Who exactly abducted the fool?
Was it Ximen Yao or that person in the shadows? It was clear that Ximen Yao was not the person in the shadows.
Because he was injured during his fight with Shangguan Lin and Song Yuan, the assassin who appeared later could not have been him.
Then who was it?
Could it be someone arranged by Yun Mo? That was also impossible; Yun Mo himself didn't know about this sudden turn of events.
Or had someone else always been hidden beside the fool? And the person who came to the palace today to treat the Empress Dowager was also strange, even daring to suggest his deposition of the Empress.
And who was this person who knew he wanted to depose the Empress? Shangguan Yao was utterly bewildered, his face dark as he remained silent.
At this moment, Eunuch Xiao Tingzi entered and respectfully said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has awakened and wishes to see Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yao suppressed his myriad doubts. His mother was the most important person now. He immediately waved to dismiss Song Yuan and headed towards Changxin Palace with a few young eunuchs.
The Empress Dowager had indeed awakened, leaning against the bed. Beside her sat Consort Shuyuan and Consort Xian. These two women, for once, were peacefully accompanying the Empress Dowager with smiles, chatting with her.
The sleeping quarters were filled with a harmonious atmosphere.
When Shangguan Yao arrived and saw this scene, his heart suddenly softened. He regretted not allowing these two women to conceive children.
The palace would have been livelier then, and perhaps the Empress Dowager would have been happier.
"Yao'er has arrived."
The Empress Dowager, noticing Shangguan Yao's entrance, seemed to have forgotten the previous events. She looked at her son with a smile.
However, there was still a hint of unconcealed pain in her eyes. She had just heard from Consort Xian how many imperial physicians the Emperor had struck and how many nights he had stayed awake for her.
Her heart softened, and she forgave him. After all, he was her child, the one she held in her palm.
"Yes, Mother Dowager."
Shangguan Yao walked over. Ye Yuyun and Ye Suxue immediately stood up, offering him a seat.
The Emperor sat beside the Empress Dowager, took her hand, and spoke gently.
"Mother Dowager, if I have done anything wrong in the past, I apologize to you. Please focus on your health and do not frighten me."
"Yao'er, Mother Dowager is fine now. Don't worry."
The Empress Dowager extended her other hand to stroke the Emperor's dark hair, her doting affection hidden in her eyes. To be honest, if she were to die, this son was the one she worried about the most; he had not yet firmly established his footing.
"It is good that Mother Dowager is well," a heavy stone in Shangguan Yao's heart was lifted. He held his mother's hand tightly, knowing she was fine. He decided it was best not to directly clash with her in the future.
Shangguan Yao pondered this. At this moment, the Empress Dowager glanced at Ye Yuyun and Ye Suxue and waved her hand.
"You may both leave. I do not have much energy. I will speak with the Emperor for a moment and then rest."
"Yes, Mother Dowager. Please rest well. I will visit you again later."
Ye Yuyun and Ye Suxue departed. Shangguan Yao saw that his mother seemed to have something to say. He turned and swept his gaze over the eunuchs and maids in the hall, waving his hand, "All of you may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Everyone bowed and withdrew cautiously. In the vast sleeping chambers, only Shangguan Yao and the Empress Dowager remained. Shangguan Yao waited quietly. He watched as the Empress Dowager looked at him silently, reached out to touch his face, tears welling in her eyes, and slowly spoke, "Yao'er has lost weight."
"Mother Dowager, it is my fault. I will not anger you again. Please rest and recuperate, Mother Dowager." Shangguan Yao's deep pupils held a gentle glow, and a faint smile played on his lips.
The Empress Dowager trembled. Yao'er was truly like his former self. It was a pity they could not return to the past.
Now, mother and son were merely cautious of each other, maintaining a boundary. Sooner or later, they would cross that line, and the pain would still exist.
"Yao'er, I heard that the person who saved me has excellent medical skills. Who is he?"
The Empress Dowager had heard from Ye Suxue that everyone else was helpless, and finally, a young man appeared with exceptional medical skills, who quickly revived her. Could he also cure the Emperor's impotence?
"He said his name was Ghost Hand Fengguan."
"Ghost Hand? You said that person's name was Ghost Hand?"
The Empress Dowager became agitated. With her agitation, her breathing grew rough. Moreover, after days of slumber, her spirit had not yet recovered, and she already appeared weary. However, thinking of her son's illness, she still held on, squeezing Shangguan Yao's hand.
"Yao'er, I have known of this person for a long time. I heard he is a miraculous physician, appearing and disappearing without a trace, with exceptional medical skills. I have been searching for him, hoping to cure your illness."
When the Empress Dowager spoke, Shangguan Yao remembered his own condition. The days of exhaustion had made him forget the major ailment he carried.
Thinking of it now, Ghost Hand Fengguan indeed possessed some skill. Why hadn't he kept him that day to treat himself?
Shangguan Yao was filled with regret. Seeing his gloomy expression, the Empress Dowager asked with concern, "What's wrong, Yao'er?"
As she spoke, she yawned, her eyes slightly closing with fatigue. Shangguan Yao immediately helped her lie down and said gently.
"Don't worry, Mother Dowager. Since we know of him, I will send people to find him. We will definitely bring him back. I will be fine, so please don't worry."
"That is good."
The Empress Dowager finally seemed a little relieved and closed her eyes, soon falling into a deep sleep. Her face was still pale, and her once raven black hair was now tinged with white. Mother Dowager was truly old, Shangguan Yao sighed. Perhaps it was her heart that was truly tired.
"Attendants."
Eunuch Xiao Tingzi led several maids from Changxin Palace into the room.
"Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yao glanced at the maids of Changxin Palace and commanded with cold sternness, "Attend to the Empress Dowager well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The maids dared not say anything more and responded cautiously. Shangguan Yao led Eunuch Xiao Tingzi directly to Jingfu Palace. Unexpectedly, Shangguan Lin had come into the palace and was waiting outside the hall. Upon seeing the Emperor approach, he bowed respectfully, "Your humble brother greets Imperial Brother."
Shangguan Yao nodded and asked gently as he walked inside, "Has your injury healed?"
Shangguan Lin followed the Emperor into the grand hall of Jingfu Palace and nodded, "Yes, my brother's injury is not serious. Your Imperial Brother need not worry."
In fact, Shangguan Lin was surprised by what had happened that night.
If Ximen Yao had intended to kill him, he would surely have died. Not only was there no killing intent, but he seemed to harbor a silent despair towards him, causing a momentary distraction.
It was then that he, Song Yuan, and two despicable scoundrels took advantage of his distraction to injure him. Thinking about it now, the two of them were truly unspeakable villains.