The imperial decree was issued, and the eunuchs and maids in Jinhua Palace were stunned, relieved, or ecstatic, finally freed from serving this fool.
Some also wept, and Wanwan, not forgetting to play her part, reached out to receive the imperial decree while crying mournfully.
"Your Highness, you are so unfortunate to be deposed by the Emperor. Being foolish isn't your fault. Who wouldn't want to be born intelligent and clever, but you were born a fool? Your Highness, the Prince is not in the capital; what will we do?"
Her cries were utterly tragic, accompanied by tears and snot, to the point of gasping for breath. Beside her, others joined in her tears.
These accompanying mourners were naturally Xiuxiu and the two eunuchs, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao. They knew the Empress was not foolish, and at this moment, she had been deposed.
The Empress was deposed; what would they do? In the grand hall, the four wept heartbrokenly, their cries escalating.
The eunuch who announced the decree, Xiao Tingzi, frowned and said with reluctance, "A carriage will be here shortly to escort you out of the palace. Although Prince Yun has gone to Fengya Pass, there are still some old servants in Prince Yun's mansion. You can return to Prince Yun's mansion."
"Thank you, Eunuch Ting," Wanwan said, sobbing. As Xiao Tingzi turned to leave, her mournful cries resumed: "Your Highness, why are you so unfortunate to encounter this?"
Inside the grand hall, apart from the few who knew the inside story and continued to cry, the other palace maids and eunuchs had already stood up and rushed out of the hall, scattering to find their own livelihoods. No one paid them any mind.
Yun Xiao raised her eyes and glanced at Wanwan, then turned to look at the other three beside her. Wanwan, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Zhao, she spoke softly.
"We have been master and servant for a time. Today, I want to give you a few words. Remember them well, or you might not even be able to save your lives."
Yun Xiao paused, looking at Xiuxiu and the two eunuchs. The three stopped crying and looked at her, wondering what their Highness would say.
"Your Highness, please speak."
"Do not reveal that I am not foolish, no matter who asks. If you do, your fate will be the same as Xiao He's that day."
It wasn't that she wanted to trouble them, but those in the palace would not let them go.
Xiuxiu nodded, but thinking of their Highness's departure, she began to cry sadly again, her tears falling one by one, like transparent droplets, eliciting pity.
"Your Highness, you could let the Emperor know you are not foolish. Then the Emperor wouldn't depose the Empress, and you wouldn't have to leave here. This servant does not wish to leave you."
Xiuxiu cried sorrowfully. Yun Xiao reached out and stroked her head, saying softly, "Xiuxiu, we have been master and servant. If we are destined to meet again in the future, I will definitely take you with me."
"Your Highness."
The three cried again, and the grand hall was filled with the sorrow of a life-and-death farewell, bleak and somber...
Outside the palace doors, a eunuch walked in. He was from Jingfu Palace. As soon as he entered, he raised his eyebrows and said impatiently, "Alright, get up and leave quickly."
This was a snobbish fellow. The moment he saw the foolish Empress had been deposed, his detestable face immediately revealed itself. He glared coldly at them, urging them to leave quickly, as the Emperor was awaiting news.
Wanwan glared angrily at them, helped Yun Xiao up, wiped her tears, bid farewell to Xiuxiu and the others, and followed the eunuchs out.
Xiuxiu tearfully watched their receding figures, melting into the vast twilight and gradually disappearing. Her sorrow intensified, and she suddenly stood up and chased after them. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao behind her also rose and followed.
Outside the doors of the Jinhua Palace grand hall, in the empty square with four-sided blue planked grids, an ordinary carriage was parked. The young eunuch driving the carriage raised his eyebrows, a cold sneer on his lips, and impatiently urged them.
"Hurry up, get in the carriage, stop dawdling. What are you still hesitating about, you silly thing? The Emperor won't take back the decree, what are you waiting for?"
Yun Xiao suddenly raised her head. Her deep, dark eyes were filled with a cold glint, like a sharp blade, slicing across the eunuch's face. The young eunuch was startled, shivered, and stared at the Empress in disbelief. She smiled again.
It turned out he had seen wrong before. The young eunuch shook his head and dared not urge them loudly anymore.
Wanwan helped Yun Xiao into the carriage. Xiuxiu and the two eunuchs stood at the palace doors, their eyes blurred with tears, filled with sorrow.
Yun Xiao lifted the curtain and waved her hand gently. It wasn't that she didn't want to take them with her, but they were still people of the palace, and there was still a barrier between them and her.
Inside the carriage, Wanwan's eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed across. Sitting there was an unexpected person, Liu Xing, with a bundle slung over his shoulder, looking rather comical.
Seeing Wanwan laugh at him, he said irritably, tossing the bundle. It landed steadily in Wanwan's hands, a heavy packet.
Wanwan raised her eyebrows, about to throw it back.
Yun Xiao gave them a cold glare. The two restrained themselves and sat properly. The eunuch driving outside was still there; they should behave themselves. Shangguan Yao might not let them go, so? Yun Xiao's eyes flickered, a faint smile hidden at the corner of her lips.
The carriage slowly left Jinhua Palace, driving outwards.
In the sleeping quarters of Jingfu Palace, Shangguan Yao had shed his luxurious dragon robes, wearing only a moon-white undergarment. He lay lazily on the large bed, but the slightly closed corners of his eyes betrayed a sharp, cold aura, and a sinister killing intent lurked at the corner of his lips.
The sound of small footsteps echoed, and a cautious voice sounded.
"Your Majesty, Minister Song has arrived."
"Hmm, let him in."
His deep voice spoke, and Xiao Tingzi quickly retreated. Soon, a tall figure entered the sleeping quarters and knelt respectfully on one knee, speaking slowly, "Your Majesty summoned this subject for what purpose?"
The person on the bed did not move at all. A dark, cold voice sounded.
"The Empress has been deposed and is currently on her way out of the palace. What do you think I should do?"
Song Yuan was stunned and widened his eyes, looking at the person on the bed. The Emperor had his eyes closed, his handsome features dignified and overbearing, yet with a hidden bloodthirsty ferocity. He waited motionlessly for Song Yuan's words. Did Song Yuan not know the meaning of these words?
However, the Empress was a fool. Was it too cruel to act against a fool? Prince Yun had already left the capital for Fengya Pass. He posed no threat to the Emperor now. As for that fool, she had already been deposed; couldn't she be spared a life?
But the Emperor didn't seem to think so. Song Yuan's heart felt heavy. To be honest, it seemed difficult for him to carry out this task.
However, the Emperor was still waiting for his words. Song Yuan probed.
"I think... I think..."
"Hmm, go do it. I await your news." Song Yuan's face darkened. It was as he had expected. What should he do? Should he really act against her? But if he didn't, he couldn't account for it. He should act according to the circumstances.
"Yes, your subordinate receives the order and will go do it immediately."
Song Yuan stood up and retreated. He walked around the screen, but before he had even left the sleeping quarters, he heard a bloodthirsty statement from within. xxs壹贰
"Song Yuan, if I discover you have ulterior motives..."
The rest was not spoken. Song Yuan's feet faltered. He clasped his hands into fists and said, "Your subordinate dares not."
He then walked out. It seemed he was too naive, unable to escape the Emperor's gaze even with the slightest thought.
The Emperor was indeed very shrewd. He had originally intended to spare the foolish Empress, but the Emperor had guessed his thoughts. The latter half of his sentence was a warning: do not have ulterior motives, or Song Yuan would not live.