This day.
Someone from the palace arrived, it was Xiao Tingzi, the Emperor’s personal eunuch, leading several grand eunuchs from Jingfu Palace, respectfully inviting Young Master Leng Yue into the palace.
Yun Xiao’s mind flashed to the fact that the person in the palace was a fake, not only had he usurped Murong’s throne but also made him suffer so much, so she had no pleasant expression, and shot a cold glance at Xiao Tingzi.
“Go back and report to His Majesty that Leng Yue is feeling unwell and will enter the palace another day.”
As soon as Xiao Tingzi heard Leng Yue’s words, he was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud, and the eunuchs behind him also knelt down.
“Young Master Leng Yue, spare your lowly servants. His Majesty is in a very good mood these days. If your lowly servants fail to escort Young Master Leng Yue, they will not die, but they will be crippled. Please pity your lowly servants, Young Master Leng.”
Yun Xiao leaned back on the chair, her demeanor languid and cold, her handsome face like a block of ice, and she spoke indifferently.
“Eunuch Ting, can you stop using this trick every time? And whether you live or die doesn’t seem to be within my jurisdiction. I can only say that your fate is unfortunate to have followed the wrong master.”
Xiao Tingzi was stunned. He looked up, feeling that Young Master Leng today was somewhat different from usual. In the past, he would show some sympathy for them servants, but today he was indifferent and detached.
However, if Young Master Leng didn’t go, they probably wouldn’t be well-received. As Xiao Tingzi was deliberating, Yun Xiao remembered what he had said earlier about His Majesty being in a good mood these days. What could possibly make him so happy? He’s impotent, so how could he be happy? That’s quite unusual.
“Why is His Majesty happy?”
Her voice was like a frozen glacier, her tone like a cold stream, without any trace of softening. On the contrary, it was colder and more ferocious.
However, Xiao Tingzi dared not be careless and quickly reported, “Replying to Young Master Leng Yue, His Majesty has recovered, and that is why Young Master Leng is summoned to the palace today.”
It was probably a reward. Although His Majesty didn’t say it, everyone in the vast Jingfu Palace could feel his joyous mood.
Yun Xiao’s expression was stunned, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, and an indescribable disbelief flashed in her ethereal, glass-like pupils.
She knew what Xiao Tingzi meant. His Majesty had recovered, meaning Shangguan Yao’s hidden ailment had been cured. Had he found someone he liked, and that’s why he was cured?
She thought that a person like him would never care about anyone, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be correct by chance.
What was going on?
“Xiao Tingzi, have any beauties entered the palace recently?”
She thought of the woman Zi Chan from Fengyue Tower. That woman was indeed different. Could it be that Shangguan Yao had fallen for Miss Zi Chan, and that’s why his illness was cured? If so, Miss Zi Chan would definitely enter the palace.
Xiao Tingzi thought for a moment and quickly shook his head, “No, no beauties have entered the palace recently. It’s the same as before.”
Yun Xiao was even more confused. Could it not be Miss Zi Chan? Perhaps it wasn’t time to bring her into the palace yet. But why would Shangguan Yao bring her into the palace?
Yun Xiao’s eyes were cold, her face as pure as jade, the corners of her lips curved into an elegant arc. She listened to Eunuch Ting’s repeated pleas in her ear.
“Young Master, please accompany your lowly servants into the palace. His Majesty has recovered, and Young Master Leng has made great contributions. His Majesty will surely reward Young Master Leng.”
She didn’t care about rewards, but she was very curious about how Shangguan Yao’s illness was cured, and what had happened in the palace recently. These were also things she was quite interested in.
“Alright, since Eunuch Ting has spoken, I will give you some face. There won’t be a next time.”
“Thank you, Young Master Leng Yue, thank you.”
Xiao Tingzi kowtowed repeatedly, full of gratitude. If Young Master Leng Yue hadn’t gone, one could imagine the fate of them servants. They would have been beaten, so he truly regarded Yun Xiao as a lifesaver.
The group left the medical hall and got into the palace’s imperial carriage.
In Jingfu Palace, Shangguan Yao was leaning back on the soft couch, his eyes closed, resting. He looked relaxed and lazy, dressed in a purple-gold robe, exuding an unrestrained aura.
Compared to the sullen and depressed mood of the past few days, he was now full of spring breeze and pride, his face radiant, appearing refreshed with good news. His handsome features were imbued with a gentle moisture, and his purple-gold robe shone with nobility.
In the grand hall, eunuchs and palace maids waited at a distance, none daring to disturb His Majesty.
His Majesty had been in a great mood for the past few days, so they were finally having an easier time.
Moreover, the arrogant and overbearing Consort Yan in the palace had been demoted to the Cold Palace. The other imperial consorts in the harem began to stir, and the drama of vying for favor began again.
Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, was now dominant in the harem. She was the only one among the four consorts. His Majesty had also favored her again, which elevated Consort Xian’s status.
Another was Lady Shuyuan, who was much more low-key and also greatly favored by His Majesty. Currently, there were basically two main factions in the palace, with others falling behind.
As for Zhao Zhaorong, who had been pregnant with an imperial prince a while ago, she was now completely out of the picture. His Majesty hadn’t even stepped across the threshold of Zhongde Palace.
A figure rushed into the palace gates, followed by a sharp voice.
“Reporting to His Majesty, Young Master Leng Yue has arrived.”
The person was none other than Eunuch Ting. Upon hearing his voice, His Majesty’s long eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes suddenly opened, filled with a gentle and soothing luster. At this moment, he exuded a calm and serene aura, completely different from his usual self.
Xiao Tingzi was startled and felt a slight surprise in his heart, but he dared not show any, and quickly lowered his head to receive the order.
“Summon him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Tingzi retreated, thinking to himself that His Majesty was truly special to Young Master Leng Yue. Upon hearing of Young Master Leng Yue’s arrival, his mood became even better.
Perhaps this was because Young Master Leng Yue had saved him.
Xiao Tingzi announced the decree, and Yun Xiao walked in gracefully, while Wanwan waited outside the hall door.
Inside the hall, eunuchs and palace maids stood at a distance. As soon as they saw the handsome and elegant Young Master Leng Yue, they couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times. Only when they felt His Majesty’s cold gaze upon them did they quickly lower their heads, not knowing why they had displeased His Majesty again.
Yun Xiao bowed neither servile nor overbearing, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
A fake emperor, everything was so ridiculous.
Yun Xiao snorted coldly in her heart, but she dared not reveal any of it on her expression. She knew how suspicious this man was. Although he looked as warm as jade at the moment, if his suppressed violence were to erupt, it would be troublesome.
“Rise, a seat is granted.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After thanking him, Yun Xiao took two quick steps and sat down not far from Shangguan Yao. Looking up, she saw the Emperor gazing at her with a deep meaning in his eyes, unmoving for a long time.
Yun Xiao frowned slightly. What did this man mean by summoning her to the palace?
“Leng Yue, my illness has indeed been cured, and your contribution is immense. Tell me, what reward do you desire?”
Shangguan Yao finally spoke, his voice even carrying a hint of joy. Beneath his slender, sharp eyebrows, his pupils seemed to be dyed with the clarity of a lake, a rare moment of tranquility.
Although Yun Xiao had already known it, she still had to play her part.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has finally recovered.”
In fact, she was grinding her teeth. She never expected that by chance, his illness would be cured. This was something she never dreamed of.
“Yes, this is all your contribution.”
Shangguan Yao’s eyes burned with heat, staring intently at the handsome and ethereal person opposite him. The usually domineering man dared not show any expression, because this was a matter of mutual affection, and they were both men.