Grand Tutor Ye, also the adoptive father of Noble Consort Xian, a first-rank minister of the court, was not only high in rank and power, but also as handsome as Pan An. It was said that in his youth, he was the object of every woman's dreams in the entire Yan Jing.
However, Grand Tutor Ye surprised everyone by marrying a plain-looking woman and never taking a concubine or having any children, which is why Noble Consort Ye Yuyun exists.
"Yes, this servant will go and do it now."
Lin An respectfully lowered his head to receive the order and quickly retreated. The hall was filled with silence.
The Empress Dowager leaned wearily on a soft couch on the side. Sunlight streamed in from outside the hall, illuminating her face. Beneath her eyelids were dark circles. Her once proud skin now bore faint wrinkles. Her complexion was pale and bloodless.
She had been too exhausted recently. Just as things had stabilized, such a matter arose, and a chill permeated her heart.
Yao'er, how could you treat your mother this way? I...
She could not bear to think further, and a tear silently slid from the corner of her eye. She knew she had made mistakes, but time could never turn back. She could only make mistake after mistake...
In her weariness, she closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.
Amidst swirling mists, two intertwined faces flashed intermittently. She cried out from behind.
Yao'er, Yao'er, it's Mother, it's Mother, but that person did not even turn his head, letting her shed tears and beg on her knees, yet he never looked back...
Suddenly, someone called out in her ear, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Grand Tutor Ye has arrived."
She started awake abruptly. Her cheeks were cold. She hadn't expected to cry in her sleep. Silently wiping away her tears, she sat up and looked at the man in splendid robes standing in the center of the hall.
His radiance remained, and his brow exuded a captivating heroism, faintly showing the handsomeness of his youth. Now, he was more mature and charming, his eyes filled with deep, intertwined affection.
"This minister pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Rise," her voice was slightly hoarse, and she waved her hand.
Lin An immediately led all the eunuchs and palace maids out of the hall. The hall was empty, with only the two of them looking at each other...
Young Ye Qingtian and maiden Ye Lanzhi were once the most beautiful scene along the West Suburb Lake Embankment, attracting countless men and women to crane their necks and gaze. Who wouldn't praise them as a perfect match made in heaven, childhood sweethearts who grew up together, their love deeply rooted.
But it could not withstand the fate of the Ye family women. With an imperial decree, Ye Lanzhi entered the palace to become a consort.
It severed their deep longing for each other. She thought she could forget him, but after entering the palace, she realized how terribly wrong she was. There is a longing called bone-deep, and a love called a vine entwining a tree, inextinguishable for eternity.
He married the ugliest woman in the city for her. No one knew that woman was merely a household servant of the Ye mansion.
In the past, now, and in the future, she would hold the title of a first-rank lady in name only. The woman he truly loved and cared about was the one in the palace.
In the hall, their gazes flowed like the waters of passing years. Time could never be retrieved. If she could, she wished everything would return to the past.
She would not obey her family's arrangements. The fate of the Ye family should not be built upon a single woman.
Her destiny was her own making. She would rather elope with him and wander the world than endure this daily torment.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
His gentle voice was like a warm breeze, slowly flowing into the Empress Dowager's heart. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes, her vision fogging. She managed to hold them back, but as soon as she spoke, her emotions were revealed.
"Qingtian, I was wrong, wasn't I?"
After saying this, tears slid down her cheeks, crystal clear. Sorrow etched her brow, making her look pitiable and captivating the man's heart. He stepped forward and said softly, "What happened?"
"It's Yao'er, he has truly disappointed me too much."
As the Empress Dowager's voice fell, Ye Qingtian's gaze suddenly turned cold, and a hint of chill emanated from him. "What did he do?"
"He has always wanted to make a move against the Yun family. You know, it's absolutely not the right time. I stopped him, and unexpectedly, he harbored ill intentions, secretly bringing the martial world strategist Ximen Yao into the palace. Now, he has officially declared war on me."
The Empress Dowager, as soft and yielding as a willow, cried sadly on the soft couch. Ye Qingtian's steps were heavy. On his handsome and resolute features was tenderness. He spoke in a low voice, "How could he do such a thing? Doesn't he know you're doing this for his own good?"
"He is too impatient, wanting to gain control. But you know that some matters are not as calm and ordinary as they appear on the surface. I cannot allow even the slightest accident, but he doesn't understand me, and all my efforts are in vain, Qingtian."
Ye Qingtian reached out to support the Empress Dowager's body. She leaned weakly against his chest, her eyes red and swollen. She was truly too disappointed.
For Yao'er, she had sacrificed too much, but what had she gained in the end? She was truly unwilling.
"Alright, don't think too much about it. What do you want me to do?"
The feelings of many years were not fake. Ye Qingtian knew that the woman in his arms was no longer the beautiful and innocent girl of the past. Her heart had been tempered into an ice sword by the brilliance of time.
Unfortunately, even knowing her cruelty and ruthlessness, he could not let go of her hand, just as he had many years ago.
"Help me kill Ximen Yao. He must have ulterior motives. I don't want Yao'er to have any accidents. Qingtian, will you help me? If you don't help me, no one else can."
Ye Qingtian nodded without hesitation, his voice cold and bloodthirsty, "Lanzhi, don't worry, I will help you."
If there were an Asura hell, let him descend into it with her. Ye Qingtian embraced the woman in his arms, whispering in her ear, entangled in a mortal embrace...
Jinhua Palace.
In a small corner garden, an elegant figure, like a cloud, was leaning forward with great interest, reaching to pluck a blooming chrysanthemum.
The flower was large and vibrant, possessing a beauty that was sharp and imposing, with an enviable fragrance.
Yun Xiao brought it close to her nose and sniffed, a smile appearing on her lips. Wanwan, by her side, gazed intently at her mistress. Her mistress had been very quiet these past few days, staying within Jinhua Palace, neither causing trouble nor having trouble find her. This quiet life was as leisurely as water.
Master and servant, lost in their own thoughts, heard light footsteps approaching from a distance, causing both to snap back to attention. They turned their heads to look, only to see Xiuxiu leading two palace maids rushing over. She bowed respectfully, "Your Highness, Liangyuan Wen Birong has come to request an audience with Your Highness."
Wen Birong? A flicker of surprise flashed in Yun Xiao's eyes. Wasn't Wen Birong confined to the cold palace by the Empress Dowager? How had she come out again? It must be her father's doing, sparing the Wen family. She just didn't know why Wen Birong had come here.
She could not ask about such matters. When others were present, she generally did not speak. She continued to play with the flower in her hand.
Wanwan, on the side, naturally took it upon herself to answer, speaking calmly.