Within the tranquil Imperial Study, wisps of green smoke curled upwards, and the scent of ambergris permeated every corner.
On the Huang Li wood bookshelves, delicate thread-bound books were neatly arranged. Behind them stood a Zitan wood dragon desk, upon which rested a vibrant green potted plant.
In the resplendent space, a touch of verdant vitality was infused.
At this moment, a figure clad in bright yellow leaned against a chair behind the dragon desk, cold light flashing in his pupils. His thin lips were pressed together, and his body remained motionless. After a long while, a lazy, cold, and stern voice finally broke the silence.
“The Imperial physicians have been sent. How is the Empress Dowager?”
A slender figure knelt in the study. Upon hearing the Emperor’s question, he quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has not yet woken up.”
“What use are those people from the Imperial Hospital?”
Shangguan Yao coldly reprimanded. A hint of heartache was mixed with his stern expression, yet doubt still lingered in his eyes, as if suspecting the Empress Dowager’s unconsciousness was feigned, and the true intention was for him to visit her.
Hearing the Emperor’s sharp words, Xiao Tingzi dared not say another word. He didn’t even dare to lift his head, his body trembling slightly. The Emperor’s anger was evident. He wondered what had happened last night.
After the Emperor entered Changxin Palace, he had returned without sleeping for a single night. He was enveloped in an aura of coldness and had even skipped the morning court. Early this morning, he had heard news from Changxin Palace that the Empress Dowager’s personal maid, Auntie Ping, had been severely injured.
It was a blessing that the thirty strokes of the cane yesterday had not claimed her life. The Empress Dowager had likely fainted from anger at the Emperor. As for the specific reason, Xiao Tingzi had no idea.
“Very well, send someone to continue monitoring the situation over there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiao Tingzi rose to leave. As he reached the entrance of the Imperial Study, a young eunuch entered from outside, bypassed him, and knelt quickly on the ground, reporting cautiously, “Your Majesty, Consort Xian requests an audience.”
Shangguan Yao’s body stirred, his brow furrowed slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his pupils. Why was she coming at this time? He waved his hand, ordering, “Let her in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The young eunuch let out a sigh of relief, rose, and retreated to the door. Outside the door, he bowed to Consort Xian and slowly said, “His Majesty has decreed, Consort, please enter.”
Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, smiled gently, then gestured to the palace maids beside her to wait outside the door. She then walked in gracefully.
Ye Yuyun was wearing a pale green, floor-length gown today, its hem adorned with small pearls. She was also wearing a pink cloak with a gold trim. As she moved, she exuded an ethereal elegance, adding a touch of nobility. She looked like a lady from a distinguished family.
The golden tassels, with her every step, trembled delicately, emitting a dazzling brilliance. Her bearing was magnificent.
Upon entering the Imperial Study, she performed a delicate and gentle curtsy: “Yuyun pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor had once granted her permission to refer to herself informally in private. This was the greatest favor she had received in the palace thus far, yet she had never boasted about it or mentioned it to outsiders. This was what Shangguan Yao found most satisfying.
This woman was graceful and dignified in her demeanor, composed and proper. Towards the Emperor and towards the servants, she was neither arrogant nor humble, truly a model of womanhood, possessing a radiance that could grace the empress’s position.
Shangguan Yao had considered elevating this woman. There was another reason for this: she was backed by the Ye family, who were merely civil officials.
Unlike the Ye family, who held immense power, if another Empress were to emerge from their lineage, it would be difficult to control. Therefore, he would not allow Ye Suxue to ascend to the empress’s position.
It was precisely because of this that his mother had lowered her rank. He was happy to go with the flow and play the benevolent one. If the Ye family held any grudges, they would hold them against his mother, not him.
“Why have you come? Rise.”
Shangguan Yao’s expression softened slightly, his finely creased brows unfurling. A rippling wave flashed in his dark, inscrutable eyes.
In this harem, he believed Ye Yuyun was the most qualified to bear the imperial lineage. She was beautiful, dignified, and elegant, her every movement exuding nobility. The children born to such a woman would surely be the pride of the imperial family.
But who could have imagined that before this blessing could be bestowed, such a thing would happen?
Shangguan Yao’s bright eyes dimmed. However, he was determined to cure her. He refused to believe that there was no one in this world who could heal her.
Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, unaware of the Emperor’s myriad thoughts, slowly rose and stood in the Imperial Study. Her soft and delicate voice echoed lightly, “Your Majesty, Yuyun has come to request that you visit the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is unconscious…”
However, before she could finish speaking, a cold reprimand suddenly rang out from the head of the table: “Enough. When did you become so insensible?”
Shangguan Yao’s earlier relaxed expression was once again shrouded in frost. The Empress Dowager was the last person he wished to hear about right now.
The events of last night were still vivid in his mind. He was not unaware of the matter between his mother and Ye Qingtian.
But on the day of his ascension, she had promised him that from then on, she would sever all ties with Ye Qingtian, returning to dust from whence she came.
To think that all this time, she had been secretly acting behind his back. Where did she place him, her own son? If such a matter were to spread, how could the imperial family maintain its dignity?
Shangguan Yao’s heart was filled with dark and turbulent thoughts, his brow furrowed, and his eyes were filled with icy coldness.
Ye Yuyun sensed his anger and knelt with a thud. Her voice, like flowing water, rang out with conviction.
“Your Majesty, Yuyun is bold. If Your Majesty blames me, Yuyun has nothing to say. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager have always had a deep affection, a model of filial piety admired by all under heaven. Can Your Majesty truly blame the Empress Dowager for the mistake of a mere servant?
Has Your Majesty forgotten the ministers in court? Has Your Majesty forgotten the people of the world? What will those people speculate about matters of the royal family? Is Your Majesty truly going to disregard everything?”
Ye Yuyun spoke clearly, her voice loud and resounding, each word carrying significant weight.
Shangguan Yao was shaken by her words, his heart sinking. The cold light in his eyes gradually receded.
He had not expected the gentle and demure Consort Xian to utter such forceful reasoning. Indeed, she was the daughter of Grand Tutor Ye, and her upbringing was truly extraordinary. Not only was she elegant, but she was also intelligent. These words made Shangguan Yao suddenly come to his senses. He had almost made a grave mistake.
If he strained his relationship with his mother, what would the court ministers think? What would the people of the world think?
It was likely that numerous speculations would arise, and rumors would spread like wildfire. At that point, even a thousand hands would not be enough to stop the gossip of the marketplace.
With this realization, Shangguan Yao’s eyes filled with a rippling radiance. This woman’s standing in his heart rose another notch. Shangguan Yao slowly stood up, walked to Ye Yuyun’s side, and extended his hand to help her up.
“Yuyun, you see things clearly. It seems I was muddled. How could I be angry with my mother because of a mistake made by her servant? Fortunately, Yuyun reminded me. Let’s go, accompany me to Changxin Palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ye Yuyun bowed slightly, lowering her gaze to the slender hand holding hers. A bright light rose in her eyes, and a light, watery smile graced her lips.
In fact, she knew this matter was not simple. How could the Emperor blame the Empress Dowager just because a lowly servant made a mistake? But it was best for intelligent people to feign ignorance.
Shangguan Yao ordered towards the outside: “Guards, prepare the carriage to Changxin Palace.”