Shangguan Yao closed his eyes and gathered his senses, leaning back on the soft couch. He couldn't help but feel a jolt of fear at the current situation. Who could he truly rely on?
Lan Qinglun? Ye Qingtian? Ye Siyuan? Or...
Shangguan Yao's thick and slender eyelashes trembled slightly. He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze cold and fierce, a flash of chilling light in them.
He had made a grave mistake. In his desire to seize power from the Ye family, he had forgotten that no matter how poor Ye Siyuan's character, he was still his maternal uncle.
With a daughter still in his grasp, Ye Siyuan would only be greedy. If he had merely weakened his authority, why had he deposed him? Instead, he had handed military power to Lan Qinglun.
The thought sent a cold sweat breaking out all over Shangguan Yao.
If Lan Qinglun harbored any ill intentions, he would have dug his own grave. In truth, there were many others he could rely on.
Ye Qingtian was his own father; he would surely not harm his son. Moreover, there were the powers behind the imperial concubines in the harem. He could use their influence to unite and collectively deal with the people of the Divine Dragon Palace.
They were definitely not a simple martial arts sect.
Once the Divine Dragon Palace people were eliminated, he would then suppress these factions and balance these conflicts. This would be the most advantageous course for himself.
The more Shangguan Yao pondered, the more his expression darkened, his brows furrowed, his cyan pupils glinting with cold light.
"Someone, come."
Xiao Tingzi rushed in, kneeling cautiously. "Your Majesty."
"Go summon Noble Consort Niangniang."
Shangguan Yao cast a cold gaze, his eyes filled with a murderous intent. Xiao Tingzi was terrified.
The Emperor's malevolent aura was growing stronger, as if he saw everyone as an enemy, his gaze abnormal towards everyone.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Tingzi bowed his head and slowly retreated, personally leading men to summon Noble Consort Niangniang.
The eunuchs on duty at Jingfu Palace would rather work elsewhere than serve in Jingfu Palace. Any slight misstep could lead to disaster.
At Zhaoyang Palace, when Noble Consort Ye Suxue heard Xiao Tingzi's words, her expression faltered. She couldn't tell if it was joy or sorrow. She was now the head of the Four Consorts, and with no Empress in the palace, she should logically be happy.
The Emperor also visited Zhaoyang Palace from time to time for her favors. However, thinking of the Ye family members imprisoned in the dungeons, she couldn't be happy at all. xxs壹贰
All this glory and wealth was so insignificant compared to the lives of her entire family. The reason she wished to become Empress
was to ensure the Ye family's continuous favor. But now, with her family on the brink of death, what was the point of being Empress? The Emperor's heart was filled with hatred.
Ye Suxue shed tears, but she dared not delay. She immediately tidied herself and, accompanied by her maidservant Yue Mei, headed towards Jingfu Palace.
The Emperor was becoming increasingly unfathomable, his mind dark, his disposition even more suspicious. Any slight mistake could lead to severe punishment.
In the past few days, several imperial consorts had been severely punished. Two days prior, Lady Lan had been beaten with twenty planks.
She was still unable to get out of bed. As for Concubine Zhao, after her miscarriage, she had lost all spirit and was on the verge of death.
The events in the palace felt like a dark cloud, enveloping everyone's hearts, plunging them into fear.
Although scheming and infighting still existed, it was no longer overt. It had devolved into private, subtle actions.
Ye Suxue mused as she was carried in her soft sedan chair towards Jingfu Palace.
At Jingfu Palace, the eunuchs waited outside, forming a long line stretching from the palace gates down to the stone steps.
The night deepened, and the dew grew heavy, yet no one dared to make a sound. They were as silent as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Inside the grand hall, Ye Suxue's alluring face was slightly pale, her eyelids swollen red. She slightly inclined her body to pay respects to Shangguan Yao.
Shangguan Yao opened his deep, dark, and brilliant eyes, a rare hint of a smile appearing. He waved his hand, "Suxue, rise. Come and sit beside me."
Such gentle words were almost unheard of from him. Ye Suxue couldn't help but shudder, a sense of unease rising from the depths of her heart. However, she dared not protest.
The current Emperor was ruthless, showing no regard even for the Empress Dowager, let alone mere concubines like them.
Her past misdeeds were all due to her father's command of heavy troops and the protection of her aunt, the Empress Dowager. Now, with both gone, what else could she rely on? She could only behave herself.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ye Suxue sat down beside Shangguan Yao, her hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, her fingertips pale.
Shangguan Yao knew her nervousness and unease clearly but did not expose it. He merely narrowed his eyes casually, like appreciating a mouse trembling beneath a cat's paw, finding it amusing. Slowly, he reached out and took her hand; her fingers were ice-cold.
"Suxue, why are your hands so cold? It pains me."
His words were ambiguous, and Ye Suxue paid them no mind. Could this man truly feel pain?
"Your Majesty, this concubine is feeling unwell."
Ye Suxue spoke softly, a faint mist clouding her beautiful eyes. Her alluring face wore a look of melancholy, truly appearing somewhat sickly.
Shangguan Yao knew her thoughts; he had summoned her for this very reason.
"Suxue, I know you are worried about Lord Ye and those from the Ye family. Rest assured, I will not make things difficult for them."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Ye Suxue seemed to see a glimmer of hope. She quickly raised her head and looked at Shangguan Yao.
"Your Majesty means..."
"Suxue, would you like to visit Lord Ye?"
The moment Shangguan Yao finished speaking, Ye Suxue excitedly grabbed the Emperor's hand and stood up. "Your Majesty, can this concubine, can I?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't speak a full sentence. Shangguan Yao's cool gaze shifted from her face to his hand. Ye Suxue lowered her head and quickly let go, softly calling out, "Your Majesty?"
"You may visit Lord Ye at the Ministry of Justice tomorrow. I will have Minister Song escort you. After all, he is my maternal uncle. I am merely punishing him; he is not guilty of death. So, tell him to remain calm."
Ye Suxue was an intelligent woman. Upon hearing the Emperor's words, she immediately knelt down with a thud. "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty."
A great weight lifted from her heart. It seemed the Ye family would not die. The Emperor's words were a catalyst; he merely wanted to teach her father a lesson and reclaim the Ye family's military power.
However, as long as her father lived, the Ye family would not decline. She would definitely become Empress.
"You may go."
Shangguan Yao waved his hand casually, watching Ye Suxue walk out with excitement filling her face. A playful smile curved his lips.
He felt he was beginning to master the art of imperial manipulation.
You see, not only had he reclaimed the Ye family's military power, but now, as long as he spared the Ye family's lives, they would be eternally grateful. This affair had also earned him a good reputation.
However, it was truly not advisable to place all that military power in the hands of Lan Qinglun alone. That military power should be divided and managed.