Two people emerged from behind the glazed screen, Xiu Xiu in front and Xiao He trailing behind.
Xiu Xiu blew out a breath and smiled, "Your Highness, Xiao He says she has something to tell you."
"Mhm," Yun Xiao adjusted her breathing, lifted her head, her face full of smiles. Her gaze naturally shifted to Xiao He. The moment Xiao He met Yun Xiao's sharp, intelligent eyes, she felt a flicker of guilt and lowered her head, staring at the ground, inwardly sneering.
*After tonight, you'll have plenty to endure.*
"Is something the matter, Xiao He?"
Yun Xiao spoke with a cool, indifferent tone, no different from usual, yet a hint of coldness lingered at the corner of her lips.
Xiao He raised her head and spoke cautiously, "Your Highness, someone wishes to see you and sent me to invite you to come."
The sleeping quarters were very quiet. Wan Wan brought tea, a hint of disdain in her eyes, and stared coldly at the maid, thinking. *Trying to harm Her Highness, are you? You'll get what's coming to you.* She offered the tea.
"Your Highness."
Yun Xiao accepted the teacup, not bothering to ask who wished to see her. Instead, she spoke elegantly, "Xiao He, I heard you were feeling unwell today, is that right?"
Xiao He was startled, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She felt something was different but couldn't quite pinpoint it. She became even more cautious. "Yes, Your Highness, I was feeling unwell today. Thank you for your concern."
Yun Xiao nodded, took a sip of tea, and looked towards Wan Wan. "Go, fetch a longevity pill my father gave me and have Xiao He take it. This medicine cures illness and maintains health when one is well. It is a very precious item, and quite expensive."
Wan Wan replied, "Yes, Your Highness," and turned to head towards the inner chambers.
Upon hearing Yun Xiao's words, Xiao He's scalp tingled. She dropped to her knees with a thud, quickly saying, "Your Highness, I am already better. Your pills are so precious, please keep them."
"I am always lenient with servants who have committed no faults, but if you provoke me, do not blame me for being ruthless."
The last sentence was sharp and bloodthirsty, causing Xiao He to shiver involuntarily.
For a moment, she considered confessing what she had done. But then she remembered that this woman was concealing matters from the Emperor. Even if she didn't speak up, the news would eventually spread. When that happened, none of them would survive.
"Your Highness, have I done anything I shouldn't have?"
Xiao He asked cautiously, her face a mask of confusion.
Xiu Xiu, standing nearby, quickly knelt beside her. They had grown up together in the palace, and there was a bond between them.
Moreover, Xiu Xiu never suspected anything untoward and simply thought Xiao He had done something to offend the Empress.
"Your Highness, if Xiao He has done something wrong, I am willing to share the punishment with her."
Yun Xiao did not speak. Wan Wan emerged from the inner chambers with the longevity pill. Seeing the scene before her, she gracefully walked over, reaching out to help Xiao He up, and then helped Xiu Xiu up as well.
"What are you two doing? Didn't Her Highness say it's because Xiao He was ill? This longevity pill is a precious medicine from Prince Yun's estate, and she's giving you one. It's so you can serve your master more diligently in the future. Why are you so frightened? Anyone might think you had ulterior motives."
With those words, Xiao He was rendered speechless. Xiu Xiu tugged at Xiao He's sleeve.
"Your Highness has always been compassionate towards us. Xiao He, please take it."
Xiao He's eyes widened. She looked from one to another. The arrow was already nocked; there was no turning back.
Although she felt uneasy, her intuition told her that the Empress wouldn't harm her in front of others. If she refused to take the medicine, the matter would not be resolved.
The Empress would certainly not go with her, and then there would be no explanation for Consort De. Thus, she reached out and took the pill from Wan Wan's hand, taking it in front of everyone.
Yun Xiao smiled with satisfaction and asked indifferently, "Who wants to see me?"
Hearing the Empress's question, Xiao He felt a surge of relief. She reported respectfully, "Today, when I went to the Imperial Pharmacy to fetch medicine, I met someone who said they wanted to see the Empress and would be waiting in the Imperial Garden tonight."
"Who is it that wants to see me?"
Yun Xiao appeared puzzled, her brows furrowed in thought. She made no mention of going to the Imperial Garden, merely sipping her tea intermittently.
Xiao He grew a little anxious, afraid that the Empress would not go. She carefully inquired, "Will Your Highness go?"
Yun Xiao put down the teacup and looked up at her. Two small sparks danced in her eyes, flickering intermittently, carrying a hint of hidden coldness. She seemed angry, yet it was not obvious. Xiao He's heart began to tremble.
*Has Her Highness discovered what I did? If so, I'm doomed. But looking closely, she seems the same as usual, smiling sweetly, with no other emotions. It seems I'm overthinking.*
"Let's go."
Yun Xiao stood up. Wan Wan reached out to support her, and the two walked out.
Xiu Xiu, falling behind, looked at Xiao He strangely and asked suspiciously, "Xiao He, what did you do? Why are you being so secretive? You mustn't harm Her Highness."
"What are you talking about?" Xiao He glared at Xiu Xiu, wishing she could punch her. *You blockhead, must you be so loud?*
At this moment, the figures in front paused slightly and called back.
"Xiao He, why aren't you leading the way? What are you two whispering about so sneakily behind me? Are you saying something you shouldn't?"
Xiao He quickly rushed forward, shaking her head. "Your Highness, it's nothing. I'll lead you there."
The group exited the Jinhua Palace and stopped on the corridor in front of the palace gate. Wan Wan reached out to steady Yun Xiao, carefully fastening her cloak, and reminded her with concern, "It's late, and the wind is strong. Why must Your Highness bother with that person?"
Wan Wan's words made Xiao He nervous, afraid the Empress wouldn't go. Her heart pounded, but soon she heard the Empress speak.
"I'd like to see who it is that wishes to meet this palace at night."
The sharp, bloodthirsty tone, falling into the hazy night, added a chilling coldness that pierced to the bone.
Xiao He shivered. Regret began to fill her heart, yet she remained unwilling to give up. Besides, she could no longer turn back. Offending Consort De would also lead to a bad end. It was better to take a gamble now.
Xiu Xiu walked at the very end. With her slower comprehension, she felt the atmosphere was strange. Her Highness's words seemed like riddles, and the person being targeted appeared to be Xiao He. What had Xiao He done?
The dew grew heavier. A layer of white frost clung to the flowers and grass, and under the moonlight, it emitted a pale, luminous glow.
The night was very deep, and the chill permeated one's skin.
Several people shivered involuntarily, their footsteps light as they followed Xiao He, passing through the carved corridors adorned with painted birds, all the way towards the Imperial Garden.