Yun Xiao rose and tidied her clothes, leading Wan Wan towards the main hall of Qingfeng Pavilion.
Upon entering, she saw a graceful, slender figure standing with her back to the light, admiring the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. Her dark hair was styled into a biyun bun, adorned with a peony tassel.
The tassel swayed gently with her movements, like ripples on the sea, exuding an ethereal elegance.
Hearing footsteps at the entrance, Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, slowly turned her head.
For a moment, she was stunned, her heart skipping a beat before returning to normal. She scrutinized the rumored peerlessly beautiful Young Master Leng Yue. He was indeed graceful and exceptionally handsome, unlike any ordinary person.
Even the Emperor, she thought, might not compare to his beauty. However, he seemed too young, merely a youth at most. With time, any woman would likely be unable to resist his charm.
Ye Yuyun mused inwardly, her cheeks flushing slightly. But she had a purpose for her visit today.
"Greetings, Consort Xian."
Yun Xiao bowed. Consort Xian waved her hand and said softly, "Young Master Leng Yue is the Emperor's savior. It is only right that Yu Yun should pay her respects."
As she spoke, she genuinely bowed to Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao quickly waved her hand dismissively, "Consort Xian is too kind."
This woman was highly skilled in manipulation, but was it worth it for such a man? Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows and smiled with the ease of a gentle breeze.
"May I inquire about the reason for Consort Xian's visit to Qingfeng Pavilion today?"
"I heard that Young Master Leng Yue came to the palace specifically to treat the Emperor's illness. I wonder what is wrong with His Majesty? I am concerned about the Emperor's condition, therefore..."
Leng Yue cast a sideways glance at her, noting the worry in her eyes. She clearly knew about the Emperor's hidden ailment but was unsure. Perhaps she was anxious and couldn't help but come to seek information.
"Doesn't Consort Xian already know the truth? Why must Leng Yue say it aloud?"
At these words, Consort Xian Ye Yuyun trembled. She slid into a high-backed chair, her face pale, her hands gripping the armrests tightly to prevent herself from collapsing onto the floor.
She had never expected her guess to be so accurate. The Emperor was incapable of… intimacy. Aside from Zhao Zhaorong's child, there would be no other children in the palace.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhaorong was the one to ascend. If there was only one prince, her child would surely be the Crown Prince. Yet, a lowly woman had become the Empress.
The more Ye Yuyun thought about it, the more unwilling she became. She struggled to speak, "Can that not be cured?"
"What does Consort Xian think?"
Leng Yue countered with a question, her eyes clearly conveying that it was incurable. Ye Yuyun's mind went blank, and she completely wilted.
The harem was shrouded in a veil of gloom. No one knew who had leaked the news of the Emperor's impotence, casting a pall of despair and silence over the vast palace.
Although everyone dared not speak of it, their vying for favor and their intricate schemes had all ceased. The Emperor would no longer visit the harem, and these women were merely decorations within the palace, destined to grow old and die there.
Growing old in the palace was not terrifying. What was terrifying was not having any children. The thought of the bleakness of their later years left many disheartened.
This desolation permeated the entire palace. Although Shangguan Yao was not told directly, he could still vaguely sense that the imperial consorts in the palace likely knew of his condition.
While no one spoke of it, no one came to compete for favor or love anymore. Beneath the surface calm lay turbulent undercurrents.
How could these beautiful women, like flowers and jade, endure such loneliness? If this continued, something was bound to happen sooner or later. He no longer had the energy to even find the person who had leaked the secret.
Whoever it was, finding them would only bring him further embarrassment. Moreover, if this matter escalated, it would only serve to divide the powers behind these women.
In the Imperial Study, Shangguan Yao lightly closed his eyes, resting quietly on the couch, remaining silent.
Just then, someone quietly entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Song has urgent news to report?"
"Let him in," a languid voice replied, tinged with an imperceptible weariness. Sometimes, a tired heart felt even more fatigued.
The eunuch scurried out, and the tall, handsome figure of Song Yuan entered. He bowed respectfully and said with urgency, "Your Majesty, it's bad news. Prince Lin has met with an accident."
"What?" Shangguan Yao's eyes snapped open, and he sat up straight. His piercing gaze fixed on Song Yuan, "What happened to Prince Lin?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Prince, the Prince...?"
Song Yuan's voice choked, almost to the point of tears. However, facing the Emperor's stern gaze, he dared not delay. Suppressing his grief, he said, "The Prince was killed by assassins."
"What? Such a thing has happened!"
Shangguan Yao stood up in anger, his face as cold as a frozen abyss. A killing aura emanated from him. He clenched his fist, veins bulging, and struck the imperial desk heavily. Beneath his arrogant demeanor lay a fierce, ruthless resolve, and his voice rang out powerfully.
"Immediately notify the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate this matter and find these audacious assassins to avenge Prince Lin. Furthermore, dispatch the Ministries of War and Revenue to provide personnel to transport Prince Lin's body back to the capital and inter it in the Imperial Mausoleum."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
Song Yuan slowly withdrew, his eyes misted over with sorrow for the deceased Prince Lin. He recalled the reports from the returning elite soldiers.
The disaster relief effort had been very smooth. Prince Lin was highly renowned in Lingnan and the two counties. To think he would encounter an assassination on his way back to the capital! Who exactly wanted to kill Prince Lin?
Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor's icy demeanor melted away. He let out a slight sigh, a faint smile in his eyes and a subtle curve to his lips, making his entire face incredibly captivating.
"Someone,"
Xiao Tingzi scurried in and knelt on the ground. They had already heard the news reported by Lord Song. They surmised that His Majesty must be in a terrible mood, so they should serve him with extra caution.
"Go summon Leng Yue."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Tingzi flashed out, wondering why His Majesty would summon Leng Yue at this time. Prince Lin had just died; shouldn't the Emperor be mourning him?
However, when it came to matters of the imperial family, how could they, as servants, dare to speculate? Xiao Tingzi hurried towards Qingfeng Pavilion to deliver the imperial decree.
Yun Xiao, leading Wan Wan, followed Xiao Tingzi towards the Imperial Study. Along the way, they saw palace maids and eunuchs everywhere, all walking with extreme caution. Yun Xiao, unaware of what had happened, asked Xiao Tingzi casually.
"Xiao Tingzi, what happened?"
Ever since Yun Xiao entered the palace, her relationship with Xiao Tingzi had been quite good. Seeing Yun Xiao inquire, he didn't intend to hide anything, replying with a sad expression.
"Young Master Leng, you don't know yet. Just now, news reached the palace that Prince Lin..."
"What happened to him?" Yun Xiao asked indifferently. She considered Shangguan Lin a friend and was therefore somewhat concerned.