Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Kingdom looked up at the old woman and the Emperor seated at the head.
Suddenly, she understood. They had targeted her, which was why they had gone to such lengths.
Indeed, her sleeping quarters did contain Hui Xiang, so there was no need for them to act.
She wanted to see how they planned to punish her. She had already sent word back to the Northern Kingdom; if anything untoward happened to her, her Imperial Brother would immediately dispatch troops to attack the Eastern Qin and avenge her.
Yan Ling thought bitterly, then suddenly laughed to the heavens, disregarding the displeased expressions of the Emperor and Empress Dowager above. She had already risen to her feet.
"Indeed, Your Majesty, it was I who administered it. And what of it? I am a princess of the Northern Kingdom, married into your Eastern Qin. Am I here to suffer humiliation? An Emperor who cannot perform his marital duties dares to propose a political alliance. Do you expect me, Yan Ling, to be merely a decorative piece?"
The Northern Kingdom had always had an open culture, so Yan Ling did not shy away from mentioning this.
In contrast, all the imperial consorts in the hall lowered their heads simultaneously, their eyes daring not to gaze at the Emperor on his high seat.
The hall fell into a deathly silence, broken only by Yan Ling's unabashed laughter. She did not know that even a cornered dog would bite, let alone the reigning Emperor.
Shangguan Yao's expression was darker than ever before, rage surging like an overwhelming tide. An atmosphere of chilling, unmelting cold pervaded the hall, striking fear into everyone's hearts.
Shangguan Yao lunged, leaping into the air. His bright yellow brocade robe traced a powerful arc, landing directly beside the defiant Yan Ling. With a swift movement, he grabbed her by the neck, applying immense pressure.
Yan Ling's eyes widened in disbelief. She strained to pry his fingers, which felt like iron clamps, from her neck, her breath growing increasingly difficult.
Only then did she realize her fear, but having always indulged her every whim, she was bound to retaliate if she could no longer endure. Was she now reaping what she had sown?
Yan Ling glared at Shangguan Yao with all her might. Her increasingly weak gaze shot out a cold light, vowing silently with venom.
Shangguan Yao, if you kill me, my Imperial Brother will not let you off.
The hall was silent, a deathly stillness pervading the vast space.
The dread of death gripped every heart. Did knowing about the Emperor's impotence mean they would be killed like Yan Ling?
Facing death, no one was without fear.
Even the virtuous Consort Ye Yuyun felt a chill crawling up her spine, breaking out in a cold sweat. Yet, she forced herself to stand tall and unmoving.
But the consorts behind her were all ashen-faced, and the timid ones trembled uncontrollably.
Just as everyone believed the Emperor would kill Consort Yan, he released his grip and stood in the hall, looking down from on high at the assembled consorts.
The heavy gasps that followed were like drumbeats striking their hearts, and no one dared to speak.
Consort Yan, meanwhile, had collapsed onto the hall floor, like a dying cat on the verge of death, twitching intermittently and gulping for air.
Shangguan Yao's face was somber, like the thunderous wrath before a storm. His impotence was a yoke that bound him, driving the Emperor to rage and a desire to kill in retaliation.
From her high vantage point, the Empress Dowager watched the unfolding events, despair spreading through her heart. Was this how Yao'er would be forever?
Now that this matter had become so widely known, it was likely that court officials would soon hear of it, leading to a turmoil. What was to be done?
"Yao'er."
"Mother, please return and rest."
Shangguan Yao's pupils narrowed, his gaze damp, dark, and filled with a somber aura.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, knowing that the Emperor was in great distress. Further words from her would only add to his burden.
As for Zhao Zhaorong's child, it was not something she had desired in the first place. Now that heaven had taken it away, she let out a heavy sigh, then rose and departed with her retinue.
In a corner of the hall, three imperial physicians knelt, their heads buried low, hoping the Emperor would overlook them. But their wishful thinking was in vain. Shangguan Yao's bloodthirsty and cold voice rang out.
"Guards, drag these three scoundrels out and administer twenty heavy blows to each of them."
The guards stationed at the palace gates immediately rushed in like wolves, their movements swift as they grabbed each of the three imperial physicians and dragged them away. The physicians' pleas for mercy echoed through the hall.
The remaining consorts, recovering from the cries, quickly followed suit. Virtuous Consort Ye Yuyun led them in speaking, "Your concubines are all deserving of death. We beg Your Majesty to punish us."
"All of you, withdraw."
Shangguan Yao waved his hand. The others thought their ears had failed them.
But upon seeing Virtuous Consort rise, they quickly followed suit. Virtuous Consort Ye Yuyun led the group in bidding farewell and departing. Shangguan Yao's icy gaze, like the green eyes of a venomous snake, fixed upon them.
As many graceful figures exited the hall, he suddenly called out, "Consort Lan, remain."
Consort Lan, the woman from Jingfu Palace previously, turned pale upon hearing the Emperor's words. She swiftly turned back and rushed in, kneeling with a thud. "Your Majesty."
In the hall, Shangguan Yao's brow furrowed. Just moments ago, he had suddenly remembered something. When he was in Jingfu Palace before, he had had that dream.
In the dream, he seemed to have regained his virility. Although in his mind, the person beneath him was Leng Yue, if he could imagine Consort Lan as Leng Yue, would it be of use to him?
Once this thought entered Shangguan Yao's mind, it refused to leave. He waved his hand coldly.
All the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall filed out, leaving only the Emperor, Consort Lan, and Consort Yan, who was still lying on the floor, gasping but now awake. No one knew what the Emperor intended to do by keeping Consort Lan.
At this moment, all arrogance had vanished from her face, replaced by terror. This man was truly a devil, not human. If she provoked him again, she feared she would meet a terrible end.
Shangguan Yao ignored Consort Yan and walked towards Consort Lan.
Consort Lan's face was pale. Tears clung to her long lashes on her beautiful face, making her appear exceptionally pitiable.
In Shangguan Yao's eyes, Consort Lan had transformed into the embodiment of Leng Yue. Thinking of Leng Yue's pitiful appearance at that moment, a fire ignited within him, and his entire body felt invigorated, as if his impotence had truly been cured.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
Although Consort Lan was frightened, she saw the naked desire in the Emperor's eyes. His slightly misty eyes and inviting lips made Consort Lan forget her fear, and she could not help but let out a soft moan.
Shangguan Yao kissed her without hesitation, closing his eyes slightly, his mind wandering with his thoughts. His breathing gradually deepened, and his entire body felt as if it were ablaze.
Shangguan Yao let out a low growl from his throat, like the courtship cry of a beast trapped by passion. He reached out and directly lifted Consort Lan's body, walking towards a soft couch on the side of the hall. He laid her soft body down and then covered her completely.