Empress Dowager Sun had been especially favored by Xuanzong. She had overseen the inner palace while still a Noble Consort, then became Empress, and later Empress Dowager. Not only her son but also her daughters-in-law had treated her with great filial respect. Whatever she wished to accomplish in the inner palace came as easily as turning her hand over.
Once her orders went out, the late Emperor's harem was brought under control. Even Empress Qian's movements in and out were restricted.
Empress Dowager Sun truly feared that Empress Qian might commit Martyrdom Sacrifice, for ever since the Emperor had been captured, she had displayed far too much devotion.
While her son had been alive, the husband and wife had indeed loved each other deeply. But she had never expected Empress Qian's feelings to run so deep.
For although her son respected Lady Qian, she knew that, in terms of affection, Consort Liu Jing was the one he loved most.
The inner palace had thought the time for live sacrifice had arrived, and waited in terrified unrest for poisoned wine and white silk.
They waited and waited, but neither poisoned wine nor white silk came. Instead, an Imperial Decree arrived.
The new Emperor, upholding the late Emperor's will, abolished the system of Martyrdom Sacrifice. From this day forward, there would no longer be live burial sacrifices within the imperial house.
Xiao E knelt amid the crowd. She could not understand the Imperial Decree and caught only a few key words. She scarcely dared believe it until the eunuch proclaiming the decree knelt. Her little sister Qiao Zhen threw herself at her, her face brimming with excitement. "Xiao E, Xiao E, did you hear that? His Majesty abolished the Martyrdom Sacrifice system. We don't have to die!"
Xiao E collapsed onto the