"Lord Leng should know that our Empress is still a member of the Ye family. Although she is a noble consort, she loathes the Emperor and does not wish to bear his heir. Her menstruation did not come this month, and she fears she might be pregnant. She does not want this child, so she asks Lord Leng Yue to help us."
After Yue Mei finished speaking, she knelt down and cried sorrowfully.
Yun Xiao sneered. How interesting. She probably dreamt of being pregnant every night, such wild imagination.
But it had nothing to do with her. What she wanted was for them to come and fetch the medicine.
"Why should I help you?"
Things shouldn't be too easy; being too easy can arouse suspicion. So, Yun Xiao deliberately made things difficult for Yue Mei. Yue Mei had anticipated this difficulty and quickly kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Lord Leng, please, our Empress will surely remember your kindness."
After she had kowtowed sufficiently, Yun Xiao stopped her. "Enough. If it weren't for your kowtowing annoying me, this young master wouldn't bother with you. Since you've come this far, I'll help you once, but only this once. There won't be a next time."
"Yes, yes."
Upon hearing this, Yue Mei was so happy she almost jumped. She hadn't expected Lord Leng Yue to agree. She thanked him repeatedly again.
Yun Xiao took out a very small green bottle containing a small amount of flowing green liquid, sealed at the mouth.
"This is the Hundred Flower Marrow. Just pour it into a sachet. The scent is taboo for pregnant women. If your mistress changes her mind, she can simply not open it. Anyone who smells it and is pregnant will miscarry. Do you understand?"
"Yes, this servant remembers."
"Take it."
"Yes, Lord Leng."
Yue Mei stood up and took it. She was overjoyed, her expression solemn and composed as she bid farewell to Yun Xiao and quietly withdrew.
Those in Qingfeng Pavilion assumed she was from the Emperor's palace and did not obstruct her. Besides, who would dare question a eunuch sent by the Emperor or report to him? That was why he was able to pass through smoothly.
Qingfeng Pavilion was guarded by many eunuchs, but who would be interested in a mere eunuch?
Yue Mei quickly brought the Hundred Flower Marrow to Zhaoyang Palace. Ye Su Xue took it happily, her eyes gleaming. It was truly Leng Yue; his creations were ingenious.
This medicine only needed to be dripped into a personal sachet, and it would successfully eliminate Ye Su Xue's child. It seemed perfect.
Although the Emperor forbade any concubine from visiting Ye Yu Yun, as a noble consort, her position was already above Ye Yu Yun's. What could the people of Jiaofang Palace do to her? At most, they would be cautious.
The orders from above were clear, but those below might not dare to treat her this way. In this palace, besides the Emperor, she was the highest-ranking. And this Hundred Flower Marrow did not need to be added to food or placed anywhere, leaving no trace of evidence.
"Come, accompany me to visit Consort Xian."
The news of Consort Xian's pregnancy had not yet been released. So, even if something happened to her, what did it have to do with her? Ye Su Xue had a smug smile on her lips.
Yue Mei immediately stepped forward to attend to her. The two, along with a group of eunuchs and palace maids, headed towards Jiaofang Palace.
After Yue Mei left, Yun Xiao got up and tidied herself. She had intended to scout outside, but unexpectedly, the Emperor sent someone to fetch her, saying she needed to meet someone.
Could it be Murong? Yun Xiao guessed. This seemed inconsistent with Shangguan Yao's personality; letting her meet someone so easily was truly strange. Nevertheless, she followed the messenger eunuch to Jingfu Palace.
In Jingfu Palace, Shangguan Yao was waiting in the main hall.
Seeing a slender, immortal-like figure slowly walk in from outside, Shangguan Yao's heart momentarily faltered, followed by anger. Yet, there was still a sense of regret. He truly wanted to keep Leng Yue.
"Leng Yue, if you hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman, I will not hold you accountable. I can give you whatever you desire."
There were few people in the hall, so Shangguan Yao spoke without reservation, his eyes flickering with eagerness. It seemed as long as Yun Xiao agreed to hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman, he would truly forgive her.
But Yun Xiao paid him no mind, her face displaying arrogance and disdain.
"You should hand over Murong. Exchanging him for the Jade Dragon Talisman would be the most worthwhile. Think of nothing else."
"Why can't you let go of Murong? What relation is he to you? Are you a homosexual?"
Shangguan Yao asked with disbelief. Only then could he explain why Leng Yue risked his life to sneak into the palace to steal the talisman and risk his life to protect Murong Chong. Such affection surpassed any ordinary boundary, possessing a sincerity only achievable through a pact of life and death. But Leng Yue was a man! Could he be homosexual?
Yun Xiao glared at him directly and then spoke fiercely.
"The Emperor's mind is indeed different from ordinary people. At such a time, he can still think of Leng Yue as homosexual."
Shangguan Yao's face turned red. He finally regained his composure, his expression turning grim. His eyes churned with turbulent waves. If Leng Yue could not be used for his own purposes, he could only be eliminated.
As long as he obtained the Jade Dragon Talisman, he would not spare him.
"Very well. I will let you see him once, and then you will give me the Jade Dragon Talisman. We will exchange person for talisman."
"Good. As long as you truly release Murong, I will hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman."
In fact, she had not brought the Jade Dragon Talisman. For fear of any unforeseen accidents, the Jade Dragon Talisman was kept at Yunshui Villa.
"Come, I'll take you to see him."
Shangguan Yao descended from his high position, leading a few close eunuchs like Xiao Tingzi along the long corridor outside Jingfu Palace, then through the side halls, back halls, and past the Huaidai Pavilion gate and painted corridors.
Finally, they arrived at a rather secluded house, which looked like a prison, with many guards surrounding it.
As Shangguan Yao and Yun Xiao approached, the guards drew their sabers and knelt uniformly, shouting, "Greetings to the Emperor, long live the Emperor."
"Rise."
Shangguan Yao waved his hand. After everyone had risen, he pointed to the man in the lead and said, "Open the prison door."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yun Xiao scanned the surroundings coldly. To be honest, Shangguan Yao seemed too casual in imprisoning Murong here. At least he should have confined him to a secret chamber. And these people also seemed too few.
Furthermore, Shangguan Yao's affairs were usually handled by Song Yuan. Why wasn't he seen today?
With these doubts arising, her heart tensed. She coldly glared at the back of Shangguan Yao's head, wishing she could bite him to vent her anger.
Could he be tricking her? If so, she would make him understand the consequences of deceiving her.
Yun Xiao followed Shangguan Yao through the long corridor without making a sound. This was indeed the prison of Jingfu Palace, but it appeared spacious and gloomy, emitting a musty odor. It was obvious that no one had been imprisoned here for a long time.
Several people walked through the long, damp corridor, reaching the very end before stopping.
In the innermost prison cell, a man dressed in white robes, with a silver mask covering his face, sat upright. His ink-black hair obscured half his face. He looked up at her, saying not a word.