Upon returning to the palace, the emperor, after much deliberation, made the decision to release the Empress from the cold palace.
As for the Empress, she was well aware that her ability to leave the cold palace and retain her title as Empress was significantly linked to Shangguan Hong.
She vaguely understood that the revered immortal Daoist, rumored to be incredibly efficacious, was none other than Shangguan Hong in disguise.
Consequently, the Empress had not dared to forget her promise to Shangguan Hong.
Her first act after leaving the cold palace was to devise every possible means to kill the emperor – regicide.
Initially, the Empress prepared poisoned wine for the emperor.
It was the noon of the second day after her return to her own palace. After some inquiries, the Empress learned that the emperor was scheduled to dine with her that day.
Overjoyed, the Empress instructed her trusted maid to prepare the poisoned wine and place it on the table, awaiting the emperor's arrival.
However, they waited until all the food had grown cold, and still, the emperor did not appear.
A hurried report arrived from the emperor's guards, stating that the emperor had suddenly changed his mind and planned to visit later. That day, he had chosen to dine with the Noble Consort instead.
Enraged, the Empress overturned the table.
But the Empress did not give up easily.
Among her maids, two were her absolute trust and affection – two maids she had brought from her own family.
These two maids had followed the Empress for many years, were roughly of the same age, and were absolutely loyal to her.
Thus, the Empress devised a new plan: she instructed these two maids to carry knives and serve the emperor, seizing any opportunity to assassinate him, thereby achieving her goal.
The Empress led the two maids to the study, where the emperor was reviewing official documents.
Seeing the Empress approach, the emperor's expression remained indifferent: "What is it, Empress? Is something the matter?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, during my time in the cold palace, I was constantly concerned about Your Majesty's well-being. Having recently heard that Your Majesty has been sleeping restlessly at night, I thought I must come in person to check on you to feel at ease," the Empress said, lowering her eyes.
"You are indeed thoughtful. I am not gravely ill," the emperor replied, turning his gaze back to the documents, clearly showing little interest in engaging with the Empress.
The Empress continued, "Your Majesty dedicates himself to state affairs day and night, and is bound to be tired. May I perhaps massage Your Majesty's shoulders to relieve some tension?"
The emperor remained silent.
The Empress paused for a moment, then added, "Your Majesty need not do anything. You can continue reviewing your documents. I shall merely stand by your side, I will do nothing else, nor will I say anything to disturb Your Majesty."
"There is no need. You are the Empress; such matters should be attended to by the servants," the emperor still refused to look at her.
The Empress gritted her teeth and simply dropped to her knees with a thud.
The emperor finally looked up, seeing her, and frowned, "Empress, what are you doing?"
The Empress, with a stubborn expression, declared, "Your Majesty! A few days ago, I was at fault, I committed many wrongdoings. If Your Majesty blames me, I dare not speak further. But now I know my mistakes and wish to do something for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty only wishes to reject me, it truly pains my heart!"
"That is not what I meant," the emperor sighed.
"Your Majesty does mean that. That day, Your Majesty said you would dine with me, but then you went to Noble Consort Mei's place. I… I still feel jealous," the Empress confessed.
"You are this old, yet you still act like a young girl?" The emperor's words seemed dismissive, but a smile finally appeared on his face.
He was rather pleased with the Empress's actions.
Thus, the emperor finally relented: "Alright, then come, and ease my muscles."
"Yes!" the Empress smiled.
The two maids behind the Empress stepped forward, helped her to her feet, and accompanied her to the emperor.
The Empress exchanged a glance with the two maids, signaling the moment for the fatal strike.
A subtle glint of blades flashed from the maids' sleeves, but the emperor did not notice.
His expression held a hint of emotion. He looked at the two maids and sighed, "Empress, how many years has it been? How many years have you been married to me?"
The Empress paused, waved her hand, and the maids ceased their movements.
"I can no longer recall, Your Majesty. Why do you ask this so suddenly?" the Empress asked, her heart racing, as she knelt behind the emperor and began to massage his shoulders.
The emperor sighed, "My age is increasing, and there are many things I can no longer do well."
The Empress offered a fawning smile, "Not at all, Your Majesty is wise and valiant, there is nothing you cannot do."
"You only know how to flatter me," the emperor glanced at her. "Actually, when I killed the Crown Prince that day, you must have harbored some resentment towards me, haven't you?"
The Empress's hands paused their massage; she was clearly touched.
The emperor raised his hand and patted her hand on his shoulder, saying, "Empress, you are grieving, but am I not as well? He was your son, and he was mine! Did we not watch him grow up together?"
The Empress lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
"But who could have known that after becoming the Crown Prince, destined to inherit my throne, he would commit such foolish acts! Tell me, how could I not have killed him?"
"Your Majesty did nothing wrong. That matter, the Crown Prince was indeed in the wrong," the Empress said words against her heart, giving the maids another look.
In the Empress's heart, she truly harbored immense hatred for the emperor.
If not for him, her son would not have died, and she would not have suffered so much in the cold palace.
Killing him was not only a promise to Shangguan Hong but also her revenge against the emperor.
"If it were possible, I wish that it was I who died that day. Afterwards, I truly could not sleep, filled with regret," the emperor sighed.
The Empress blinked, her gaze falling upon the white hairs at the back of the emperor's head.
This man, with whom she had shared a bed for so many years, had also grown old.
"In the future, I will not send you to the cold palace again. I will treat you well. That was a promise I made to you many years ago." Having said this, the emperor smiled and returned to reviewing his documents.
The Empress's eyes turned red. She waved her hand, and ultimately, she could not bring herself to let the maids strike.
Years of marital affection were not easily cast aside. Regicide, for her, was too difficult a deed.
"From ancient times to the present, no one has been able to hold onto the throne for long. The winds of change will eventually dissipate. The empire and the world will eventually be exchanged."
Shangguan Hong's voice carried a hint of triumph.
This was in a water prison, a damp and chilling environment concealing deadly intent. In the center, bound by heavy chains, a man in blue was immersed. His abdomen was stained with some blood, and his exceptionally handsome face was as pale as paper.
"Well, Regent, I presume you understand this principle?" Shangguan Hong looked at the man before him, a thrill of successful revenge surging within him.
The immense pleasure made him feel utterly comfortable.
He had never imagined that absolute power could bring such enjoyment to a person. He was thoroughly satisfied.
Not long ago, this man before him had insulted him, snatched the woman from his embrace, and even arrogantly led people to search his residence, issuing severe threats.
But so what? Now, he could trample this man underfoot. Whether to kill him or not was no harder than crushing an ant.
Hearing Shangguan Hong's voice, Xiao Wangye, whose consciousness was previously hazy, now found his mind remarkably clear.
He raised his head, looked at Shangguan Hong, and let out a cold laugh: "The empire can indeed be changed, and a person's nature is just as difficult to alter. Shangguan Hong, you were a subordinate once, and you will remain a subordinate forever. Your nature is that of a petty man; no matter how much effort you exert, you will never become an emperor."
Xiao Wangye had understood Shangguan Hong's intentions.
He could also guess that Shangguan Hong was very different from his past self, otherwise, he would not have been imprisoned here.
"Regent, it seems you haven't had your fill of the water prison," Shangguan Hong raised his tone, intending to emphasize his dominant position in this situation.
"Shangguan Hong!" Xiao Wangye interrupted him coldly. "The Crown Prince's death, that was your doing, wasn't it?"
Shangguan Hong raised his eyebrows, looking at him with great interest: "Regent, you seem to know quite a bit?"
Xiao Wangye sneered, "Presumably more than just the Crown Prince's death. The Empress's comings and goings from the cold palace, you must have been involved, or directly orchestrated it. Qingcheng going to your residence and refusing to return with me, that also must be thanks to you, right?"
Shangguan Hong's eyes tightened.
"That so-called immortal Daoist, rumored throughout the capital, must also be you." Xiao Wangye closed his eyes, the emotions on his face vanishing.
"The Regent is indeed exceptionally intelligent," Shangguan Hong chuckled. "But what of it? In the current capital, or perhaps this world, I doubt there is anyone who can rival me. Regent, you can wait and watch as this world undergoes a dynastic change."
After speaking, he turned and left the water prison.
Upon learning the truth of the matter, Xiao Wangye used the agreed-upon signal to summon his hidden guards.
He was then taken away by his hidden guards, disappearing from the location, as he had urgent matters to attend to.
Xiao Wangye instructed his subordinates, dozens of them, to capture Shangguan Hong. Although Shangguan Hong was formidable, even he would eventually exhaust his strength. He was brought directly before Xiao Wangye.
The outcome was as expected; Shangguan Hong had no chance of survival.
Xiao Wangye sought out Ye Qingcheng and received her confirmation of return. In the end, lovers were reunited.