After chatting with Lin Yun for a while, Lin Yun got up to take her leave and return to Yanxi Palace.
Watching Lin Yun's departing figure until that pale blue figure disappeared on the palace road outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the gentle expression on Yongzheng's face gradually faded, replaced by a chilling aura.
"Summon the Commander of the Imperial Guards." As he turned around, a gust of cold wind rose from his dragon robe.
In a short while, the commander who had escorted Lin Yun back to the palace was kneeling in the hall.
Yongzheng looked down at him, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of the dragon throne.
"Tell me, what were the characteristics of those assassins?"
The commander bowed his head to the ground: "Your Majesty, the assassins were dressed plainly, and their weapons were common types found in the market, without any obvious markings. But..." He hesitated for a moment, "...some of the arrows they used were specially made for the Northwest Army, and their techniques were somewhat similar, as if they had been trained by the same person."
Yongzheng's fingers suddenly stopped: "Continue."
"The survivors have been taken to the Imperial Prison and are being interrogated. However, these people seem to have been prepared; they had poison hidden in their teeth, and two have already committed suicide. The remaining ones are very stubborn and difficult to pry open."
"Useless!" Yongzheng slammed his fist on the table, the teacups rattling loudly. "What use are you all to me? You can't even interrogate a few assassins!"
The commander trembled, not daring to raise his head: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! This servant has already dispatched more men..."
"Enough," Yongzheng interrupted coldly. "Use torture to find out the truth... and if that doesn't work, take care of their families..."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately."
Yongzheng dismissed the commander and summoned Su Peisheng: "From yesterday until now, investigate every single palace maid and eunuch in Yanxi Palace and Yangxin Hall. Pay special attention to those who have had dealings with Consort Nian and the Empress."
Su Peisheng bowed in agreement, a knowing glint in his eyes. Ever since Nian Gengyao was placed under house arrest, Consort Nian's situation in the palace had become delicate.
As night fell, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was brightly lit with candles.
Emperor Yongzheng's hand, which was reviewing memorials, suddenly stopped, the vermilion ink spreading a blood-red stain on the document. He stared at that red stain. The instant he saw Yun'er that day, he had clearly realized that he could not live without her. What if something were to happen to Yun'er...
He dared not think about it…
"Your Majesty," Su Peisheng entered, leaning closer to whisper, "This servant has discovered that the day before yesterday, at three-quarters past Shen time, Hongmei, a servant of Consort Nian, had a private conversation with Xiao Dezi of Yanxi Palace. And Xiao Dezi was one of the eunuchs who accompanied Consort Yun out of the palace yesterday."
Yongzheng's gaze suddenly sharpened: "Do you have any evidence?"
"Xiao Dezi has confessed. He said Hongmei gave him a pair of gold bracelets, and only asked when Consort Yun left the palace and where she was going." Su Peisheng took out a brocade pouch from his sleeve. "This was found in Hongmei's room."
Yongzheng opened the brocade pouch, inside was a note with only a few words: "Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), outside Xihua Gate." Although the handwriting was deliberately distorted, Yongzheng was all too familiar with the strokes—it was the handwriting of Lady Nian.
She must have passed the message to Nian Gengyao.
"What a touching display of sibling affection!" Yongzheng sneered, then asked, "Is there any movement from the Empress's side?"
"Your Majesty the Empress..." Su Peisheng hesitated, "Yesterday, she summoned Consort Nian to Kunning Palace for a talk, which lasted about half an hour. But no one knows the specifics of the conversation."
The Empress and Lady Nian have always been at odds, and this time it's likely that the Empress is taking advantage of the situation to use someone else to do her dirty work. However, there isn't enough evidence at the moment, so it's not convenient to investigate further.
Emperor Yongzheng stood by the window, gazing up at the night sky. The countless stars coldly looked down upon the magnificent palace, as if behind each star lay a pair of watchful eyes.
"Xiao Dezi will be executed by slow slicing," Yongzheng said coldly.
"Go to Yikun Palace."
"Yes, sir."
Inside Yikun Palace, Consort Nian was removing her makeup in front of a mirror, and her face, though haggard, was still beautiful.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is coming this way," Emerald, the personal maid, rushed in to report, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy.
Consort Nian's hand froze in mid-air, and her eyes in the bronze mirror suddenly lit up. "Really?" She stood up abruptly, causing the rouge box to roll off the table, scattering bright red powder all over the floor.
"It's absolutely true. The little eunuch just came to report that His Majesty has already passed through the Imperial Garden." Emerald bent down to pick up the rouge box, but was stopped by Consort Nian.
"Quickly, bring me my pale yellow cheongsam, and that pearl headdress." Consort Nian's voice trembled with excitement, "His Majesty has finally remembered me..."
This is the first time the Emperor has come to Yikun Palace since the New Year's Eve banquet.
Consort Nian's heart pounded, and the gloom of the past few days vanished.
She examined herself in the bronze mirror from left to right, then picked up a powder puff and pressed it under her eyes, trying to cover up the dark circles caused by insomnia.
"Your Majesty is naturally beautiful; with just a little dressing up, you become radiant," Jade flattered her as she combed her hair.
Consort Nian's lips curled slightly upward, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes: "Perhaps...perhaps His Majesty has come to comfort me. My brother is under house arrest, and I have indeed..."
Her words trailed off as the eunuch's shrill voice announced from outside the hall, "The Emperor has arrived—"
Consort Nian took a deep breath, straightened her back, and assumed the most dignified posture.
As the figure in bright yellow stepped into the palace, she gracefully bowed: "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Emperor Yongzheng stood before her expressionlessly, looking at her without uttering a word.
Consort Nian knelt on the ground, only able to see the gold thread embroidery on the hem of the emperor's dragon robe; the cold luster made her heart tremble.
"Get up." The emperor's voice was colder and harder than the gold thread.
Consort Nian slowly rose, and only then did she look at the Emperor's expression. In those phoenix eyes that had always captivated her, there was now only a chilling coldness.
Her smile froze, and an ominous premonition crept up her spine.
"Your Majesty..." she called tentatively, her voice trembling involuntarily.
Yongzheng walked straight to the main seat and sat down, his gaze sweeping across Consort Nian's face like a knife: "I've come today to ask you something."
Consort Nian's heart sank, but she still forced a smile: "Your Majesty, please speak. I will certainly tell you everything I know."
"Are you aware of the assassination attempt on Consort Yun?" Yongzheng asked bluntly, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
