Chapter 2: How Did They Suddenly Become So Affectionate?

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Xiao Huaijing, that despicable scoundrel, couldn’t wait for her to walk into his trap—he actually climbed through the window to eavesdrop himself.

That shameless wretch, so confident in himself. I’m a diligent and ambitious young woman; why would I abandon such a valiant, battle-hardened, and magnificent man like your father to fall for you, a mere weakling?

The Empress Dowager snapped, “Nonsense!” What nonsense about love? How dare she say such things?

No wonder Huaijing suspected her of improper behavior. The Empress Dowager was furious but still felt that Lin Yue valued her son deeply; perhaps it was all a misunderstanding.

Startled, Lin Yue shivered, fearing the Empress Dowager thought she was slow-witted. She hurriedly said, “Mother, please calm your anger. Your daughter-in-law means no harm. After marrying Lord Jingyun, he was dispatched to the frontier. I have yet to bear him an heir, which weighs heavily on my heart.”

“Moreover, as a second wife, watching the heir marry Madam Su has deepened my longing for Lord Jingyun. I worry even more...”

Lin Yue sighed, having no more to say.

The Empress Dowager glared fiercely, pausing at this critical moment—was she trying to drive her mad?

She immediately pressed, “Worried about what?”

Lowering her eyes, Lin Yue nervously fiddled with the carpet’s edge. “I fear Madam Su might be with child. If that happens and Lord Jingyun doesn’t return, I, so young, would become a grandmother. I am truly terrified.”

“But I know it’s not Madam Su’s fault. It’s my own troubled thoughts. I accept whatever punishment, only begging Mother to spare me this once, considering I guard an empty chamber alone.”

Ah, not just an empty chamber. Soon, Xiao Jingyun suffered a crushing defeat because military supplies were delayed. Struggling on, the city was breached, and he ultimately died for his country.

He was only thirty-five when he died.

The Empress Dowager was horrified, her nails scraping harshly against the chair, startling Lin Yue.

“You lie, you wicked woman!” Xiao Huaijing burst out, unable to hold back, pointing accusingly at Lin Yue with hatred in his eyes.

Lin Yue looked at him, momentarily taken aback.

Xiao Huaijing truly was the protagonist—his appearance was unnervingly seductive, like a male succubus.

But what of it? Though beautiful and dangerous, no wonder so many women fought over him desperately, while he watched them squabble without care, leaving Madam Su heartbroken and driven to run away, all the while professing love for her. It was utterly repulsive.

Disgusted, Lin Yue withdrew her gaze, but suddenly heard the Empress Dowager thunder, “Silence!”

Lin Yue was stunned—she hadn’t spoken.

The Empress Dowager faced Xiao Huaijing. “Your father is away at war, your mother troubled in spirit. You, as the younger generation, should be more understanding. Yet you speak so harshly—what kind of conduct is this?”

Xiao Huaijing’s face fell; he knelt and implored, “Great-grandmother, would you rather believe her than your grandson?”

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“She’s a deceitful, wicked woman, utterly unworthy of my father,” Xiao Huaijing said, glaring venomously at Lin Yue, his disdain unmistakable.

Lin Yue met his glare without flinching. She thought to herself, “I may be duplicitous, but at least I revived your father with a ritual to bring him back to life, and this is how you treat me? Ungrateful wretch!”

She clasped the Empress Dowager’s hand, “Mother, I know being a stepmother is difficult. I’m willing to serve you in the palace until Lord Jingyun returns victorious.”

Regardless of whether Xiao Jingyun would come back, she no longer wished to see that despicable grandson.

The Empress Dowager’s heart ached. If Jingyun never returned, what life would she have?

Xiao Huaijing thought Lin Yue was acting and immediately exposed her, “Stop pretending. You never considered me your son. You’re clearly coveting...”

“Enough!” The Empress Dowager slammed the table, rising in fury.

She glared darkly at Xiao Huaijing. “Leave the palace immediately and go tend to your Madam Su. As for your mother, you are forbidden to slander her again. If you do, I will punish Madam Su with twenty lashes.”

“Great-grandmother!”

“Out!”

Xiao Huaijing shot Lin Yue a furious glare. Blaming that venomous woman, he vowed it was only a matter of time before...

Lin Yue smiled contemptuously, fearless.

Truly extraordinary—daring to be so arrogant before the Empress Dowager. No wonder he later committed such reckless acts, not only stubbornly causing the deaths of a hundred thousand soldiers of the Great Wei but also reducing the imperial family until only he remained—a royal nemesis indeed.

The Empress Dowager’s nails dug into her palm, for the urgent matter was to save her son. Yet she never expected her grandson to bring ruin upon so many soldiers. Anger surged, and she urged Xiao Huaijing, “Are you not going?”

Xiao Huaijing dared not defy further and soon left.

After he departed, the Empress Dowager collapsed weakly into her chair.

Lin Yue worried she’d fainted from high blood pressure and hurried to support her. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager grasped her hand tightly and asked, “If I sent you to the frontier, would you be willing?”

Lin Yue was dumbfounded. “Ah?”

The Empress Dowager’s tone turned cold. “What, you wouldn’t want to?”

Lin Yue quickly denied, “No, no. How could your daughter-in-law refuse? Let me think—what should I bring to befit meeting my lord?”

Think, think...

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Currently, military supplies were ample; the key was that their delivery required the local governor’s escort. Xiao Jingyun’s downfall was due to Governor Mu Lixin of Shaanxi-Gansu. Mu feared that Xiao Jingyun’s victories would win popular support and surpass the emperor’s prestige. As a sycophant eager to please the throne, Mu schemed to eliminate this threat.

First, by causing Xiao Jingyun’s defeat, Mu could seize credit afterward. With Xiao Jingyun dead, no one would know Mu was depleting supplies, all while posing as a national hero.

But if Lin Yue personally escorted the supplies, how could she pass Mu’s guard without a proper reason?

She racked her brain, troubled—especially since travel was so difficult for women in ancient times.

The Empress Dowager had never suspected Mu Lixin was plotting against her son. No wonder he had sent gifts multiple times—he was clearly conspiring.

No matter; now that she knew, she would quietly consult the emperor.

The Empress Dowager’s mood softened, releasing Lin Yue’s hand. “I was just joking earlier. Stay in the capital; there’s no need to go to the frontier. But since there’s misunderstanding between you and Huaijing, you may stay in the palace for now.”

Lin Yue was relieved, quickly asking, “So, Mother, you believe me now?”

The Empress Dowager snorted lightly. “You sly little thing, using your husband’s name to bully Madam Su. I can’t believe you thought that up.”

“This time I’ll let it go, but if Madam Su bears an heir, it would be a great boon for the royal family. You must not stop it.”

Lin Yue raised her hand in promise. “Thank you for your forgiveness. I swear I won’t act recklessly again. Let them have as many children as they want; the more, the better—I won’t need to bear any more. I’ll help raise them.”

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but chuckle. “What nonsense. When Jingyun returns, you’ll still have to bear several more.”

Lin Yue smiled shyly but her eyes flickered with resolve. She thought, “It seems I must find a way to rescue my husband. Otherwise, if the story continues as before, even the Empress Dowager won’t be able to protect me.”

The Empress Dowager was left speechless. What story?

Could it be that Lin Yue had lived a past life, which was why her fate differed from others?

If even she couldn’t protect this woman, how arrogant must the enemy be? Could it be a rebel or traitor?

The Empress Dowager decisively grabbed Lin Yue’s hand. “Tonight, you’re not going anywhere. You’ll sleep with me.”

Lin Yue was speechless. How did they suddenly become so close like mother and daughter-in-law?