Yun Xiao listened to the two women and a cold smile touched her lips. "Are you two very idle?"
Hearing her dark tone, Wan Wan and Xiu Xiu immediately grinned, "Your Highness, we know we were wrong."
"Mhm," Yun Xiao nodded, uncharacteristically not making things difficult for them. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where is Xiao He? Why haven't I seen her since this morning?"
"She seems to be feeling a bit unwell and slept in a bit longer. Does Your Highness need her? I'll go call her." Xiu Xiu asked respectfully. Yun Xiao shook her head. She always felt that this girl, Xiao He, couldn't be kept. She was cruel and greedy for vanity.
She wasn't foolish, and if this matter were to get out, it was likely that in an instant, the Yun manor would not be able to escape this calamity, and she, along with those who knew, would be implicated.
Yun Xiao's gaze was deep. Wan Wan and Xiu Xiu dared not say anything more. Their mistress seemed to have something on her mind.
"Xiu Xiu, secretly send Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao to keep an eye on the movements of Zhaoyang Palace. Report any situation to me," Yun Xiao instructed. Xiu Xiu paused for a moment, wondering why Her Highness was paying attention to Zhaoyang Palace's activities.
Despite her confusion, the intelligent girl asked nothing, understanding that their mistress, being exceptionally wise, always thought ahead of others. She must have her reasons for acting this way. With a prompt, she withdrew.
In the side hall, only Wan Wan remained.
Wan Wan knew their mistress must have something to tell her, so she hurried forward and spoke softly, "Your Highness."
"Keep an eye on Xiao He's movements. This girl might cause trouble. If my not being foolish gets out, none of us will have a good end, and the Yun King's manor will be massacred."
Wan Wan understood the gravity of the matter and immediately nodded. "I understand."
Yun Xiao looked up at Wan Wan. This girl was clever and bold, and Yun Xiao felt at ease with her. However, thinking that by following her, Wan Wan might face unforeseen danger, and it would be Yun Xiao's debt to her, she spoke gently.
"Wan Wan, do you regret following me into the palace? A lot of unexpected things will likely happen. Are you scared?"
Wan Wan immediately thumped her chest heartily and said with great loyalty, "What is Your Highness saying? This was Wan Wan's own choice. No matter what happens from now on, Wan Wan believes in Your Highness. We will fight side by side."
Seeing Wan Wan thump her chest, Yun Xiao's mood inexplicably improved. She reached out and pulled Wan Wan closer.
"Wan Wan, stop patting yourself. It's ungraceful, and you're already quite flat. If you keep patting, there will be nothing left."
Wan Wan immediately protested indignantly, "Your Highness, you're making fun of me again."
Yun Xiao suppressed the smile at the corners of her lips, her eyes shining brightly, and said earnestly, "Wan Wan, in my heart, you are not a little girl, but my friend. Let us face this storm together. In the future, I will ensure you live the life you desire."
"Yes, Your Highness. Wan Wan believes you. Don't overthink it; let's focus on how to deal with what's coming next," Wan Wan said. Mingling with the crowd, Wan Wan was adept at observing others and knew a storm was brewing.
Zhaoyang Palace was currently in dire straits.
The alluring and radiant woman seated on the high throne listened to the kneeling subordinate's words. Her mouth gaped open, large enough to fit an egg. Her usual elegant demeanor vanished as her eyes widened. The tea bowl she was holding slipped from her grasp and shattered, making a loud noise.
Ye Su Xue regained her senses and asked again in disbelief, "You're saying the Empress is not foolish, but is pretending?"
The kneeling woman was Xiao He, a palace maid from Jinhua Palace. After Yue Mei's reasoning and assurances, she decided to pledge her allegiance to Consort De.
Consort De was deeply favored by the Emperor and was also the Emperor's aunt's niece. She would undoubtedly become Empress in the future. By following her, Xiao He believed she would thrive in the palace.
When would her life improve following that fool? Even though she wasn't foolish now, she feigned madness. If such a thing were to spread, would the Emperor spare her?
At that point, not just herself, but the eunuchs and maids of Jinhua Palace would likely be annihilated. Therefore, it was better for her to make arrangements early.
"Yes, Your Highness. After the Empress fell into the錦鯉 pond that day, she was no longer the same. She was no longer foolish."
"So, her hitting my servant and even the Emperor… she was actually lucid?" Consort De was utterly shocked, her voice trembling slightly. This woman was truly audacious. Did she think she had nothing to fear?
This was excellent! She had discovered such a huge scandal. If it could be proven that she was not foolish but had committed such treasonous acts, this woman would surely be executed, and the Yun King's manor would also suffer.
Wouldn't the Ye family then rise? After some thought, Ye Su Xue was enveloped in excitement.
"Good, this is truly wonderful. If this matter is handled successfully, you will be the head maid of Zhaoyang Palace."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness."
"Mhm, but you must help me with one thing. I must make the Emperor see for himself how this fool feigns madness. As soon as she shows a flaw, the Emperor will execute her, and the Yun family will fall."
This was truly excellent. She hadn't expected this matter to turn around so quickly. It seemed heaven was still on her side.
"This servant will obey Your Highness's command."
"Good," Ye Su Xue nodded with satisfaction, though she disdained the maid's base and shamelessness.
However, having such a person to use in the palace allowed one to live longer. And for her own comfort, there was nothing wrong with this. Ye Su Xue turned and instructed Yue Mei beside her, "Arrange the matters she needs to handle next."
"Your Highness, this servant understands."
Yue Mei led Xiao He out. In the main hall, Ye Su Xue was still in a state of shock, unable to figure out where things had gone wrong.
The foolish daughter of the Yun family had been the subject of gossip in the capital for over a decade, with people pitying the Yun manor. Yet, it turned out that the fool was not foolish at all. Was this the ambition of the Regent Yun Mo? If not, the Emperor might not have married Yun Xiao into the palace.
It must be so. If that were the case, the Yun family's intentions were truly unfathomable, and the Emperor would not let them off. Ye Su Xue's eyes gleamed with a sinister cold light.
If this matter were to succeed, her aunt would never blame her, and she would also gain favor with the Emperor. The position of Empress was surely hers. The Ye family would surely prosper under her.
At night, the full moon cast its gentle light.
Early winter, a cool air permeated the sleeping quarters. Incense burned in a small golden cauldron, and palace lanterns illuminated the vast hall. Several slender shadows were cast diagonally on the white walls, and the glazed screen reflected clear ripples.
On the soft couch, Yun Xiao was reading a book, with a small hand warmer by her side. Although she felt it unnecessary, that maid Xiu Xiu insisted she hold it to warm her hands, saying that her body would be warm when she slept later.
Wan Wan brought a brocade cloak and draped it over her.
"Your Highness, it's late. You should rest early."
"Mhm, go and brew me a cup of flower tea," Yun Xiao raised her head, a hidden gleam in her pupils. After speaking, she pursed her lips, her expression somewhat serious. Wan Wan dared not say more and turned to fetch the flower tea.