Within the Jin Hua Palace.
Yun Xiao had washed away her heavy makeup, revealing her naturally tender and delicate face. She sat smiling sweetly on a soft couch in the inner hall, playing with the jade bracelet she had acquired.
Her large eyes sparkled with unusual liveliness, like brilliant black pearls. In this state, it was impossible for anyone to imagine her malevolence.
Only Xiu Xiu and two young eunuchs within the Jin Hua Palace knew how exceptionally cunning she was.
“Your Majesty, after how you treated Consort De today, she will surely resent you.”
Yun Xiao raised her head to look at Xiu Xiu, still with a smile on her face, and said softly, "Would she not hate me even without today's events?"
As long as she occupied this position, that woman would covet it. Therefore, whether or not today’s incident occurred made no difference. Would she treat Yun Xiao kindly simply because Yun Xiao yielded to her?
Xiu Xiu fell silent. Her mistress was becoming increasingly wise and astute. Although Consort De held power in the palace, a queen as intelligent as this might not necessarily be at a disadvantage. It remained to be seen who would ultimately suffer.
“It was I who spoke out of turn,” Xiu Xiu said respectfully.
As the two were speaking, the eunuch Xiao Yuan entered, respectfully presenting a magnificent brocade box. "Your Majesty, this is from the Empress Dowager. It is the Phoenix Hall's jade hairpin, identical to yours."
Xiu Xiu walked over, took the brocade box, and handed it to Yun Xiao.
"Your Majesty, please have a look?"
Yun Xiao opened the brocade box and took out the jade hairpin. It was indeed identical to the previous one. A faint smile touched her lips. "Put it away."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In the Zhao Yang Palace, Ye Su Xue fell ill, a matter that quickly reached the Empress Dowager's ears.
The Empress Dowager investigated the cause and discovered it was all over a jade bracelet. Enraged, she immediately issued an imperial decree: anyone in the palace who had taken anything belonging to the foolish empress was to return it to its rightful owner immediately. Any further occurrences would be severely punished.
Upon this proclamation, everyone in the harem was alarmed, and they dispatched their respective eunuchs and palace maids to return the foolish empress's possessions.
For a time, Jin Hua Palace was incredibly lively, and the dowry from Yun Wang Fu was all returned.
Yun Xiao gazed at the dazzling array of jade ornaments and jewelry within the chests, as well as the layers upon layers of fine robes and silks in the wardrobe. A satisfied smile curved her lips.
Xiu Xiu and the two eunuchs, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao, of Jin Hua Palace, stared at everything before them, dumbfounded. It was truly miraculous. Just as Her Majesty had predicted, all the items had been returned. Her Majesty was truly formidable.
"Your Majesty, these are all precious items,"
Xiu Xiu reached out to touch the magnificent and elegant jewelry. Before, she hadn't had time to examine them closely before they were all snatched away, but now they had finally returned.
Yun Xiao picked up a gold hairpin with twin phoenixes and handed it to Xiu Xiu. "Here, this is a gift for you."
Xiu Xiu was stunned. Although she had thought of these items, she had never imagined her mistress would bestow such valuable gifts. For a moment, she didn't know how to react, but after a while, she finally spoke, "Your Majesty, this?"
"Take it. Don't you like it?"
Girls all liked beautiful and pretty jewelry. The desire for beauty was not divided by status.
Hearing this, Xiu Xiu knew that her mistress was truly gifting it to her. She quickly accepted it respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift."
Yun Xiao then selected a pair of jade and pearl pendants and handed them to Xiu Xiu.
"This pair of pendants is for Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao. By following me, I will not mistreat you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xiu Xiu knelt down, touched, and accepted the gifted items. Although her mistress had a cunning side, she was fair in her rewards and punishments, and incredibly intelligent.
From now on, they would follow her diligently and would never harbor any disloyal thoughts.
"Alright, you may leave."
"Yes," Xiu Xiu withdrew, distributing the gifts to Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao. The two young eunuchs were also deeply moved.
The three of them swore to each other that they would be loyal to the Empress. It wasn't because of the value of these items, but because no one had ever paid attention to them, the servants. Only Her Majesty remembered them, which made their hearts feel warm.
In the Chang Xin Palace, delicate incense curled upwards, and canopy curtains fluttered.
A gentle breeze drifted in from the palace entrance, soft and tender. The hall was shrouded in silence.
Eunuchs and palace maids retreated, guarding the palace entrance, not allowing anyone to approach.
In the magnificent and resplendent great hall, two people sat with solemn expressions. They were equally beautiful and alluring, with very similar appearances, especially their captivating eyes, which were strikingly alike.
The Empress Dowager, adorned in a crimson cloud robe, lounged lazily on the phoenix couch. Seated on the other side was the current Emperor. His handsome features were marked by a slight furrow of his brows, indicating his extreme displeasure. His almond-shaped eyes were filled with dark, thunderous rage, and his thin lips were pressed tightly together. He hadn't spoken for a long time.
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke lazily and casually in a soft voice.
"Yao'er, what is wrong? Why the grim expression?"
"Mother, I don't understand why Yun Mo is still in charge of state affairs. Didn't he willingly relinquish his power? I believe I am capable of handling all matters."
Shangguan Yao's expression grew increasingly somber, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes, like two unsheathed swords, emanating sharp and sinister brilliance.
A smile touched the Empress Dowager's lips, her beautiful face radiating gentle affection. She spoke softly.
"Yao'er, it is not that I do not want you to manage state affairs. This is the only way I can protect you. Dong Qin is not as peaceful as it appears on the surface.
Besides our good relations with the Northern Dynasty, Xiliang and Nan Jin have always been eyeing us covetously. Internally, there is also the Shenlong Palace, which is as renowned as Dong Qin.
We cannot afford to ignore these factors. Yun Mo is still the renowned 'God of War' on the battlefield, the former General of the Cavalry, and the minister most valued by the late Emperor. Therefore, he was appointed as the Regent before his death.
Have you not seen that for the past few years, Xiliang and Nan Jin have not dared to invade our borders, and the people of Shenlong Palace have shown no movement in a short period?"
Shangguan Yao listened to the Empress Dowager's gentle words, which were as soft as spring rain, but felt no gratitude. On the contrary, his expression grew even colder.
It seemed that everything in Dong Qin was not his accomplishment, but Yun Mo's, which made him detest Yun Mo even more.
He refused to believe that with his own abilities, he couldn't contend with Xiliang, Nan Jin, or the people of Shenlong Palace.
Why not eliminate them all? Yun Mo clearly had ulterior motives. Shangguan Yao's eyes narrowed abruptly, flashing with a dangerous light.
"Mother, why has the court not eliminated the people of Shenlong Palace? Why do they still run rampant and cause chaos so brazenly? Could this be Yun Mo's doing?"
As Shangguan Yao finished speaking, the Empress Dowager's expression shifted slightly, and her voice grew stern.
"Yao'er, you are being too presumptuous."
"Mother?" Shangguan Yao abruptly stood up, confronting the Empress Dowager. He was displeased, and the fact that his mother consistently protected that man made him even more enraged. His deep, pool-like eyes shifted unpredictably, making it impossible to fathom his true thoughts.
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, her long eyelashes fluttering. She did not appear angry; instead, she continued to gaze at him with loving eyes.