"The Empress Dowager?"
Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow. What new scheme was this ancient hag up to? Her father had only been gone from the capital for a few days, surely she wouldn't play any tricks, though the victor was yet unknown.
She wouldn't make any moves in the short term. She suspected the matter orchestrated by Consort De last time might have raised some doubts, and this summons was likely a test.
She would go. Why should she fear them? She was tired of being confined to the palace these past few days; it was a good opportunity to get out.
"Alright, go arrange for Eunuch Lin, I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Your Highness," Xiu Xiu withdrew, and Wan Wan stepped forward to adjust Yun Xiao's attire.
Today, she wore a peach-pink diagonally-buttoned thin jacket, a row of lilac buttons down the front, sleeves embroidered with plum blossoms, and a white pleated skirt. Her dark hair, like clouds and mist, was loosely styled, adding a touch of languor. A jade hairpin adorned her bun, with jade-colored tassels dangling. As she moved, she exuded an elegant and noble aura.
Such an ensemble, refined and fresh to the extreme, made it truly difficult to believe that this ethereal, otherworldly woman before them was a fool. Wan Wan couldn't help but harbor some doubts.
"Your Highness, perhaps you should change your clothes. If the Empress Dowager notices, it will be troublesome."
"It's nothing. Let's go. There's no rule that says fools can't dress up a bit," Yun Xiao's voice was delicate and sweet, dimples appearing on her cheeks as she smiled, making her appear charming and adorable. However, a fighting spirit and a cold glint flickered in her eyes.
In the great hall, Eunuch Lin was sipping tea. Hearing the footsteps behind the screen, he looked up and was stunned.
The woman before him was slender and delicate, her exquisite small face fair and lovely. Her large eyes, clear and distinct, darted about, brimming with intelligence and mischief.
She was smiling at him, revealing two charming dimples, her expression so endearing that he felt an overwhelming desire to protect her.
Was this the Empress?
That fool, this was too bizarre. She didn't seem like it at all. Could it be that the Empress, as Consort De had said, was not actually foolish?
Eunuch Lin's expression shifted rapidly, changing from red to white, then from white to green. He was too shocked to process it.
If the Empress was not foolish, then what was Yun Mo's true intention? Whether she was foolish or not, why hide it? Did he truly have a hidden agenda? But that didn't seem like it, as Yun Mo had already relinquished his power.
Wan Wan helped Yun Xiao stand in the hall, observing Eunuch Lin's startled and anxious demeanor, understanding him instantly. She spoke calmly.
"Eunuch Lin, has your servant managed to tidy up Her Highness acceptably?"
Eunuch Lin blinked, returning to his senses. He put down his teacup. "Let's go, the Empress Dowager is waiting."
"Thank you, Eunuch Lin," Wan Wan replied, neither subservient nor overbearing, and helped Yun Xiao walk out.
As Yun Xiao passed by Eunuch Lin, she suddenly turned and glared at him. Her eyes were filled with an intense ferocity, exuding hidden killing intent, which startled Eunuch Lin into stepping back. His heart pounded. Looking closely, Her Highness had already walked away.
Was he seeing things? How could Her Highness possess such a fierce gaze, like a wolf's eyes glinting in the night, piercing one's very soul?
Ahead, Wan Wan called out, "Eunuch Lin, hurry up!"
Eunuch Lin wiped the cold sweat from his brow and jogged to catch up.
The weather was clear, the accumulated snow had long melted, winter was quickly passing, and spring was about to arrive.
Outside the palace gate, on the bluestone-paved open space, a sedan chair was parked neatly. Wan Wan helped Yun Xiao into it, then steadied herself against the sedan curtain and waved her hand, calling out, "Let's go, to Changxin Palace."
The sedan chair was lifted. Wan Wan and Xiu Xiu followed the sides of the chair, with eunuchs behind them.
Eunuch Lin strode quickly to catch up with Wan Wan's pace and whispered softly.
"Has the Empress been having any trouble recently?"
Wan Wan sneered, casting a sideways glance at Eunuch Lin, and replied in a neither-warm-nor-cold tone, "What does Eunuch Lin mean? Has someone been disturbing Her Highness? Or something else?"
Eunuch Lin was momentarily stopped by Wan Wan's question and quickly shook his head. "Nothing, nothing."
The group proceeded towards Changxin Palace.
In the great hall of Changxin Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were conversing in a gentle and affectionate manner. The mother and son seemed to have resolved their past differences, their smiles radiant and filling the hall with brilliance.
The Empress Dowager's beauty had not diminished with the years; she remained as alluring as ever, her peach blossom eyes filled with doting affection. However, beneath the surface, a hidden coldness flowed, like a desolate, icy valley.
Only when she gazed at the young Emperor with all her heart could she emit a genuine smile, as if all her actions were worthwhile. Her smile grew increasingly gentle and charming.
"Yao'er, what made you think of coming to accompany your mother?"
"Mother, your son has come to understand. Everything Your Majesty has done is for your son. Your son was simply too impatient. Yun Mo has already departed for Fengya Pass, and your son is currently rectifying matters in the court. If there is anything your son doesn't understand, Your Majesty must guide him."
Shangguan Yao spoke with great sincerity. His eyes, as deep as an icy pool, had transformed into a vast expanse of water, veiled and obscured, making it impossible to truly see his thoughts. However, his demeanor and bearing were uncharacteristically solemn. His handsome features were framed by elegantly long eyebrows, and he gazed fixedly at the Empress Dowager.
"Yao'er..."
The Empress Dowager sighed, a subtle pain in her heart. Yao'er, how could your mother not know your thoughts? Do you truly intend to move against the Ye family?
They have always stood by your side. If you act like this, you will regret it one day. However, the Empress Dowager, wise as she was, did not expose her thoughts. She did not want the recently reconciled affection to fracture again. Moreover, she would try her best to protect the Ye family.
"Yao'er, whether you choose to listen or not, mother must say this: the Ye family is your true backing, your strong support in times of need. Your mother is old and cannot protect you forever, but her love for her son will never change. Therefore, mother only wishes to find someone to protect Yao'er well."
The Empress Dowager's loving and heartfelt words moved Shangguan Yao for a moment. He was slightly touched, almost wanting to abandon his intention of moving against the Ye family.
However, the thought of his own possessions being held tightly in someone else's grasp made him deeply uncomfortable. Therefore, the Ye family had to be dealt with.
But, they were, after all, his maternal uncles. He would not be ruthless. For his mother's sake, he would still preserve the honor of the Ye family, but they had to relinquish their military power.
A dark, cold glint flickered in Shangguan Yao's eyes. He said nothing.
A eunuch entered from outside the palace gate and respectfully bowed to request permission. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Empress has arrived?"
Upon hearing that the fool had arrived, Shangguan Yao, recalling the losses he had previously suffered, became annoyed and said coldly, "What is she here for?"
The young eunuch, seeing the Emperor's expression change, trembled inwardly, unsure how to respond. He fumbled and knelt down with a thud.
The Empress Dowager intervened at the opportune moment. "Yao'er, didn't you want to know if the Empress is foolish? This old woman is also curious, so I summoned her. We can find out together how foolish the fool from Prince Yun's estate truly is."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Shangguan Yao finally felt a sense of relief and a flicker of interest. His expression improved considerably. He cast a cold glance at the trembling young eunuch. "Announce her."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the young eunuch scrambled out. Once outside the hall, his legs went weak, and he nearly fell before the door. He leaned against the doorframe, wiping sweat from his brow. It took him a while to calm his nerves. That was a close call. Trembling, he announced the decree.
"Her Highness the Empress, please enter."