Chapter 55 Yun Zhao, why are you unhappy?
The last sentence revealed his murderous intent! The temperature in the hall plummeted to freezing point, and even the air seemed to freeze.
Queen Mother Zhou was frightened by the undisguised hostility in his eyes. Her lips moved a few times, but finally, under Xiao Jin's gaze that was enough to freeze the soul, she closed her mouth dejectedly, her face pale.
At this moment, the half-drunk Prince of Jin, Xiao Heng, staggered in, supported the staggering Yun Zhao, and shouted with a thick tongue: "A Zhao! A Zhao, don't be afraid! Fifth brother doesn't want you, but I do! I will treat you well..." This untimely episode created a ridiculous rift in the tense atmosphere.
"Prince Jin is drunk!" Xiao Jin's eyes were still filled with anger as he shouted, "Someone! Send Prince Jin out of the palace! Now!"
The guards quickly stepped forward and carried the still yelling Xiao Heng out.
"If the Queen Mother has nothing else to do, please return to the palace and rest! I'm tired!" Xiao Jin waved his sleeves tiredly and coldly, ending this farce.
Su Mingli was like a rag doll, wrapped roughly in an outer robe by two sturdy maids and dragged out from the side door without mercy, with her hairpins and rings scattered all over the floor.
Su Yuan looked at the direction where his daughter was dragged away. His throat rolled and he finally let out a desperate whimper. He collapsed to the ground, his face as pale as a withered tree.
Deathly silence enveloped the hall, the only sounds being the heavy breathing and the crackling of the burning candles.
[What a Xiao Jin! What a powerful move! Scraping the bone to cure the poison, truly showing no mercy! I, Yun Zhao... really underestimated you!]
Yun Zhao lowered his eyes to hide the complex emotions surging in his eyes.
Xiao Jin no longer looked at anyone. He turned around, his dragon robe slashing in a cold arc as he spoke with an unquestionable command: "Yun Zhao, follow me. Zhang Fuan, escort the ministers out of the palace. Comfort Duke Yun!"
His back was stretched out in the candlelight, carrying a sense of fatigue and unfathomable loneliness after dealing with a difficult matter.
The storm that he personally ignited and ended is still having an aftereffect, which is chilling.
Yun Zhao followed the dragon chariot silently. He thought he was going back to Yanying Palace to handle government affairs, but unexpectedly he ended up in the emperor's bedroom - Zichen Palace.
The night was dark, and the palace lanterns swayed in the cold wind, casting the shadow of the towering palace like a dormant giant beast.
The dead look in Su Mingli's eyes as she was dragged away lingered in Yun Zhao's mind. No cries, no pleas for mercy, an abnormal calmness.
She must have a backup plan!
This thought was like an ice pick, piercing the surface of calm.
No conversation along the way.
Xiao Jin walked steadily, while Yun Zhao followed quietly like a cat that had suppressed all sounds, not revealing even a trace of unnecessary emotional fluctuations.
This unusual silence actually made the emperor walking in front frown slightly.
When he reached the high steps of the Zichen Palace, Xiao Jin suddenly stopped without warning.
He actually brushed away Zhang Fuan who was about to come forward to support him, lifted the hem of his dragon robe, and sat down directly on the cold white jade steps.
"Your Majesty! The night is cold in late autumn, and the stone steps penetrate your bones. Please take care of your health!" Zhang Fuan was shocked and hurriedly took out a thick black mink cloak and put it on him.
Xiao Jin simply waved his hand, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of fatigue: "Except Yun Zhao, everyone else, step back and stay away."
"Yes." Zhang Fuan didn't dare to say more. He bowed immediately and led all the palace servants to retreat quickly like a tide. In the huge square in front of the palace, there were only two figures walking up and down the steps and the endless silent night.
Yun Zhao stood a few steps behind Xiao Jin with his hands hanging down, his eyes fixed on the vague outline of the palace wall in the distance, as if he wanted to immerse himself in the deep darkness.
"Come here." Xiao Jin's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable command, "Sit next to me."
Yun Zhao followed his instructions and walked forward, sitting sideways on the steps about an arm's length away from him, his attitude respectful and distant.
Xiao Jin tilted his head, his deep eyes, like a cold pond under the palace lanterns, accurately capturing the distance she deliberately maintained. "What's the matter? Did you get scared by tonight's farce? Or... do you think my methods are ruthless, so you avoid me like a snake?"
His tone showed no emotion, but it was sharp and insightful.
Yun Zhao's heart trembled, but her face remained calm, and her voice held just the right amount of weariness: "Your Majesty, you're worrying too much. It's just... I'm a little tired after a day of hard work." She cleverly attributed the distance to physical fatigue.
Xiao Jin retracted his gaze and looked towards the dark night sky, his tone softening. "Tomorrow morning, follow me to Xuanwu Gate to see your father and brother off."
Yun Zhao's fingertips curled slightly, and a trace of surprise flashed through his heart.
Farewell? In the midst of such a storm? She quickly lowered her eyes to conceal her emotions, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty! My father and brother will surely be grateful for God's grace."
Is this an act of appeasement? A gesture of kindness? Or...something else?
"What a pity," Xiao Jin suddenly sighed with a hint of genuine regret, "I had planned to arrange a marriage for your brother Yunfeng at the banquet tonight. I have already considered the candidate. She is the eldest granddaughter of Lord Yu, who is well-matched and has a gentle temperament. It's just that..." What he didn't say was all in the shocking scandal just now.
Yun Zhao glanced sideways at Xiao Jin's profile again. His features were distinct in the dimness, carrying an indescribable depth. Her thoughts turned a thousand times before finally concluding with a single sentence: "Your Majesty is so thoughtful. I, on behalf of my brother, thank you for your grace."
[A marriage granted? Lord Yu? This veteran minister, newly rehabilitated and regaining the emperor's favor...this move is quite a formidable one!]
However, even though the engagement was cancelled, the enemy was temporarily gone, and the family reunion was imminent, Yun Zhao was still shrouded in an indelible layer of depression and alienation, as if it was incompatible with the silence after the hustle and bustle.
This silent "dejection" was clearly conveyed to the emperor beside him.
Xiao Jin finally turned back, his gaze fixed on her face, full of inquiry and a hint of displeasure at being slighted. His voice deepened.
"Yun Zhao."
"I'll cancel your engagement for you."
"I'll get rid of that annoying Su Mingli for you."
"I have imprisoned the nagging King Qin for you."
"Your father and brother are safe and sound. They will go to the battlefield tomorrow to make great achievements."
With each sentence he spoke, his tone grew more emphatic, and in the final breath, his voice was almost scrutinizing, his words remarkably clear in the stillness of the night:
"I gave you what you wanted... and more."
"But why are you still unhappy?"
He leaned forward slightly, and an invisible pressure descended upon him like a mountain. His sharp eyes locked onto her tightly, and he asked, word by word, the questions swirling in his heart, and the answers he truly wanted to know behind all the calculations tonight:
"Tell me, Yun Zhao——"
"What do you want?"
The sound echoed in the silent and cold night.
Yes, Yun Zhao, what do you want?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
