Chapter 166 No Plans

Su Xiaoyu noticed the movement and quickly opened her eyes.

Their eyes met.

"Your Majesty! You're awake!" Then, as if realizing he had gotten too close, he quickly took a step back and bowed his head respectfully.

The emperor remained silent, watching her intently. His gaze lingered on her bloodshot eyes, weary yet still clear.

There was no scheming involved.

There was also the handkerchief in Su Xiaoyu's hand, and the warm water that was still slightly steaming beside her.

He could even feel that his body had been cleaned, and there was still a bitter taste of medicine left in his mouth.

That night, the emperor slept very soundly and had many bizarre and fragmented dreams.

In his dream, he seemed to relive his life, ascending the throne with great vigor, seeing the gentle and trusting gaze of his first wife, the Empress, and later marrying Consort Rong to balance the court.

After that, he was busy with political affairs, so much so that when the late empress passed away, he didn't investigate the matter thoroughly. The crown prince, who had relied on him wholeheartedly in his youth, became increasingly cautious and distant as he grew older. And beneath Chu Yan's clever and charming exterior, his eyes grew increasingly sharp…

At the end of the dream, all the images collapsed, turning into a cold voice that echoed in the darkness: You may have won the world, but you lost your loved ones, and even more so, you lost to your own arrogance and blindness.

Just as his consciousness was about to be swallowed by despair and regret, a faint warmth came from his palm, clumsy yet persistent, again and again. Gradually, it pulled him back from the cold abyss.

This grand dream seemed to have exhausted his life's energy and spirit, and also washed away all his confusion, anger, and resentment.

But more than anything, it is a profound and enlightened peace.

The emperor looked at Su Xiaoyu, his gaze complex and unreadable.

"...Was it you who stayed by my side all night?"

The emperor finally spoke, his voice still hoarse, but lacking some of his usual majesty.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the imperial physician instructed that we must be vigilant at all times," Su Xiaoyu replied softly.

The emperor closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, the despair in them seemed to have faded somewhat.

"...Don't you also think that I'm a failure?"

Alarm bells rang in Su Xiaoyu's mind.

This problem is far too dangerous.

Speaking the truth might offend the emperor.

Telling lies makes one appear hypocritical and may even cause one to lose the hard-won trust.

"You need not weigh the options; I forgive you."

Su Xiaoyu pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts, then raised her head and said calmly:

"Your Majesty, this servant is of limited knowledge and dares not presume to comment on Your Majesty's merits and demerits, but..."

"At the beginning of His Majesty's reign, he quelled internal rebellions, promoted agriculture and sericulture, and reduced taxes. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and the court was transformed. These are the achievements of a wise ruler throughout history. How could this be considered a failure?"

"Oh?" The emperor gestured for her to continue.

Su Xiaoyu changed the subject slightly, her tone cautious: "Perhaps... Your Majesty's only oversight is that you are too focused on governing the country and being a wise ruler, to the point that you have neglected the hearts of those closest to you, and they have changed. As a result, Your Majesty's noble heart has been misjudged by the hearts of petty people."

"Human hearts are fickle, especially in the center of this power vortex. Your Majesty is the one holding the chess pieces, and you may see the balance and trend of the whole game, but some people... only stare at that dazzling 'king piece'. This is not Your Majesty's fault, but the wickedness of human hearts is beyond imagination."

"However, I believe that as long as the person is still alive, the game is not over, unless one gives up hope and accepts fate."

"...give up hope and accept your fate first..." the emperor murmured, repeating the words over and over, his eyes flickering slightly.

There was no flattery, no kicking someone when they're down, and no empty consolation.

Su Xiaoyu's response was both praising and analyzing, affirming his achievements while subtly pointing out his shortcomings, and finally offering a hint of encouragement.

This doesn't sound like something a lowly maid would say.

It's more like... someone who has experienced the world has come to have this unique insight.

After a long while, the emperor slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and the complex emotions in his eyes gradually settled, becoming more serene.

"Your name is..."

"Your Majesty, this servant is Su Xiaoyu."

The emperor nodded and said, "Su Xiaoyu, you are very good. I... will remember you."

This short sentence can be considered a positive affirmation of Su Xiaoyu.

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for the compliment." Su Xiaoyu bowed, feeling somewhat relieved, knowing that she had initially gained the emperor's trust.

Seeing that the emperor seemed to be in relatively good spirits, Su Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, but still mustered up her courage and asked:

“Your Majesty, the situation is critical and the rebels are rampant. Although I am dull-witted, I am brave and resolute. If Your Majesty has any plans or orders, I am willing to risk my life to carry them out.”

But the emperor slowly shook his head, his voice calm and indifferent: "I have no plans."

Su Xiaoyu was stunned, looking at the emperor with confusion.

No plans? Have they truly resigned themselves to their fate? Are they just waiting to be imprisoned until death? Or will Chu Yan find an opportunity to completely...?

"Your Majesty, Master Shen has been dispatched by Prince Jing and should return to camp tomorrow."

It means, if you have any instructions, please issue them immediately!

Let's not let Shen Guangnian get killed too. If that happens, it will truly be Chu Yan's world.

The emperor shook his head again and asked her, "If you were Chu Yan, would you have let him return safely?"

Su Xiaoyu was taken aback!

What does that mean? Shen Guangnian isn't coming back?

[Oh God, is this really the end?]

“But Your Majesty…” Su Xiaoyu was truly more anxious than the emperor.

“Su Xiaoyu, if you want to leave now, it’s not too late. I can find a pretext to say that you have not served me well or that you have caught a disease, and have them send you away. They may not make things difficult for a useless ‘slave’ like you.”

"Your Majesty!" Su Xiaoyu waved her hands repeatedly, "That's not what I meant."

"Since I've stayed, I never intended to leave alone. My question is, are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"

She was puzzled and even somewhat disappointed.

Has this emperor truly lost all his spirit after this great calamity, and no longer even had the thought of resisting?

Seeing her anxious and confused expression, the emperor gave her only one deep look, then looked out the window, his voice as soft as a breeze:

"What's the rush? This game of chess... has only just begun."

"When the wind hasn't risen, the trees should be still. When the water hasn't boiled, the fire should be gentle."

After saying this, the emperor closed his eyes and said no more.

Su Xiaoyu stood there, stunned, repeatedly pondering those two sentences.

The game has just begun? The water hasn't boiled yet?

But no matter what, judging from His Majesty's appearance, he doesn't seem to be sitting idly by and waiting for his death.

Then she was relieved.

-

Meanwhile, on the other side, the atmosphere inside the main tent had plummeted to freezing point.

After Marquis Yongning, Xiao Dingshan, gave Chu Yan a severe dressing-down in the main tent, Chu Yan had already placed a sword against his neck, his eyes filled with malice.

"Marquis Yongning, don't think that just because you command 100,000 border troops, I can't do anything to you?"

"Don't forget, Prince Xiao is still in custody. You've openly defied me. Have you considered the consequences?"