MCSCPM -Chapter 142 The Feigned Desperation

Outside the Imperial Study.

“Your Highness… what are you doing?” the senior eunuch asked softly.

A few people had been standing outside the Imperial Study for an entire hour. Consort De had been there almost motionless the whole time.

“I will wait here… until the Emperor comes out,” Consort De said, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. She intended to plead for her son, hoping to win the Emperor’s sympathy.

Inside, Nangong Lin sat silently on the dragon throne, curious to see how long she could hold out.

“Your Majesty, Consort De has been standing outside for an entire hour,” the eunuch reported.

“The Third Prince’s affairs have nothing to do with her. I do not want to hear her explanation,” Nangong Lin said, his eyes fixed forward. Matters of the court were not for a woman to meddle in.

Outside, the scorching sun beat down on the earth, and the palace maids could not help exclaiming at the heat.

Yet Wan Mo remained steadfast. If she could not endure such hardship, how could she create an opportunity for her son?

“Consort De, the Emperor will not see you. Please return,” Eunuch Li said gently.

“I will wait here for the Emperor. If I do not see him today, I will not leave,” Consort De replied firmly. Everyone present inhaled sharply—this was midday, and standing in the sun for several hours could cause heatstroke. Even if she wanted to hold out until the Emperor appeared, she could not endure it for long.

“This… I am only passing along the Emperor’s words. Please think carefully, Your Highness,” the eunuch cautioned.

Just as he was about to turn back, she spoke: “Please inform the Emperor—if he does not recall the Third Prince to the capital, I will kneel here and not rise.” Every word fell deliberately from her lips.

“Your Highness… be careful,” the eunuch said helplessly and turned away.

Wan Mo slowly lowered herself to her knees. She did not believe Nangong Lin would be so heartless. If her son did not return from Jiangnan soon, he would surely fall victim to the plague. By then, even a supreme immortal could not save him.

“Your Majesty, Consort De still refuses to leave,” the eunuch reported as he stepped inside.

“I have made myself clear. If she insists, I will not change my mind,” Nangong Lin said. He hated being threatened—Consort De was testing his patience.

“Your Majesty, I think Consort De is only anxious for her son, wanting the Third Prince to return quickly. If he inadvertently contracts the plague…” The eunuch trailed off, careful not to anger the Emperor further.

Sparks of anger flared in Nangong Lin’s eyes, spreading through his body.

“Afraid that he might catch the plague… and then you?” he snapped.

“No, Your Majesty, that is not what I meant,” the eunuch hastily knelt. Even after years in the Emperor’s presence, he had to tread carefully. How much more dangerous for Consort De.

“The Third Prince made his own mistakes. If he does not take responsibility, he need not return. Originally it was just floods; now he has failed to manage them and caused a plague. How shameful!” Nangong Lin swept the documents on the table to the floor.

Since early morning, he had been reviewing reports, each one about the plague.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The Jiangnan floods were severe, and a plague is unavoidable. After all, the Third Prince is also your flesh and blood,” the eunuch knelt, drenched in sweat.

“Flesh and blood? Ha!” Nangong Lin laughed bitterly. Even if it were his own child, he would not hesitate if Xize were endangered.

Eunuch Li was now sweating profusely.

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The eunuch had never seen the Emperor so furious. He had always observed the rivalry between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince from the sidelines, never interfering—yet now Nangong Lin’s anger was overwhelming.

“Let Consort De kneel outside if she wishes,” he said, flicking his sleeve dismissively. He wanted a woman, not one meddling in state affairs.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Outside, Consort De remained kneeling. She believed that if she persisted, the Emperor would order her son’s return. But reality was harsher: once Nangong Lin made a decision, it was nearly impossible to change. He was, after all, the ruler of Xize.

“Consort De, this is not a proper way to handle things!” the senior maid cautiously approached.

“Did you hear nothing I said?” she said coldly. Even if the Emperor’s decisions were hard to change, her own would be unyielding.

“I do not dare, Your Highness. I only fear for your health in this blazing sun!” the maid said, feigning concern. But her true motive was self-preservation; Consort De was her strongest ally, and if anything happened to her, her own position would be in jeopardy.

“If I cannot endure even this, can the Third Prince return?” Wan Mo said, frowning, before her expression returned to calm.

“You are right, Your Highness,” the maid said, fawning. They were like grasshoppers in the same boat: if anything happened to Consort De or the Third Prince, none of them would benefit.

Under the blazing sun, Consort De knelt unmoving. Her makeup had been ruined by sweat. She wanted Nangong Lin to know: as long as he did not come out, she would kneel a day, a month, or even half a year.

“Your Majesty, Consort De has been kneeling for hours. I fear she may risk her life if she continues,” the eunuch said, glancing nervously.

Now, in the harem, only Consort De and the Empress remained. If anything happened to her…

“I do not like repeating myself,” Nangong Lin’s brow tightened.

“Please, Your Majesty, think carefully!” Eunuch Li knelt, repeating himself over and over.

“Silence! Do you think I need you to lecture me on matters of state?” Nangong Lin said, gazing at the sky outside. Though it was blue above, the people of Jiangnan still suffered from the plague. Consort De worried for her son—but had she considered Xize’s people?

The people were the foundation of the state. Without their support, even a thousand Nangong chens could not save the nation. A ruler without concern for the people cannot govern.

When Nangong xiao sent the Third Prince to manage the Jiangnan floods, he knew it was a test—but who could have foreseen a plague?

Thinking of this, Nangong Lin felt almost broken. Even a wise ruler could falter in family matters. A bad premonition gnawed at him.

Before the storm, the world is calm.

As night approached, Nangong Lin had not stepped outside the study. Wan Mo had knelt for nearly a day, neither eating nor drinking.

“I will wait here for the Emperor. I do not believe he will be so heartless as to kill his own flesh and blood!” she deliberately raised her voice, ensuring he could hear. With his temper, he would surely respond.

As her words faded, an eerie silence fell over the surroundings.