Feng Yinwan, upon her return, keenly noticed that nearly half of the Imperial Guards had been added to the imperial palace.
This maneuver had been carried out so stealthily that it would be difficult to notice unless one was paying close attention.
Her heart tightened. Before she could ponder further, Ye Tingyun returned from outside.
His steps were heavy, and his expression was grim. Seeing this, Feng Yinwan’s eyes narrowed, and she asked,
"How is the situation at Chunhe Palace? Is Consort Li's situation progressing smoothly?"
Ye Tingyun nodded in response, but his worried expression did not lessen.
"News of the Emperor's grave illness has spread. Under the guise of praying for his recovery, the Empress summoned all the imperial consorts to Linghua Hall, and my mother was among them."
"After I left Chunhe Palace just now, I went to Yongshou Palace. A eunuch nearby reported that the Empress Dowager was summoned by the Empress early this morning. Now she has gathered everyone together again. I don't know what her intentions are."
Linghua Hall was heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards. Moreover, since it was a gathering of women, his entry and exit were inconvenient, and he was unaware of the situation inside, making him naturally worried.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed, and her gaze swept over the Imperial Guards outside the hall, deep in thought.
Seeing this, Ye Tingyun paused briefly and then said, "I have ordered people to remain there and monitor the movements within the hall at all times. If she makes any moves, we will be able to know quickly."
His words were not without basis.
Around the end of the first watch, someone arrived in a hurry to report.
Upon listening closely, it was said that everyone had been made to kneel in Linghua Hall by the Empress for more than half the day. By dinnertime, there was still no sign of it ending.
Ye Ziyun was among them. Because she could no longer bear to kneel, she had slightly shifted her position. Unexpectedly, she was accused of disrespect and filial impiety by the Empress and severely punished.
In such a situation, it was difficult for Consort Rong to say anything when the Empress found fault. She could only watch helplessly as Ye Ziyun was punished.
After the punishment, Ye Ziyun's body was already very weak. However, she was still ordered by the Empress to continue kneeling in the hall. It was only when she finally could no longer bear it and fainted that she was carried out.
Ye Tingyun's brow furrowed upon hearing this. "It's almost the second watch, and they are still kneeling?"
The eunuch nodded, stammering, "Her Majesty the Empress has not spoken. This servant sees that the momentum suggests they will be kneeling all night."
"How can this be!"
The wind had been blowing today, and Consort Li's body was already weak. The Empress was being so relentless, not even giving them a moment to breathe. In such a situation, she would surely be unable to endure.
Not to mention the Empress Dowager. If counting from this morning, she had been in Linghua Hall for nearly a day.
Ye Tingyun, with a knitted brow, stood up and started to walk out. Feng Yinwan quickly stopped him.
"If you go like this, what will you say?"
The Empress's current excuse was to pray for the Emperor. At this point, Ye Tingyun was in a precarious position without an imperial decree to support him. If the Empress were to seize this opportunity to make a fuss, he would have even less chance of turning the situation around.
"Then I can't just stand by and watch my mother and Empress Dowager be subjected to such torment!"
No wonder the Empress was not in a hurry to see the Emperor's condition today, but instead used this excuse to summon everyone to Linghua Hall. This was clearly intentional!
Ye Tingyun's expression deepened, and his tone was firm. "The Emperor is not yet dead. She will not dare to act so quickly. But if I do not go tonight, my mother and Empress Dowager will likely be left to her torment."
How could he bear it!
With a decision made, he no longer spoke and walked out. Seeing this, Feng Yinwan sighed softly and also quietly followed behind him.