After the Empress left, the Imperial Guards also retreated outside the hall, leaving only Ye Tingyun and Jiang Rumuo in the sleeping quarters.
When the commotion outside subsided, Feng Yinwan appeared from the shadows. Seeing this, Ye Tingyun immediately stepped forward.
"The Imperial Guards have rebelled, and Grandmother Empress is also under her control. She has already altered the imperial decree. How should we respond?"
The Empress felt at ease leaving them behind, which meant she must already know the Emperor was gravely ill and would soon pass away.
Without the Empress Dowager's obstruction, all she needed to do was publicize the imperial decree, and she would legitimately be able to mention the matter of establishing a successor.
This was very disadvantageous for them.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes flickered with a moment of gravity as she turned to look at the unconscious Emperor on the bed.
Jiang Rumuo understood and immediately said, "If His Majesty can hold on for two more days, it will buy us some time for the court."
Unlike Ye Tingyan and Ye Tingyu, the Empress was not hesitant when taking action. If she wanted Ye Tingzhu to ascend the throne, she would be ruthless and sweep away all obstacles in one go.
For now, as long as the Emperor lived, they would have leverage.
Feng Yinwan's eyes darkened for a moment as she took out a dagger and lightly cut her wrist.
This unexpected scene startled both Ye Tingyun and Jiang Rumuo.
"What are you doing..."
Feng Yinwan said nothing, but quickly walked to the desk and dripped the flowing blood into a teacup.
A total of seven drops. Her lips were already a little pale. Without pausing to stop the bleeding, she took out a porcelain bottle from her waist and instructed Jiang Rumuo.
"Mix this in and give it to the Emperor to drink."
The small bottle contained the last remaining powder of Baimu Lingxi, which she had previously prepared as a pill for Feng Jinchen.
And because she had a living Gu worm in her body, the combination of the two, with their essence blood nourishing, would be greatly beneficial.
This was the only way she could think of to save the Emperor's life. Whether it succeeded or not depended on fate.
Jiang Rumuo did not hesitate. He took the medicine bottle and the teacup and quickly began to mix them. Only then did Feng Yinwan have the chance to tend to the wound on her wrist.
Ye Tingyun followed by her side. Seeing her bite down on one end of the gauze and skillfully wrap it around her wrist, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
"Thank you."
Regardless of the reason, she had done all she could.
Feng Yinwan looked up at him at this.
She had known this young man for several years. He had always been doted upon, and even saying "thank you" felt awkward. Now, whether it was due to growth or habit, he had become steady and forthright.
Being slightly older and more mature in her mindset, she had always treated him as a junior.
But looking at him now, the little prince who was showered with affection also had days when he grew up. Ye Tingyun was, after all, different from before.
Their eyes met briefly. She lowered her gaze and tied the knot, a hint of relief arising in her heart.
"Don't celebrate too early. Your burden is still heavy."
The next day, news of the imperial decree spread throughout the harem.
The Empress, feeling emboldened, abandoned her previous low-key demeanor and reasserted her position in the harem, using this as an excuse to reclaim control of the six palaces.
The news of Ye Tinglan's death had already been a significant blow to Consort Rong and Ye Ziyun. When the Empress's people went to collect the treasure books, Consort Rong had not reacted strongly, but Ye Ziyun refused to hand them over.
"These treasure books were given to Mother by Father Emperor and Grandmother Empress. Why are you taking them!"
The mother and daughter's last resort in the harem.
However, the Empress's people did not care. Seeing her clinging to the items and refusing to let go, the eunuch leading them hardened his gaze and kicked her directly.
"Hand it over!"
Ye Ziyun, accustomed to luxury and pampering, was like a soft embroidered cushion when kicked. She was sent flying.
Consort Rong's expression tightened, and she immediately stepped forward to help her up. "Yun'er!"
The fall was not light. Ye Ziyun got up from the ground with a contorted face and glared at the eunuch, her eyes reddened with anger.
"A mere servant dares to lay hands on a mistress. Mother, they are going too far!"
Consort Rong naturally doted on her daughter. Moreover, the eunuch had acted in front of her.
It was as if she was not taken seriously at all!
Stepping back to support Ye Ziyun, Consort Rong looked up at the eunuch with a cold anger.
"The Empress ordered you to come for the treasure books, and I have given them to you. However, you have committed insubordination by laying hands on Princess Qingyun. Do you truly believe that my Chunxi Palace is without capable people!"
As soon as her words fell, Lǜ Qín understood and immediately called the palace servants on duty outside the hall.
The eunuch had only brought two people with him. He had not expected her to be so resolute and was somewhat intimidated.
Holding the treasure book in one hand, his expression became slightly more respectful. "Consort Rong, you misunderstand. This servant did not intend to lay hands on Princess Qingyun. It is just that you know how important these treasure books are. The princess was clinging to them and would not let go, and this servant, in a moment of urgency, kicked... kicked the princess."
Consort Rong's face was stern, her coldness undiminished.
"Yun'er is ignorant, and I will discipline her. You, a servant, must remember your place. Insubordination is a capital offense."
"Yes, this servant remembers."
The eunuch nodded repeatedly, giving a signal to those behind him and putting on a fawning smile. "Since the treasure books have been collected, this servant will not disturb your rest and will take his leave."
As he spoke, he prepared to lead his men away. However, the people blocking the doorway showed no intention of moving aside.
Consort Rong glanced at them and coldly said, "Wait."
"Does your Ladyship have any other instructions?"
"I just remembered that there are some minor matters in the West Garden that have not been dealt with. It would be best to leave these treasure books here for now. After I have finished handling matters, it will not be too late to send them to the Empress."
The eunuch's smile froze when he heard her unexpected change of heart.
"Your Ladyship, you are making things difficult for this servant... Empress ordered that these treasure books be retrieved as soon as possible."
Consort Rong's face was stern, her gaze unwavering.
"I am naturally aware of this. However, the management of the various palaces in the West Garden has been entrusted to me by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. I cannot possibly leave further minor matters for the Empress."
Having said that, she instructed him again, "You may return and report truthfully. There is a reason for this, and the Empress will naturally not blame you."
"This..."
The eunuch dared not report truthfully.
It was he who had volunteered to collect the treasure books in order to gain favor with the Empress. If he could not even handle this small matter, he would not only fail to gain favor but would also suffer the consequences!
How could he bear such a result!
He looked at Consort Rong, wailing inwardly.
"Your Ladyship, please do not make things difficult for this servant. You know what Empress meant. These treasure books..."
Before he could finish his plea, his wrist was grabbed, and Consort Rong easily snatched the treasure book away.
Then, she instructed the palace servants, "Throw them out for me!"