Outside the Chang Xin Palace, willow branches sprouted green, and withered trees hinted at spring.
Sunlight poured like water onto the layered stone steps. Several eunuchs and palace maids looked ashen, a scene of sorrow. The Empress Dowager was gravely ill; how could her servants be joyful?
Regardless, living under the Empress Dowager’s care was more comfortable than in ordinary places.
If the Empress Dowager died, no one knew what their future held. Thinking of their uncertain prospects, these people felt even more heartbroken.
A magnificent carriage stopped on the bluestone plaza outside the palace gate. Four young eunuchs stepped forward in unison and respectfully said, "Young master, we have arrived."
The hearts of these individuals seemed unwilling, but they accepted their fate. Whether it was life or death, it was all in the hands of this young master.
Yun Xiao alighted from the carriage, drawing gasps of surprise. The eunuchs and palace maids guarding the palace gate looked astonished.
They hadn't expected the physician who came this time to be so young and so handsome. Yet, such a beautiful person was about to be beaten with planks. Everyone felt a sense of pity for Yun Xiao.
Only Yun Xiao smiled heartily, a fine vermilion fan tapping her hand. Graceful and elegant, with an extraordinary, devilish charm, she casually swept her gaze over the faces of the eunuchs and palace maids. A hint of yearning stirred in the hearts of these palace maids.
Such a handsome person, and so refined. Some palace maids even harbored thoughts of wanting this young master to leave quickly, to avoid courting death.
But a clear, cold voice rang out, "Master, let's go."
Looking up again, everyone involuntarily took a step back, startled into lowering their heads quickly.
This subordinate behind him was truly terrifying, like a Yaksha, and the ugliest kind of Yaksha at that. For such a handsome person to have such an unattractive subordinate truly diminished his status.
Everyone speculated inwardly, but Yun Xiao raised a smiling face, her deep voice resonating.
"Let's go. Please lead the way, Eunuch."
"Follow this servant," the person on the stone steps moved swiftly ahead. Yun Xiao and Liu Xing followed close behind him, heading towards the inner hall of Chang Xin Palace.
She had been to Chang Xin Palace before and was not unfamiliar with it, but she had never entered the sleeping quarters. The layout of Chang Xin Palace was similar to that of Jin Hua Palace, with the main hall and inner hall connected. Thus, after passing through the great hall and along the corridor, they proceeded towards the inner hall.
Before the inner hall, a line of ashen-faced eunuchs and palace maids stood cautiously, their bodies trembling like leaves in the wind. Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and observed them impassively.
At this moment, a sharp, bloodthirsty roar suddenly erupted from the sleeping quarters: "Useless things!"
As the voice fell, a fierce wind suddenly arose, and something was thrown out with a thud, accompanied by faint whimpers. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an aged imperial physician.
His beard was white. Trembling, he struggled to stand, but he had been injured by the throw and fell again as he tried to get up.
Yet, even so, he could not escape misfortune. A cold shout rang from within the sleeping quarters: "Drag that scoundrel out and give him thirty planks."
As soon as the words fell, the aged imperial physician’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted. But even though he had fainted, those eunuchs dared not show favoritism. They stepped forward, lifted the old eunuch, and prepared to administer the punishment.
Yun Xiao saw that if the man were truly beaten, he would have no chance of survival. She quickly raised her hand and said in a deep voice, "Wait."
She dropped her previous smile, her expression turning cold. Her eyes held a murderous glint as she looked askance. The young eunuchs jumped in fright and quickly released their grip, causing the old imperial physician to fall to the ground.
At this point, those inside the sleeping quarters had heard the voices outside and were already enraged. A sudden, loud shout erupted.
"Who is it?"
A eunuch rushed in to report that someone had answered the imperial summons and entered the palace.
As the young eunuch finished speaking, Yun Xiao heard an urgent voice from within: "Quickly, summon him in."
They had forgotten to reprimand anyone. At this moment, the person who had arrived was like a straw of salvation.
Yun Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. Neither subservient nor arrogant, neither anxious nor impatient, she slowly walked into the sleeping quarters, Liu Xing standing guard at the palace gate with vigilance.
Yun Xiao entered the sleeping quarters and, after standing still, raised a smiling face to take in the view of the room.
Indeed, it was extremely luxurious. A glazed screen carved with a hundred flowers, and phoenix lanterns hung from the four corners, shining with lifelike brilliance.
Peony incense burned in golden copper censers, and the light breeze stirred the hangings, making them dance like wind. Outside the open window, several bamboo trees stood, exuding both grandeur and elegance. It was evident that this old woman knew how to enjoy herself.
Yun Xiao shifted her gaze to the woman on the bed. She looked frail and pale as paper after not seeing her for several days. A few streaks of white hair had appeared at her temples, and her long eyelashes concealed her alluring eyes. Her lips were also pale and bloodless.
Yet, even in such a critical state, the woman still possessed a delicate and powerless beauty. If one didn't know what she had done, one would truly feel immense pity upon seeing her.
Yun Xiao sighed, truly a beauty. She was indeed different from ordinary people. As for the other person in the room, she couldn't be bothered to look. This man, she only wanted to spit on him three times and nothing more.
Threads of cold air emanated, and a chill enveloped the room. Shangguan Yao, who had been sitting on a chair, appraised the person who had answered the imperial summons. He hadn't expected it to be a boy of thirteen or fourteen.
Such a person dared to try and treat his mother? So many imperial physicians were helpless, what ability did he possess to bring the dead back to life? Shangguan Yao’s handsome features were etched with exhaustion, his eyes bloodshot. At this moment, looking at Yun Xiao's retreating back, a murderous intent resurfaced in his heart.
If it weren't for concerns about his reputation, he would have long since wanted to kill these useless fellows. Beating them was a lenient punishment. If this one proved to be like the previous ones, he would not let him off lightly.
Shangguan Yao clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging. He suddenly slammed the low table, and the table shattered in response.
Yun Xiao jumped in surprise, quickly turning her head to look at this man on the verge of madness, his hair somewhat disheveled, his eyes bloodthirsty, and his entire being looking worn out. Seeing him like this, she felt no sympathy. If she could, she wanted to laugh heartily.
This couldn't be blamed on her heartlessness. It was simply because this man was too detestable. His feud with her was not a matter of a single day.
"Your Majesty, can you spare that imperial physician? He has already lost half his life."
Shangguan Yao, in his haste, waved his hand and ordered, "Let that thing scram back."
Those outside breathed a sigh of relief, how fortunate.
"Can I now take the Empress Dowager's pulse?"
Yun Xiao was neither angry nor impatient, her face always maintained a smile, warmth radiating from her as she calmly looked at Shangguan Yao.
Shangguan Yao was stunned. He waved his hand, his expression becoming even more unsightly. This young boy showed no fear at all, looking at him with composure.
This was unlike any physician who had entered the palace before. This person seemed confident and prepared. Did he have something he could rely on? Shangguan Yao's chest tightened, feeling a sharp pain. He suddenly stood up, and a creaking sound echoed.
"Who are you?"
"Ghost Hand Phoenix Official."
Yun Xiao had originally intended to say Yun Qing, but at this moment, the surname Yun was a great taboo, so she decided to use a different name.