Yun Xiao called out lazily, causing the three palace maids and eunuchs who were about to leave the sleeping chambers to halt their steps. They cautiously lowered their heads, awaiting orders, "Your Highness?"
"If what happened tonight gets out..."
She didn't finish her sentence. Yun Xiao yawned, covered her mouth, and walked to the edge of the bed to sit down.
The three people below immediately nodded like pounding garlic, respectfully replying, "Your Highness, please rest assured, your servants will remember Your Highness's words."
Yun Xiao finally waved her hand, "You may go."
"Thank you, Your Highness," the three finally let out a sigh of relief, a taut string snapped.
What happened tonight was truly bizarre. Where did things go wrong? The three mused inwardly, but dared not show any expression on their faces. They slowly withdrew from the sleeping chambers and stood outside the palace doors.
"Xiuxiu, look at Her Highness..."
Eunuch Xiao Yuan asked hesitantly and fearfully. Under the corridor, the moonlight cast a pale white glow, exuding a hint of coldness and eeriness. The three involuntarily shivered.
"That's enough, don't be nosy. If Her Highness finds out, your fate won't be much lighter than Xiao He's."
Xiuxiu sternly warned the two eunuchs. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao flinched, their shoulders shrinking, and fell silent in fear. For a moment, no one spoke further.
Xiuxiu raised her eyebrows and glanced at the moonlight again, then slowly spoke.
"Following an Empress like this is better than following a fool. You two rest assured and guard Your Highness through the night."
"Mm."
Silence fell around them, and all nature seemed to hush.
On the carved bed in the sleeping chambers, Yun Xiao heard every word spoken by the three outside. She slightly pursed her lips, her large eyes flickering with captivating luster.
She had no understanding of the current situation. Why would the current Emperor establish a fool as Empress? Why would an adult Emperor have a regent king? What was hidden behind all of this?
She had barged into this world unexpectedly, and she had to get out unscathed. The identity of this fool was an excellent shield, but even if she was a fool, no one would be able to bully her in the future!
Yun Xiao's lips curved into a cold smile. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
Her dreams were filled with her family and friends from her previous life. Amidst laughter and tears, her pillow grew wet with her sorrow.
She did not sleep soundly that night, filled with the bewilderment of being in a strange environment and the unease of the unknown. In a daze, she slept until the sun was high in the sky before slowly waking. A sense of melancholy resurfaced in her heart, and she sat blankly on the carved bed.
At this moment, a sharp, high-pitched voice sounded outside the sleeping chambers, faintly reaching her ears.
"Is that fool dead yet?"
The tone was quite arrogant.
Yun Xiao snapped back to attention, her eyes flickering. A mocking smile played on her lips. They had come so quickly. She wondered what kind of character had arrived.
Dealing with a fool, she figured, wouldn't involve anyone significant. It would likely be some lackeys taking orders, perhaps a good consort or noble lady of the fifth or sixth rank.
She didn't move. Her face was a little pale from the night's turmoil, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was messily draped over her shoulders, giving her the appearance of a foolish empress.
Outside the sleeping chambers, Xiuxiu glanced at the woman before her – Noble Lady Lan, of the sixth rank.
She wore a palace dress with small floral patterns, her hair piled high and adorned with a wealth of jewelry, appearing vulgar and tasteless. Yet, she carried herself with an air of arrogance.
It was no wonder such a woman would not be favored. Her status as a sixth-rank noble lady was solely due to her reliance on the Empress Dowager, and now with the favor of Consort De, she could manage to get by in the palace.
"Are you mute or deaf?"
Noble Lady Lan was quite displeased with Xiuxiu's reaction. Angrily, she put her hands on her hips and glared at Xiuxiu. Xiuxiu hastily and respectfully replied, "Empress is not gravely ill. Thank you for Noble Lady Lan's concern."
No matter what kind of woman she was, she was still the Emperor's concubine, and Xiuxiu was merely a low-ranking palace maid. Therefore, respect was still necessary, otherwise, she would be inviting her own demise.
"Hmph, I'm concerned about her? She's dreaming. I'm checking if she's dead?"
After speaking, Noble Lady Lan reached out and pushed aside Xiuxiu, who was blocking her path. She strode towards the sleeping chambers with the two palace maids and eunuch behind her.
Xiuxiu's face turned pale with fright. If the Empress blamed her, she would be in trouble. She quickly followed Noble Lady Lan.
"Noble Lady Lan, the Empress is sleeping. If she wakes up, perhaps she might..."
Before Xiuxiu could finish speaking, Noble Lady Lan suddenly stopped and slapped Xiuxiu across the face. With an imposing manner, she spoke.
"You blind fool, how dare you block my way? What is she? If you dare to speak more, I'll sew your mouth shut."
Without even looking at Xiuxiu, she led her entourage straight into the sleeping chambers.
Xiuxiu's face was deathly pale. She clutched half of her face, the pain evident. Tears of grievance welled up in her eyes. After a long moment, she sniffed forcefully.
As a servant, this was her fate. She diligently followed Noble Lady Lan into the sleeping chambers.
In the sleeping chambers, Yun Xiao heard everything that had happened outside clearly. She was now quietly appraising the woman who entered.
The woman had some beauty, but her attire was substandard, vulgar, and most importantly, her behavior was utterly uncouth.
Such a woman could become a consort. It seemed the Emperor was not a refined person either. Within the harem, from fools to crude women, everything was present.
"Empress is awake?"
Seeing Yun Xiao awake, Xiuxiu cautiously spoke.
Yun Xiao, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly bit her finger and pointed at Xiuxiu with a foolish smile, "So ugly."
Completely feigning foolishness, Noble Lady Lan recovered from her initial shock and muttered to herself. The moment she entered, she thought this woman was sitting peacefully on the bed and had thought she was in the wrong room. It turned out to be the same fool.
She hadn't expected her to actually survive last night. How infuriating, how hateful! She had wasted Consort De's efforts.
Thinking of this, Noble Lady Lan's anger flared. She shifted her body and walked towards the carved bed. Reaching out, she directly went to pinch Yun Xiao's cheek. She had done such things often before.
Yun Xiao's pupils suddenly darkened. She hadn't expected such a minor noble lady to dare to bully the Empress, and in front of so many palace maids and eunuchs.
This showed how brazen she was. What did this mean? Did no one in the palace care for this fool, or did the current Regent King not value his own daughter?
As Yun Xiao pondered, she quickly turned her head. As if by chance, she angled her body, causing Noble Lady Lan's hand to miss.
She reached out and took a delicate jade hairpin from a high table by the bed, waving it triumphantly, "My hairpin, pretty?"