Xi Qi suddenly looked up, his gaze resolute, even raising his right hand: “I swear to heaven that this was not my doing. If I am hiding anything, may I be punished by heaven.”
“Hmm, that’s good. Otherwise, it would have chilled the hearts of loyal officials. Get up. The air is damp; be careful not to hurt your knees,” Weilinxia waved her hand.
Xi Qi carefully rose, still keeping his head lowered: “Thank you, Mother. I… have one more matter…”
“Speak,” Weilinxia thought he might mention Xi Yaya and Wang Ling’s marriage, so she was not particularly attentive.
“Mother, is it true that Father Emperor died in battle?” Xi Qi asked.
Weilinxia’s tea spilled, wetting her skirt. No one had asked about this in years, and she was caught off guard.
“Of course. Otherwise, who do you think is lying in state in the Divine Palace? Who is buried in the imperial tomb? Have you heard something?” Weilinxia recovered.
Xi Qi shook his head. “No, not from anyone. That day when summoning Minister Wang, he asked why he was determined to resign. He said…”
“Said what?” Weilinxia inquired.
“He said he had made a promise to Mother to support me until I took personal rule. He said my actions were unfilial and unjust, and he didn’t want to support such an emperor. When Father Emperor’s edict called for a western expedition, only he and Minister Mu opposed it, nearly resigning because Father Emperor did not heed their advice. It was you who persuaded him to stay. He initially had doubts about Father Emperor’s death but soon understood. He told me that when Father Emperor was sent as a hostage to the Rong Kingdom, it was Mother who told Grandfather ‘life and death together’ and followed.
When the two countries went to war and Father Emperor was hung, it was Mother who, despite being frail, traveled thousands of miles in winter to the Rong Kingdom’s main camp to save him. She believed she was the only one who would protect him.
Xi Qi looked at Weilinxia with doubt. She avoided his gaze, watching the mandarin ducks swim away.
