Outside the palace gates, the sky had already darkened. The twilight cast a gentle light upon the palace walls, and the flowers in front of the gates bloomed vibrantly.
The fragrance of tuberose drifted in waves, filling the lungs. Beneath the dimly lit pillars, faint moonlight cast mottled shadows. The dark gray sky was studded with glittering stars, like precious and magnificent brocade.
Eunuchs and palace maids called out in unison, "Eunuch Lin."
Then, with synchronized admiration, their gazes fell upon Yun Xiao in the moonlight, particularly fiery. One of them, Wan Wan, stepped forward and, with a charming smile, placed a hand on Yun Xiao, tilting her head up elegantly.
"Young Master, where are we going?"
"Jingfu Palace."
Jingfu Palace was where the Emperor resided, a fact Wan Wan naturally knew. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, her hands unconsciously tightening their grip on Yun Xiao's arm.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager would not notice, but Shangguan Yao was no ordinary person. He was not only cunning but also inherently suspicious.
Any slight misstep might arouse his suspicion. Yun Xiao believed her master would understand this.
Yun Xiao calmly patted Wan Wan's hand, signaling her to calm down. In truth, her worries were unnecessary.
For the one in Jingfu Palace would never dream of connecting him with that fool, so there was nothing for her to fear from him.
The night had deepened. Two young eunuchs ahead held lanterns, followed by palace maids. The group passed through long corridors and past jade pillars, heading straight for Jingfu Palace.
Long before they reached Jingfu Palace, they could faintly hear angry and stern voices, which grew clearer as they were carried by the wind.
"How dare you, you dog-like slave, not open your dog eyes! Do you think you can stop this Palace?"
These words, reaching Yun Xiao's ears, caused her lips to curl into a cold smile. She surmised that the speaker must be the newly entered Imperial Consort.
Because the Emperor could not favor her, she had come to Jingfu Palace to cause a scene. And since the Emperor could not deal with her, she was all the more audacious. However, she had better not forget that a cornered dog would bite.
The group quickly arrived at the gates of Jingfu Palace, and as expected, their premonition proved true.
Standing outside the palace gates was indeed the newly entered Imperial Consort, Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty. Her charming and pretty face was contorted with anger and unpleasantness. She had met the Emperor once before, but unfortunately, the Emperor refused to enter her chambers. How could she possibly remain in this harem then?
Lin An led Yun Xiao up the stone steps and bowed respectfully. "Your lowly servant greets the Imperial Consort. May the Imperial Consort be blessed with ten thousand fortunes."
"Ten thousand fortunes?" Yan Ling coldly glanced at Lin An, suspecting the words were meant to mock her. It was at this moment that her gaze fell upon Yun Xiao beside Lin An, and she was instantly captivated, frozen in surprise, forgetting her anger. Yun Xiao slowly smiled.
"Leng Yue greets the Imperial Consort."
"Leng Yue?"
Yan Ling softly savored the name, finding it melodious. This Young Master Leng Yue was truly handsome. Although slender, his countenance was as pure and untainted as jade. The dim lamplight draped him in a veil, making him appear mysterious and profound, exuding a faint, captivating, and subtle fragrance.
At this moment, Lin An moved aside to speak with Xiao Ting Zi, who quickly slipped inside to report to the Emperor.
Imperial Consort Yan Ling forgot her tantrum, her interest piqued by Leng Yue. She paced back and forth beside him, her face suffused with a soft, alluring glow, much like parched soil finally encountering rain.
She was overjoyed, her eyes brimming with delight. Her all-consuming gaze made Yun Xiao's scalp tingle. Could this Northern Dynasty princess be thinking of straying?
Just as Yun Xiao stood there, feeling uneasy, Xiao Ting Zi emerged and spoke respectfully.
"Young Master Leng Yue, His Majesty requests your presence."
"Yes," Yun Xiao sighed in relief and instructed Wan Wan to wait outside the pavilion.
She followed Xiao Ting Zi into Jingfu Palace. Behind her, Yan Ling's beautiful eyes were fixed on Yun Xiao, watching until her figure disappeared. Only then did she turn to Lin An, speaking coldly.
"Who is this Leng Yue, and why does His Majesty wish to see him?"
"Reporting to the Imperial Consort, Young Master Leng is the one who detoxified His Majesty a few days ago."
Lin An reported cautiously. Everyone in the palace now feared the Imperial Consort. The Emperor and Empress Dowager turned a blind eye, and how could they, as servants, dare to offend her? They were afraid of this woman's outbursts.
She was even more formidable than the former foolish Empress, often inexplicably beating and scolding concubines, even eunuchs and palace maids. But everyone understood the truth.
Since the Imperial Consort entered the palace, the Emperor had not set foot in her Qianlan Palace. It was no wonder this woman was enraged. A dignified princess was so disliked by the Emperor. However, lately, the Emperor had not visited anyone's palace.
While other concubines dared not say much, Consort Xian Ye Yu Yun and Consort Shu Ye Su Xue harbored some suspicion as to why the Emperor was not entering the imperial harem.
They knew his character well; he was notoriously promiscuous, capable of seducing even beautiful palace maids. Why had he suddenly stopped having anything to do with women?
Could he have some hidden ailment? Once this thought arose, it became persistent. But who dared to speak of such matters?
Only Imperial Consort Yan Ling, unaware of the underlying reasons, continued to make trouble, creating chaos in the imperial harem.
Yan Ling's expression shifted to one of astonishment upon hearing Lin An's report. She hadn't expected this handsome young man to be the one who detoxified the Emperor.
She assumed his medical skills were excellent. But why did the Emperor summon him to the palace at night? Was it to express his gratitude?
Or was it something else? A thought flashed through Yan Ling's mind, too quickly for her to grasp. However, since the Emperor had a guest, it was not appropriate for her to continue making a scene, so she led her personal palace maids back to Qianlan Palace.
Jingfu Palace.
Yun Xiao elegantly bowed to the man seated on the high throne. "Leng Yue greets His Majesty."
Even this simple gesture exuded unrestrained arrogance, neither subservient nor overbearing, his gaze calm and collected.
Shangguan Yao looked down from his elevated position, inwardly astonished. This Leng Yue was truly outstanding. He hadn't believed Song Yuan's words before, wondering how remarkable a man could be.
Now, he saw that he was indeed so outstanding that one could not look away. Merely gazing upon such a pure and exquisite face made his breath catch. In short, this man was a harbinger of disaster.
However, what concerned him more was whether his medical skills could cure his hidden ailment.
"Rise, and be seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Leng Yue did not stand on ceremony with him. Why be polite to this man? It was he who needed something from her now, and she had no intention of treating him.
No, it was more like she couldn't treat him. The medicine she had administered, as long as this pig of a man had the will, would break through the prohibition, restoring his virility for the one he desired.
"Leng Yue, you went to Changxin Palace and should know why the Empress Dowager summoned you."
Shangguan Yao found it difficult to mention his hidden ailment, so he skirted around the issue. Normally, he would have been forthright about such matters, but facing this jade-like countenance, he found himself unable to speak.
"The Empress Dowager spoke vaguely, and Leng Yue did not know who it was before. Now, it occurs to me, that person couldn't be...?"
Leng Yue's eyes were clear and bright, fixed on Shangguan Yao. He felt a slight warmth on his cheeks, his pupils deep and unfathomable. His tightly pursed lips effectively concealed his embarrassment, and only then did he slowly nod.
"I was poisoned, and therefore, I am unable to perform my male functions in bed."