Chapter 56 Do you want to live?

Yun Zhao met his sharp scrutiny with a calm voice, but every word was as clear as ice beads falling on a jade plate: "All I ask is to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly and protect the peace of the Shangshi. Tonight, congratulations to Your Majesty on your great victory." How can you be happy when you are in the game?

Xiao Jin's lips curled up in a cold, mocking smile. "So you're blaming me for dragging you into this? If you want to escape unscathed, how can you cancel the engagement without cause? Even if you're the Son of Heaven, you still have to follow the rules of propriety!"

Don’t know what’s good for you!

Yun Zhao bowed his head, his attitude as respectful as before: "Your Majesty is wise and enlightened. I am deeply grateful. In the future, I will devote all my energy to managing the food and serving you."

The words were sincere, but without any warmth.

Xiao Jin's Adam's apple moved slightly, as if he had something unfinished to say, but in the end, it turned into a barely audible snort and he swallowed it back. "Spend the night in the side hall. Come with me to see you off tomorrow morning!"

He stood up, his dragon robe swirling in the cold wind, and he walked into the inner hall with a flick of his sleeves. He gave Zhang Fuan an icy order: "Place Yun Shang's food in the side hall. Do not disturb her without my permission."

Zhang Fuan accepted the order. The young nobleman, Wang Gui, led Yun Zhao to a side hall and carefully added a thick, thick quilt. "Master, it's cold and rainy tonight. Please take care of yourself."

Yun Zhao sat at the table, the warm cup of water ironing her cold fingertips. Just as Wang Gui bowed and was about to leave, she suddenly spoke. Her voice was not loud, but it was like thunder in the silent rainy night:

"Eunuch, is the seal of the commander of the Feathered Guard still in hand?"

Wang Gui's figure suddenly froze, as if being pulled by an invisible thread.

He slowly turned around, his usual humble smile gone, his eyes filled with a bottomless cold pool, sharp as an eagle: "Shang Shi... what do you mean by that?!"

The aura around him suddenly changed, and there was no trace of servility left.

Yun Zhao's eyes were as sharp as torches, locked on him. "Ever since the horrific incident at the Western Suburbs Horse Farm, your eunuch has quietly been playing this game with His Majesty. So, you are His Majesty's hidden hand... the chess hand!"

A faint, cold smile reappeared on Wang Gui's face, and he remained silent: "The Grand Chef is too kind. Your Majesty is the master of all plans and decisions. I am nothing but an obedient knife in your Majesty's hand. Your Majesty..."

He spoke slowly, his voice low and strangely soothing, yet also conveying an undeniable warning. "I never intended to hurt you in the slightest, much less harm the entire Yun family. Just remember, His Majesty's love for you is extraordinary. Just be at ease."

Extraordinary? Why?! Yun Zhao frowned, confusion thickening like a fog. "What have I done to deserve this? I'm just struggling to survive in this deep palace."

Wang Gui gave her a deep look, his eyes complex and difficult to decipher. His words were vague but weighty, "From what I have seen, you, Shangshi, remain undeterred despite the turmoil. Three months into your time in the palace, your heart to protect your master is clear! Impartial, undeceived by power, upright and loyal, you are able to share your majesty's worries and resolve difficulties, repeatedly breaking through difficult situations."

Isn’t this… exactly what Your Majesty cherishes?

After saying this, Wang Gui bowed and his figure silently disappeared into the dim rain outside the hall, leaving behind a suffocating mystery in the room.

The palace gate blocked out the wind and rain, but Yun Zhao's heart was like a raging wave crashing against the shore, unable to calm down.

Today... was supposed to be the day Xiao Jin died from the poisoned wine drunk by King Qin!

Now, the deadlock has been broken! Father has been reinstated, brother has returned home, the engagement has been broken off, and Xiao Jin's throne... is as secure as a rock!

My rebirth actually became his chance to break free?!

Did he... also return with memories of his past life? !

This thought was like a poison ivy, instantly wrapping around her heart and strangling her breath. She tossed and turned in her brocade quilt, while outside the window, lightning and thunder roared, and torrential rain poured down like a river, as if it was about to completely engulf the deep palace.

suddenly--

"ah--!!!"

A shrill, almost piercing scream from a palace maid pierced through the heavy rain, shattering the deathly silence of the Purple Palace! The source of the sound was the main hall where the emperor rested.

Yun Zhao's hair stood on end, and he suddenly jumped up from the couch! Without thinking, he grabbed his outer robe and put it on, then rushed out of the side hall barefoot!

The icy rain instantly drenched her! Lightning flashed across the night sky, illuminating her determined figure as she rushed towards the main hall!

The moment Yun Zhao broke open the palace door, a strong smell of blood mixed with the cold dampness of rain hit him in the face!

The scene before her made her pupils shrink suddenly:

A palace maid collapsed on the ground, her shoulders stained with blood, her face pale and shaking like a sieve.

And Xiao Jin—his hair was disheveled, and his eyes were as red as if stained with blood!

He was barefoot, wearing only a thin nightgown, and in his hand he tightly grasped a long sword with a cold gleam, the tip of which was still dripping with blood! He seemed to be engulfed by the deepest nightmare, completely losing his mind, and let out a beast-like roar, every word he said was tearful:

"Evil woman! You killed my mother... You will not die well! Pay with your life!"

The sword, filled with endless hatred and madness, was slashing towards the palace maid on the ground who was unable to dodge with a scream that tore through the air!

In a flash, Yun Zhao's mind was racing: I can't just stand by and watch someone die!

"Xiao Jin! Stop!"

A clear shout rang out! Yun Zhao approached like a ghost, so fast that only a shadow remained!

Her right hand shot out like lightning, precisely grasping Xiao Jin's sword-wielding wrist. A burst of pure internal energy suddenly erupted! Her left hand transformed into a blade, slashing fiercely at the inside of his elbow with a fierce gust of wind!

“Clang!”

The long sword slipped out of his hand and fell heavily on the gold bricks, making a sharp sound!

At the same time, Yun Zhao pulled Xiao Jin, who was unsteady due to the severe pain, away from the palace maid and shouted, "Wake up! Look at who I am!"

The palace maid was already frightened out of her wits. She curled up on the ground with her head in her hands, her teeth chattering.

Yun Zhao's gaze swept across her like an icy blade, his voice carrying undeniable pressure: "Tell me! What happened? Did you disturb His Majesty?"

Su Die's tears streamed down her face, her voice breaking: "Thunder... thunder... such a huge thunder... struck down... His Majesty suddenly screamed... I... I went forward to check... His Majesty then... drew his sword... He was like... like a completely different person... He kept shouting 'Mother'... shouting 'Kill... Kill...'"

Nightmare? Inner demon?!

Yun Zhao's heart trembled. Looking at Xiao Jin who was still struggling violently and roaring unconsciously, he no longer hesitated!

"I'm sorry!" She growled, and with her fingers as fast as the wind and thunder, she chopped Xiao Jin's neck with a precise knife!

Xiao Jin's violent movements came to an abrupt halt, his red eyes instantly lost focus, and his tall body fell softly backwards.

Yun Zhao supported his heavy body and shouted at the terrified Su Die, "Are you still standing there waiting to die?! Come and give me a hand!"

Su Die woke up as if from a dream, and crawled over. The two of them worked together to move the unconscious Xiao Jin back to the large dragon bed.

Yun Zhao pulled the quilt over him and covered him tightly. There was no trace of charm in his movements, only solemnity.

She swiftly turned and picked up the blood-stained longsword from the ground. The cold blade reflected her calm, serene expression. She ripped off a clean hem of her undergarment and, expressionless, wiped the glaring blood from the sword. Her movements were quick and steady. Only when the blade regained its cold gleam did she return it to its sheath beside the couch with a clang.

The only sounds in the hall were rapid breathing and the heavy rain outside.

Yun Zhao walked up to the limp Su Die, looking down at her. His voice was as cold as iron in an ice cellar: "Do you want to live?"