"Ghost Hand," Shangguan Yao paused, a flicker of hope igniting in his heart. If he was called Ghost Hand, it surely meant he possessed exceptional medical skills, and thus, he must be able to save his mother.
Shangguan Yao, seeing a glimmer of hope, waved his hand and gravely commanded Yun Xiao, "Attend to the Empress Dowager's pulse."
Yun Xiao did not meet his gaze, a heavy sigh escaping her lips.
If he loved her, why torment her so? That night's events—Shangguan Yao likely had a plan to control her. He probably knew some things, and now he regretted it; what was the point?
However, it was evident that Shangguan Yao and the Empress Dowager shared a deep mother-son bond. Had they not been born into royalty, they might have been a pair of mother and son who respected and loved each other.
After a moment of contemplation, she sat down, extended her hand, and placed it on the Empress Dowager's arm, gently feeling her pulse.
The pulse was weak, faint, almost imperceptible. Her breath was shallow. If treatment were not administered immediately, even the greatest celestial physicians would be unable to save her.
Yun Xiao gazed at the face that retained its charm and secretly mused, "If not for the desire to leave the palace, and if you have a chance to live, heaven has given you this opportunity. I hope you cherish it and conduct yourself wisely thereafter."
Should there be a next time, she might not be so fortunate.
After her private thoughts, she stood respectfully to the side, her head lowered, eyes demure, her expression composed. It was impossible to tell if she had treated the patient or not.
The tall man behind her, impatient, took her hand and asked in a stern voice, "How is it? Can she be saved?"
Yun Xiao lowered her head. Her first thought was, "Dirty!"
She quickly withdrew her hand, only to discover that it was so fair and tender, it hardly seemed like a man's hand. It was the delicate, slender fingers of a young woman. Pity that the man holding her hand was completely focused on the Empress Dowager on the bed, thus he failed to notice anything unusual.
Yun Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, concealed her hand, bowed, and spoke lightly.
"It's not that there's no hope, but the Emperor must agree to two conditions from Feng Guan. Feng Guan will certainly awaken the Empress Dowager."
"Conditions?" Shangguan Yao frowned, his expression darkening with hostility. His cold, dark eyes, like an unfathomable pool of black water, spoke with a sinister tone, "You dare to negotiate terms with me? Are you not afraid of me?"
"Your Majesty is still a wise ruler, and the fact that you posted a bounty is witnessed by all under heaven. Does Your Majesty wish to break your word?"
As Yun Xiao spoke the first sentence, she felt a pang of embarrassment. She prayed silently, "Heaven, please forgive me for telling a lie. Tomorrow, I will surely eat more vegetarian meals and fewer meat dishes. May you be magnanimous and not hold this against me, please."
"Very well, I promise you. As long as you wake the Empress Dowager, I will allow you to enter the Imperial Hospital and reward you with ten thousand taels of gold."
Shangguan Yao smiled amiably, his eyes sparkling. However, he harbored different intentions in his heart.
If he were to enter the Imperial Hospital, he would be under his command. Would that gold truly be his? Moreover, if he wished him ill, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Yun Xiao slightly lowered her eyelids. This man might not realize that when he harbored malicious thoughts, his features would contort slightly, adding a touch of ferocity.
And just now, he must have been plotting against her. Would she be foolish enough to let him?
She smiled as warmly as the sun, revealing a row of neat, white teeth. Just as Shangguan Yao thought she was overjoyed, she suddenly spoke with resounding clarity.
"One: Depose the Empress. Two: Gold."
Her declaration was decisive and straightforward, shattering Shangguan Yao's hopes. Doubt and hostility flickered in his eyes.
Why would this young man want the Empress deposed? What was his connection to that foolish woman?
"Why do you want me to depose the Empress?"
"The reason is simple. The Emperor of Eastern Qin is a dragon among men, yet the Empress is a fool. Do you know how many people secretly mock us? There are terrible rumors circulating among the populace. Although I am merely a physician, the thought of His Majesty marrying a fool as Empress pains me deeply. Therefore, upon entering the palace to treat the Empress Dowager's illness, the first condition is to depose the Empress. The foolish Empress must be removed. Your Majesty may then choose a woman who embodies queenly virtues to be Empress, so that our Eastern Qin will not lose face."
Shangguan Yao did not entirely believe Yun Xiao's grand pronouncements. What concern was the Empress's foolishness to a mere commoner? Using the Empress Dowager's illness to blackmail him was truly seeking death.
Shangguan Yao subtly observed Yun Xiao. Her every movement exuded a sunny warmth. Her skin was tanned, her eyes bright and spirited, and a crescent moon mark adorned her dark brow, adding a touch of mystery.
Could he have been sent by Yun Mo to escort that foolish woman out of the palace?
Seeing Shangguan Yao's expression flicker for a long moment without a sound, Yun Xiao's eyes dimmed slightly. She spoke calmly, "Does Your Majesty not agree?"
"Are you not afraid I will have you killed?"
"Firstly, you may not be able to kill me. Secondly, when I entered the palace, I had already made my final arrangements. If I do not leave the palace, the world will know tomorrow that Your Majesty is a faithless man. Then, Eastern Qin will be in chaos. Is it worth making such a sacrifice for a commoner?"
Yun Xiao was unafraid, raising her eyebrows and smiling confidently. Seeing her wisdom and radiant presence, Shangguan Yao grew increasingly agitated. Why did he feel that this young man was always one step ahead?
"If Your Majesty disagrees, so be it. I fear the Empress Dowager cannot wait. If my estimation is correct, she has only a few more hours. If she does not wake within this time, even the greatest celestial physicians will be unable to save her."
"You?" Shangguan Yao pointed at Yun Xiao.
He had never imagined that one day he would be so held hostage by a green-behind-the-ears youth. A tempestuous wave flashed in his eyes, and his anger was on the verge of erupting.
But eventually, he smiled, for he realized that he might also benefit from this situation. He could take this opportunity to rid himself of that foolish woman.
The world would not blame him; they would only say he was filial. In the end, all the responsibility would fall upon this young man.
"Very well, I agree."
Shangguan Yao spoke curtly. Yun Xiao did not believe in promises made without proof. She looked up, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, and said, "Good. Please issue the decree to depose the Empress. Also, instruct the Imperial Household to convert the ten thousand taels of gold into silver notes so I can take them."
"You?" Shangguan Yao gritted his teeth. Why was he being so thoroughly controlled by this young man? His expression was dark and extremely displeased. Every move he made was fraught with changes, and he was being held firmly in his grasp.
"Guards,"
With a command from Shangguan Yao, the attendant Xiao Tingzi rushed in, bowing cautiously.
He did not know if this bounty-claiming youth could treat the Empress Dowager. In any case, there had been no movement until now.
Inside the sleeping chambers, however, cold air churned, growing increasingly dense. Xiao Tingzi trembled, awaiting the Emperor's command.
"Immediately draft an edict stating that the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, the Ghost Doctor has entered the palace, and I, in order to save the Empress Dowager, hereby decree the deposition of the Empress, expressing my deep sorrow." xxs壹贰
Xiao Tingzi raised his eyebrows in surprise. Depose the Empress? This physician was truly peculiar. Why did he want the Emperor to depose the Empress? What was his connection to it? He quickly accepted the decree, "Yes, this servant will attend to it immediately."
As he retreated, reaching the screen, the Emperor's cold voice sounded again.
"Immediately summon the Imperial Household and instruct them to prepare ten thousand taels of silver notes and deliver them here."