"Clang—!"
The crisp, piercing sound of shattering was incredibly jarring in the quiet Cixi Palace, where one could almost hear their own heartbeat.
The exquisite glass shattered on the polished floor, the amber liquid splashing out like a flower that withered in an instant.
The sudden sound, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered the carefully crafted, false atmosphere of harmony at the banquet.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Everyone froze in place.
The Empress Dowager's loving smile froze, the palace servants' careful serving of food ceased, and even the Regent Xiao Yuan's "gentle and sincere" face showed a barely perceptible look of surprise.
Countless gazes, like searchlights, suddenly focused on the source of the loss of composure—the Empress, Lin Wanwan.
She remained in that slippery hand position, her face deathly pale, her body slightly stiff, and her usually calm and smiling eyes wide open, the depths of her pupils seemingly reflecting some extreme fear, staring intently in the direction of the Regent.
"The Empress?"
Xiao Che's voice carried a hint of confusion and concern. He put down his wine glass, immediately took her arm, and called out softly.
His touch was like a switch, instantly waking Lin Wanwan from her immense shock!
Almost the instant her body was touched, Lin Wanwan shuddered and snapped back to her senses!
It’s over!
Alarm bells were ringing in her mind!
I lost my composure!
At this treacherous banquet, where smiles conceal daggers and danger lurks at every turn, and when the enemy's performance is flawless, I, because of the warning given by my cheat code, actually made such an obvious and abnormal move!
She could feel countless probing, suspicious, and even knowing gazes fixed upon her, as if they were tangible. Especially the Regent's seemingly concerned eyes, behind which lay a chilling, venomous glint!
Don't panic!
Absolutely do not panic!
Lin Wanwan's back instantly broke out in a fine layer of cold sweat, but her brain was working at an unprecedented speed!
Suppressing the turmoil within her caused by the words "fight to the death," she reacted immediately. Almost the instant Xiao Che caught her, she leaned her entire weight onto him.
Her face remained pale, but she skillfully transformed the fear in her eyes into weakness and guilt. She raised her head, first glancing at the Empress Dowager, whose face was grim in the main seat, then at the Regent, who sat opposite her with a silent smile, her voice carrying a perfectly measured tremor and weakness.
"……Feel sorry."
She spoke slowly, in a soft, apologetic tone.
"It was I...I was disrespectful."
She was breathing heavily, as if even speaking a few more words was extremely difficult. One hand was supporting her forehead, and the other was tightly gripping Xiao Che's sleeve, perfectly portraying an image of physical discomfort and mental exhaustion.
"Your Majesty's affairs have caused me much worry lately, and I have been unable to eat or sleep properly. Just now, I felt dizzy and my eyes were blurry, which is why my hand slipped and I disturbed the enjoyment of the Empress Dowager and the Prince."
As she spoke, she struggled to rise from her seat and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the Regent to apologize.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty deserves to die."
These words are perfectly reasonable and flawless.
The palace was in turmoil a few days ago, with the imperial guards carrying out a bloody purge. As the Empress, it's perfectly normal for her to be physically weak from the stress and worry surrounding this event. Her sudden loss of composure at this moment could easily be explained as "dizziness and slipping."
This phenomenal on-the-spot reaction seemed to loosen the previously tense atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager, seated on the main throne, softened her expression slightly. Regardless of her inner doubts, she couldn't show any harshness in the outward appearance of "filial piety" and "consideration for her daughter-in-law." She was about to speak, utter a few polite words, and have the palace servants clean up the mess.
However, Xiao Che, who was beside her, reacted even faster than she did.
"Alright, it's nothing, no need to apologize."
Xiao Che immediately helped her up, preventing her from rising to bow. His voice was full of concern and care for his wife, and his actions were perfectly natural. He pressed her back into her seat, his tone carrying an undeniable force.
To outsiders, this was nothing more than a perfect collaboration between the emperor and his empress.
However, only Xiao Che himself knew the enormous shock that surged in his heart the moment he touched Lin Wanwan's arm!
It's so cold!
Her hands were as cold as iron! They lacked any warmth that a living person should have!
Tremble!
He could clearly feel that beneath her soft sleeves, her arms were trembling uncontrollably and violently! It wasn't feigned weakness, but a physiological instinctive reaction from the depths of her soul, caused by extreme fear or shock!
This... is definitely not a disguise!
Xiao Che's heart skipped a beat!
He held her hand and, without making a sound, gently placed his fingertips on her pulse.
The pulse was beating fast and erratically, like a frightened deer in the forest, completely losing its usual steady rhythm.
Xiao Che understood instantly!
Lin Wanwan must have sensed something!
I've sensed some... deadly danger!
He knew better than anyone that his empress, though seemingly gentle and harmless, possessed a resilience and extraordinary courage far exceeding that of ordinary people. Whether facing an assassin's poison or a startled horse during the autumn hunt, she had never before reacted with such disarray!
What could terrify her like this was no ordinary conspiracy!
He trusted her.
From the moment the candied fruit was poisoned, and from each of her seemingly coincidental "intuitions," he knew that his queen possessed an almost beast-like, keen intuition for danger!
At this moment, her involuntary and instinctive fear was sending him the highest and most deadly... silent alarm!
This thought flashed through Xiao Che's mind like a bolt of lightning!
He held Lin Wanwan's hand, his grip firm as a mountain, his expression still that of someone concerned for his wife. But the gentle warmth that had just been tinged with amusement in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a sudden surge of vigilance and murderous intent as cold as ice!
He slowly raised his head, his gaze meeting, without making a sound, in the air with that of Regent Xiao Yuan, who was watching everything with a smile.
Xiao Yuan's eyes still held that gentle and concerned look, as if he was genuinely just worried about the Empress's health.
But beneath that gentle exterior, Xiao Che sensed a deeply hidden...coldness and smugness.
That's enough.
No words are needed.
Lin Wanwan's uncontrollable reaction, and just this one exchange of glances, were enough for Xiao Che to discern life and death!
This banquet, though seemingly a trap, was not a test.
It was... a decisive blow!
If we stay any longer, we'll surely die!
This judgment took shape in Xiao Che's mind in the blink of an eye.
He no longer hesitated in the slightest.
He immediately helped the "extremely weak" Lin Wanwan to her feet.
His actions drew the attention of the Empress Dowager and the Regent.
"Your Majesty, this is..." the Empress Dowager asked in confusion.
Xiao Che didn't let her finish. He spoke directly to the Empress Dowager and the Regent in a tone that brooked no argument and carried the majesty of an emperor:
"Mother, Uncle Wang."
"The Empress is unwell and lacks energy; it seems she can no longer keep you company."
"I will take her back to rest first."
After saying that, he didn't even give the other party a chance to stop him. He then helped Lin Wanwan up and turned to leave!
This resoluteness and toughness surprised both the Empress Dowager and the Regent.
"Your Majesty!" Regent Xiao Yuan's voice came from behind, with a meaningful smile, "Her Majesty the Empress is just feeling unwell, why are you in such a hurry? Why not have the imperial physician come and examine her, so that my mother and I can both be at ease."
This was the final test, and also the final attempt to retain him.
However, Xiao Che didn't even pause for a moment.
He simply supported Lin Wanwan, and without looking back, resolutely walked towards the deep night outside the palace gate.
His back was straight and firm, like an unshakable mountain.
As the emperor and empress's figures disappeared into the palace gates, the gentle smile on Regent Xiao Yuan's face finally faded.
Instead, there was a cold, cruel smile, as if looking at something already in one's pocket.
He raised the wine glass in front of him and gently offered a distant toast to the empty palace gate.
Want to leave?
Tonight, will you be able to leave Cining Palace?
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