The commotion outside the sleeping quarters began at this very moment.
Before anyone could react, the Empress entered with her entourage, her imposing presence suggesting she was well-prepared.
Ye Tingyun instinctively turned his gaze towards the emperor's bed, only to find that the graceful figure who had been standing there moments ago had vanished without a trace.
A wave of relief washed over him, only to be interrupted by the Empress Dowager's reprimand beside him.
"Empress, I instructed you to remain within the palace. Why have you come out?"
The Empress had entered so brazenly, showing no regard for her command.
The Empress, however, responded with a faint expression.
"If I had not come, how would I have known of His Majesty's dire condition?"
"The Emperor's favor is in such peril, and yet, Mother, you kept it a secret and forbade the imperial consorts from visiting. Do you intend to conceal this news indefinitely?"
"Insolence!"
Unprepared for such direct questioning, the Empress Dowager's displeasure flared as she spoke, "Empress, are you interrogating me?"
The Empress lowered her eyes. "This concubine dares not. It is simply a matter of grave importance, and I wish to ask on behalf of all the imperial consorts, what are your intentions, Mother?"
"Enough! The Emperor left his decree before falling gravely ill, and it concerns matters of state. This is not for you to question. Return to Changle Palace at once."
She berated, her displeasure reaching its peak. The Empress, however, did not move.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's expression darkened further, and she spoke with sharp intensity.
"Why do you still linger? Do you wish for me to order the Imperial Guards to escort you out?"
As she spoke, her gaze drifted towards the palace entrance, and she prepared to summon the Imperial Guards. To her surprise, despite calling out several times, there was no response from outside, and she frowned.
"Yun'er, go see what is happening outside."
Ye Tingyun also sensed something amiss. He nodded upon hearing her, about to step outside, when the Empress's voice preempted him.
"Mother, you just said the Emperor left a decree before his illness. May I ask where this decree is now?"
This question struck at the heart of the matter.
The Empress Dowager's expression turned solemn for a fleeting moment, but she maintained her regal demeanor as she replied.
"The Emperor's decree is a top secret. I am not yet senile. This is not for you to inquire about!"
"A top secret?"
The Empress scoffed, straightening her posture. "Mother's clandestine actions are likely not for the sake of secrecy, but rather, you have no imperial decree at all!"
"You insolent woman!"
The Empress Dowager was furious and shouted towards the palace entrance, "Imperial Guards! Where are the Imperial Guards?!"
This time, some commotion arose.
The Imperial Guards responded and entered the hall. The Empress Dowager pointed at the Empress and immediately ordered.
"The Empress has defied her superiors and spoken disrespectfully. Escort her back to Changle Palace to reflect on her transgressions!"
As her words fell, the expected outcome did not occur.
The Imperial Guards in the hall stood in silent contemplation, as if they had not heard her command.
The Empress Dowager frowned deeply at this, and repeated sternly, "What are you dawdling for? I ordered you to escort her out of here! You..."
"Imperial Grandmother."
Ye Tingyun sensed the anomaly and reached out to support her. However, before he could say more, footsteps sounded from outside, and another person entered through the doorway.
What greeted their eyes was a blinding imperial yellow.
Almost instantly, the Empress Dowager recognized it as the imperial decree they had been searching for all day!
The hearts of both grew tense, and they then clearly saw that the person holding the decree was none other than Eunuch Gao, who had always served by the Emperor's side.
Their eyes flickered for a moment, and they watched as he walked in from the entrance, ultimately stopping beside the Empress.
The Empress Dowager's eyes trembled violently. Before she could speak, the Empress had already reached out and taken the decree.
"Mother, the imperial decree is here. Shall I read it for you?"
She held the decree with one hand, slowly unfurling it, her eyes filled with unwavering confidence.
The Empress Dowager was enraged, a stifling sensation in her chest. Her eyes fixed sternly on the Empress as she spoke in disbelief.
"Empress, how dare you alter the imperial decree!"
No wonder they had searched the imperial study in vain; the decree had long since fallen into her hands!
The Empress, hearing this, curved her lips. "Mother, please observe."
"This decree was personally handed to me by Eunuch Gao. Eunuch Gao has served by His Majesty's side for many years. If it passed through his hands, there can be no mistake."
Her gaze shifted to Eunuch Gao behind her, and the Empress Dowager snorted.
"I truly underestimated you. You have even managed to bribe someone close to the Emperor. Empress, you have truly gone to great lengths!"
No wonder she had remained silent earlier, making no move when Prince Yetingyu and Prince Yetingyan vied for power. She had clearly made her plans, intending to reap the benefits at this moment!
She would never allow this to happen.
"I tell you, the Emperor's oral command was to establish Yun'er as the Crown Prince. You wish for the First Prince to ascend the throne, and I will never agree to that!"
To prevent chaos, she had discussed this matter with Prime Minister Lin and others today. Therefore, even with the imperial decree in the Empress's hands, it would not be so easy to wholeheartedly support Ye Tingzhu's ascension.
The Empress's expression changed slightly. Her eyes narrowed, and she then instructed the Imperial Guards within the hall.
"His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Empress Dowager has overexerted herself and is not feeling well. You shall escort the Empress Dowager back to Yongshou Palace to rest properly. There is no need for her to concern herself with outside matters!"
She intended to confine her!
The Empress Dowager, hearing this, immediately let out an angry roar. "How dare you!"
The Empress ignored her, her gaze sweeping towards the Imperial Guards on the side, and sternly commanded, "Hurry and escort the Empress Dowager to her chambers!"
"Yes."
A unified "Yes" echoed through the hall, and the Imperial Guards surged forward.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's body trembled. Ye Tingyun and Jiang Rumo, who was beside him, stepped forward to block them.
"Stop! I'll see who dares disrespect Imperial Grandmother!"
His gaze swept over everyone, a rare severity on Ye Tingyun's face.
The Empress's eyes darkened at this, and she narrowed them instantly. "King Yun's filial piety is commendable, and his concern for His Majesty is paramount. He shall remain here to serve diligently. Take action!"
Being of noble birth and untrained in martial arts, Ye Tingyun and Jiang Rumo offered little resistance to the elite Imperial Guards and had their movements restrained almost immediately.
"Yun'er!"
The Empress Dowager's heart ached with worry upon seeing this, and she tried to step forward to check on him, but was blocked by two Imperial Guards who almost dragged her by the arms towards the palace exit.
"Stop!"
A cold command suddenly rang out in the hall. The Empress turned her head and saw Song Qing'an rushing over.
His gaze swept coldly over the chaotic scene within the hall, and Song Qing'an spoke in a deep voice.
"This humble minister asks Your Majesty the Empress, what is the meaning of this?"
He had been on his usual patrol tonight when he noticed some unusual activity among the Imperial Guards. Rushing over, he found that the Imperial Guards surrounding the sleeping quarters had been redeployed, and those remaining were not following orders.
Someone had bypassed him and was issuing new commands to these Imperial Guards.
Upon seeing him, the Empress showed no panic. Instead, she raised the imperial decree in her hand higher.
"Song Qing'an, are you defying an imperial decree?"