Not long after, Yun Xiao emerged from the sleeping quarters. Her face was as radiant as a hibiscus, exquisitely beautiful, with no trace of mischief. The two palace maids and eunuchs outside the palace gates let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Let's go, lead the way."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," Xiu Xiu's voice livened up. She led the way out. As long as Her Ladyship didn't engage in any peculiar actions, she felt relieved.
The group moved efficiently towards Chang Xin Palace.
The main hall of Chang Xin Palace was bathed in a shifting, treacherous light. On the surface, it was all genial spring breezes, but underneath, fierce currents churned, and the air was heavy with a chilling gloom.
Eunuchs stood silently in the four corners of the hall. A pleasant voice rang out.
"Why has Prince Yun deigned to visit this empress dowager today?"
A man seated below rose elegantly, cupped his fists, and bowed. "Yun Mo is here today, firstly to discuss what I spoke with you about last time, and secondly, to visit Xiao'er. I wonder if she is well in the palace?"
The man speaking was none other than Yun Mo, the Regent King, who had been enfeoffed by the late emperor. He was a renowned God of War on the battlefield, and the person most feared by Xiliang and Nan Jin, which was why the border had remained peaceful in recent years.
The Empress Dowager's expression remained unchanged. A flicker of darkness flashed in her eyes, followed by a gentle smile.
"Prince Yun, please do not worry. Xiao'er is doing very well in the palace. This empress dowager will never allow anyone to bully her. She is, after all, the Empress."
As the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Shangguan Yao, seated beside her, grew visibly cold. His dark pupils instantly filled with the fury of a tempest, though he struggled to contain it.
Although he knew his mother intended well for him, the thought of Yun Mo continuing to hold power made his chest feel as though it would explode with anger. And then there was this simpleton in the palace.
The more he thought about it, the more infuriated he became. Dark clouds gathered over his exquisitely handsome features, and his breathing grew heavy. Yun Mo, seated below, understood the Emperor's feelings and spoke up.
"Empress Dowager?"
However, before he could finish, a young eunuch entered from outside the hall and bowed respectfully. "Reporting to Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager, Her Ladyship the Empress has arrived."
"Announce her," the Empress Dowager commanded. Several gazes in the hall snapped towards the entrance...
At the entrance of the hall, a graceful, slender figure glided in.
Bathed in sunlight, she seemed to arrive on golden light. The blue and white hues of her attire were so naturally harmonious. On her delicate little face was a sweet smile.
Her large eyes darted around nimbly, her long lashes fluttering, making her indescribably charming.
The three people seated in the hall were momentarily stunned. They had never seen the Empress like this before. They hadn't expected her to be so captivating when she was quiet.
The Empress Dowager's face held a hint of regret. Shangguan Yao's gaze flickered, while Yun Mo was filled with relief. He hadn't expected Xiao'er to grow even more adorable, and seeing her safe and sound now, he believed she must be living very well in the palace.
This was Yun Xiao's first time meeting the Empress Dowager and Regent Yun Mo.
The Empress Dowager was stunningly beautiful and alluring, but a sharp glint was difficult to conceal in her eyes.
Yun Mo, on the other hand, was tall and robust, with handsome features. Though no longer young, his innate pride and elegance were undeniable.
His dark eyes were filled with paternal affection. He thought that his decision to leave the palace and return to the Yun family was the right one. Yun Xiao smiled at this thought. As she smiled, everyone in the hall drew a sharp breath.
Even though this simpleton's smile wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, it was like a delicate pastry, making her even more alluring.
Xiu Xiu, who had been following Yun Xiao, quickly reached out to pull her mistress and whispered, "Your Ladyship, above are Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Hurry and kneel to pay your respects."
Yun Xiao appeared very quiet today. Hearing Xiu Xiu's words, she knelt down. Though she remained silent, she was exceptionally well-behaved.
The Empress Dowager, seated above, let out a sigh of relief. The corners of her lips curved into a faint smile as she spoke charmingly.
"Xiao'er, come, come to this empress dowager."
Her voice was alluring to the bone, soft and tender. Yun Xiao couldn't help but shiver slightly.
This woman was truly putting on an act, making her skin crawl. She couldn't help but roll her eyes beneath her lowered head, her pupils darting around, a cold smile touching her lips.
She didn't like playing along. Suddenly, she raised her head and looked at the Empress Dowager seated high above. Then, her gaze slowly shifted to the side, her pupils locking directly with Shangguan Yao, who was clad in imperial yellow robes.
The man's handsome features were clouded with a dark mood. His long, narrow phoenix eyes glinted, like those of a wolf in the grass, filled with bloodlust and hostility, and a sense of imminent danger that one might shatter into pieces if they were not careful.
However, Yun Xiao was not afraid of him. No matter how ruthless he was, she was currently a simpleton. With this thought, Yun Xiao abruptly pointed her slender, fair hand at the Emperor and screamed, "Ah, you bad man, bad man."
After shouting, she covered her head and fled, rushing towards Yun Mo.
Instantly, the expressions in the hall changed. Emperor Shangguan Yao clenched his fist, his enraged, gritted-teeth breaths escaping, his handsome face filled with icy coldness.
Just moments ago, looking at her quiet demeanor, his mood had inexplicably eased by a fraction.
To think that this simpleton had gone mad again, it made him involuntarily recall the time she had ruined his good deed. He wished he could expel her from the palace immediately.
But his mother insisted on considering the Yun Prince's manor. The Emperor grew more and more incensed as he thought about it. He abruptly stood up.
"Mother, your son has other matters to attend to. I shall take my leave."
The Empress Dowager, knowing her son's thoughts, understood that his staying would only cause trouble. She nodded. "Yao'er, you may go back to your duties. Your mother will handle things here."
Shangguan Yao heard this, flicked his sleeve, and glanced neither at Yun Mo nor Yun Xiao, father and daughter, on the side of the hall.
Either of these two, father and daughter, was a vexation. He wished he could tear them limb from limb, but he couldn't touch them at the moment. However, they should wait; a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he strode out of the hall.
Yun Mo quickly spoke respectfully. "Your Majesty, farewell."
Shangguan Yao was nowhere to be seen. Only the voice of an eunuch could be heard from outside the hall. "His Majesty is returning to the Imperial Study."
In the hall, Yun Xiao finally calmed down. She stealthily glanced towards the hall entrance, appearing very frightened. Yun Mo straightened up and supported her, gently coaxing, "Xiao'er, it's alright now. Father is here."
Yun Xiao looked up at Yun Mo, seeing the genuine care in his eyes. A warmth welled up in her heart.
In this place where people devoured each other without spitting out bones, she finally saw someone who genuinely cared for this simpleton. But should she let Yun Mo know that she was no longer foolish?
Yun Xiao's eyes flickered. However, it was more important to leave the palace. She subtly raised her elbow and reached out to pull Yun Mo. As she did so, her dark blue brocade robe slipped slightly, revealing a small section of her fair skin.
On her flawless white arm, clear blue and purple bruises were visible. Without exception, Yun Mo saw them immediately. His face changed drastically. He reached out and pulled Yun Xiao's hand, speaking in a cold tone.
"Xiao'er, what happened?"
Yun Xiao appeared very frightened and desperately tried to pull her hand back.
But Yun Mo would not let her go. He pulled her arm and examined it, then released it, and pulled up the other arm, quickly inspecting it. There were also patches of blue marks.
His pupils darkened. He looked up at the Empress Dowager, who was seated regally on her phoenix chair, exuding an aura of seductiveness.