Chapter 5
When the Empress spoke, even Dad standing right there couldn’t stop her.[]
But Lydia wasn’t afraid. Instead, she gave Aunt Empress a graceful curtsy:
“I don’t know what crime I’ve committed. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty.“]
Aunt Empress glanced at her and had someone escort her into the main room.[]
Once the door was closed, Lydia immediately knelt down. Aunt Empress looked down at her coldly and asked:
“Others may not know, but as his sister, I know exactly how you got pregnant with that bastard.“]]
Lydia looked shocked and kowtowed in terror: “Your Majesty sees all, I wouldn’t dare!“]
Seeing her refuse to confess, the Empress lowered her voice:[]
“You won’t live through tonight anyway, so I’ll tell you the truth.“]]
“Charles can’t have more children – I personally gave him the medicine that made sure of it.“]
Lydia froze, then suddenly covered her mouth and laughed:[]
4
“Your Majesty sees all. The child in my belly truly isn’t the Earl’s. You know my humble origins – I was afraid he’d cast me aside, so I had to take this desperate gamble.“[]
She added solemnly: “I’m willing to serve only Your Majesty and His Majesty. This child can be both the Earl’s motivation and his weakness.“]
“Whatever the Earl is planning, I’m sure Your Majesty and His Majesty know better than I do.“]
”
The Empress studied her for a long time, her tone finally lightening: “You’re a smart one.”
e.”
“Not like Charles’s first wife who couldn’t rise to the occasion. She was all fake politeness with me – such small–minded thinking.”
Lydia’s eyes flickered, and she boldly asked: “The Earl often say
little Luna takes after her mother’s nature. I just wonder – how did she die?“]]
“Her?” The Empress snorted with laughter: “She brought it on herself.“]
Mother was gentle by nature and never spoke back to her sister–in–law, but she couldn’t resolve the conflict between Dad and Aunt.]
The day Dad went to find Aunt, she was wearing royal robes
I had a chest of gold brought out, giving Dad two choices.
First, take the gold and the Earl’s title, and come to the capital with them to enjoy wealth and honor.
Pox 201
Aunt resented that Mother couldn’t even talk Dad out of such a small thing, and instead let him come argue
with his own
sister.
Dad looked at the menacing guards on both sides, then at his own tattered clothes, and chose wealth and honor.
But Aunt said he needed to have no loose ends.
T
s
“Go back and kill that woman. I’ll ask His Majesty to choose you a good wife from the capital’s noble families – someone worthy of your new status.”
To reassure Aunt and to protect me, Mother had to die.
Chapter 5
I hid in the next room, their conversation echoing loud in my ears, my hands unconsciously clenching into fists.]
Lydia came out unharmed with Aunt Empress, and Dad sighed with relief.]
The Empress only said meaningfully: “I thought your new wife would be spoiled and arrogant, but she’s quite to my liking.“]
After the Empress left, Lydia immediately looked worried as she turned to Dad:[]
“Her Majesty thinks I’m too crude to be the lady of the house. Luckily I learned some poetry at the brothel and barely passed her test.“]
“But – Her Majesty said she wants to take our child to the palace to raise.”
Dad panicked, gripping her shoulders hard: “What can we do?“]
Lydia smiled softly and said to Dad: “This morning the doctor came and said I’m carrying boy–girl twins.“]
“You mean?” Dad narrowed his eyes thoughtfully: “Give the girl to the Empress then?”
Then he joyfully lifted his wife up: “You really are my lucky star!“[]
When Lydia came, I was pacing anxiously in my room.
No doctor had come this morning. When the lie was exposed, how would she handle it?
Lydia seemed carefree, gently placing my hand on her belly:
“Feel this.“]]
I felt a chill spread through my palm, like being in ice and snow, and couldn’t help but shiver.
Just as I was about to ask more, I heard Lydia say:[]
“They’re just two blood clots. Your father and the Empress – neither of them will get what they want.“]
