Chapter 11: Playing the Role of a Loving Mother and Dutiful Son

Chapter 11: Playing the Part of a Loving Mother and Dutiful Son

Since the news of the fertility-ending potion spread, everyone in the imperial harem took a grim satisfaction in the misfortune, and discussions rippled through both court and common folk alike. Outside the palace, some mocked while others sighed with pity, all agreeing that Consort Ye was truly unfortunate.

Such a beauty, in the prime of her youth, how could she have been made to drink that potion that ended her chance of bearing children? With flawless jade-like skin, who wouldn’t lament her fate?

Yet, ironically, this tragic event brought a wave of good reputation to the Ye family.

It was said that the Ye family was wholly loyal to the emperor and had no designs on wielding power for themselves. That was why Ye Wanwan was made to drink the fertility-ending potion—to ensure her unwavering loyalty to the emperor, with no possibility of divided allegiance.

Listen to how noble and reasonable that sounds: a resolute sacrifice, a warrior severing a limb to save the body.

This cast the Ye family as pure servants of the throne, detached from all struggles over imperial power and factional intrigues.

Even Ye Wanwan’s disability was transformed into a virtue sacrificed for loyalty to the emperor. After all, since they denied her the chance to bear an imperial son, how could they possibly act against His Majesty’s interests?

Because Ye Wanwan was infertile, no matter how high the Ye family’s status and influence rose, no one dared envy or suspect them. Instead, their power made them sought after by all factions eager to curry favor.

Of course, these subtleties were lost on most people at the moment.

Unable to see the truth beneath the surface, they simply perceived the Ye family’s actions as magnanimous and righteous.

Zhao Yi couldn’t help but play his part as well. Though he couldn’t be too obvious, he made rare visits to the Empress Dowager, acting out the roles of a loving mother and devoted son.

Whether the two truly shared such warmth was another matter entirely.

Yet Ye Wanwan was certain the Empress Dowager was pleased—after all, for years, she had dreamed of mending ties with Zhao Yi.

The Empress Dowager was not the late emperor’s empress. Before he ascended the throne, she was a secondary consort, later elevated to Noble Consort Ye.

With the backing of the Ye family, she held considerable status in the imperial harem and harbored great ambition.

She had borne Zhao Yi while still in the prince’s residence. Although the primary consort Leng had already given birth to the legitimate heir, that child was frail and died at seven.

By then, the late emperor had ascended the throne, and the sudden death of the crown prince shook the foundation of the realm. The late empress was gravely injured by an assassination attempt and rendered unable to bear children.

At that moment, Noble Consort Ye’s ambitions stirred—she sought to have her own son made crown prince.

Her ambitions were blatant, and the Ye family’s power was overwhelming, far too much for the Leng family to resist.

The late empress was wise, however. She refused to confront Noble Consort Ye directly and instead chose to yield strategically, proposing that Zhao Yi be named crown prince—but only on the condition that he be adopted under her name.

From then on, Zhao Yi was considered the child of the late empress.

Though she had taken his child from Noble Consort Ye, the late empress did not mistreat Zhao Yi. She sought out renowned teachers for his education and cared for him in every way. Aside from not being his birth mother, she fully embraced her maternal duties.

However, Noble Consort Ye, filled with jealousy and resentment over losing her son, constantly sought to assert her presence, striving to remind everyone that she was the crown prince’s birth mother.

Her scheming caused trouble for Zhao Yi time and again, even threatening his position as heir.

The late empress defended Zhao Yi repeatedly. Though she was not his biological mother, Zhao Yi grew to admire and love her, while his relationship with Noble Consort Ye grew increasingly distant.

Less than a month after the late emperor’s death, the late empress suddenly fell ill. Noble Consort Ye achieved her goal of becoming Empress Dowager, but her relationship with Zhao Yi remained cold and distant, as if they were strangers.

This was why the Empress Dowager insisted so strongly that Ye Wanwan drink the fertility-ending potion. She spared no effort in currying favor with her son, willing to sacrifice anyone for it.

In her eyes, her kindness toward Ye Wanwan was but a single potion—no great matter and easily compensated for later.

Once, Ye Wanwan believed her, for the Empress Dowager truly treated her well—pampering and indulging her. Though Ye Wanwan harbored resentment, she was also grateful.

Yet Ye Wanwan’s trust only led to the Empress Dowager’s escalating demands, forcing her to curry favor with Zhao Yi and yield to his every whim, even when he sought to harm her. The Empress Dowager played the role of a reluctant bystander but chose silence.

Ye Wanwan endured torment worse than death. Perhaps in the Empress Dowager’s mind, as long as Ye Wanwan lived, she could make amends.

No matter what suffering Ye Wanwan endured, compensation was always possible. But the thought of sparing her from pain never crossed the Empress Dowager’s mind.

Filled with so-called compassion and affection, she remained oblivious to the cruelty of her actions.

To her, Ye Wanwan’s sacrifice and suffering could be offset, but her son must never be troubled or angered.

Truly, what an exemplary mother she was.

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(End of Chapter)