Chapter 28 I just want to drag him down to hell with me.
The next day, early in the morning.
Consort Xue had just finished her breakfast with the help of her maids when a maid ran in with a look of surprise and delight. "Your Highness, Eunuch Fu has brought many rewards."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xue's previously listless expression was instantly replaced by immense shock. "Quickly, quickly, tidy my appearance!"
Eunuch Fu led a group of palace maids and eunuchs into the room.
After announcing the imperial edict, Eunuch Fu smiled and congratulated her, "Your Highness, please accept the decree."
Such a generous reward quickly became known to the other palaces.
Cen Yuwei was the first to find out, and she almost dropped the medicine bowl in her hands.
Xueyu immediately comforted her, "Princess, don't overthink it. Your Majesty loves you the most in this palace."
Cen Yuwei gave a bitter smile, and before she could speak, a palace maid hurried in.
Xueyu asked, "How's the news you were asked to find out?"
The palace maid immediately knelt down and replied, "Your Highness, the woman His Majesty brought back yesterday has been staying at the Qianqing Palace!"
"What did you say?" Cen Yuwei suddenly stood up from her chair.
The palace maid was so frightened that she immediately kowtowed and hurriedly said, "But the Lady of the Imperial Bedchamber was not summoned last night, and the eunuch in the Imperial Archives also recorded that she was not summoned."
When concubines were to serve the emperor, they had to go through the Qianqing Palace. After the service, they would be wrapped in brocade blankets and taken out. Even the empress, except for special cases like her wedding, had no precedent of staying overnight in the Qianqing Palace.
Cen Yuwei's blood was churning, and she coughed repeatedly until her cheeks turned red. She finally managed to suppress her cough and tightly gripped her handkerchief. "According to the law, if a concubine stays overnight in the outer palace, she will be demoted to a low-ranking concubine; if she commits the offense again, she will be demoted to a commoner. Now, Brother Yin'an actually allowed a woman who is not even a palace maid to stay overnight in the Qianqing Palace. The moral order has collapsed to this extent. He is simply disregarding the ancestral iron curtain. He will definitely be impeached by the censors."
"Princess, you must take good care of yourself." Seeing her like this, Xueyu quickly patted her back.
"No, I have to see Brother Yin'an. I can't let him continue down this wrong path," she said, heading towards the door.
“Princess, listen to my advice, you must not go.” Xueyu immediately raised her arm to stop her. “This matter has already happened. If you bring it up again, it will only increase His Majesty’s displeasure. Now that Consort Xue is favored…” Xueyu glanced at Cen Yuwei’s pale face, paused, and continued, “It is better to wait until after the wedding to discuss everything.”
Cen Yuwei's shoulders slumped, and she slumped back into the chair as if all her strength had been drained.
Yes, everything is still uncertain.
But then so many more variables have been added.
Yunxi regained consciousness once while the palace maid was feeding her medicine.
After only a brief moment of confirming her safety, she couldn't hold on any longer and drifted off to sleep.
So when Xiao Shenjing left court, she was still lying peacefully on the dragon bed.
After taking two doses of medicine and having her wounds treated again, her high fever gradually subsided.
Xiao Shenjing still reached out and probed.
As he withdrew his hand, his gaze lingered on her cheek where the five fingers were imprinted.
Like a piece of pure white porcelain with cracks.
Without changing his expression, he instructed Eunuch Fu behind him, "Have the people from the Imperial Hospital find a way to remove this red mark from her face."
Eunuch Fu quickly agreed and went to deliver the message.
Seeing that she was sleeping peacefully, Xiao Shenjing stood up and prepared to return to the Imperial Study. After thinking for a moment, he simply ordered someone to move the memorials to the bedchamber.
I just read two folds.
Then Eunuch Fu came to report, "Lord Fan Zishi and Lord Lu Xiuran request an audience."
Xiao Shenjing held the memorial in his hand and glanced at Yun Xi.
A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes. "Tell them, we won't meet unless it's a political matter."
Fan Zishi stood straight outside the palace, staring at the solemn imperial guards, seemingly lost in thought.
Lu Xiuran, standing to the side, also tucked his hands into his sleeves, his face calm and expressionless.
The two were not at all surprised when Eunuch Fu relayed what he said.
"Eunuch Fu, may I speak to you in private?" Fan Zishi gestured for him to enter.
Lu Xiuran raised an eyebrow, looked at the two of them, and said nothing.
Wait until you reach one side.
He placed the gift wrapped in red silk into Eunuch Fu's hands, then stepped back and bowed.
"Lord Fan, please don't make this old servant feel uncomfortable." Eunuch Fu immediately reached out to help him up.
"Eunuch Fu, I only want to know if she is safe."
The imperial prison was under the strict control of the imperial edict, and its secrets were kept completely hidden.
Even trying to get someone in to scout things out is impossible.
For the past few days, he hasn't been able to find a good solution and has had to have people keep watch outside.
Last night I saw Xiao Shenjing carrying someone out.
Knowing full well that inquiring about Yunxi's safety today is definitely not the best time, they decided to do so.
But the thought of Yunxi being carried out motionless, and how much suffering and injury she must have endured, is unbearable.
He was so restless that he couldn't eat or sleep, and he couldn't care about anything else.
Seeing the bluish-gray tinge under his eyes, it was clear that he hadn't slept all night.
Ever since the major incident at the city gate that day, Eunuch Fu has been inquiring about everything concerning Yunxi.
I had naturally heard about what happened at the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence a few years ago.
At that time, the Fan family and Yunxi were clearly at odds.
Is this how you are now, out of guilt?
Eunuch Fu naturally wouldn't ask any more questions, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Lord Fan, there's no danger to your life."
"How serious are her injuries?" Fan Zishi finally couldn't help but ask.
Fan Zishi's gift was very valuable.
Eunuch Fu wasn't one to just take without doing anything. He glanced around to make sure no one else was there, then leaned closer and said, "Young lady, you must have suffered some injustice in prison."
Fan Zishi's pupils twitched, and he suddenly clenched his fist.
Eunuch Fu continued, "His Majesty used the finest medicine for his injuries, and fortunately, his high fever has subsided."
It wasn't until after Grandpa Fu had taken several steps that Fan Zishi snapped out of his daze.
Did you feel wronged?
What kind of grievances could one possibly suffer in a place like the Zhaoyu Prison?
The cruel methods of the imperial edict were known throughout the land.
How could Your Majesty be so cruel to a weak woman like her?
Fan Zishi clenched his fists tightly.
But when he thought about what Yunxi had done, his resentment and complaints lessened a bit.
Killing the emperor is a heinous crime that results in the extermination of the entire family and nine generations of relatives.
But now, how can he possibly save her?
He was deep in thought and almost bumped into someone before finally stopping.
Looking up, I saw it was Lu Xiuran.
Fan Zishi frowned almost imperceptibly. He took a step back, steadied himself, and raised his hand in a fist salute. "Lord Lu, is there something you need?"
Lu Xiuran cupped his hands in greeting. "I wonder if I, Lu, would have the honor of traveling with Lord Fan?"
Fan Zishi glanced thoughtfully at Lu Xiuran and nodded.
He had heard Yunxi mention Lu Xiuran before, but she only said that she had saved the top scholar on her way to the capital, and didn't say anything else.
He assumed that Yunxi and this Lord Lu were not close, since they rarely interacted, but after what they said a few days ago, it was clear that was not the case.
His Majesty's reply clearly indicated that he knew the purpose of Lu Xiuran's visit.
Are they all related to Yunxi?
They walked together without saying a word.
Until they walked out of the left side gate.
Lu Xiuran suddenly asked, "Is Miss Yunxi alright?"
Fan Zishi did not answer directly, but asked, "Why would Lord Lu ask such a question?"
Lu Xiuran sighed.
“Lord Fan, Miss Yunxi once saved my life, and now that she is in trouble, I naturally cannot stand idly by.”
"Is that all?" Fan Zishi's tone remained unchanged.
Lu Xiuran smiled slightly. "Of course."
Upon hearing those two resolute words, Fan Zishi smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "I won't trouble Lord Lu with my sister's matter. Farewell."
As Lu Xiuran watched Fan Zishi leave, the smile on his face gradually faded.
Until I watched his figure disappear.
He stood in the long corridor and looked back.
The palace is the most luxurious place in the world, but also the most restrictive.
Given her personality, how could she willingly be confined to such a small, cage-like place?
When Yunxi finally woke up, it was already dusk.
Looking at the golden expanse scattered all over the ground, I felt a sense of disorientation, as if I didn't know what day it was.
After a while, she blinked, lifted the layers of bright yellow silk and a thin veil, and looked at the room's furnishings through the twelve-fold mica screen.
A vermilion and gold-painted robe hangs across the foot of the bed, draped with a twelve-symbol imperial robe that has not yet been put away; the dragon patterns on the hem of the robe gleam coldly in the twilight.
A rosewood desk with scrolling grass patterns was placed by the window, and the paperweight on the desk was a reclining tiger carved from Hetian jade, pressing down the memorial recently submitted by the Ministry of Justice.
The multi-treasure cabinet meanders along the south window, displaying blue-and-white porcelain plum vases with dragon and wave patterns, containing peacock feathers presented as tribute from Siam, and gilded candlesticks depicting immortals riding lions.
Between the layers of curtains, even the dripping of the water clock was imbued with the fragrance of sandalwood. The setting sun cast the shadow of the curio cabinet onto the golden bricks, and the light and shadow of the latticework resembled a cage, locking away half the treasures and half the intricate details within.
Yunxi had never been to the palace, so she naturally couldn't guess that she was lying on the dragon bed that countless women tried every means to climb onto.
After all, although she didn't know much about the palace, she knew that a concubine staying overnight in the Qianqing Palace was a serious breach of etiquette.
But she knew it must be in the palace.
She tried hard to recall what happened before she fell into a coma, and in her last memory, she did seem to see Xiao Shenjing.
Thinking of the days and nights she had spent in prison, Yunxi immediately frowned.
So Xiao Shenjing has come up with a new way to torment her and take revenge on her?
Perhaps even the man who wanted to take advantage of her was part of his scheme.
He wanted to see her suffer unbearable pain and crush her into mud to vent his anger.
The more I think about it, the more nauseous I feel.
She felt she didn't want to stay in that place for another second.
Her body was too weak; when she got out of bed, she felt dizzy and even slumped back into her seat.
She raised her hand to her forehead, forcefully suppressing the dizziness, then took a candlestick and hid it in her sleeve before gritting her teeth and walking towards the door.
She stared intently at the warm golden light shining through the crack in the door.
As long as you go out, you can escape and gain freedom.
Just as she was getting closer and closer to the light, the door was suddenly pushed open.
The sudden burst of intense sunlight made Yunxi instinctively shield her eyes with her hand.
Xiao Shenjing, who had just entered, was surprised to see Yun Xi standing in front of him.
He paused for a moment, a rare occurrence, and then noticed her long, disheveled hair and the faint blush on her cheeks, still bearing the marks of her fingers, a result of her deep sleep.
He thought of running away when his clothes were disheveled and his appearance was unkempt.
In that instant, Xiao Shenjing lost the tenderness he had shown yesterday.
He asked with a stern face, "Where are you going?"
Yunxi's eyes finally adjusted to the light.
She looked at Xiao Shenjing, hiding the hand holding the candlestick behind her back.
The man stood against the light, which surged towards her from all sides, making him appear exceptionally tall and dangerous, too imposing to look directly at.
Her body instinctively wanted to back away, but Yunxi stopped herself, looked up, and stared straight at him. "What do you want with me here?"
Her face was pale, and her dark almond-shaped eyes stared straight at him, her expression calm and distant, as if she were looking at a stranger.
Once she wakes up, she becomes this tense and confrontational.
Xiao Shenjing frowned suddenly and coldly reminded him, "Have you forgotten who you are?"
He walked indifferently past her and sat down in front of the rosewood desk with scrolling floral patterns.
Yunxi couldn't decipher Xiao Shenjing's expression, nor did she have any idea what she would face next.
It felt like a pair of giant hands gripping a person's throat.
Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll get stabbed anyway.
Yunxi, who always preferred to get things done quickly, raised her voice and asked, "Xiao Shenjing, what else do you want to do?"
This title immediately sent shivers down the spines of the palace maids and eunuchs outside the door.
Xiao Shenjing raised his eyes and stared at her. "Those who dare to call me by my name in this world are almost all dead."
Yunxi is actually quite flexible and adaptable at times.
For example, at this moment, she was indeed not confident that she could escape from the palace, and she also keenly sensed that Xiao Shenjing did not have any murderous intent.
Whether she can leave or not depends entirely on Xiao Shenjing's word.
So, she immediately and sensibly greeted him as "Your Majesty".
Xiao Shenjing.
Yunxi slowly walked to the imperial desk, lowered her head and continued, "Now Your Majesty has punished me as I should. I was indeed ignorant before, so please forgive me."
Xiao Shenjing stared at her submissive appearance for a long time before asking, "Yunxi, is any of what you said true?"
Yunxi answered without hesitation: “Every word comes from the bottom of my heart.”
This time, Xiao Shenjing sneered, "Playing coy! Don't try to use the same tricks you used to play Zishu on me."
"What do you want in return for letting me go?" Yun Xi clenched her fist almost imperceptibly.
"Why should I let you go?" Xiao Shenjing stared at her strangely.
Yunxi asked incredulously, "Are you going to lock me up here until I die?"
"You think you're worthy?" Xiao Shenjing stared at her, his tone full of mockery. "Do you know where this is? This is the Qianqing Palace, my bedchamber!"
"I guess I was overthinking it. I won't bother you anymore. I'll leave on my own." With that, Yunxi turned around, enduring the nausea and dizziness, biting her lip tightly, and strode towards the door.
step.
Two steps.
"Stop!" Xiao Shenjing's voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Yunxi tensed up instantly, a surge of anger rising to her head.
He had no intention of letting her go.
He's playing a cat-and-mouse game.
He could easily kill a mouse with one bite, but he enjoys watching the mouse struggle and terrified before it dies.
He wanted to see her kneel at his feet, begging him without any dignity, and he would take pleasure in it.
Yunxi closed her eyes, concealing the murderous intent within them.
She forced herself to turn her stiff body. In a submissive, soft voice, she asked, "Your Majesty, is there anything else you require?"
"You may be spared the death penalty, but you will not escape punishment. Without my permission, you will die in the palace." Xiao Shenjing stared at the sharp object hanging in her left hand, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "If you dare to escape, I will hold those you care about accountable. Whether it's confiscating their property, exterminating their families, or being executed by slow slicing, you can think about it for them."
"Xiao Shenjing, why don't you just die?" Yunxi felt the veins on her forehead bulging, and she couldn't bear it any longer, so she gripped the candlestick in her hand and jumped up.
A scholar can be killed but not humiliated.
At that moment, she no longer cared about her own survival; she only wanted to drag him down to hell with her.
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