Yun Xiao had originally intended to create a more convincing disguise. She planned to adorn herself with jewels and don a bright red robe, which would have surely evoked disdain from anyone who saw her.
However, upon opening the jewelry box, she found only two simple silver hairpins and nothing else. With her large, limpid eyes, she finally spoke after a long moment.
"Xiuxiu, where are these things?"
Her voice was somewhat cold and sharp, her pupils darkening, and her face was covered in frost.
As the daughter of the current Regent King, dowry was essential. A single jade hairpin alone indicated that the King's mansion must have prepared a generous dowry for her. But now, with nothing left, what did this imply?
Daring servants, mistaking her for a fool, had grown ambitious. Otherwise, why would all these items have disappeared?
Upon hearing the Empress's words and seeing her actions, Xiuxiu was so frightened that she immediately knelt down with a thud.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. These items have nothing to do with this servant. They were taken by the consorts from various palaces, and the Empress had agreed to it at the time."
Xiuxiu broke out in a cold sweat. They had considered taking some items themselves, but they were not as quick as those consorts. Thinking back now, they had truly narrowly escaped disaster.
"Oh, is that so?" Yun Xiao's pupils flickered, and a smile bloomed on her lips as her voice softened considerably. "You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xiuxiu stood up and moved to the side, not daring to breathe. She secretly glanced at the Empress, who had a contemplative expression.
Her face, terrifyingly painted, was adorned with a ghostly smile, creating an unsettling sense of dread, as if someone was about to face immense misfortune...
"I will make them return everything obediently."
Yun Xiao elegantly picked up the two remaining silver hairpins from the jewelry box and inserted them into her hair. She turned and instructed Xiuxiu behind her, "Find a bright red, magnificent dress."
"Your Majesty?" Xiuxiu's lips moved, and she remained still for a long time.
Yun Xiao turned and stared at her, speaking coolly, "Don't tell me the clothes were taken too."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Only the wedding gown and a set of plain colored cloud silk robes remain. The plain colored cloud silk robes are the ones Your Majesty wore yesterday and have already been sent to the laundry. Now, only the wedding gown is left."
By the end, Xiuxiu's voice had become incredibly small, like a mosquito's, and her head was bowed to her chest.
She felt a surge of resentment when she thought of the consorts' greed. Within two days of the Empress entering the palace, her jewelry and fine clothes had been snatched away. This left her and Xiao He with nothing but envy as they watched others benefit.
Now, it seemed that heaven was truly favoring them. It was likely that from now on, not a single one of those individuals would have a peaceful moment.
Yun Xiao did not seem angry, merely stating calmly, "Good, very good."
With that, she waved her hand. "Since there are no other clothes, bring that bright red wedding gown."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Seeing that the Empress was not blaming her, Xiuxiu breathed a sigh of relief and turned to fetch the wedding gown. It was a fiery crimson cloud robe, made of expensive fabric, with exquisite and luxurious embroidery.
It was indeed a magnificent and valuable garment. The reason it had been left behind was likely because it was impossible to wear outside, which was why it hadn't been taken.
Xiuxiu helped the Empress put on the wedding gown. It was blazing red, striking to the eye. Combined with her unique makeup, it truly had a breathtaking, otherworldly quality.
"Your Majesty, do you truly intend to do this?"
Xiuxiu hesitated for a moment before she couldn't help but speak. Actually, Her Majesty was no longer foolish; not only was she not foolish, but she was also very clever.
If the Empress Dowager and the Emperor knew, they would surely be very happy. With the Empress's intelligence, she would surely gain imperial favor.
But why did Her Majesty continue to feign madness? Xiuxiu couldn't fathom it, no matter how hard she thought.
"Alright, let's go. I want to see what the imperial palace looks like."
Yun Xiao ignored Xiuxiu, who looked troubled behind her. She and Xiuxiu would never see eye to eye. If this girl knew her thoughts and soul, she would likely be scared silly.
As ancient people, they were naturally constrained by ancient rituals.
Outside the sleeping quarters, the eunuchs Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao stood guard. Upon seeing the Empress emerge, they were startled.
What kind of makeup was this? From head to toe, she was a riot of fire, and not just fiery, but also hideous. Her eyebrows were thick and dark, and the area around her eyes was also rimmed with black.
They could only see her eyeballs rolling around. As for her lips, when she opened them, it revealed a gaping maw, as frightening as could be. The two eunuchs' legs felt weak, and their voices trembled.
"Your Majesty."
"Let's go, I want to wander around," Yun Xiao said. She led the way out of the inner chambers and towards the outer halls...
Jinhua Palace, still the foremost among the six palaces, was resplendent and luxurious.
In the empty grand hall, a gentle breeze swept through, causing the sheer curtains to flutter. An elegant incense burned in a golden censer, its subtle fragrance swirling in the air.
Yun Xiao stood in the center of the hall, smiling as she observed it all. So this was what those women longed for, a place symbolizing status and prestige. In her opinion, it was merely a gilded cage.
"Let's go."
Yun Xiao led the two eunuchs and Xiuxiu out of Jinhua Palace. Outside the palace, the sun shone brightly, and the weather was clear.
In front of the palace gate, beyond the painted corridors, there were layers of white jade steps, piled-up rockeries, and swaying flowers and plants, exuding the freshest fragrance of nature.
The group of three exited Jinhua Palace and proceeded along the intricately carved covered corridors to other places. Along the way, they encountered many eunuchs and palace maids, all of whom were startled.
When they clearly saw that it was the foolish Empress, they neither paid their respects nor bowed, but instead chuckled softly and whispered among themselves.
Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, and Xiuxiu's faces flushed, wishing they could find a hole to hide in. However, the protagonist of the day was the Empress.
Empress Yun Xiao, with a face seemingly unbothered, her mouth gaping, smiled with smug satisfaction, occasionally clucking in amazement, "This imperial palace is truly quite nice, so big and beautiful."
"Your Majesty, let us return. Or perhaps, let's wash your face before coming out."
Xiuxiu suggested softly. Yun Xiao was engrossed in her exploration and paid her no mind. She continued enthusiastically forward, making her way towards the Imperial Garden.
Although it was early winter, the imperial palace was as warm as spring. The grass was lush and green everywhere.
Following the bluestone paths, she freely roamed through the Imperial Garden. The garden was filled with many precious and rare flowers, blooming in a dazzling display. Yun Xiao's eyes were dazzled, unable to take it all in, her face beaming with smiles.
In the distance, Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, and Xiuxiu were starting to get tired and had gradually fallen behind.
Suddenly, a faint, ambiguous sound reached them.
Yun Xiao stopped, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Who was here?
With that thought, she quietly tiptoed forward along the sound. She rounded a corner of the Imperial Garden to a small pavilion, and outside the pavilion was a rockery from which the sound was emanating.
Sunlight poured like water onto the rockery. A tall, white figure was enveloped in the light. His face was obscured at this moment, but his tall and robust physique was visible. His ink-black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, cascading like water onto his shoulders, naturally elegant.
And what was he doing at this moment?
His body was convulsing up and down, and he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Outside his white robes, a pair of fair, tender legs were entwined.