In the main hall.
Yun Mo radiated a killing aura, his resolute face as cold and charming as ice, his deep black pupils drifting as he gazed at Yun Zhen.
Yun Zhen spoke softly but firmly, "Father, you should hand over the great power. We can find a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters to live in seclusion."
"Is that possible?"
Yun Mo gave a bitter smile. He had already mentioned it to the Empress Dowager several times.
Initially, the Empress Dowager used the excuse that the new emperor was young and不懂事 (ignorant), then she gradually hoped he would persist for a while longer, and recently she had completely ignored his words, finding other excuses to dismiss him.
He could feel that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were determined to eliminate the Yun family, which was why they insisted he hold great power.
A portion of the officials in the court was already resentful of him, believing he was clinging to power with malicious intent. In reality, this was precisely the Empress Dowager's objective.
"Father?"
"Yun Zhen, perhaps Father was wrong from the very beginning."
Yun Mo wearily propped his head with one hand, his eyes slightly closed. Strands of white hair had already appeared at his temples, and he looked much more haggard.
"Is Father sending the letter of divorce to the Li family?"
Last night, Mother was sent back to the Li family. He imagined she must be in great pain. If Father sent the divorce letter today, it would likely be an ordeal for Mother, worse than death.
He believed Mother would rather stick by Father, even if it meant dying together as a family. He knew how much Mother loved Father.
"Yes, I will send someone to deliver it. You may leave now."
Yun Zhen looked at his father like this, his heart aching, but he didn't know what to say. The corruption of imperial power was like standing on the edge of an abyss. What could they change? The immediate concern was to minimize the damage. He, Yun Zhen, was bound to stand with his father.
Yuxuan, Yun Xiao listened to Xiu Xiu's word-for-word report, a faint smile curving her lips.
If Wan Wan dared to betray her, she wouldn't let her off, even without Father and brother's action.
Wan Wan retrieved the scalpel. It was indeed crafted by a master craftsman from Jin Ren Tang, exquisitely made, without a single flaw. As the blade flashed, a chill emanated.
Yun Xiao gently touched this hard-won item, murmuring in her heart, "Treasure, you belong to me now. Let's cooperate."
The room was very quiet. With the mistress not speaking, Wan Wan and Xiu Xiu dared not speak casually.
At this moment, an urgent voice sounded from outside the door: "Miss, someone from the palace has arrived."
"Mm," Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a cold smile. They had come so quickly. She put away the scalpel and looked at Qiao'er, who walked in.
Qiao'er's small face was etched with worry. She thought Miss would be allowed to stay in the manor. Who would have thought that someone from the palace would arrive just two days after her return?
"The Prince wants you to go over?"
Qiao'er reached out to support Yun Xiao, her eyes already teary, and said softly, "Miss, please take me with you. I will serve you well."
Yun Xiao tilted her head to look at the girl. Could this small body withstand the schemes and tricks of the palace? Taking her along would only provide the enemy with more exploitable resources.
The group left Yuxuan and headed forward.
In the main hall of the Yun Prince's manor, Yun Mo sat solemnly on the upper seat, his expression dark. Yun Zhen and Lin An, the Grand Eunuch from the palace, were seated below.
Lin An was still a favorite of the Empress Dowager, so Yun Mo, despite his anger, suppressed it, though his expression was already quite unpleasant.
"Eunuch Lin has come with an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager to escort Xiao'er back to the palace. However, regarding Xiao'er being beaten, should this matter just be let go?"
Eunuch Lin chuckled and spoke cautiously.
"Prince Yun, there is no need to be angry. The Empress Dowager has already investigated the matter and discovered the culprit. It was a certain Liang Yuan. She has confessed, saying that out of jealousy that the Empress occupied the position of Empress, she took action against the Empress when no one was around.
The Empress Dowager has imprisoned her in the Cold Palace, and her family members behind her have all been dismissed from their posts and thrown into prison. The Empress Dowager has stated that this matter is for Prince Yun to decide the punishment."
As soon as Lin An finished speaking, Yun Mo's face instantly turned ashen. The Empress Dowager's actions clearly put him in a difficult position. Now, even if he did nothing, he would likely be branded as a murderer.
Yun Zhen's eyes were filled with a chilling coldness, and he remained silent. Lin An cautiously observed Yun Mo and Yun Zhen's expressions, hoping to discern something. However, aside from Prince Yun's unpleasant expression, Yun Zhen showed no reaction.
Just then, a servant's announcement came from outside the door.
"The Empress has arrived."
Although Lin An was a prominent eunuch in the palace, he felt a certain apprehension towards this Empress, as he had heard that the Empress could be ruthless when she lost her temper.
He had better be careful. Even Consort De had suffered a loss and had nowhere to complain, let alone him, a mere eunuch.
In the hall, Lin An, leading a few young eunuchs, respectfully bowed to the woman entering: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Yun Xiao ignored Lin An. She recognized this eunuch; he was still someone from the Empress Dowager's side.
The moment she saw him, she was reminded of the pretentious and disgusting people in the palace, and she couldn't be bothered to pay them any attention.
Yun Xiao walked directly to Yun Zhen's side and sat down on the spot where Eunuch Lin had been sitting, without even glancing at Lin An.
However, Lin An was not angry at all, because the Empress was still a fool. How could a decent person argue with a fool?
Wouldn't that lower his own status and suggest he was also foolish? Therefore, he chuckled, straightened up, and looked at Prince Yun on the upper seat, awaiting his words.
"My Lord, what do you say to this?"
"Very well. Since the Empress Dowager has issued a decree for Xiao'er to return to the palace, this King has nothing more to say. However, if Xiao'er is wronged again, then do not blame this King for stopping this matter."
Yun Mo's stern words rang out. A fleeting hint of anger flashed in Lin An's pupils, but he did not dare to show any carelessness in his expression: "Your Highness, please rest assured. This servant will certainly report your words to the Empress Dowager."
Yun Mo no longer looked at Lin An's face but turned to look at Yun Xiao at the side: "Xiao'er, accompany Eunuch Lin to the palace. After some days, Father will come to visit you in the palace."
His words were a warning to Lin An. Don't think that just because he was not in the palace, he was unaware of Xiao'er's situation. He would visit the palace regularly to check. If such a thing happened again, he would not let it go easily.
Yun Xiao nodded quietly. Yun Mo breathed a sigh of relief. However, Yun Zhen, standing beside her, seemed reluctant. He reached out and pulled Yun Xiao closer.
"Xiao'er."
Yun Xiao smiled sweetly, her demeanor cute and charming. This time, when she went to the palace, she would not easily let those who harmed her succeed. Whoever dared to provoke her again would see her smile become even more brilliant, but her eyes would be filled with a murderous intent.
Prince Yun, along with the servants of the Yun Prince's manor, personally escorted his daughter to the luxurious carriage waiting outside the manor gates. Watching the magnificent carriage slowly depart, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. Yun Zhen spoke lightly from behind him, "Father, next, you should divest yourself of your power."
"Mm," Yun Mo nodded and looked up at the sky. Although it was early winter, the sunlight was still piercing. He feared that the path ahead would not be smooth.