Shangguan Hao's face was grim as he walked past Xi Men Xinyue. The woman was now in a sorry state, her cheeks badly swollen, her hair disheveled, a far cry from her former delicate beauty.
Recalling her actions, his anger intensified. Xi Men Xinyue, seeing the Emperor walk past, immediately pleaded, "Your Majesty, this concubine shall never dare to do so again."
"From today onwards, you are confined to Jianyang Palace. Unless it is my decree, you are not permitted to step outside Jianyang Palace."
"Yes," Xi Men Xinyue replied. Seeing how angry the man was, she dared not defy him further. She respectfully accepted the order. When the voice of a young eunuch sounded outside the palace gate, "Your Majesty is returning to the palace," she could no longer hold back her sobs. It was all her own doing. Why had she believed that man back then?
That man was truly a wolf in human skin. If she hadn't invoked the Xi Men family just now, he would have killed her without batting an eye, disregarding even his own flesh and blood. How could there be such a person in the world?
Xi Men Xinyue wept tragically. The maid, Lianyan, walked in from outside, clutching her chest, coughing incessantly. With each cough, she spat out a mouthful of blood.
She had been injured by that man and was likely nearing her end.
Lianyan looked at her lady, who had always been so noble, being treated in such a manner. She rushed to embrace her, and the mistress and servant wept together. "My lady, my lady, Lianyan fears she cannot hold on. What will you do then? What will you do?"
"Lianyan, don't scare me, don't scare me."
At this moment, Xi Men Xinyue clung to Lianyan like a drowning person. But Lianyan could only offer a weak smile, coughed again, and a hint of crimson appeared at the corner of her lips. Xi Men Xinyue cried out, "Come, summon the imperial physician, summon the imperial physician!"
Two young eunuchs entered from outside the sleeping quarters, bowed respectfully, and said coldly, "His Majesty has decreed that no one in Jianyang Palace is to leave or summon a physician. Please, Your Highness, do not make it difficult for us."
They then retreated. The servants in the palace were truly so opportunistic. One day in favor, and even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven. The next day in disgrace, and they were worse than pigs and dogs.
Lianyan saw her distressed lady and slowly said, "My lady, I am alright. Please take care of yourself. My lady, please listen to Lianyan's words and find an opportunity to escape the palace. This is not a place for you to stay for long."
"Lianyan?"
Xi Men Xinyue began to cry again. In the darkness, her voice sounded like the mournful cry of a ghost.
Because that person was missing, Shangguan Hao was extremely anxious. The most likely scenario was that the Empress had rescued that person. Her recent behavior clearly indicated that she had discovered he was an imposter. The reason she had remained silent was likely to save that man.
That person was currently in Fengluan Palace, but what reason could he use to search the palace?
In Liuli Palace, Shangguan Hao frowned in deep thought. By the third watch, he had devised a plan and quickly made arrangements for his actions.
A pale white light enveloped the entire imperial palace, with thin mist swirling around. The late autumn flowers and grasses were already sparse, and they appeared even paler now, swaying in the cold frost. xxs1
Suddenly, a sharp sound tore through the sky.
Following that, the entire imperial palace trembled because an assassin had attempted to assassinate the Emperor. The palace guards were mobilized in full force.
The Emperor's decree spared no palace or hall; they had to search for the assassin's hiding place and prevent the assassin from harming anyone else.
Before dawn, Qingyao was fast asleep. With Liu Zun safely sent out of the palace, the heavy burden on her heart had lifted, and she slept soundly.
She only awoke when the sound of hurried footsteps reached her sleeping quarters. Her eyes snapped open, and she looked at Mochou, who rushed in from outside. "What happened?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, it is said that an assassin attempted to assassinate the Emperor, so His Majesty has issued a decree for a search of all palaces. Guards are now outside Fengluan Palace. What does Your Highness think?"
Qingyao raised her eyebrows, her expression cold. A thought flashed through her mind: the assassin was likely a pretense, and the real purpose was to search the palace.
This meant that Shangguan Hao had discovered the Emperor was alive, and things would be difficult from now on. Qingyao calmly got out of bed, signaling Mochou to attend to her and Xiao Yur'er. The mother and son got ready and walked out of the sleeping quarters.
They saw a group of heavily armed guards standing imposingly at the entrance of the main hall. However, they still dared not be disrespectful to the Empress, and everyone bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Empress."
"You may dispense with the formalities."
Qingyao waved her hand calmly. Her wide white water-cloud sleeves stirred up a gust of clear wind, spreading a fragrant aroma through the hall. The guards did not dare to show the slightest disrespect, bowing their heads and remaining still. Qingyao slowly sat down and asked indifferently, "Is His Majesty alright? Did the assassin succeed?"
"His Majesty was wounded by a sword, but he is not seriously injured. Because he feared the assassin might hide in other palaces and harm the other consorts, His Majesty ordered his subordinates to search thoroughly, not sparing a single palace."
It seemed that man had planted spies within the palace. She hadn't expected that he had already gained the trust of so many people in such a short time. His meticulous planning, including taking concubines, was all paving the way for the future.
Perhaps he had considered that if his identity were ever exposed, with the protection of so many ministers in court, who could overthrow him?
However, now that he had discovered the Emperor, the imperial city would likely be plunged into a bloodbath. She herself would not be able to escape?
Qingyao waved her hand, "His Majesty is thoughtful. You may search. Do not miss any place. Be sure not to let the assassin hide anywhere. If they harm this consort, His Majesty will surely not forgive you."
"Yes."
These guards were merely carrying out their orders and did not know the details. They simply thought the Emperor and Empress were in love, never imagining it was a prelude to a storm.
A team of guards dispersed and quickly began searching the sleeping quarters.
Qingyao signaled Mochou and Bingxiao with her eyes. The two of them nimbly accompanied the guards. Although there was no one else in the palace, she still had to be careful not to fall into anyone's trap. If Shangguan Hao intended to frame her, he would have succeeded.
After a thorough search, nothing was found.
Qingyao held a teacup and raised her eyebrows slightly, asking carefully, "There is nothing?"
"Your Highness, nothing. Please rest assured," the captain of the guards said, cupping his hands respectfully before retreating with his men from Fengluan Palace.
The hall finally quieted down. Mochou and Bingxiao approached their mistress and asked cautiously, "Mistress, what do we do next?"
"I fear that person has become suspicious, which is why this talk of assassins arose. These assassins may not be real; he simply wants to find out where the Emperor is.
It seems he will act soon. Let us use his efforts to leave the palace. Someone is already monitoring the outside of Fengluan Palace. We must not make any rash moves these next two days.
On the day of the princess's wedding, Mochou will slip out of the palace amidst the chaos and go to the Prime Minister's mansion to inform the Mu family and the Zhao family to leave Lin'an City immediately. They can return once things become clearer."