Chapter 252 Warmth Reminisced During a Night Talk in the Cold Palace

A chaotic battle centered on the Commander's Seal, involving mutual smearing and exposing of shortcomings, was already imminent.

Yet the instigator of all this, Minister of Revenue Chen Jing, had returned to his manor at this moment, carefree and relaxed. Behind closed doors, he sipped small cups of wine and hummed little tunes, as if he had nothing to do with it.

He knew his task was already complete.

The stage that followed did not belong to him, nor did it belong to Prime Minister Su Yuandao and Minister of War Jiang Hai.

The real show was only just beginning.

And the person who truly wanted the Commander's Seal was, at this moment, in a secret chamber of the Western Depot, wiping his blade named "Xiuchun." Under the candlelight, the edge of the blade shimmered with a chilling, ominous light.

The more fiercely the factions of Prime Minister Su Yuandao and Minister of War Jiang Hai fought in the imperial court, the better. Only in this way could the plan he and the Emperor had discussed be completed.

Of course, his personal plans could also be carried out smoothly.

That night, Emperor Liu Sheng changed into an inconspicuous eunuch's uniform and quietly arrived at Cining Palace.

Inside the palace, candles were bright, and incense curled in the air. The Empress Dowager had long since dismissed all the palace servants and was waiting alone in the warm chamber.

Today, she wore an elegant phoenix robe, her hair piled high and adorned with pearls and emeralds. Within her dignified demeanor, however, hid a trace of imperceptible anticipation.

"You have come."

Seeing Emperor Liu Sheng's figure, the Empress Dowager's originally tense face softened, and she rose to welcome him.

"I have kept you waiting, Your Highness." Emperor Liu Sheng bowed, his movements standard, yet devoid of any sycophancy.

"Sit down. Now that you are here with me, stop putting on an act. You really are shameless." The Empress Dowager pointed to the soft couch beside her.

Emperor Liu Sheng sat down as instructed and recounted the dispute over the Commander's Seal in the imperial court today to the Empress Dowager, point by point.

From how Minister of Revenue Chen Jing cast the bait, to how Prime Minister Su Yuandao and Minister of War Jiang Hai took it, and finally how he prepared to reap the benefits while they fought like dogs.

The Empress Dowager listened quietly, a glimmer of contemplation flashing in her beautiful eyes from time to time.

"Your tactic of 'fishing in troubled waters' is used quite cleverly." She nodded. "Prime Minister Su Yuandao and Minister of War Jiang Hai have fought for so many years that they have long lost their sense of proportion. You threw out the bone that is the Commander's Seal; it would be strange if they didn't fight until their heads were broken and blood flowed."

"It is merely to buy some time for you and the baby, Your Highness," Emperor Liu Sheng said modestly.

The Empress Dowager chuckled, full of charm.

She slowly walked behind Emperor Liu Sheng, extended her well-maintained jade hands, gently placed them on his shoulders, and began to massage them.

"I know that it was very tiring for you to relieve Minister of Revenue Chen Jing in the imperial court today." Her voice carried a hint of lazy magnetism, her breath like orchids. "It's just that these court matters give me a headache. Why don't we... talk about something else?"

Emperor Liu Sheng's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed, allowing those soft hands to roam over his shoulders and neck.

He could feel the warmth of the Empress Dowager's fingertips, as well as the rich, fragrant scent unique to a mature woman wafting from beneath her phoenix robe.

"What would you like to talk about, Your Highness?"

"Let's talk about... you." The Empress Dowager leaned down, her red lips close to Emperor Liu Sheng's ear, her voice lowered to a whisper. "What else could we talk about? What do you think?"

Warm breath brushed against his ear, bringing a wave of tingling itchiness.

Emperor Liu Sheng did not turn back but simply said indifferently: "This servant is merely a blade in Your Highness's hand. Whatever you wish for this servant to be, that is what this servant shall be."

"Is that so?" The Empress Dowager chuckled. Her fingers slid down his neck, tracing lightly across his chest through the fabric. "But I feel that this blade of yours has its own ideas. And... it is very sharp."

Her movements became increasingly bold, and her words became increasingly explicit.

Emperor Liu Sheng did not respond, only closing his eyes as if enjoying this rare moment of comfort.

The atmosphere in the warm chamber gradually changed.

An hour later, Emperor Liu Sheng left Cining Palace feeling refreshed.

When he returned to the Cold Palace, the night was already deep.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw that the light in the main room was still on.

Consort Lin, Consort Guo, and Taishi Feiyan had not yet slept; they were sitting around a table, seemingly waiting for him.

"Why haven't you rested yet?" Emperor Liu Sheng walked into the room, somewhat surprised.

"Waiting for you." Consort Lin was the first to stand up, her eyes curving, like a virtuous wife waiting for her husband to return home.

"Seeing you return so late, we were worried something might have happened to you." Consort Guo also stood up, her tone filled with concern.

Only Taishi Feiyan remained seated, merely glancing at him before saying indifferently: "Who is waiting for you? We couldn't sleep and were just chatting."

Although she said this, the worry in her eyes could not deceive anyone.

Emperor Liu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart; the exhaustion from the day's scheming in the imperial court seemed to be swept away in this moment.

He walked over, sat down naturally beside Taishi Feiyan, and picked up the teapot on the table to pour himself a cup of water.

"Have you heard about what happened in the imperial court today?"

"We heard," Consort Lin answered eagerly. "Minister of Revenue Chen Jing displayed great power and left Prime Minister Su Yuandao speechless; it was truly satisfying! We all know this must be your doing."

"Yes, it has spread throughout the palace," Consort Guo added. "Everyone is saying that Minister of Revenue Chen Jing is vigorous in his old age and must have received guidance from a divine being."

Emperor Liu Sheng smiled and looked at Taishi Feiyan: "What do you think?"

Taishi Feiyan huffed: "Prime Minister Su Yuandao and Minister of War Jiang Hai are not fools. Tomorrow, they will surely fight even more fiercely for the Commander's Seal. You have muddied the waters; how do you plan to clean up?"

She could always see the crux of the problem at a glance.

"This humble one has his own clever plan." Emperor Liu Sheng feigned mystery, holding back the answer.

He did not talk much about court matters but instead chatted about daily life with the three women.

They talked about how Consort Lin's zither skills had improved, about the unique patterns on Consort Guo's newly embroidered handkerchief, and about what level Taishi Feiyan's swordsmanship had reached.

The atmosphere was relaxed and warm.

The night deepened, but the four of them did not "talk at length about life" as they usually did; they simply chatted, sharing each other's joys and sorrows.

This plain and simple companionship actually made Emperor Liu Sheng feel an unprecedented sense of stability.

Perhaps, this was the feeling of home.

Looking at the three women before him, each with different features but all caring deeply for him, a thought became increasingly firm in his heart.

He needed to take control of this world as soon as possible to give them, and himself, a real home.

A home where they would no longer need to live in fear and could live together openly and honestly.