At this, the Empress finally snapped back to reality and burst out laughing. "You and I have been husband and wife for over thirty years, yet you actually don't trust me!"
She stood up, straightened her ceremonial robes and crown, and quickly regained her composure. "You conspired with them to trick me, which means you must have known about our plan all along. Father was right: those who wish to achieve great things should not be weighed down by petty sentiment. A sovereign knows no sentiment; the moment I chose to walk this path, I never intended to be a virtuous mother of the nation."
The Empress pulled the older court lady back a few steps and waved her hand at the Imperial Guards behind them. "The moment you followed me this far today, your capital crimes were already sealed. Now, your only chance at survival is to fight for your lives."
Chapter 158