"That's right, I'm mad, and this is all your fault, you drove me to this, it's all your fault!"
The Empress was at the peak of her madness, no different from a lunatic in an asylum. Her gaze locked onto the Imperial Consort standing to the side, "It's all your fault, you slut, you bewitched His Majesty, that's why he treats me like this, you die... die!"
A silver glint flashed from her sleeve. The Empress, clutching a dagger tightly, lunged towards the Imperial Consort.
"Ru'er, be careful!"
Emperor Xuanwen was the first to spot the dagger in the Empress's hand. He shouted in alarm, his feet moving swiftly as he rushed towards the Imperial Consort, pulling her into his embrace a step ahead of the Empress.
"Ru'er, are you alright?"
Emperor Xuanwen anxiously inquired about the Imperial Consort's condition, his face filled with worry.
"Your Majesty, this concubine is fine. Your Majesty, Empress... Empress, she's gone mad, she's truly gone mad! She just tried to kill this concubine, she wanted to kill me."
She was indeed terrified by the Empress's frenzied actions. Even as she spoke, her voice trembled. The Imperial Consort, filled with fear, instinctively leaned into Emperor Xuanwen's embrace.
The Empress Dowager was also startled by the Empress's frantic behavior. While the Empress had always had her eccentricities, she had never acted so outrageously. Now, it was clear that the Empress was indeed insane.
"You truly have gone mad. If I had known you would end up like this, I would never have let the Emperor marry you!"
"I am indeed mad, and you all drove me to it! You old hag, ever since His Majesty married me, you've never liked me. More than once, you've tried to persuade His Majesty to divorce me. You should have died long ago!"
The Empress's gaze towards the Empress Dowager was filled with boundless hatred. The Empress Dowager had always looked down on her, and even her most elaborate efforts to please her were met with disdain. She had always been met with cold mockery, and she had long since had enough of this life.
Now that it had come to this, she had nothing left to care about. She might as well die together, and the road to the underworld wouldn't be too lonely.
"Today, I will take your life, you old witch, and we'll all go to hell together."
Raising the dagger, the Empress once again lunged towards the Empress Dowager.
"Mother!"
"Your Majesty!"
Emperor Xuanwen and the Imperial Consort cried out in unison. However, they were too far away, and the Empress moved with incredible speed. Even with all their might, they couldn't reach the Empress Dowager in time.
As the dagger in the Empress's hand was about to pierce the Empress Dowager's body, Emperor Xuanwen's heart clenched. He wished he could instantly fly to his mother's side and shield her with his own body.
With a 'bang!', a sword flew through the air, striking the Empress's wrist holding the dagger. Blood sprayed out like a fountain, and her right hand was severed at the wrist. The severed hand, along with the dagger, fell to the ground.
The scene was incredibly bloody. Even the Empress Dowager, who had witnessed countless grand events, was profoundly shaken. Her legs suddenly went weak, and she nearly collapsed.
"Imperial Grandmother!"
Chu Chenyi, who had arrived shortly after, quickly supported the Empress Dowager and helped her to a chair. "Imperial Grandmother, are you alright?"
The Empress Dowager was still in shock, her breathing trembling. "This old woman is fine. Fortunately, Chenyi, you arrived in time. Go and check on your father!"
"Yes, Imperial Grandmother!"
After settling the Empress Dowager, Chu Chenyi hurried to check on Emperor Xuanwen. "How is Father?"
"Chenyi, you arrived in time. I am unharmed. You have worked hard this time."
Emperor Xuanwen reached out and patted Chu Chenyi's shoulder. He was truly grateful for Chu Chenyi's timely arrival, as the consequences could have been unimaginable otherwise.
"It's good that Father is unharmed. The rebels in the palace have all been executed, but Chu Yanxi has disappeared. General Ling is in hot pursuit, and this token, I shall hand it over to Father."
Chu Chenyi took a token from his sleeve and offered it with both hands.
Emperor Xuanwen did not immediately take the token. Instead, he helped Chu Chenyi up from the ground. "Chenyi, you have worked hard. Keep this token for now. The remaining rebels will surely flee in all directions, and it will be your burden to round them all up!"
"Your son obeys!"
Emperor Xuanwen's gaze fell upon the Empress, lying on the ground covered in blood, barely clinging to life.
"Lady Liu has committed treason, colluding with Chu Chenyi to rebel. Your crime is unforgivable. Lady Liu, do you confess?"
The Empress, enduring the pain, slowly steadied herself. Her eyes, fixed on Emperor Xuanwen, were filled with resolve. "Your Majesty, you call me Lady Liu. We have known each other for over twenty years, and we were young husband and wife. You are so heartless. Your Majesty, do you remember how you used to call me when we got married..."
Emperor Xuanwen did not answer her. He turned away, as if looking at the Empress any longer would tarnish his eyes.
Completely wounded by Emperor Xuanwen's heartlessness, the Empress let out a mocking laugh. The laughter seemed to mock herself for daring to hold onto hope for Emperor Xuanwen, how foolish she was.
"Indeed, this concubine was foolishly ambitious. This concubine has forgotten that Your Majesty is now utterly disgusted with me, wishing he wouldn't even look at me..."
"Take Lady Liu away and confine her!"
Emperor Xuanwen said calmly, without ever glancing at the Empress again.
"Ha... hahaha... hahaha..."
The Empress let out a near-maniacal laugh, and was dragged away by several soldiers.
"Your Majesty!" The Imperial Consort called out worriedly, reaching out to hold Emperor Xuanwen's hand, attempting to offer comfort, but words failed her.
"I am fine," Emperor Xuanwen said in a deep voice, holding the Imperial Consort's hand.
Then, he turned his gaze back to Chu Chenyi. "Capture Chu Yanxi as soon as possible. I will interrogate him myself."
"Your son obeys!"
After acknowledging, Chu Chenyi took his leave, leaving the handling of the situation to his subordinate officers.
"Emperor, how do you plan to deal with Lady Liu?"
After Chu Chenyi departed, the Empress Dowager inquired about the Empress's fate, showing Emperor Xuanwen some consideration.
"Mother, Lady Liu has lost a hand; it can be considered retribution for her evil deeds. This son intends to confine her to the cold palace, letting her live out her days there."
"Lady Liu wished to kill you, this old woman, and the Imperial Consort, taking us all with her. Yet, you only intend to confine her. You are indeed benevolent."
"Mother, this son... this son is also looking back on twenty years of marriage with Lady Liu, and truly cannot bear to be so harsh..."