Chapter 83: Drawing the Sword
At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the night was as dark as ink.
A very soft knock came from outside the Xuanzheng Hall, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating tiny ripples in the silence.
Xue Yingyue suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze devoid of any sleepiness, only filled with a cold and resolute determination.
She remained in the same position for a long time until she was sure that the person beside her was still breathing steadily and deeply, before slowly turning to the side.
By the dim moonlight filtering through the window, she gazed at the sleeping face of the person beside her.
Pei Xuanlin was fast asleep. In his sleep, his handsome face lost its usual majesty and showed a rare gentleness.
His long eyelashes cast faint shadows under his eyes like butterfly wings, and his usually unfathomable eyes were now tightly closed, which gave her the courage to stare at him so brazenly.
He had a high nose bridge and thin lips, which were slightly pursed at the moment; it was hard to tell whether he was having a nightmare or a pleasant dream.
“My Sanlang…why did you love this woman…it’s all your fault, you know…why have we become like this, it’s all your fault…”
Xue Yingyue murmured softly, her fingertips gently stroking Pei Xuanlin's brow bone.
It always seems to be clenched up there, and it doesn't fully relax even when I'm asleep.
She remembered when they first got married, she gently smoothed the wrinkles between his brows with her fingers and asked him what was troubling him. At that time, Pei Xuanlin took her hand, kissed it lightly, and said with a smile, "With you here, I have nothing to worry about."
But now...
Her fingertips slowly moved down, brushing across his high, straight nose, and finally resting on his thin lips.
These lips had once whispered the most beautiful words of love to her, and had also uttered the most hurtful daggers.
She remembered last night, when he used those same lips to drink the poisoned wine she offered. His eyes were so deep then, as if he had already seen through everything, yet he still drank it all without hesitation.
You clearly knew it, so why did you still drink it...?
You just drank it like that? What if it's poison? You left Xue Xianzhu in my hands, have you thought about what would happen to her? Do you love her? If you love her, why don't you live with her? How can you let her live alone...?
Fine snowflakes drifted down outside the window, gently tapping against the windowpane with a soft rustling sound.
The charcoal fire inside the hall was burning brightly, occasionally bursting into a spark or two. The candle wax burned out and dripped down, piling up in peculiar shapes on the candlesticks.
Just like the twisted relationship between them.
During this time, he has been staying elsewhere every day. Has he ever thought about the time when he and she were inseparable?
Countless nights they slept in each other's arms, his arms always tightly wrapped around her waist, as if afraid that if he let go she would disappear.
The Zichen Palace was always warm back then, not only because the charcoal fire burned brightly, but also because the two hearts were closely intertwined.
But when did everything change?
Was it the day he fell in love with Xue Xianzhu at first sight?
Xue Xianzhu was gentle and considerate, more sensible and obedient than her, and she wouldn't throw tantrums at the drop of a hat, so she easily won away his favor.
Pei Xuanlin didn't know that she also wanted to be a gentle and virtuous wife, but fate wouldn't allow it. After experiencing so many changes, her mind could no longer be innocent.
Heaven itself turned her into that state; she didn't care about falling into depravity or even death, but Heaven just had to bring Pei Xuanlin to her.
The more Pei Xuanlin doted on her and loved her, the more guilty, ashamed, and embarrassed she felt. She wished she could die to prove her innocence. But she had already been defiled and was no longer pure. She thought that as long as she kept it a secret from him and lived a muddled life, she could be happy forever. But when the truth came out, he learned the truth and felt disgusted and disgusted with her.
She had already suffered enough in the past; why did fate have to make her suffer again by meeting Pei Xuanlin?
If Heaven has eyes, it will see what you have done to me.
At this moment, a slight tremor came from her fingertips. Pei Xuanlin had sensed her touch and was trying to wake up. Xue Yingyue hurriedly withdrew her hand and tightly gripped the hem of her clothes.
The rhythmic footsteps of the night patrol guards could be heard outside the palace, their sound particularly clear in the quiet night.
She had to go; this was her last chance.
“Pei Xuanlin, this is all your own fault. You have no one to blame but yourself. You abandoned me, you didn’t want me. It’s all your fault. You’ve driven me crazy…”
Xue Yingyue murmured to herself, a tear uncontrollably sliding down her cheek and landing on Pei Xuanlin's cheek.
She hurriedly reached out to wipe it away, her fingertips touching his warm skin, and suddenly felt an urge to hug him.
She was so familiar with this body; every contour and every line had left her with memories.
But she couldn't.
That would only make her more reluctant to let go, more reluctant to let go, and then she would fall into it again and drown.
The snow outside the palace fell even harder, with goose-feather-like snowflakes fluttering down, enveloping the entire palace in a pure white blanket.
She gently lifted the brocade quilt and rose with extremely light movements.
The cold air instantly enveloped her thin body, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
Xue Yingyue turned back and looked at him one last time. Pei Xuanlin was still asleep, breathing steadily, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
Perhaps in his heart, she would never have the courage to resist.
She walked to the window and looked out at the swirling snowflakes.
She remembered that torrential snow last year, that terrifying night. She woke up in a fright, and in her confusion, she heard noises outside. Soon after, he braved the wind and snow to find her. She threw herself into his arms, and he held her tightly.
Pei Xuanlin's gaze was so sincere at that time that Xue Yingyue thought it was for a lifetime.
Thinking of this, Xue Yingyue dug her fingertips deep into her palm, the pain bringing her back to her senses.
Since he has already changed his mind, why should she still hold on to him?
It's time to end this.
Xue Yingyue turned and walked towards the palace gate, her steps firm and resolute.
But the moment he pushed open the palace door, he couldn't help but turn back and take one last look at that sleeping figure.
The candlelight danced on his face, softening his features. At that moment, he seemed to have transformed back into the Pei Xuanlin who used to smile gently at her.
Goodbye, my Pei Sanlang.
The palace doors closed gently, shutting out all the warmth and reluctance inside.
It was almost dawn.
Inside the hall, Pei Xuanlin's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a tear silently disappeared into his pillow.
*
The biting wind, carrying snowflakes, rushed towards Xue Yingyue, causing her to shiver involuntarily. The palace maids, who were already waiting under the corridor, hurriedly stepped forward to drape a thick fox fur coat over her when she came out.
"Your Majesty, the commanders are already waiting in the Zichen Palace," a palace maid whispered.
"Return to Zichen Palace," Xue Yingyue said in a deep voice, her voice exceptionally clear amidst the wind and snow.
A group of guards stood solemnly in the courtyard outside the Zichen Palace. These men were all former subordinates of the Xue family and trusted confidants that the Xue family had secretly cultivated in the palace over the years.
At this moment, they all had solemn expressions, and their armor gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the snow.
The Zichen Palace was brightly lit by candlelight, illuminating the familiar furnishings inside.
The guards stood on both sides, and when they saw Xue Yingyue enter, they all knelt down on one knee.
Xue Yingyue ignored them and went straight to the hidden compartment behind the phoenix throne, where she took out the heavy imperial jade seal.
The phoenix seal carved from white jade gleamed with a warm luster in her palm. This seal had witnessed her countless glories and the unwavering love between her and Pei Xuanlin until death.
"Issue my decree."
Xue Yingyue's voice echoed in the hall, carrying an unquestionable majesty, "Open the armory and control the four gates of the imperial city. No one may enter or leave without my written order."
"Yes, sir!"
The guards commanders responded in unison.
Xue Yingyue had the palace maids hand them tokens symbolizing the Empress.
...
The armory doors slowly opened in the snowy night, the cold glint of weapons reflecting the falling snowflakes.
The guards received their weapons in an orderly fashion, then split into several teams and sped off towards key locations throughout the imperial city.
The sound of footsteps crunching on the snow was quickly drowned out by the sound of wind and snow.
Xue Yingyue stood by the window of Zichen Palace, watching the torches moving on the distant palace wall, feeling nervous.
Snowflakes fell on the window frame, quickly accumulating into a thin layer.
Xue Haoting must have already taken control of the capital. Xue Wenmian is unaware of his and his sister's actions. Hopefully, his father won't be shocked when he wakes up.
It's all or nothing.
A guard, covered in snow, rushed into the hall, shouting, "Shenwu Gate is under control!"
The series of good news eased the atmosphere in the hall slightly.
Xue Yingyue let out a soft breath, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hem of her skirt.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart.
Just then, a strange commotion suddenly arose in the distance.
The once orderly torches suddenly turned into chaos, and shouts of battle and the clash of weapons could be faintly heard.
Xue Yingyue's heart tightened, and her face turned pale.
"What happened?!"
A palace maid staggered into the hall, her face deathly pale: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! A large number of secret guards have suddenly appeared on the palace walls, and all our people are surrounded!"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Xue Yingyue stared incredulously out the window, only to see countless dark figures emerging from nowhere from the palace walls that had been under control.
These guards, clad in black armor, moved like ghosts in the snowy light, their attacks ruthless and deadly.
"How could this be! How could this be! Nobody knew I would make a move tonight!"
Xue Haoting would never risk the entire Xue family to betray her, absolutely not, so who is it!
Who's trying to ruin her plans!
At this moment, the sound of orderly footsteps could be heard outside the hall.
The Xuanjia Dark Guards surged in like a tide, completely surrounding the Zichen Palace.
The head of the secret guards knelt on one knee, his voice icy:
"Your Majesty, a rebellion has just occurred in the palace, but it has now been quelled. We apologize for the alarm you may have suffered."
Xue Yingyue stared blankly at the increasing number of guards outside the window.
What are you trying to pacify?
How could it be so fast?
So Pei Xuanlin had long anticipated her rebellion! Everything last night was just an act to play along with her, which is why he drank that glass of wine!
Everything that happened last night was just to lower her guard.
Xue Yingyue wanted to laugh, laughing at her own foolishness and naivety.
She lost, completely and utterly.
...
As dawn broke, the snow stopped.
The sounds of fighting throughout the imperial city gradually subsided.
The palace maids knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. The empress was plotting a rebellion, and all of them who followed her were to die.
Xue Yingyue sat quietly on the phoenix throne, gazing at the snow-covered courtyard outside the palace.
Treason is a heinous crime, unforgivable.
Pei Xuanlin might spare the Xue family out of consideration for Xue Xianzhu, but this traitor has no chance of survival.
Rather than being deposed as empress and dying a pathetic death like a dog, she would rather die by her own hand. At least she was empress in life, the noblest woman in the world.
So Xue Yingyue ordered all the palace servants to leave, as she didn't want anyone to see her disheveled state before her death.
"You may all step back; the Sage will not hold a grudge against you."
The palace servants looked at each other, and finally obeyed and left.
The palace doors slowly closed, shutting out the morning light.
After the palace servants withdrew, Xue Yingyue got up and went to the inner room, where she took out an exquisite wooden box from the deepest part of the wardrobe.
Inside the box was a neatly folded white silk ribbon, specially made by her from the finest silk, soft in texture and lustrous in sheen.
She held the white silk in her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the smooth surface of the fabric.
What a precious material! Using it to end one's life can be considered making the most of it.
Xue Yingyue carried the white silk ribbon, walked into the hall, and threw it over the roof beam.
The silk drew a graceful arc in the air.
She recalled many things from the past.
She recalled Pei Xuanlin holding her hand as they walked along the long road to the throne, saying that he and she would share the world.
"Pei Xuanlin, Pei Xuanlin, you've won, and I've lost."
She closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face.
Just as she was about to step onto the stool to die, the palace door was suddenly kicked open.
The palace servants rushed in and shouted in terror, “Your Majesty! The Emperor summons you to the Xuanzheng Hall immediately. Do not delay. Please go!”
Xue Yingyue's hand froze in mid-air as she turned to look at the palace servants kneeling on the ground.
Their eyes were filled with fear and pleading, whether they were worried about her or about their own lives, it was hard to tell.
She laughed, a laugh that was both poignant and desperate.
She shouldn't have been so soft-hearted; she truly regretted it. She should have sent Pei Xuanlin to hell with a cup of poison last night.
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