"Hurry, or if the Empress Dowager has any mishap, it will be your fault, you servants."
Yun Xiao added with a smile.
But those words carried a world-ending killing intent. The young eunuch's legs went weak, and he nearly fell to the ground. Cold sweat broke out all over him. How could this young man smile so harmlessly yet commit such ruthless acts that sent shivers down one's spine?
The young eunuch quickly responded.
"Yes, this servant obeys your command."
He then swiftly retreated. In the inner chamber, Shangguan Yao gritted his teeth, his face ashen. Pointing at the person on the bed, he said coldly, "Can we begin now?"
"Now the Emperor can begin. As for the Phoenix Official, the needling will commence only when the silver from the Imperial Household Department arrives,"
Yun Xiao said leisurely, her smile growing more radiant. Watching the man's frustrated expression, every hair on her body seemed to stand on end, completely forgetting her fear.
No wonder so many people enjoyed revenge; it was indeed that satisfying.
However, before the man descended into madness, she promptly restrained her smile and spoke with a solemn tone.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is still heartbroken. I do not know what has happened to her, but I do know her heart is dead. She has no will to live, which is why everyone is helpless.
What Your Majesty needs to do now is to speak to her constantly. You are the Empress Dowager's most beloved son, and I presume she must miss you dearly.
If there are any other people she holds dear, you can also call them over, and have them call out to her in turns, reminiscing about past events. This can help revive her will. Only then can the needling be performed."
Shangguan Yao opened his eyes in surprise. It was the first time he had heard such a statement, but he had no time to dwell on it. If there was even a sliver of hope, he would not give up. Otherwise, his heart would likely never find peace in the future.
"Alright."
Shangguan Yao walked to the bedside and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out and held the increasingly thin and weak arm, his voice hoarse as he spoke.
"Mother, it is Yao'er. Yao'er was wrong. I shouldn't have made Mother sad. Mother, please wake up. Do you remember how much you doted on Yao'er before? Does Mother no longer want Yao'er today?"
The Emperor spoke with great emotion, tears welling up in his eyes. He tightly gripped the Empress Dowager's hand, enacting a scene of filial affection.
Yun Xiao, meanwhile, sat at ease in the spot Shangguan Yao had previously occupied, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips as she looked at him.
After such a display of grief and remorse today, if the Empress Dowager were to awaken, would the mother and son be inseparable, with no hint of discord?
Driven by greed and ambition, conflicts would likely persist even under imperial power. If he truly cared for the Empress Dowager, he should remember today's pain and minimize future conflicts, rather than putting on a show of false sincerity now.
As Yun Xiao pondered, she reached out and picked up the teacup beside her. Just as she was about to drink, she suddenly remembered it was Shangguan Yao's tea. Her pupils darkened, and with a cold laugh, she spat into it. She didn't care if it seemed childish; not spitting would have left her feeling unwell.
Shangguan Yao grew more emotional as he spoke, continuing his mother-son performance.
Yun Xiao, bored, looked around the sleeping quarters. The chambers were indeed magnificent and tastefully decorated, indicating that the old woman on the bed was likely a person of refined taste and intelligence.
Perhaps in her youth, her heart was not so hardened, but the deep palace was like a vat of ink; who remained unstained?
Yun Xiao suddenly noticed that in the vast palace, there was not a single eunuch or palace maid. It seemed Shangguan Yao, in his fury, had banished them. Remnants of scattered debris lay on the floor.
Shangguan Yao, speaking in a hoarse voice, suddenly seemed to recall something. He bent down and whispered something into the Empress Dowager's ear.
Yun Xiao pricked up her ears to listen closely, but she couldn't catch a single word. Lacking inner strength, her hearing wasn't as acute.
Wondering what secrets this "dead emperor" was up to, Yun Xiao coldly observed him. His back was as straight as bamboo. Truth be told, this man was rather good-looking.
But what use was good looks alone?
His intentions were too sinister. Cats and dogs also possessed beautiful and cute appearances.
Yet, they were merely beasts. The difference between humans and beasts lay in inner beauty, kindness, and purity of heart. Otherwise, what difference was there between a human and a beast?
Time slowly passed. Shangguan Yao continued to whisper into the Empress Dowager's ear, his voice growing increasingly hoarse. Finally, weary, he frowned and turned to look at Yun Xiao, his face stern and his gaze dark as he uttered,
"Is it enough?"
Yun Xiao glanced at the woman on the bed. To be honest, her complexion had indeed improved slightly. It seemed she had heard the Emperor's words, and her body had responded. However, the desired effect had not yet been achieved. Yun Xiao shook her head. "Continue speaking."
"What, I?"
Shangguan Yao pointed at Yun Xiao, then at himself. He wished he could kill this black-hearted youth with the persistent smile on his face.
But thinking of his mother's illness, he could only endure. After days of toil and little food, he was extremely fatigued and truly lacked the energy to say more. He could only glare fiercely at Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao shrugged indifferently, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Your Majesty can call others. Does the Empress Dowager only care about you?"
As soon as she spoke, Shangguan Yao's eyebrows rose. After a moment's thought, he immediately called out, "Guards."
Four or five eunuchs and palace maids rushed in and knelt down with thuds, trembling as they said, "Your Majesty."
"Go and bring Ping An here immediately."
Ping An had been with the Empress Dowager for over twenty years. She was a maid the Empress Dowager had brought from the Ye family, and their bond was as deep as sisters.
That night, when the Empress Dowager fell unconscious, part of it was because Ping An had been beaten. She was both furious and heartbroken, and the sudden surge of anger caused her to faint.
Because of her deep concern, fearing Ping An would be beaten to death, she had become utterly disappointed in Shangguan Yao, which was why she had fallen into a coma, Yun Xiao surmised. Looking around, she saw two of the palace maids quickly rise.
"Yes, this servant will go fetch Aunt Ping right away."
Two of them retreated, while the other eunuchs dared not move. Shangguan Yao waved his hand. "All of you, get up."
These individuals let out a sigh of relief and remained in the hall, awaiting further instructions.
That night, Ping An received thirty heavy strokes of the rod. The executioners dared not kill her, so they did not strike too hard. Even so, Ping An was barely clinging to life.
Fortunately, Shangguan Yao did not prevent her from receiving medical treatment. After being tended to by imperial physicians, her spirit had recovered somewhat.
However, upon thinking of the Empress Dowager's grave illness, she refused to cooperate further. She lost her appetite, wept all day, and thus had not fully recovered. She remained extremely weak, unable to even walk, and lay in bed.
Fortunately, she was usually well-liked and was the chief aunt of Changxin Palace, so she had two dedicated attendants to care for her meals and daily needs.