“Does Your Majesty not feel sorry for your own son?”
“Yao’er, do not provoke that woman. This Empress Dowager promises you, when the time is right, she will let you deal with that woman personally. Even if it means dismemberment, this Empress Dowager will not stop you, but not now.”
The Empress Dowager pulled Shangguan Yao down, her fingers conveying a chilling presence. She knew Yao’er had been wronged, but everything she did was for his own good. He would understand one day.
“Mother.”
Shangguan Yao lowered his head, one hand held by the Empress Dowager, yet he felt no genuine love, only a suffocating sense of imprisonment.
Was he truly destined to live his entire life under his mother’s shackles? Did she truly do it for him, or for the supreme imperial power?
Shangguan Yao’s other hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched, firm and chilling.
“Enough. You were in the wrong on this matter. There are so many beauties in the harem, why must you dote on that imbecile? If the women in this palace are not enough to satisfy you, you may issue an imperial decree to select more maidens.”
“Mother, I am tired and wish to return to Jingfu Palace to rest.”
Shangguan Yao did not wish to say more. He released the Empress Dowager’s hand and rose to take his leave.
The Empress Dowager gazed at him intently. Knowing he could not let go of his feelings at this moment, she did not press him. She waved her hand, watching his tall, handsome figure depart.
Though his back was proud and straight, there was a touch of desolation and coldness to it. The Empress Dowager’s fingers clenched, her heart aching. She couldn’t help but call out, “My son!”
Shangguan Yao looked back from a distance. The woman in the grand hall, beautiful as a flower, still radiant after all these years. The same ambition in her eyes. Otherwise?
“Your mother loves you, Yao’er.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Shangguan Yao walked out, bathed in golden light, leaving behind only a cold, distant figure. The Empress Dowager trembled slightly as she leaned back against the phoenix throne.
Shangguan Yao returned to Jingfu Palace in his sedan chair. Thinking of his mother’s words, his heart felt cold. His pupils, deep as an ancient well, suddenly flashed with a sharp, cold glint. Since his mother had spoken, he could not act openly. Could he not act in secret?
With a thought, he spoke towards the outside of the sedan chair, “Proceed to Zhaoyang Palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the voice of the grand eunuch, Xiao Tingzi, rang out. He respectfully waved his hand, and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair immediately changed direction, the sedan chair heading towards Zhaoyang Palace, the residence of Consort De.
Zhaoyang Palace.
From early morning, a chilling aura permeated the air. The palace maids and eunuchs went about their tasks with utmost caution, daring not utter a word.
Consort De, Ye Suyue, her beautiful face etched with frost, leaned slightly on the phoenix chair. After hearing the report from the eunuch below, she said nothing, closing her eyes slightly, suppressing the rage in her heart.
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, she finally spoke, “Does His Majesty truly wish to dote on that imbecile?”
“Although this servant did not witness it firsthand, it is said that last night, the Empress’s attire was disheveled, and she cried grievously. Afterwards, in a fit of rage, she struck His Majesty.”
The eunuch speaking was still one of Consort De, Ye Suyue’s people.
Consort De, Ye Suyue, was no ignorant woman. Every corner of the palace had her informants, as did her powerful family.
Although not the Prime Minister, her family controlled the Ministry of War, and all military power rested in the hands of the Ye family. Therefore, many in the palace obeyed her commands, certain that she would become the Empress of Dong Qin, and were willing to risk their lives for her.
“Very well, you may withdraw.”
Ye Suyue waved her hand in annoyance. Thinking of the Emperor being struck, she couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
Serves him right. He brought it upon himself.
There were so many beautiful women in this palace. Who else could he not favor, yet he wished to favor that imbecile? How could an imbecile understand matters of love between men and women? Thus, him being struck was deserved.
The eunuch retreated, and the hall fell silent. Yue Mei, Consort De’s personal maid, glanced worriedly at her mistress.
“Your Ladyship.”
Yue Mei was also from the Ye family. She had served Ye Suyue since childhood, and the two had a deep affection, like sisters.
Thus, when Ye Suyue entered the palace, Yue Mei also entered. In the vast harem, everyone knew that Yue Mei was synonymous with Consort De, making her half a ruler within Zhaoyang Palace.
“Yue Mei, I am fine. From the moment I entered the palace, I was prepared. I just didn’t expect him to want to touch that imbecile. No matter who he touched, it wouldn’t be as unbearable as this. Not because of his favor, but because of his depravity. He wouldn’t even spare an imbecile.”
“Your Ladyship, please don’t dwell on it.”
Yue Mei knew her mistress’s distress well. The Emperor had always been a figure of arrogance and dominance in her mistress’s heart, a dragon among men, a favored son of heaven.
Yet, such an outstanding man had set his sights on an imbecile and was struck. Now, it was likely not just her mistress’s affair. In this vast harem, everyone felt disheartened. xxs壹贰
“Yue Mei, have you ever felt like you’ve eaten a fly and can’t spit it out?”
Ye Suyue suddenly raised her bright eyes, gazing intently at Yue Mei. Yue Mei sighed and walked to her side, massaging her shoulders.
“Your Ladyship, never speak such words a second time. It is enough that you have spoken them to me. And do not speak of flies. His Majesty is still the same person. As for what happened last night, there must have been some mistake. As they say, His Majesty was drunk, perhaps he mistook the Empress for some other consort.”
Yue Mei was indeed sharp. After her words, Ye Suyue felt much better and instinctively believed that her words were true. How could His Majesty dote on that imbecile? He must have been drunk and mistaken the imbecile for one of them.
“Yes, Yue Mei is indeed clever, worthy of being from our Ye family.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your praise.”
As the two were speaking, the sharp voice of a eunuch suddenly sounded from outside the hall: “His Majesty has arrived.”
Ye Suyue and Yue Mei exchanged glances. What was His Majesty doing here? He hadn’t visited Zhaoyang Palace in a long time. Yue Mei quickly regained her composure.
“Your Ladyship, do not fail to greet His Majesty.”
“Mhm,” Ye Suyue came to her senses and, leading Yue Mei, went to greet him.
A tall and imposing figure entered from the hall entrance. He wore a bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with flying dragons, and a dazzling golden crown on his head. Tiny, shimmering pearls hung down, obscuring his face, with only glimpses of his captivating, deep pupils visible.
“Your concubine greets His Majesty,” Ye Suyue bowed gracefully, a gentle smile on her face, her usual soft demeanor.
Shangguan Yao extended his hand and helped Ye Suyue up. “Suxue, rise.”
He then did not release Ye Suyue’s hand but held onto her as they walked together towards the side of the hall. Ye Suyue looked at the Emperor in this manner, feeling a bit overwhelmed with joy. When had the Emperor ever shown her such tenderness?
Yue Mei waved her hand, and the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall slowly filed out.