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The Emperor didn't want an Empress, he wanted a trophy wife and treats her like one.
I also have the feeling that the former Empress might've asked for something not so innocent from the Duchess on her death bed, that fueled the Duchess' rage. Something of an act on my behalf kind of request. "I love the Emperor even in death and/or want my son on the throne, so keep away the hoes" or a more innocent "protect their legacy (bc my hubby is dumb af)" could be it too, either way-
I hate her, but at the same time I can't help respecting her for how focused she is on chasing after what she wants at any cost.
But ngl, if her father wasn't such a slimey shithead himself the Empress would've looked way uglier this chapter.