Ji Feihua said, "His Majesty has been blinded and deafened by those corrupt ministers. He has never considered this: if I truly intended to usurp the throne, why would I have helped him ascend to the Supreme Throne? His Majesty is far too suspicious. I hear he has already drafted an imperial edict and chosen a Crown Prince. All that remains is to announce it."
Empress Jian asked in a trembling voice, "Whom has he chosen?"
Ji Feihua said, "Your Majesty must act decisively now."
At his words, Empress Jian understood that Ji Feihua was hinting she should strike against the emperor. She slammed her hand onto the tea table, rose, and rebuked him furiously. "You brazen madman! How dare you utter such treasonous words in my presence! Aren't you afraid I'll report everything you've said and done today to His Majesty and have your entire household executed, your property confiscated, and your clan exterminated?"
Ji Feihua's expression remained utterly calm. Lifting his teacup, he said, "His Majesty believes I harbor sinister intentions. He has listened to slander and wants to eliminate me. Forgive my disrespect, but since I had the power to help him take the throne then, I also have the power to bring the Retired Emperor back and restore him to it now. If the Retired Emperor were to reclaim the throne, how do you think he would treat His Majesty? And how would he treat you and the consorts of the various palaces?"
A chill ran through Empress Jian's heart. With the power Ji Feihua wielded today, he could indeed accomplish it.
Ji Feihua said, "To me, it makes no difference who occupies Great Kang's throne. As long as it is someone from the Long Family, what distinction is there? But I would still like to