Within the high walls, winding paths, silent and dark, Shangguan Yao waved his hand with composure, leading his men forward.
Song Yuan, fearing for the Emperor's safety, quickly took two steps ahead, brandishing his saber to lead the way, scanning the surroundings vigilantly. Behind him, a troop of guards followed silently, each with their sabers drawn.
Yet, apart from silence, there was only silence. There was no sign of an intruder, no hint of anything amiss. Shangguan Yao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his dark eyes. What was going on?
After walking a short distance, the group spotted a side hall behind Changxin Palace. It was faintly lit, the soft glow of the lamps spilling through the latticed white gauze windows.
Shangguan Yao raised an eyebrow in surprise. The side halls of Changxin Palace were rarely used. Who would be hiding here so late at night?
His gaze flashed with Ling Han, and his footsteps halted. Song Yuan, not understanding the reason, also stopped his men at the Emperor's gesture.
"Your Majesty?"
Shangguan Yao's face was somber, his phoenix brows raised, his expression cold. After a long moment, he spoke, "Let us return."
Song Yuan was taken aback, not knowing what had come over the Emperor. The guards behind them exchanged glances, none daring to speak.
Hadn't the Emperor been worried about the Empress Dowager being attacked? Why were they leaving now?
"But the assassin?" Song Yuan asked, his voice laced with concern.
Shangguan Yao's eyes were deep and unfathomable. A vague, indistinct shadow loomed in his mind, a chilling unease rising within him. However, he knew what he had to do. Before Song Yuan could speak further, Ling Han said, "Let us return."
"Yes, Your Majesty," none dared to object. Song Yuan waved his hand, and the guards turned around in unison, preparing to leave.
However, no matter how light their movements, they created a few rustling sounds in the cold night. Suddenly, a clear, cold shout rang out: "Who's there?"
The speaker emerged, standing on the stone steps. In the cold night, her robes fluttered, and she fixed a cold gaze on the group outside.
Although there were no lights, these men were all trained in martial arts, their eyes sharp.
Thus, the one who had shouted coldly saw the Emperor and his guards. Startled, she immediately knelt with a thud, trembling slightly as she spoke, "Your Majesty."
At this moment, even if Shangguan Yao had wanted to leave, under the watchful eyes of so many, it would not be proper to depart directly.
If he left, these guards had already recognized the woman on the stone steps as Jiaye, the palace maid by the Empress Dowager's side. If he returned, would it not imply that something untoward had happened to the Empress Dowager?
Therefore, Shangguan Yao raised his hand, signaling the guards behind him to stop. With a cold, stern face, his dark eyes glinting with a bloodthirsty chill, he walked forward with steady steps, stopping directly before Jiaye.
Recalling Jiaye's actions that night, Shangguan Yao's anger flared. He kicked out fiercely at Jiaye, his voice laced with a chilling malevolence: "You lowly servants, are you deceiving your superiors and manipulating those below, doing unspeakable things?"
Jiaye dared not dodge and took the Emperor's kick, feeling breathless and in pain. She struggled to rise and kneel, still speaking with a respectful, expressionless face.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This servant deserves to die."
In reality, Jiaye understood that with the Emperor speaking this way in front of so many guards, it would be beneficial to the Empress Dowager's reputation. She could only bear it.
"Take me into the side hall immediately and show me what kind of lowly servants are here."
Jiaye immediately braced herself and led the way, ascending the white jade steps. Below the steps, white dew had condensed. The guards remained motionless, lost in the darkness of the night.
Jiaye led Shangguan Yao through the carved corridors and into the main hall, then into the rear sleeping quarters.
Outside the sleeping quarters, the faint lamplight cast a glow on Shangguan Yao's face. His complexion was dark and ashen, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes sharp and chilling, brimming with murderous intent, like a drawn, sharp sword, bloodthirsty and fierce.
As the two reached the doorway, someone suddenly appeared, speaking rapidly, "Jiaye, what are you doing?"
The words trailed off as the speaker was shocked. Jiaye's face was filled with helplessness, and behind her stood a tall, imposing figure dressed in imperial yellow – the current Emperor. The Emperor's expression was extremely grim. Aunt Ping was rendered speechless, mumbling softly.
"Your Majesty?"
Shangguan Yao's bloodthirsty gaze fixed on Jiaye and Aunt Ping. Then, he raised his hand, and two sharp slaps echoed.
Jiaye and Aunt Ping were each struck across the face. Shangguan Yao flashed forward and entered the inner chamber.
Outside the chamber door, Jiaye and Aunt Ping sat on the ground, looking at each other with wry smiles, five distinct red finger marks on each of their faces.
Inside the chamber, Shangguan Yao strode past the screen. He heard rustling sounds, the fluttering of clothes. As he stepped inside,
Under the bright palace lanterns, on the disheveled carved bed, a person sat dressed in white undergarments, their elaborate hair slightly loosened, their face flushed, their eyes languid, panting softly.
Another person, also in undergarments, had already gotten off the bed and stood on the floor. Their tall, distinguished back was turned inward, motionless, as if ashamed to face the Emperor.
Shangguan Yao's cold, chilling gaze shifted from the man's back to his mother on the bed.
The woman, having enjoyed the pleasure of intimacy, had lost her earlier joy. At this moment, she nervously lowered her head, her hands gripping the carved brocade quilt tightly. Her slender fingers were pale.
"Good, very good."
Shangguan Yao spoke, his voice hoarse and rough, indicative of his extreme anger, his throat choked with rage. The Empress Dowager guiltily raised her head, still not daring to look at her son, and softly called out, "Yao'er? I?"
"The Empress Dowager, holding such a clandestine affair, if this were to spread, how could I face the people of the world? I have always respected and loved you, Mother. Is this how you treat me?" Shangguan Yao questioned fiercely, his tone completely devoid of his former respect. He disdained to call himself 'your son,' speaking only of 'I, the Emperor.'
The Empress Dowager grew even more nervous. Hearing her son's coldness, she felt a deep sorrow. She remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes and falling one by one.
Shangguan Yao seemed unwilling to let her off. He continued, "If Jiaye is allowed to do anything further, do not blame me for being impolite. And you, if you continue to interfere in my affairs, you will be executed without mercy."
As Shangguan Yao finished speaking, the tall, upright figure by the bed couldn't help but tremble slightly. He turned to look back, his ink-black eyes filled with a sorrow as dense as mist and rain. He staggered a step back and stopped.
Shangguan Yao had already turned and left, giving them only a resolute and fierce retreating silhouette.
Outside the chamber door, Ling Han's voice rang out.
"Bold Ping'an! How dare you deceive your superiors and manipulate those below, slacking off here instead of serving your master! Go immediately to the punishment office to receive thirty strokes."
A soft, weak voice followed immediately, "Yes, this servant accepts the decree."