"Why is she here? Just send her away."
"This servant said so, but she insisted on seeing the Empress, saying she has something to tell Her Ladyship."
Xiuxiu spoke while observing her mistress's expression. Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow, twirled the flower in her hand, and turned to walk back, sniffing it as she went, emitting soft laughter as if she were quite pleased.
The two maids followed their mistress back in silence.
In the grand hall of Jinhua Palace, Liangyuan Wen Yurong stood to one side with her head bowed. A few strands of her beautifully styled hair slipped down, obscuring her expression. She clutched her hands tightly, her pale fingertips trembling slightly.
The eunuch announced, "The Empress has arrived."
Sunlight streamed in, illuminating several graceful figures. Light footsteps sounded. Wen Birong quickly raised her head to look. She saw the woman at the forefront biting into a freshly plucked flower, smiling as she ate it, seemingly savoring its fragrance.
Such a woman was the Empress of the current dynasty. She had disgraced the Emperor's illustrious reputation and had also harmed their Wen family. Although she had been released from the Cold Palace, the Wen family had been dismissed from their posts and stripped of their titles.
All of this was because of this fool. She was clearly a fool, yet she enjoyed immense favor. The Prince of Yun, whose influence spanned the empire, would resort to any means against court officials for such a fool. It was truly disheartening to think about.
How could she let this fool go? The sooner this fool died, the sooner she could find peace. Her existence only brought misfortune to more people.
Wen Birong's pupils flickered with a crimson hue. She quickly lowered her head and knelt, "This concubine pays her respects to the Empress."
Yun Xiao continued to bite into the flower, giggling and acting wildly, completely oblivious to the situation. Wanwan, standing beside her, quickly interjected, "You may rise. Liangyuan, don't you know Her Ladyship's mind isn't well? Let's dispense with such formalities."
"Thank you, Empress."
Wen Birong slowly rose and stood cautiously, recalling the words of Consort De Ye Suxue in Zhaoyang Palace.
The Empress is not foolish; she is merely feigning madness. If we can prove she is not foolish, the Prince of Yun's mansion is surely doomed.
In that case, you will have avenged your father and brother. Furthermore, as long as the Prince of Yun's mansion falls, this palace will ensure your Wen family's return to power.
For the sake of her father and brother, she would risk it all.
Wen Birong suddenly raised her head and looked. She saw the foolish woman engrossed in fiddling with the flowers in her hand. The two maids beside her were focused entirely on their mistress and paid her no attention. Now was the time to act.
Wen Birong gritted her teeth, quickly withdrew a dagger from her sleeve, and a cold glint flashed as she lunged forward.
Only one thought echoed in her mind.
If she is truly not foolish, she will dodge. As soon as she dodges, it will prove she has been faking her madness all along, and the Prince of Yun's mansion will surely perish. Your Wen family can then regain its former status.
A desperate gamble, no turning back.
A swift wind blew, and a palpable killing intent arose. Yun Xiao immediately sensed the murderous aura. Her body's instinct was to evade, but at the same time, she realized a truth: if she dodged, it would reveal her weakness.
This was likely not Wen Birong's idea. Someone behind the scenes must be controlling her. Who? Was it Ye Suxue, who suspected she was not foolish?
Her pupils suddenly deepened. Very well, Ye Suxue. It seems you've chosen to challenge me. Excellent, I will accept. For now, it's best to avoid the main thrust.
As Yun Xiao’s thought concluded, her foot slipped, and she cried out in pain. A cold gleam flashed, and the dagger swiftly pierced her thigh. Blood dripped onto the ground, forming a pattern like peach blossoms. She seemed stunned, as were Wanwan and Xiuxiu. After a long moment, a pained wail escaped her.
"Ah, ah, it hurts, it hurts!"
Jinhua Palace descended into chaos. Eunuchs and maids rushed in from outside the hall, instantly surrounding Wen Birong and apprehending the Liangyuan who had attempted to assassinate the Empress. Others were dispatched with haste to the Imperial Physician's Garden to summon imperial physicians, and someone was sent to inform the Empress Dowager...
Fortunately, Liangyuan's stab did not strike a vital spot but instead deflected, piercing her thigh.
Although it was not a serious injury, the pain was unavoidable. Moreover, to make the act convincing, Yun Xiao wailed miserably, tears and snot streaming down her face. Wanwan, by her side, amplified the scene, making it all the more dramatic and earth-shattering.
Wanwan truly felt distressed. What kind of people were in this palace? One could be framed with just one misstep.
If it weren't for her mistress's astuteness, she might have been exposed by now. But the price of astuteness was self-inflicted injury. Thinking of this, Wanwan cried even louder, lamenting as she wailed.
"Your Ladyship, why are you so ill-fated? Whom have you offended? Whom have you wronged? Have you dug up someone's ancestral grave? Despite already being of unsound mind, you must endure such inhumane treatment. If the Prince knew, he would be heartbroken, Your Ladyship."
Inside the inner chamber.
The imperial physicians prescribed medicine. As the wound was on her thigh, others could not administer it, so it was left to the maids Wanwan and Xiuxiu to apply the medicine and bandage the wound. Xiuxiu then went to decoct the medicine.
Wanwan remained by her mistress's side, continuing her lament. The few imperial physicians beyond the screen felt a chill pervade their bodies, radiating an icy aura.
The people of the Prince of Yun's mansion were truly not simple. Even a maid spoke with such sharp words.
It was a pity that Her Ladyship was a fool. Otherwise, perhaps no one would dare to bully her.
With such a major incident, they wondered what attitude the Prince of Yun would have upon hearing about it. A sense of schadenfreude arose in the hearts of the imperial physicians. However, the wolf-like wails emanating from within were chilling, so they quickly bowed.
"Her Ladyship is not seriously injured. We shall take our leave now."
Wanwan stopped her crying and spoke impatiently, "Hurry up and leave. Can't you see I'm upset? Her Ladyship is injured like this, and you're still dawdling here."
With a single word, she dismissed the imperial physicians. Their old faces flushed red, and their scalps tingled. They hastily retreated.
They had encountered a formidable person today. This maid was like a hedgehog; it was best to provoke her as little as possible.
Within the hall, after the imperial physicians retreated, Wanwan also dismissed the other eunuchs and palace maids. She remained in the palace to care for her mistress, occasionally letting out a dry sob, appearing deeply saddened. In reality, the two were speaking softly in the sleeping quarters.
"Mistress, why must you go through all this?" Wanwan complained in a low voice. Such a deep gash had been made; how painful it must have been. So much blood had been lost; how much nourishment would it take to recover?
"It's alright, I'm fine. It's only our Wanwan who truly cares about me."
Yun Xiao's complexion was slightly pale. Having lost so much blood, she couldn't be as if nothing had happened. However, given the circumstances at the time, this was the only way. If she had dodged, her act would have been exposed. Wen Birong had clearly acted under someone's instigation.
"This palace is truly not a place for people. Mistress, let's leave here."
Yun Xiao chuckled and nodded, "I was thinking the same, but how should we leave? We absolutely must not return to the Prince of Yun's mansion this time, otherwise, that old witch will not let me off."
She knitted her brows in thought. Footsteps were heard outside the screen. The two fell silent. It must be Xiuxiu bringing the decocted medicine.
"Your Ladyship, it's time to take your medicine."
"Mm," Yun Xiao quietly took the medicine. Because of her injury, she was indeed tired. The blood had flowed out in earnest, and her body was weak, so she truly fell asleep.