Though appearing indifferent and detached from worldly affairs, he could evoke such a startling sensation within her, causing her to tread with caution.
His eyes, resplendent as stars, seemed to harbor an ancient, bloodthirsty sword, radiating a palpable killing intent.
Was this all just her imagination? Frowning slightly, she waited calmly, eager to see whether he would choose the Emperor or her. Who in the vast Eastern Qin was unaware of Night Lan Zhi’s capabilities? The Empress Dowager smiled with a hint of self-satisfaction.
Ximen Yao smiled faintly. His smile animated his features, making them incredibly vivid, imbued with a captivating allure that surpassed his previous detachment.
“Thank you for your admiration, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. However, I do not enter the palace to assist the Emperor. I am here to repay a debt of gratitude. Once this debt is settled, I shall depart. Imperial power is as fleeting as smoke to me.”
A colder glint appeared in Night Lan Zhi’s eyes. This man was truly arrogant, refusing to align with anyone. Could such a person be kept?
“Can the promise of a bright future, of becoming a king or a minister, not sway you, Mr. Ximen?”
She found it difficult to imagine anyone in the world could be so lofty. Even scholars and poets could not entirely escape the entanglements of fame and fortune.
Did he truly view power with such disdain? What secrets lay hidden behind this facade? If he were like other common opportunists, eagerly seeking favor…
She would have felt at ease then. With a weakness, he would be controllable. It was those who desired nothing that were truly difficult to manage…
“Your Majesty flatters me.”
A chill permeated the pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, a eunuch’s voice rang out in timely fashion: “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
A chorus of clear voices rose: “We, your servants, pay our respects to His Majesty.”
Shangguan Yao, his tall frame unhurried, moved past the kneeling eunuchs and palace maids, directly entering the pavilion. His handsome features were tinged with suppressed ferocity. Upon entering, without glancing at Ximen Yao, he fixed his gaze upon his own mother.
A long silence ensued.
The Empress Dowager, aware of her son’s reason, feigned ignorance. Smiling, she asked, “Why have you come, Yao’er?”
Within the pavilion, Ximen Yao observed the tense mother-son dynamic. He had already risen and spoke respectfully, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Shangguan Yao shifted his gaze to Ximen Yao, asking with concern, “Is Mr. Ximen alright?”
“I am fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager summoned me to inquire about the assassins from last night.”
Ximen Yao, seemingly unwilling to escalate the conflict between the Emperor and his mother, spoke tactfully. The Empress Dowager, not wishing to strain her relationship with her son, followed suit, her voice soft and charming.
“Indeed. Early this morning, I heard that assassins had infiltrated Qingfeng Pavilion last night, so I was deeply concerned and summoned Mr. Ximen to understand the situation.”
Shangguan Yao’s deep, alluring eyes fluttered open slightly, the narrow lines of his brows tinged with coldness. However, he refrained from making an outburst. Since Mr. Ximen wished to maintain their mother-son relationship, why should he not go along with it? His silence did not imply ignorance.
“My mother is truly thoughtful. If I discover who was responsible for last night’s actions, who dared to harm my esteemed guest, I will show them no mercy.”
His sharp, bone-chilling words were understood by the Empress Dowager. Her son was warning her.
A pang struck her heart, making her feel unusually uneasy. She truly did not wish to anger Yao’er; he was her most beloved son. Everything she did was for the sake of preserving his vast empire. Yet, he did not understand a mother’s heart.
She had sacrificed so much and did not wish to give away the empire in vain.
“Yao’er.”
“Mr. Ximen was startled last night. You should return to Qingfeng Pavilion to rest properly.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ximen Yao said, bowing respectfully. He then turned to look at the Empress Dowager, whose eyes were clouded with emotion. Her enchanting face could not conceal her disappointment and pain. He spoke respectfully, “Ximen Yao takes his leave.”
“Go,” the Empress Dowager waved her hand. At this moment, she could do nothing to Ximen Yao. He had already inserted himself between her and her son. If she insisted on eliminating Ximen Yao, she feared Yao’er would not remain indifferent.
However, she would make Yao’er understand that this man could not be kept.
Ximen Yao withdrew. Inside the pavilion, silence descended. Mother and son gazed deeply at each other, but the intimacy that once existed between them was gone, replaced by visible cracks.
“Yao’er, Ximen Yao cannot be kept. I hope you will…”
The Empress Dowager spoke softly, but Shangguan Yao did not allow her to finish. He suddenly exclaimed, “Mother?”
His voice rose in a high, cold tone, sharp as the wind.
“Mother, if you still acknowledge me as your son, then do not constantly oppose me. I do not want what happened last night to happen again.
Furthermore, Ximen Yao will not remain here indefinitely. He merely owes me a debt of gratitude. Once it is repaid, he will leave the palace.”
Shangguan Yao’s brows furrowed, his entire demeanor exuding a chilling, formidable presence. The imperial yellow brocade robes he wore were embroidered with a soaring dragon, exuding immense power. His ink-black hair cascaded down, and the golden crown atop his head shimmered with radiance, adding boundless elegance to his handsome features.
“Yao’er?”
The Empress Dowager’s delicate face was etched with a shade of gloom, and her eyes glistened with moisture.
She had never dreamed that her cherished son would one day confront her so directly. In truth, she knew very well that the matter of Ximen Yao was merely a catalyst; her son had long been resisting her.
“Mother, please take care of yourself. I have state affairs to attend to and must take my leave.”
Shangguan Yao finished speaking, then turned and left directly.
Outside the pavilion, a retinue of eunuchs and palace maids knelt, sensing the Emperor’s palpable hostility and not daring to breathe.
“Xiao Ting Zi, let’s return.”
A clear, cold voice sounded. Xiao Ting Zi immediately scrambled to his feet, “His Majesty is returning to the palace.”
The group departed, and the area around the Jade Pavilion fell silent.
Within the pavilion, the Empress Dowager gazed through the sheer curtains at the departing Emperor, tears streaming down her face. She sank onto the stone chair, her trembling hand brushing against the edge of the table for support. Unintentionally, she knocked over a teacup.
The teacup shattered on the floor, mirroring her broken heart. Could such a heart ever be made whole again?
Indeed, her fate was her own making. Heavens, was this a punishment?
Tears rolled down the Empress Dowager’s alluring eyes, accompanied by silent sobs that revealed her vulnerability. She was no longer the bloodthirsty Empress Dowager, but merely a mother with a shattered heart.
Jinhua Palace.
Yun Xiao slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking. She had stayed up too late the previous night.
When she awoke, she found only Wan Wan in the sleeping chambers. Xiu Xiu and the other eunuchs had gone out to attend to their duties.
Upon seeing her mistress awaken, Wan Wan crept closer conspiratorially.
“Your Ladyship, I’ve sent Xiu Xiu and the others away. I have something I want to tell you.”
“Mmm,” Yun Xiao blinked, looking at the sneaky maid. Wan Wan’s face was beaming, as if she had encountered something delightful. Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and asked with mild interest, “What is it?”