen sat up, clutching his head. Jiuzhu approached and sat beside him. "Headache?"

"Mhm." He leaned against her, too lazy to move.

Her fingers gently massaged his temples, easing the pain. "Consort Xu was taken away by the Dragon Guard."

"I knew she was trouble." Prince Chen forced himself to freshen up before collapsing against Jiuzhu again.

"Your Highness, were Consort Xu and Prince Huai close as mother and son?"

Prince Chen shook his head. "During archery lessons, the other princes’ mothers often sent gifts. Consort Xu claimed poor health and rarely sent anything for the Crown Prince. After the Empress found out, she arranged for double portions to be delivered in His Majesty’s name."

"I rarely saw them together, and I never witnessed Consort Xu disciplining him. Only they know the truth of their relationship." He pulled Jiuzhu closer. "Why do you ask?"

"Your Highness… do you think it’s possible Prince Huai isn’t her child?"

"Shh." Prince Chen pressed a finger to her lips. "Don’t say such things. His Majesty wouldn’t appreciate rumors about his… headwear color."

"I didn’t mean Prince Huai isn’t His Majesty’s son. The emperor’s headwear remains pristine—don’t overthink it."

Jiuzhu tugged his hand down. "But think about those operas—swapping babies, disguising daughters as sons. Consort Xu dragged Prince Huai into her downfall. That’s not how a real mother acts. It’s more like she’s his enemy. She’s practically ensuring His Majesty turns against him."

If Prince Huai wasn’t her biological son, then to her, he was merely a tool. And when a tool became useless, she’d rather destroy it to spite those who valued it.

Prince Chen had initially dismissed Jiuzhu’s theory as absurd, but after hearing Consort Xu’s parting words, he straightened.

"No real mother would do that." He pondered. "Should we have the Dragon Guard investigate?"

"Do it!" Jiuzhu nodded. "What if it’s true?"

If it was, it might be a blessing for Prince Huai.

If it wasn’t… then he was truly pitiable.

Prince Huai arrived at Kirin Palace to apologize. Before he could speak, he was met with overwhelming warmth from the Fifth Prince and his wife.

Prince Huai: "…"

This wasn’t what he’d expected.

By the time he left, not only had he failed to deliver his gifts, but he’d been laden with presents from the couple.

Did they truly trust him? Did they believe he had no part in his mother’s schemes?

The more he thought, the heavier his guilt grew—toward his wife, toward the Fifth Prince and his wife, and toward His Majesty.

Helping his mother conceal her feigned illness was the selfish act of a son. But had he known that Consort Xu would use loyal ministers as pawns, he would have stopped her at all costs.

The thought of his mother weighed heavily on Prince Huai’s heart. He wiped his face roughly and sought out Commander Wang, the head of the Imperial Dragon Guards, hoping to see Consort Xu one last time.

"Your Highness, please follow me," Commander Wang did not refuse Prince Huai’s request. However, fearing that the prince might cause trouble in the prison, he revealed all of Consort Xu’s past misdeeds.

"You’re saying that back in the princely residence, my mother conspired with Du Qingke, planning to use my father as leverage in exchange for freedom and wealth?" Prince Huai knew the Imperial Dragon Guards would not lie to him. Standing before the dark entrance of the prison, he hesitated, his courage draining away.

The pitch-black doorway loomed like the gaping maw of a beast, swallowing all his resolve.

The moment he stepped inside, a chill crawled over his skin, making him shudder.

He soon found Consort Xu, still clad in her elaborate palace robes, her hair ornaments untouched.

When she saw her son, she gave him a cold glance, holding no hope that he could save her.

Silence stretched between mother and son.

Prince ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Huai spoke first, "Mother, back then in the residence… did you ever consider taking me with you?"

"Take you?" Consort Xu scoffed. "You were your father’s child. Had I taken you, do you know how much trouble it would have caused? Those men failed, allowing your father to ascend the throne. Everything I did became my burden."

"So even if you had found a way out, you never once thought to bring me along?" Prince Huai’s voice was thick with disappointment. Behind him, Commander Wang’s gaze held pity.

Consort Xu smiled faintly, saying nothing—yet her meaning was clear.

"Sometimes I truly wonder if I am even your child," Prince Huai took a step back, his spirit broken. "I shouldn’t have asked."

"No, you shouldn’t have. There are times I wish you weren’t my son," Consort Xu’s smile vanished. "You’re foolish and inflexible. Had you been smarter, as the eldest prince, you would have already been named Crown Prince. I schemed so much for you, and yet this is my reward..."

"Schemed for me?!" Prince Huai cut her off. "You did it for yourself!"

"Useless wretch, get out!" Consort Xu glared at him in disgust. "Even raising a pig would have been more useful. Go grovel at your fifth brother’s feet. I have no son like you."

Prince Huai’s heart turned to ice. Swallowing his pain, he knelt outside the cell, kowtowing to her.

Consort Xu turned her back, refusing to look at him.

Once, twice—nine times in total, each bow heavy and sincere. Blood trickled from his forehead down to his chin. Rising, Prince Huai bowed deeply. "This unworthy son bids you farewell."

Still, Consort Xu did not acknowledge him.

Only when his footsteps faded did she slowly turn her head, gazing at the empty prison corridor with an inscrutable expression.

Commander Wang pitied Prince Huai even more. What cruel fate had cursed him with such a mother?

That night, Consort Xu died.

She took poison, ending her own life.

Lying on the stone bed of the prison, her elaborate robes pristine, her makeup untouched, she died with dignity and grace.

"Prince Huai is truly pitiable."

"Indeed. Betrayed and scorned by his own mother, then berated without mercy."

The one who had hurled those cruel words died without remorse, leaving only the unfortunate prince—unloved, resented, and burdened by her sins.

Perhaps he would never find peace.

Emperor Longfeng soon learned of Consort Xu’s final words to her son. He sighed deeply, bestowing generous gifts upon Prince Huai and restoring the allowances of several princes.

Yet he still did not permit them to return to their estates.

"The Imperial Dragon Guards have confirmed that Prince Huai is indeed Consort Xu’s biological child," Prince Chen placed the investigation records before Jiuzhu. "Perhaps some mothers are simply incapable of loving their children."

"No," Jiuzhu shook her head, her bright eyes still shimmering like stars. She did not glance at the documents. "Perhaps I was wrong."

"Maybe she was a mother who loved her child after all."

Consort Xu’s suicide spared her from further punishment. Emperor Longfeng allowed her to be buried in the imperial concubine’s tomb with the rites befitting her rank.

Her funeral was modest.

Two days later, the coronation of the Crown Prince would take place.