Even if Emperor Youning were to soften for a moment, no man under heaven could tolerate his own woman dallying with his own brother, especially when it had caused such a public scandal.
Moreover, Emperor Youning was the Son of Heaven. When had the Son of Heaven ever lacked for women? For Consort Zhou to dream of regaining her former status as the most favored in the palace was nothing more than a delusion.
Yet, it was precisely because of this that Consort Zhou would grow desperate. Li Chengji had already risen to prominence. Consort Zhou had to regain favor and carry weight in the Emperor’s heart if she were to help her son seize the throne. When people grow desperate, they make foolish mistakes. And the devious Consort Yi would undoubtedly become Consort Zhou’s wicked advisor, whispering ideas into her ear. As for whether those ideas would help Prince Xuan ascend or send him to his grave—or perhaps send Emperor Youning to his—that was hard to say.
Chapter 154