Shangguan Yao had been sitting on the soft couch, gazing at the Empress Dowager, silent for a long time.
No one dared to speak. Only Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, gently walked over to the Emperor's side and reached out to hold him. Shangguan Yao, uncharacteristically, did not refuse. He clasped her hand, and together they looked at the Empress Dowager on the bed.
Shuyuan, Ye Suxue, had a cold and somber expression, her eyes spitting sparks. She bit her lip tightly, glaring angrily at Ye Yuyun. She had been heartbroken for her aunt, but now jealousy made her forget her grief.
She wondered what Ye Yuyun had done secretly to make the Emperor look upon her so favorably.
Before, she hadn't noticed the Emperor treating her any differently, but now he treated her specially. Could she really stand by and watch the position of Empress fall into the hands of the Ye family?
No, she absolutely would not wait for death. She wanted to become a noble woman like her aunt. Ye Suxue clenched her fists, her nails digging into her flesh without her feeling any pain.
Ye Yuyun subtly glanced at Ye Suxue. The woman's displeased expression and tightly clenched hands showed how angry she was. A flicker of pleasure rose in Ye Yuyun's heart.
Finally, this woman was angered. Her previous arrogant demeanor had been taught a lesson today. She had brought it upon herself. Ye Yuyun lowered her head and spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, Yuyun has something to say. I don't know if I should."
"Speak," the Emperor replied, not looking at Ye Yuyun, still gazing at the Empress Dowager on the bed.
At this moment, he felt deep regret. He knew last night that his mother was definitely inside. He could have found another way to leave, but at the time, he only wanted to hold something over his mother. He forgot that his mother was a strong woman and could not endure such treatment.
"Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best to post an imperial decree, inviting renowned scholars from all over the empire to enter the palace and diagnose the Empress Dowager. This way, it will show the world Your Majesty's filial piety, and secondly, it can help cure the Empress Dowager as quickly as possible."
Ye Yuyun spoke with gentle and subtle grace, which instantly earned the Emperor fame.
Shangguan Yao's eyes darkened.
Although he did not speak, he tightened his grip on Ye Yuyun's hand, clearly agreeing with her words.
Ye Yuyun smiled faintly, her eyes becoming more charming. Ye Suxue opposite her was so furious she wanted to tear the woman's face apart.
On the surface, she wasn't making things difficult for her, but the disdain emanating from her bones and the contempt in her eyes was driving Ye Suxue mad. However, at this moment, she didn't want to court death.
Just then, the Emperor's deep and enchanting voice rang out.
"Xiao Tingzi, draft an imperial edict immediately. Post it throughout the empire, announcing that the Empress Dowager is gravely ill and summoning renowned physicians from all over the empire to the palace. Anyone who responds to the imperial decree will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold. Whoever cures the Empress Dowager's grave illness will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold. Proceed to the Imperial Hospital immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Tingzi accepted the decree and immediately went to handle the matter, drafting the imperial edict and sending it to the Imperial Household Department for immediate execution.
As soon as the imperial decree was posted, many renowned physicians indeed entered the palace. Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager remained unconscious. These respondents came forward to treat the Empress Dowager for the sake of the thousand taels of gold.
However, these so-called renowned physicians of the martial world lacked any substantial skill. Perhaps they had a few tricks up their sleeves and, being praised by those around them, became famous and considered themselves invincible, thus rushing to respond to the imperial decree.
The main draw was still the thousand taels of gold.
As a result, after much effort, they couldn't awaken the Empress Dowager.
Finally, the Emperor grew angry. With a single command, twenty planks were administered, leaving their buttocks bloody and near death.
Although they received a thousand taels of gold, they almost lost half their lives. After such repeated torment, no one dared to respond to the imperial decree anymore.
Three days passed, and the Empress Dowager still had not woken up. Her pulse was becoming increasingly faint.
The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital reported to the Emperor with trepidation, only to be beaten again.
The entire palace was in a state of panic. Even the court officials were affected, as many factions belonged to the Empress Dowager.
With the Empress Dowager in her current condition, these individuals were deeply worried, fearing that if anything happened to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would turn his attention to them.
Their faces became increasingly worried. They gathered in groups of three and five, discussing countermeasures whenever they had the chance. But what could they do? The only solution now was to cure the Empress Dowager; she was their lifeline.
Therefore, these officials also mobilized their resources, contacting renowned physicians from various places, hoping to cure the Empress Dowager's illness. Unfortunately, no one dared to risk their lives, and even those with some ability did not want to bring trouble upon themselves.
The Emperor had been lingering in Changxin Palace, accompanying the Empress Dowager. For three days, he hadn't eaten or slept, and had lost a considerable amount of weight.
This showed the deep bond between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Even with any rifts, it did not affect their mother-son affection.
At this moment, Shangguan Yao was consumed by gnawing regret. Why had he harmed his mother? If she were to leave him, even if he gained imperial power, the shadow in his heart would likely remain forever.
Prince Shangguan Lin had been injured that night, but he was not seriously harmed.
After a few days of recuperation, he had recovered significantly. Seeing the Empress Dowager in a coma and the Emperor not even attending the morning court, he had to brace himself and go to the palace to help the Emperor. When he had nothing else to do, he stayed with the Emperor in Changxin Palace.
In contrast to the desolation of Changxin Palace, Jinhua Palace was filled with joy.
The guards outside Jinhua Palace had long been withdrawn. Wanwan kept reporting the situation in Changxin Palace, making Yun Xiao's little face grow happier by the day.
Thinking of Shangguan Yao's current grief, she felt greatly satisfied. In Jinhua Palace, the Empress's cheerful singing could be heard from time to time. Although the singing was somewhat profound and difficult to understand, for a fool...
One day, bright sunlight streamed into the great hall. Yun Xiao was practicing her yoga on a purplish-red carpet in the hall.
Wanwan and Xiuxiu attended to her. They were now accustomed to it and were not as surprised as before.
However, they would still occasionally worry if the Empress might break her legs or snap her waist. But it seemed there was no serious harm.
They also noticed that the Empress was as soft as a willow, becoming increasingly charming. It seemed that this… yoga really had some effect, Wanwan guessed, but she dared not try it herself.
Yun Xiao was engrossed in her practice when suddenly, a subtle current flowed through the air. Liuxing was beside her; something must have happened.
Otherwise, he rarely appeared during the day. Yun Xiao suddenly opened her pupils, took a breath, and stopped her pose. Wanwan, who was nearby, had already offered a brocade handkerchief. Yun Xiao wiped her sweat and said,
"Xiuxiu, go prepare a bowl of bird's nest soup for me. I'm a little hungry."
It was normal to be hungry after exercise. The Empress would also be like this before. Xiuxiu, without suspicion, responded and went out.
Yun Xiao wiped her sweat, looked up at the sky, and said faintly, "Liuxing, is something wrong?"
Upon hearing this, Wanwan suddenly understood that the Empress had sent Xiuxiu away because Liuxing had something important. She immediately rushed to the palace gate, looking around to ensure no eunuchs or palace maids would suddenly intrude.
Liuxing's figure flashed and appeared, landing in front of Yun Xiao. His handsome face was filled with a cold glint, his eyes anxious, as if something had happened. Yun Xiao's heart sank. She stopped wiping her sweat and asked nervously, "Could it be Father?"