Chapter 3: The Empress Dowager and Her Substitute Young Lover 3

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The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
At this critical moment, as an important informant for Wei He, the loyal eunuch Zhongfu stood guard at the door.
Zhongfu was quite a formidable figure.
He was an old man who had always been by the emperor’s side, but he was pragmatic, sensing the shifting tides of power. Seeing Wei He gradually gaining influence, he switched allegiance like a weather vane.
He played an indispensable role in the emperor being controlled so swiftly.
“Consort Noble, it’s late at night, why have you come?” The close eunuch Zhongfu respectfully approached her.
“Begone.”
As the favored consort of the six palaces and the unquestioned future Empress Dowager, Hua Yue exuded a commanding presence.
She strode into the hall.
But Zhongfu blocked her path.
“Your Highness, the emperor has already retired for the night.”
Hua Yue glanced sideways; despite her bare face, she remained imposing. Her brows slightly arched as she scoffed.
Zhongfu’s expression tightened. Carefully, he said, “Your Highness, what is your intention? Please do not delay matters of great importance.”
Hua Yue dismissed him outright and gave Qing Li a look.
Qing Li stepped forward and slapped Zhongfu’s hand away, then pushed him aside.
“You insolent servant, what business is it of yours what my lady intends?”
Born into a military family, Qing Li was naturally skilled in combat; Zhongfu was shoved so hard he landed heavily on the floor, unable to get up.
Hua Yue gave Qing Li a look of approval.
Qing Li lifted her chin proudly.
Ever since Lady Hua Yue took an interest in that worthless Seventh Prince, they hadn’t cooperated so well.
“Stop him. If you cannot, then kill him.”
Qing Li’s gaze was resolute: “Yes, Your Highness.”
Before Zhongfu could get up, he heard this and, as a practiced opportunist, he immediately lay back down halfway.
He decided not to get involved in the power struggles of the great.
Besides, he had done his part: he had blocked her.
But he couldn’t stop her.
As he looked up, he met the fierce glare of the little palace maid.
Zhongfu: “...”
What on earth was this consort up to?
He watched helplessly as Hua Yue entered the hall, anxious but powerless, and signaled the guards to notify the Seventh Prince.

...

The scent of medicinal herbs mixed unpleasantly with dragon’s musk.
No one was guarding inside the hall.
*Cough, cough, cough.*
A violent coughing echoed, and Hua Yue approached.
The man on the bed was the supreme emperor, once the ruler of the realm, now less than a street beggar.
Gaunt and skeletal, his hands bore several sores; he clutched the bedpost, coughing uncontrollably.

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The male lead was a pervert—he could have ended the emperor’s life long ago.
Yet he forced him to live a fate worse than death.
To watch his empire slip into the hands of the son he despised most.
Hua Yue stood steadily before the old emperor’s bed.
Wei Suyuan coughed for a long time before lifting his eyes slowly, his expression momentarily twistedI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.