Yun Xiao's gaze remained fixed on Sima Qingyun, whose old face flushed as he was rendered speechless.
Behind Sima Qingyun, the second-rank official, Minister of Works Lü Yichun, stepped forward hastily and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, we are foolish. Please forgive us. Since Empress Your Majesty has come, does this mean you agree to the Emperor taking concubines?"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Lord Lü was quick-witted, and his words immediately steered the conversation to the topic of taking concubines.
When Shangguan Yin heard Lü Yichun's words, his expression turned cold, his pupils sharp and menacing. He sat on the throne, as heartless as Satan.
These people actually dared to bring it up?
At this moment, Yun Xiao's calm and clear voice rang out, "It is naturally good that the ministers have this intention. Everyone is so concerned about the imperial lineage, which shows the unity of our Dong Qin."
As Yun Xiao spoke, those led by Sima Qingyun and Lü Yichun in the hall immediately became excited, their eyes betraying an unconcealed glint of eagerness.
Only those who understood Yun Xiao's temperament raised their eyebrows slightly, gazing at her intently, knowing that this woman would surely have more to say.
As expected, Yun Xiao changed the subject and looked at Lü Yichun, who was so excited he didn't know what to say.
"Lord Lü, you have daughters at home, don't you?"
The entire hall was shocked by this statement, unsure of the Empress's meaning.
Lü Yichun's scalp tingled. He looked up at the Empress, feeling as if she had fangs like a demon, baring them as if to devour him. Terrified, he quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I do indeed have another daughter at home."
Yun Xiao nodded with a smile. Everyone in the hall was watching her, wondering what the Empress's intention was.
The others felt a prickling chill, and unease and fear gnawed at their hearts. In the vast Golden Phoenix Hall, only the Empress remained serene, lightly playing with her finger, and spoke in a soft, condescending tone.
"All the ministers should know that the palace is different from other places. The reason I haven't brought up the matter of taking concubines is because I wanted everyone to have family reunions. It seems the ministers have misunderstood my intentions. Since that is the case, I will put this matter on the agenda, but I do have something to say."
"Please enlighten us, Your Majesty?"
Several voices chimed in. These were the ministers who had daughters. Hearing the Empress relent, they spoke up impatiently. The Emperor was still a dragon among men, and now, besides the Empress, there were no other consorts in the palace. If one entered the palace and gained favor, it would mean glory for the entire family.
"Anyone who has a daughter at home is best advised not to send her into the palace, because the affairs of the palace are unpredictable. If they enter and cannot leave, it will be a separation beyond life and death, leaving all the ministers in a difficult position."
Upon hearing this, the ministers who had spoken earlier felt their minds go numb. They broke out in a cold sweat. Especially Lord Lü Yichun, whose face turned ashen. He recalled his daughter, Consort Lü Zhaoyi, who had died mysteriously in the palace, with no culprit found.
Now that he only had one daughter left, how could he possibly send her into the palace?
Lü Yichun immediately dismissed the thought.
The other ministers, hearing the Empress's words, felt their scalps tingle. They could tell the Empress was formidable. Although she had agreed outwardly, who knew what was happening behind the scenes?
At this moment, Yun Xiao stood up, lightly brushed her phoenix gown, and smiled at those below.
"I have been developing some new contraptions recently and am looking for people to enter the palace?"
She finished speaking without elaborating. Turning to Shangguan Yin, who sat majestically on the dragon throne with doting eyes on her, she said, "Your Majesty, your concubine will take her leave now."
Shangguan Yin reached out and held her hand, saying softly in front of all the civil and military officials, "Go back and rest."
Yun Xiao nodded and led her entourage away slowly. Everyone knelt again, "We respectfully see off Empress Your Majesty."
After Yun Xiao left, everyone felt a chill deep within their bones. Thinking of the Empress's last words, what did she mean by developing some new contraptions? Just the thought made their foreheads break out in a cold sweat. Even if they wanted their daughters to enter the palace, the Emperor clearly favored the Empress and would likely indulge her. If they entered the palace now, wouldn't it be a death wish? With this thought, everyone had already rejected the idea of sending their daughters into the palace.
At this moment, Shangguan Yin, seated high above, spoke slowly, word by word, "The Empress is too lonely. I wonder which of you ministers has a daughter waiting to be married. I wish to find a few people to enter the palace to play with the Empress."
Upon hearing this, the ministers with daughters immediately knelt down with a thud, begging repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, though my family has a daughter, she is my only daughter, and I do not wish to part with her."
"I feel the same."
The entire hall was filled with wails, as if they feared the Emperor would issue an edict and summon their daughters into the palace to "play" with the Empress. This was not playing; it was clearly sending them to their deaths.
Shangguan Yin's face darkened to an extreme. He abruptly stood up and stormed away. The eunuchs' cries announced, "The court is adjourned."
The ministers with daughters below breathed a sigh of relief. Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin exchanged a smile and looked at Sima Qingyun opposite them. His face was also not much better; he was pale and was now wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
In fact, Sima Qingyun knew well that the Emperor deeply loved Yun Xiao, and sending a daughter into the palace might not be a good thing. However, he couldn't resist his daughter's constant pleas. Later, he finally found some hope, thinking that each person had their own fate. If the Emperor truly doted on his daughter, who knew it would turn out like this.
Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin walked out behind the crowd. At this moment, two young eunuchs approached and said respectfully.
"His Majesty has an imperial decree, summoning Prince Shangguan and Prince Yun to an audience."
The two exchanged a look and followed the eunuchs towards the study.
In the study, the Emperor was not reviewing memorials or handling state affairs. He was resting his chin on his hand, his eyes narrowed in thought. The eunuchs attending him in the study dared not make the slightest sound, fearing they would anger the Emperor.
It wasn't until Fu Hai entered and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the two princes are here?"
"Announce them."
Shangguan Yin straightened up, his expression solemn and grave. He looked at Shangguan Lin and Yun Mo as they entered from the door. The two men paid their respects, stood up, and looked up at the Emperor.
The Emperor's exquisite features were framed by brows like frozen ice and skin as white as pure snow. His pupils reflected a formidable, penetrating coldness. His thin lips were tightly pressed. His face was so beautiful it defied all reason, but at this moment, no one admired the Emperor's grace. They were concerned about what had happened.
"Your Majesty, what has happened?"
"Is it Xiao'er?"
In the study, upon hearing the Emperor mention the Empress, the two men stood up nervously, thinking that something had happened to her. Yun Mo, especially, involuntarily clenched his fist. He had seen his daughter safe and sound earlier. Could it be that she was hiding something from him?
"What happened to Xiao'er?"
Shangguan Yin glanced at Yun Mo, seeing his face had turned pale with anxiety. He quickly waved his hand to reassure him, "Prince Yun, please do not be nervous. Actually, Xiao'er wishes to travel to the Qingyun Mountain Range."
"To the Qingyun Mountain Range? What is she going there for?"
Shangguan Lin posed the question with confusion. The Qingyun Mountain Range was continuous, with peaks adjoining peaks. Although majestic, it was filled with sheer cliffs and precipitous drops, extremely dangerous. Not only were the mountains treacherous, but the wild beasts within were also extremely dangerous. How could she be allowed to go there? However, if Yun Xiao wanted to go, it was probably for some reason.
As Shangguan Lin was thinking, a cold light flashed across the Emperor's exquisite features, and he spoke word by word, his lips tightly pursed.