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Batu was a smart man, to deactivate the explosive he held before him, which baited the flame to light its own ignition. He knew when to push her, and to Yue’s dissatisfaction, when to yield. Mayhaps she got herself too incensed – pushed into ideas that were stranger than fiction, unable to be believed. She, with the Emperor’s child? To be fair, it had been the work of fiction.
Rarely did her pregnancies ever make it far enough to be called such.
He didn’t know what it meant to be barren. He didn’t know what it felt like to be the hinge upon which a dynasty rocked (and if he did, it was Yue who was yet to understand). Even when surrounded by one she considered close, the Empress could not feel more alone.
It did not excuse her lashing out or give her the right to barter for distraction, using the peace of others as her main bargaining chip.
The Empress lost her fire.
No, it is I who should apologize.Her shoulders, usually two scalloped mountains carried high behind her back, had fallen. She looked as lousy as she felt, feeling guilt over the tone she had taken with Batu.
There is no right answer. There’s nothing anyone can say,the woman explained succinctly.
It was all a game, one where everyone lost. Why would the Gods play such games? With her, their most divine mouthpiece?
Carefully, she dragged her gaze back to Wei Jūn.
Lady Kexin… Is she alright?Yue asked, suddenly realizing how uncaring she had been to someone who had once been her friend. Yue herself knew the trials of birth – and she could remember, behind her cloud of anger, that there had not been much celebrating of Lady Kexin's successes before she departed.
and... her son?
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