Chapter 7: 7.第7章 深宫3

With the Empress favored, the Fengyi Hall regained its former prosperity, which further laid the groundwork for the accusation that she was acting arrogantly due to her imperial favor.

Before the Empress Dowager could demand accountability, the Retired Emperor returned to the palace, disrupting all of Empress Dowager Zhuang's plans.

Yue Xiyan lay on her side upon an exquisite phoenix couch, her starlit eyes slightly closed, possessing an incomparable beauty and a calm, composed demeanor. An extremely magnificent phoenix robe accentuated her perfect figure. Her languid posture made her appear even more enchanting and alluring than before.

Beside the phoenix couch, Mu Ya’s fingers, like those carved from white jade, gently plucked the strings of a zither, letting the music pour out slowly like flowing clouds and water. The beautiful melody was intoxicating.

"Emp... Empress Majesty..." The maid watched the scene before her in a daze, not even wanting to break the moment. Did this Empress Majesty know just how beautiful she was right now? Perhaps even the Nine Heavens Maiden would be no more than this.

"Speak!" Seeing that the girl had no reaction, those blood-red eyes suddenly snapped open, casting a cold glance at the dazed maid standing before her.

The maid, who was accustomed to grand spectacles, trembled all over and hurriedly knelt down. Keeping her head lowered, she did not dare to look directly into those blood-red eyes, and she spoke nervously, bracing herself: "Empress Majesty, the Retired Emperor requests your presence." Having followed the Retired Emperor for six years, she had never been this nervous.

With the support of Lan Qingxue, Yue Xiyan rose, gave a faint smile, and parted her lips slightly: "Lead the way."

Following the maid all the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yue Xiyan knelt down. "Xiyan greets Imperial Father. Upon Father's return to the palace, your daughter-in-law should have greeted him personally. However, due to being constrained by the cold poison, I cannot go out to face the wind. I hope Imperial Father will not take offense."

Though her words sounded like those of a family member, anyone could hear the underlying meaning. Moreover, how could an emperor who was once a peerless hegemon fail to understand her intent?

"Rise, lift your head!" Qin Wenxuan's deep voice drifted over. Yue Xiyan stood up and lifted her head with neither humility nor arrogance, meeting the Retired Emperor's scrutinizing gaze.

After a long pause, Qin Wenxuan nodded in praise. "Unparalleled beauty and brilliant intellect. No wonder Han'er treats you so differently."

"Thank you for the praise, Imperial Father. I am honored by His Majesty's mercy..." Facing Qin Wenxuan, a strange feeling rose in Yue Xiyan's heart. It felt as if something was not quite right.

Because Zhuang Ying's maternal family held absolute power, Qin Wenxuan had weighed the pros and cons and handed the imperial authority to Qin Yihan six years ago. Since Qin Yihan's ascension, Qin Wenxuan had resided at Xiangguo Temple, returning for a month-long stay during this season every year. This was originally a very helpless arrangement, yet the eyes of the Retired Emperor before her were filled with calculation and conspiracy.

She had never misjudged a person; this Retired Emperor was far from simple.

Could it be that for these six years, Qin Wenxuan had been "repairing the walkway to distract the enemy while crossing the Chencang in secret"? If that were the case, then this man was far too terrifying. Not only had he exploited his son's trust, but he had also used his son's hands without shedding a drop of blood to sever the Emperor's right and left arms, leaving him to gradually fall into silence through isolation. The outcome was self-evident. Afterward, the world of Chiyan would return completely to the hands of the Qin family. At that time, this son...

The higher one climbs, the colder it gets. As a monarch, whom can one trust? Poor Qin Yihan—did he truly not know about all this? Or was he merely deceiving himself? He even had to be wary of his own parents; there was not a single person by his side who treated him with sincerity. Even with power in hand, what joy could there be in this life? And what did all this have to do with her? Why did she find herself unable to stop considering these things? Perhaps it was out of pity for Qin Yihan.

"Since you are so clever, why don't you tell me: why have I stayed at Xiangguo Temple for these six years?"

To seek the gods and Buddhas, praying for peace under heaven and a prosperous nation? Naturally, that was impossible. Could it be that he was using a diversionary tactic, watching the clam and the mussel fight so that he, the fisherman, could reap the benefits? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble? How should she answer this sensitive question to satisfy Qin Wenxuan? Conversing with a member of the Qin family was truly harder than being alive.

Her blood-stained eyes looked complexly at the person in the high seat as she spoke slowly, "When people encounter difficulties, they pray to the gods and Buddhas in the heavens. If one day the gods and Buddhas encounter difficulties, whom should they pray to? In your daughter-in-law's opinion, it would be best for Imperial Father to remain in the palace from now on. Staying at Xiangguo Temple will not only delay great matters, but it may also fail to bring about your heart's desires."

Yue Xiyan thought of what others had not thought and spoke of what others had not spoken. Her unconventional answer caused Qin Wenxuan's eyes to instantly darken. His sinister gaze was like a bottomless abyss of darkness, and deep within his eyes raged an unmaskable bloodlust that made one's heart tremble with fear. Yet, Yue Xiyan maintained an air of indifference, as if it had nothing to do with her.

Looking at her composed and open expression, it was truly difficult to imagine that those words, filled with such intricate layers of thought, had come from her.

"Hahaha!" Qin Wenxuan suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Good! Good! Good! Since that is the case, I shall grant your wish." As he spoke, he took a medicine bottle from his sleeve and tossed it over.

Catching the bottle, Yue Xiyan bowed gracefully toward Qin Wenxuan. "Thank you, Imperial Father, for the medicine. I shall not disturb your rest further. Your daughter-in-law takes her leave..."

Watching Yue Xiyan's departing figure, Qin Wenxuan's expression suddenly turned ferocious. He said viciously, "As long as you do not regret it..." Then, looking at his subordinate Danqing, he let out a crazed laugh and continued with a sense of vengeance, "Just as I said, I will make all of you pay the price." The killing intent he released swept through the entire Hall of Mental Cultivation. Within his eyes, an immeasurable storm was brewing.

In the Imperial Study, the person reviewing memorials was not thinking of policies to govern the country, but rather of that woman who spoke with such profound wisdom and taught him the arts of emperorship. Even though he knew it was dangerous to let his mind be led by her like this, he simply could not suppress his heart. These past few days, he had finally realized amidst the chaos that he did not just want her person, but her heart as well.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress has left the Hall of Mental Cultivation," a young eunuch reported. He glanced cautiously at the Emperor sitting above; seeing Qin Yihan look over, he hurriedly lowered his head and continued, "The Empress has returned to the Fengyi Hall safely and soundly."

Qin Yihan's hand paused, and a drop of thick ink fell onto the memorial. Then, without regard for anything else, he immediately stood up and strode out.

"Aunt, that wicked woman not only monopolizes the Emperor's favor, but even the Retired Emperor, who hates the Yue family to the core, allowed her to leave safely..." As Zhuang Yayun spoke, she observed the Empress Dowager's expression.

Reading people's expressions was what Zhuang Yayun was best at. One had to know that Zhuang Ying's love for this niece was not solely because blood is thicker than water.

Patting the back of Zhuang Yayun's hand, she gave her a reassuring look and said meaningfully, "Leave this matter to your aunt. You only need to capture the Emperor's heart and give birth to a son as soon as possible. In this inner palace, you will still be the one in charge."