The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!

Chapter 511 - 506: Regicide Is Even More Thrilling Than Slaying Enemy Soldiers

The sounds of battle had ceased, with no thunder, no lightning, and even the wind was silent.

It seemed as if the heavens were weary.

But when had the heavens ever grown weary? They clearly kept their eyes open.

A crack appeared in the dark sky, revealing the moon. Moonlight washed over the bloodstains on the palace walls, this brightness approaching mercy. As if a deity had personally unveiled this murder, then applauded when the sin ended.

Wei Zhao’s voice was calm, "So regicide is even more exhilarating than killing enemy soldiers."

————

The bloody aura permeated the nine-layered palace.

In the pond of the Imperial Garden, a few corpses floated.

No word had come from that side yet.

Inside Cining Palace, the palace maid’s hands shook violently, spilling the tea, and she knelt on the ground in fright.

"This servant deserves death, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager, lightly drumming her gilded enamel fingernails on the Ruyao tea cup, reclined on the Twisted Peony Brocade Pillow, the Nine Phoenix Bead Hairpin at her temples motionless.

"Why panic?"

She suddenly chuckled softly, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes hiding a long-lost joy.

The white jade bracelet on her wrist, a gift from the late Emperor when he made her Empress, adorned her wrist every day, asserting her status.

At this moment, she took it off.

She raised her hand into midair.

Released it without a trace of sentiment.

The bracelet fell, bouncing twice on the green brick floor with a crisp, clear sound, shattering into three pieces, a tribute to those years she spent imprisoned in high status by the imperial family, bound to endure.

The bracelet’s surface glistened with a soft radiance in the candlelight, reminiscent of the Empress Dowager’s unsuppressed cold smile at the corners of her mouth.

"The one who deserves death is the Emperor, not you."

The palace maid dared not even breathe heavily in her fright.

The matron beside the Empress Dowager could not stand it: "Come on, clean up this mess on the floor, so that Her Majesty doesn’t see this bad omen."

"Rest your heart, no matter what happens outside, this fire won’t reach Cining Palace."

If Ying Zhi had rebelled, it was against the throne; how could he send people to kill every last person in the harem at such a critical moment?

Shen Jin stood by the window, as the outside grew bright, faintly catching the scent of blood in the air.

"Ah Jin."

The Empress Dowager beckoned her.

Shen Jin turned and approached.

The Empress Dowager took her cold hand.

"Why are you anxious too?"

Shen Jin did not hide anything from her: "I’m worried about Wei Zhao."

The Empress Dowager noted that Shen Jin had no involvement with Duke Shun Mansion.

"I know, you despise the Ying Family, and hence fear Wei Zhao might be outmatched."

Shen Jin: ...

That wasn’t quite it.

The Empress Dowager revealed: "Actually, I’m also on edge; he is Yaoyao’s husband. If he were harmed or something happened, that girl, though she seems composed, might cry."

"But you need to have faith in those young ones."

If they couldn’t do it, probably no one could.

"Think more positively."

"For instance... what plans do you have for the future?"

The Empress Dowager smiled: "This Imperial Palace is no place for humans. I’m too old to be messing around. But how could I let you endure here for a lifetime?"

She spoke each word deliberately.

"With the palace changes, after today, Consort Shen will be gone. In the world, there will be no more Shen Jin."

"Whether you stay in the Capital City or leave to relax, take in the sights for me."

Shen Jin found it amusing.

"Aren’t you worried I’ll be recognized?"

"And if recognized? I’ll say you’re dead, who would dare question?"

"Didn’t you forget?"

Shen Jin reminded, "Those four old ministers?"

Even Emperor Ying couldn’t deal with them.

The Empress Dowager paused slightly.

Shen Jin: "Especially Duke Xian."

As when the other three were stubborn, only he could stop them.

The Empress Dowager seemed to not have heard his name for a long time.

Even the figure in her memory began to blur.

She had even forgotten what Duke Xian looked like in his youth. Only remembering the last words he said when she entered the palace to be appointed consort.

——"Wish you take care of yourself in the deep palace, my lady. I too must fulfill filial duty under my parents’ command by marrying and having heirs."

——"May Your Majesty’s precious body be in good health, enjoying favor and happiness."

——"The Yaohuang Peony I planted outside my study will be meticulously cared for. Although there are plenty in the palace, if you happen to glimpse them one day in the Imperial Garden, let it be... a greeting from an old friend."

Yaohuang Peony?

Her favorite flower before leaving her family was the Yaohuang Peony.

The Empress Dowager also remembered what she said back then.

She chuckled lightly, light flickering in her eyes without traces of tears.

——"Then I must have a cup of your wedding wine, only but the rush to enter the palace, I fear I’ll miss your auspicious day."

The east wind was ruthless, they were rational, naturally meant to drift apart.

——"Strange coincidence, I just had my old paper fan burned yesterday."

——"May you and your new wife lift the tray to eyebrow level, brimming offspring filling the hall."

She was free and unrestrained.

——"About the famously delicate Yaohuang peony outside your yard, why bother when it leads to naught? Better to uproot them all, leave none behind."

Quite good.

That person indeed brimmed with offspring.

She...

wasn’t lacking either.

Jiasan and Xuran treated her like half a mother, filial in all matters.

She had support.

The Empress Dowager: "He should not trouble you."

Shen Jin half believed, half doubted.

The Empress Dowager continued: "Zhiyi respects you, aunt, and will surely settle you well."

Shen Jin remained silent for a long time.

"What is it? Do you truly want to accompany this old lady for life?"

The Empress Dowager pondered something, mood slightly stirred: "You and Jiasan are of similar age, but if marrying again, finding a good husband to love you, I would only be more joyful."

At this, she grew more interested.

Even pondering a match for Shen Jin.

"Won’t marry again."

Shen Jin’s fingers absently touched the Jade Pendant at her waist.

Her eyes, soft with tenderness.

"I have a place to go."

Could there be such a place?

For years, Shen Jin had resided deep in the palace, besides Shen Zhiyi, who else would she have contact with?

The rest of the Shen Family she didn’t acknowledge, long having considered her maternal family to have perished.

"Is this preparing to purchase an estate?"

The Empress Dowager understood: "That’s good too."

Shen Jin faintly smiled.

"No."

"I..."

She hesitated for a moment.

The words should have burnt her tongue.

But somehow, when spilling from her lips, they were extraordinarily smooth and tender.

Her tone too was frank.

Finally, there was the opportunity to disclose what had long weighed on her heart.

"I ought to head to my husband’s family."

The Empress Dowager laughed, "Good, good, have a place to go, that’s fine."

Wait.

Her smile froze.

"Husband’s... husband’s family?"

What the...

How did she not know?

Just then, footsteps were heard from outside.

Outside the palace, the guards sent by Gu Fuju days prior to protect, respectfully called out.

"General Wei."

Wei Zhao appeared, supposedly... completed?

The Empress Dowager rejoiced, unable to inquire further.

"Quick! Let him in quickly!"

The weight in her heart completely lifted.

She clasped her hands, "Amitabha, the heavens have their eyes open."

Saying this, she got up to welcome him.

Shen Jin rose too, supporting her.

The slaughter in the Imperial Palace ended, the sealed hall opened.

Shen Jin felt somewhat dazed.

The bloodstains on Wei Zhao’s face had not yet been wiped, his posture upright, striding in. At first glance, he bore some resemblance to Wei Fengyuan.

Wei Zhao first bowed to the Empress Dowager.

Then looked toward Shen Jin.

Deeply clasping his hands in salute.

"Aunt."

He smiled.

"Nephew is here to escort you back to the mansion."