Chapter 465

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Chapter 465: The Empress’s Anger Towards the Third Mistress

Chao Lu had a dream in which she heard a woman with completely white hair speaking.

She found herself sitting on a luxurious dragon-shaped throne, inside a magnificent palace. The surroundings were lit as if it were daytime.

The woman’s white hair cascaded down to her waist. The room wasn’t particularly quiet — they could hear the sound of flowing water, the faint breeze, and the silence after the cicadas stopped chirping, creating a serene atmosphere.

In front of the revered woman of the country, another woman was kneeling below the raised bed. The Empress looked at her with a hint of icy laughter.

“You might be curious as to why your carefully planned scheme failed after such a long time,” the Empress began, her voice sharp yet controlled.

“But have you ever thought that this opportunity might have been given to you by me?” she continued, her tone a mixture of amusement and disdain.

“After all, you are human, and you are too eager because your time is running out.”

“Three times in ten years is too frequent. Each time, the timing was perfect. The success of those first three attempts led you to believe I hadn’t noticed, but the truth is, I was simply waiting for you to surrender.”

The Empress with white hair lazily leaned back on her chair, lowering her gaze to stare at the exquisite and intelligent maid before her.

It was well-known that the Empress of the Demon Kingdom’s harem was made up of a group of advisers—intelligent women from all corners of the world. Every maid underwent layers of assessments, screening, and years of training.

The maid standing before her had been personally trained by the Empress. She entered the palace at the age of fourteen, provided counsel, participated in government affairs, and handled numerous memorials. The bond between the two had been as close as family for over a decade. Only the former Empress, who was once a person herself, had been as caring and close to the maids.

Thus, her betrayal shocked many. But what was even more surprising was that the Empress herself was not at all surprised by it.

“Rise. No need to kneel,” the Empress said, her voice dripping with calm authority. “We understand each other without words. You have never shown me much respect, and I have never cared about these matters of hierarchy. But today, let us talk about something you don’t understand. Do you know why I brought you into the palace in the first place?”

The maid gracefully stood and replied, “Because I am intelligent.”

The Empress smirked. “You are indeed intelligent, a rare talent at such a young age. But do you think I value intelligence alone? Many such talents have fallen into my hands. A weak woman like you would make no difference. Perhaps you are clever, but you are not indispensable. And too much intelligence can be harmful.”

“Your survival depends on the carefully prepared elixirs I have had delivered to you, keeping you in proper care.”

The maid, curious, asked, “Why is that?”

The Empress replied, her voice softening. “Because of your eyes… Since the first time I saw you, I felt as though I had known those eyes before. You are like a companion to me. We are very much alike…”

The maid frowned, clearly insulted.

“You don’t believe me?” the Empress asked, her voice laced with amusement.

“I dare not…”

“You dare not believe, or you dare not not believe?” The Empress laughed lightly, her posture one of a young girl. “You think you’ve sacrificed for the greater good, and you look down on a woman who betrayed her country. But the truth is, the one without a home is the country itself. How could I not hate it?”

The maid spoke calmly, “Your Majesty, you can kill me directly or give me a cup of poison. I am ready to die and return my life to you. But why do you need to say these things? If you plan to follow through, at least offer some comforting words so that I, your servant, can leave in peace.”

The Empress laughed. “Do you think you’re already doomed to die, so you want to resist me to the very end? But you’ve betrayed me. How can I fulfill your wish? I’m not a gentle woman. I will tear out your heart and lungs to see what color your heart really is.”

The maid responded softly, “If that is the case, there is no need for Your Majesty to dirty your hands.”

The Empress straightened, her body fluid and graceful. She stood barefoot on a bed made of jade stones. Even the other maids held their breath, staring at the mystical Empress, who stood mere steps away.

With a delicate touch, the Empress lifted the maid’s chin, her nails brushing against the soft skin. “You are so beautiful,” she whispered. “Look at you, in your twenties, unmarried. Surely no one has proposed. But you remain stunning, just like me. The passage of time cannot hide this beauty. Yet, you are clearly dying, and yet you try so hard to dress yourself beautifully. Why?”

The maid fell silent, avoiding the Empress’s gaze.

“I know you hold someone dear in your heart. For this person, you are willing to die. I also know why you came to the palace, why you chose to rebel. It’s because that person doesn’t see you. He doesn’t care for you. If you stayed by his side, it would only be easier for people to forget you.”

The maid pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with resolve. She looked the Empress in the eye, showing no sign of backing down.

The corner of the Empress’s lips lifted slightly. “Does it hurt?” she teased.

“So what if it does?” the maid murmured.

The Empress sighed, her voice tinged with sympathy. “You are a foolish fool… Ruling a country, protecting a home—what does that have to do with you? Women like you should stay home, be good wives and mothers, and live peaceful lives. You think you care about the righteousness of the country, but deep down, what you truly want is for that person, your teacher, your father figure, to notice you. The driving force behind your sacrifice is nothing more than a selfish, self-centered love.”

“But you cannot have his love or attention. You want to be a good wife, a mother, wield a pen to kill, share burdens, solve problems, and become his beloved partner. But he doesn’t see you. You embrace a love that asks for nothing in return, and yet, you realize you must act. Instead of giving up, you choose to burn yourself. Every time, you prepare for the inevitable exposure and death, but you demand of yourself to maintain your beauty until the very end. That way, he will remember you.”

Her words struck deep, as though the Empress had torn open her heart.

Like a startled cat, the maid quickly swatted away the Empress’s fingers from her cheek and shouted, “What do you understand?”

The Empress stood up, her expression deadpan. “We knew from the very beginning what kind of person you are. We understand what lies behind your eyes. Don’t ask us to understand more. No one understands him better than I do. Your methods are clever, but also deceitful.”

“The dead are invincible. If you die, he will remember you forever. Guilt is the best weapon, the colorless sword that cuts deep into the bones.”

The Empress looked down at the maid, her eyes shifting from mockery to icy cold. “How could I tolerate another woman leaving a scar on his heart? Only I have that right.”

The maid shivered. It was the first time she saw such a reaction from the Empress. The usually generous woman, who cared nothing for wealth or power, now felt like a dragon fiercely protecting its treasure. A hand gripped her neck—not too tight, but just enough to make breathing difficult.

The Empress lifted her from the ground. “I don’t care how many times you’ve sent information, causing me to lose cities, or how many soldiers died in the Demon Kingdom. I don’t care about them—they were barbarians. But I’ve tolerated you because I admire and sympathize with you. When I look at you, I see myself. This palace is cold and empty. I don’t mind spoiling the next generation. You are his disciple, and also my child.”

“But this time, you’ve crossed the line. My tolerance is not infinite. Did you think you could die and leave him with a scar without my permission? Are you worthy? Why not do something good and be a loyal student?”

The Empress’s voice was frigid. She swung her sleeve forcefully, sending the maid crashing to the ground. Gasping for breath, the maid’s neck turned red.

Choking with rage, she screamed hoarsely, “Liu Xiaowan! If it weren’t for you, how could this have happened? If I hadn’t been born too late…!”

The Empress laughed cruelly. “There’s a simple rule in the world—first come, first served. If you’re late, you’re late. What doesn’t belong to you will never belong to you. And if you try to snatch it, I won’t let you have it.”

“Don’t even think about dying. I know you won’t rest in peace. But remember, if I don’t kill you, you won’t even have the chance to die. If you try to end your life, I will find someone to pretend you’re still alive. You’ll live to old age, but not in peace. You will never achieve what you desire. This is the price you must pay.”

The Empress left, leaving the maid bitter and heartbroken.

Waking up from the dream, Chao Lu opened her eyes and sat up drowsily, feeling a tightness in her chest.

That Empress… A fable? But she isn’t…

Why did I dream of this? Why the jealousy between women?

Confused by the dream, Chao Lu felt restless and decided to step outside for some fresh air.

It was only when she stepped outside that she realized she had somehow moved to a different place that night. It wasn’t an inn, but a secluded courtyard.

As she stood in the courtyard, her gaze fell upon a patch of green, even greener than the bamboo leaves.

“Princess Chao Lu, are you unable to sleep?”

Chao Lu no longer pretended not to hear and approached. She found Nalan Qingshu eating a midnight snack.

Bi Fang was young, still looking like a delicate little girl, yet she carried a heavy burden, much like Chao Lu.

“Want something to eat?” Nalan Qingshu invited. “You seem troubled. Why not talk about it?”

“Sure,” Chao Lu agreed, briefly recounting her dream without too much detail. She asked, “What do you think it means?”

Nalan Qingshu pondered for a moment before replying, “Perhaps this dream suggests… Princess Chao Lu is facing a great challenge?”