Shang Xiye and Wuying exchanged a glance, and then cautiously approached that spot.

Although the woman's voice was distorted and broken in pain, her original tone could still be faintly heard.

"Your Highness, this sounds like the Princess's voice." Wu Ying stopped at the door, hesitating before pushing it open.

Shang Xiye's expression was cold and stern. He waved his hand, signaling Wuying to turn around.

Wuying silently turned her back and stood at the door: "Your Highness, be careful, there might be a trap inside."

"Hmm," Shang Xiye nodded and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside, light gauze curtains hung down, and heavy drapes were laid out. The candlelight in the four corners of the room cast shadows and created a hazy, indistinct atmosphere.

With the addition of a woman's voice from deep within the bed curtains, the atmosphere became exceptionally enchanting.

Shang Xiye had no romantic thoughts whatsoever. She walked steadily and cautiously, carefully lifting the layers of curtains as she moved forward slowly.

In the center of the room, there was a very large round tatami mat.

On the couch lay a stunningly beautiful woman, striking alluring poses, and she resembled a young female bandit.

"Your Highness, come here, Your Highness, I feel so uncomfortable..." The woman on the bed stretched out her slender hand to Shang Xiye with seductive eyes.

Shang Xiye closed his left eye, his expression indescribable; even with his excellent self-control, he couldn't help but silently utter a curse:

Holy crap, that old hag, the Empress Dowager!

If you're going to scheme against him, at least pick someone presentable. This is just disgusting.

In his right eye, he saw all sorts of affected and pretentious young wives, but in his left eye, where the residual power of the Extreme Flame remained, he saw only the emaciated and bony Aunt Sun.

In such a gloomy and hazy environment, watching Aunt Sun, who was so thin she was practically skin and bones, with a sallow and ashen face, panting heavily and struggling as if she were on her deathbed, making all sorts of "tempting" movements, was no different from being there to witness a "ghost appearing"—it was quite a sight!

If Aunt Sun hadn't looked so weak and was afraid of being beaten to death, Shang Xiye would have really wanted to kick her and wake up this delusional old woman.

Shang Xiye took two steps back to avoid the old hag accidentally touching him and soiling his robes, his voice unusually cold: "Aunt Sun, if you anger me, do you think the Empress Dowager can protect your family?"

"You...you actually..." Aunt Sun was shocked and collapsed back onto the soft couch, her sunken eyes wide open like those of a dead fish: "Impossible! The Blood Cicada's Bewitching Technique is not a poison, and no one can cure it. How could you be unaffected?"

Shang Xiye ignored her foolish question and said coldly, "Before you die, tell me everything you know, and I will have your family brought to Cangzhou tomorrow."

Aunt Sun stood there, stunned, her thin, bony lips trembling.

Shang Xiye knew she was hesitating.

She had lived in the palace her whole life and was used to deception, cunning, and inconsistency.

She couldn't even fully trust the Empress Dowager, let alone him, who was her adversary.

"You should know that Cangzhou is my fiefdom. In my territory, no one can touch them unless I agree." Facing a dying man, Shang Xiye patiently advised, "Although the location is remote, the climate is favorable. As long as they are not lazy, they can buy a few acres of land and, with your savings from previous years, live a good life."

"Are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?" Aunt Sun asked breathlessly.

Shang Xiye sneered: "Do you still have a way out now?"

"Old servant..." The tormented Aunt Sun looked dejected and finally gave in: "Fine, I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything I know."