Chapter 17: The Empress's Acceptance

I slowly open my eyes and see an unfamiliar ceiling.

I was about to get up but an intense pain in my shoulder stopped me and I let out a painful groan,

"Argh"

"Don't move; you're still recovering."

I turned my head toward that cold yet familiar voice and was instantly mesmerized by what I saw. The Shadow Empress was meditating next to me in a crossed-leg position wearing simple black robes that made her look like a heavenly fairy.

'I can watch her all day and not get tired', I thought, continuing to absorb her beautiful and graceful image.

She was sitting with her body aligned in perfect harmony, all her parts in a comfortable and balanced position. The gentle curvature of her back hints at a graceful balance between alertness and ease. Her hands rest gently on her knees in a relaxed manner. Her face exudes serenity, with closed eyes that seem to reflect the calm depths of a tranquil lake.

As I was observing her, she slowly opened her eyes and asked,

"How are you feeling?"

"I am ok, I guess", I reply with a small smile.

"hmm, good'

And then there was silence.

It seemed that she wanted to say something but was hesitating for some reason. I am pretty sure that she wanted to ask me the reason why I stabbed myself.

After a couple of minutes, seeing that she was not saying anything, I closed my eyes and asked the system,

'Hey, system explain what happened after I lost consciousness. The last thing I remember is seeing some kind of screen'

[Hidden Achivement]

Tears of the Empress

Make the Shadow Emperess shed tears.

[100 Reversal Points Awarded]

[Major Plot Change]

[300 Reversal Point Awarded]

'Woah, a hidden achievement, a major plot change, and 400 reversal points in total! I hit the jackpot!', I think inwardly in amazement.

'I guess using that apple was worth it'

[The apple was not used]

'huh, what do you mean? did I not die?'

[The host was saved by Elder Meifen before that could happen]

'Meifen, that sadistic alchemist saved me? how?'

[She controlled and stopped the spreading of poison in your body with some unknown skill. Then she drove it out from the dagger wound, and the medicine hall elders arrived just in time to treat you.]

'This is good news since it saved me a life-saving apple and an explanation to the empress on how I got such a thing'

Just as the system finished explaining everything, the empress finally asked,

"Why did you do that?"

And there was the question I was expecting.

Of course, she was going to ask me for a reason for that stunt and I had the reply ready.

"After hearing all the things you were saying and the way you were acting, I was so angry and hurt that my emotions overwhelmed me. In that intense moment, I made up my mind to test whether you truly didn't care."

"...you almost killed yourself for something so stupid. What if you actually died?", her voice carried a clear undertone of anger.

"Well, if I had died and you genuinely didn't care, I suppose that would've been the end of it, wouldn't it?"

"Lei! You don't understand, I killed your mother just-"

"So what if you killed my birth mother!", I shout interrupting her.

"As far as I am concerned, the only mother I know is sitting in front of me. She is the one who raised me, protected me, and taught me how to cultivate. That Jiayi woman was nothing more than someone who gave me birth"

I lock eyes with the empress and continue speaking,

"I don't know what is going inside your head because you never talk about anything with me and assumed everything yourself. But let me make this clear, I never hated you or cared about revenge. Even when I found out about this secret, I never once thought about killing you. The reason I went away was to look for the whole truth because I thought you wouldn't let me find it. I just needed a little time to accept everything."

Now that I had made everything clear to her, It was her time to make a decision. I don't know what the original Lei felt like and did not care about him. These were my feelings and that was what mattered since I was here and he was gone.

Time kept on moving but there was no response from the empress. I was getting a little anxious but calmed myself with the [Divine Mental Sutra] 

"I hope you won't regret this," said the empress, breaking the long silence and my anxiousness.

When I turned to look at her she had a determined expression on her face.

"Now even if you decide to have your revenge or push me away, I won't let you go"

"What do-"

Before I could inquire further about her intentions, I found myself pulled into her embrace, her bosom enveloping me in a tight and comforting hug.

Her dark and beguiling fragrance entered my nose and made all my thoughts fly away. It was a scent that drew me in, despite its enigmatic and slightly unsettling nature. With every inhale, I found myself inexplicably captivated by its dark allure. It was as if the scent held the key to a world of secrets and forbidden desires that I couldn't resist exploring.

[Ding! Using Improvise]

"I would never push you away, Mother," I uttered, but my mind was still lost in her fragrance.