Chapter Seven, the splendid years face the cold frost
From then on, Father Emperor never set foot in the Xinyi Palace again, and the already confused Mother Empress never regained her clarity, only regressing day by day, returning to a time when nothing had ever happened, where Consort Ke was still Consort Ke, and Father Emperor was still Father Emperor
Now love and hate no longer matter, one has died, the other has become infatuated, and no one knows the grievances between them.
The sound of the night watch passed, and it was the hour of the rat. The palace maids were preparing to carry out the execution, waiting only for the command from the Grand Princess. Huayao did not blink, nor did she shed any more tears; she clutched the prison bars with all her might, gazing intently at Empress Guo, her eyes seemingly on the verge of bleeding. Yunhuang remained silent, pursing her lips, and coldly stared at Huayao for a long time before finally waving her sleeve and turning away, "Take her down."
Leaning against the edge of the pool, the warm water alleviated the fatigue throughout her body... It seemed like a long time had passed, and in a state between waking and sleeping, she heard a sigh. Yun Huang turned her gaze and saw Shao Huan in a white robe by the pool, his collar slightly open, smiling lazily. Shao Huan reached out to her, bent down, and pulled her up, allowing her to fall, dripping wet, into his embrace, soaking the brocade robe he had just changed into.
The Su family has committed the crime of treason, and the orphan of Crown Prince Huai has been executed. In a fit of rage, Consort Ke attempted to assassinate... Outside, the truth of these rumors is unknown, yet Yunhuang has a vague impression. The Empress witnessed the attack and fainted. The next night, the Emperor came to Xinyi Palace, and the wet nurse quietly took Yunhuang away. That night, Yunhuang woke from her sleep, hearing chaos outside. Faintly, she could hear the palace maids calling from the sleeping quarters, followed by the Emperor's furious scolding and the Empress's weeping. That night, Yunhuang woke from her sleep, hearing chaos outside. Faintly, she could hear the palace maids calling from the sleeping quarters, followed by the Emperor's furious scolding and the Empress's weeping. The wet nurse locked the palace door, preventing Yunhuang from going out... Listening to her mother's cries, Yunhuang could only huddle at the head of the bed, covering herself with a brocade quilt, yet that terrifying sound still seeped in from all directions... Finally, dawn broke. Yunhuang ran barefoot into the sleeping quarters and saw her mother lying in disarray, her exposed skin covered in bruises, her long hair cascading down the edge of the bed like a cluster of dead vines
The phoenix curtain was half-drawn, the gauze drapes hung low, and behind the screen painted with black ink on white silk, a glass palace lamp cast a faint light, leaving the surroundings in serene silence, with not a single palace maid in sight. Yunhuang paused in front of the screen, as if catching a faint whiff of the fragrant iris. Stepping out from behind the screen, she found the bright candle illuminating an empty room, silent and devoid of people, with only a jade pot remaining, and a half-filled cup of leftover wine casually placed on the table. ... Yunhuang approached, lifted the half-filled cup of wine, her fingertips brushing against the rim, as if touching that familiar scent and the cool softness of his lips ... . Stepping out from behind the screen, she found the bright candle illuminating an empty room, silent and devoid of people, with only a jade pot remaining, and a half-filled cup of leftover wine casually placed on the table. ... Yunhuang approached, lifted the half-filled cup of wine, her fingertips brushing against the rim, as if touching that familiar scent and the cool softness of his lips ... . ... Suddenly, she felt a tightening around her waist, as he firmly pulled her into his embrace, his warm breath drawing near to her ear. Yunhuang closed her eyes, softly leaning against his chest, allowing him to kiss her earlobe.
She has been an enemy of her mother for a lifetime. Now that the person is dead and the lights are out, everything is settled. Even the Emperor is no longer here. Is it not the case that only her mother remains in this world, enduring this desolate torment? The wicked die first, yet they are the ones who attain liberation first. This is unjust
Perhaps those who have been troubled all along are merely the ones who are awake, like Guo Hou, like the Emperor, like Yun Huang herself
Yunhuang furrowed her brows and turned away, "I am tired of this."
The dim candlelight illuminated the hazy visage of Princess Ke, concealing the traces of time and hardship, her delicate beauty still faintly reminiscent of her former self. Such a beautiful woman, even time could not bear to diminish her charm, yet that man ultimately had the heart to abandon her... How the King of Luling, who forcibly married the daughter of the Grand Tutor, was once so spirited and unmatched in elegance, that even after more than a decade, the enmity of his father and the hatred of his enemies could not erase the pain of love lost.
Yunhuang leaned over her bedside and said softly, "Sleep now, no one will bully you anymore. Those who have tormented you are all dead, only you and I remain alive, and there are many days ahead to live."
I thought that killing one Guo would not be enough to dispel the resentment, but it seems I have overthought it. Shao Huan merely smiled, "You may dispose of Hua Yao as you wish, but this destination has long been determined."
Yun Huang would rather have ghosts, would rather she die than be scattered
"It is merely a dying reflection; once a person dies, nothing remains." Shaohuan tightly held onto Yunhuang, his voice gentle, yet his gaze was cold. Yunhuang stared blankly at the bruises on her hand, a growing sense of disgust rising in her eyes. The blood-red bruise seemed like a monster clinging to her hand, making her increasingly repulsed. Ignoring the pain, she reached out to wipe away the circle of bloodstains from her skin. Shaohuan quickly grasped her hands, but she struggled fiercely, pulling her hands away with determination. The blood-red bruise seemed like a monster clinging to her hand, making her increasingly repulsed. Ignoring the pain, she reached out to wipe away the circle of bloodstains from her skin. Shaohuan quickly grasped her hands, but she struggled fiercely, pulling her hands away with determination.
One hanging, two hangings, three hangings
He carried her in his arms to the soft couch in the outer room, and as he lowered his head, he caught a whiff of her skin's warm fragrance, faintly infused with a hint of rich musk
The moonlight is clear and cold, the fragrance in the room is rich, and her red lips exhale warmth. She clings to his neck, her eyes filled with confusion, a pale face flushed with an exquisite, seductive red, enticing him with an uncontrollable fervor. ... Shaohuan forcefully pressed her against the screen, sweeping his sleeve to extinguish the candles on the table ... . ... In the dimly lit inner chamber, only the low moans and heavy breaths rise and fall, the entangled bodies hidden behind the screen.
Yunhuang carefully examined the empress Guo before her, as the pale moonlight leaked through the skylight, casting a reflection on her sorrowful face
Moonlight streamed in through the curtains, evenly spreading across his bare shoulders and back, as if fine silver rays were flowing over his jade-like skin. Shaohuan slept soundly, his elegant nose casting a shadow from his long eyelashes, and the fragrance of iris wafted from his breath. Yunhuang quietly rose, casually wrapping his snow-white silk robe around herself, and gently pulled the thin quilt over him to cover him properly.
A three-year-old girl may not yet have the ability to remember events, but she is not entirely oblivious. ... At least, the flames that lit up the sky that night, the shouts that broke open the palace gates, and her mother's heart-wrenching cries ... are all vividly etched in Yunhuang's mind. Among those fragmented memories, there is the trembling body of the wet nurse, her ample bosom exuding a cloying scent of milk through her clothing, making it hard for Yunhuang to breathe. The wet nurse held her tightly against her chest, covering her face with her sleeve to prevent her from seeing her mother kneeling at the palace gate, weeping ... Among those fragmented memories, there is the trembling body of the wet nurse, her ample bosom exuding a cloying scent of milk through her clothing, making it hard for Yunhuang to breathe. The wet nurse held her tightly against her chest, covering her face with her sleeve to prevent her from seeing her mother kneeling at the palace gate, weeping ... Yet, she could still hear the cries of children nearby, followed by her mother's shrieks, mixed with someone’s reprimands and commands. ... Ultimately, two muffled sounds, one mournful cry, brought an end to all the chaos.
"Hmm." Shaohuan smiled slightly, his fingers brushing through her silky long hair, "Has your heart softened?"
Jian Yunfang coldly turned her head and remained silent. Shao Huan embraced her and sighed lightly, "I need the Pei family, and you need allies. Pei Lingxian is young and passionate, and values his reputation greatly. The other day, Pei Fei came to plead, and I deliberately refused to agree. If you were to fulfill this favor for him, the Pei siblings would surely be grateful, and you would have one less opponent and one more ally. How could that be a bad thing?"
The affairs of the world are ever-changing; just when one believes oneself to be sufficiently strong, on such a moonlit night, one sees the solitary figure of the mother waiting patiently.
Mother..." Huayao struggled as she was dragged out of the prison cell, Empress Guo closed her eyes, her expression calm, no longer filled with attachment
No matter when, whether she is the former Qingping or the current Princess Chang, she is always just her Yunhuang; no matter what she does, whether right or wrong, when she turns around, there is always a loved one waiting for her return
I stepped forward to look at her, but she opened her eyes and reached out to grab me. Yunhuang appeared somewhat dazed, her expression utterly exhausted. She stared at me, blood flowing from her eyes, continuously streaming down her cheeks
The women who fought for power in the harem throughout their lives either drank poison to take their own lives or died by the sword or axe. The domineering Guo clan also met their end beneath the white silk, while the mad Consort Ke lived until the end. Day after day, fortune and misfortune intertwine; who can predict who will be laughing tomorrow
Yunhuang's body was soft and weak, no longer able to struggle, merely allowing him to kiss and seek. Pain was on the skin, itchiness in the marrow, a tingling sensation in the heart, and deep within her body seemed to be a cold, hollow crack, wishing to fill it with all of his warmth
Behind the side hall of the Xinyi Palace lies a delicate jade pool, specially constructed for Consort Ke in years past. The palace maids have prepared fragrant bathing water, tossing spoonfuls of cardamom, sandalwood, orchid grass, and medicinal powders into the water, creating a mist that wafts with exotic aromas. Yunhuang removes her outer robe, steps down the shallow steps, and slowly immerses herself in the pool, her long black hair floating on the water's surface like drifting water plants
I do not wish to see Yao Yao," Yun Huang said indifferently, "Choose a place tomorrow, and I will send her away.
He indeed had good intentions, secretly laying out connections for her, gathering allies, and bringing in Concubine Pei to serve as a shield in front of the Empress. If it were in the past, she would have been sincerely grateful, carefully dependent on others, and acting according to the moods of those around her. Yet, in front of him, she behaved unusually, for the first time in her life learning to be domineering and willful
The scent of desire dissipates, and the tranquil moonlight illuminates a pillow of flowing black hair. Yun Huang curls up in Shao Huan's embrace, resembling a languid cat.
Hanging requires three nooses to ensure the person is executed; if death occurs too early, it is considered a dereliction of duty on the part of the executioner
Whoever she despises, he brings to her; the suffering she has endured is repaid tenfold to her enemies. He grants her the power of vengeance, allowing her to personally erase past humiliations and tread upon the corpses of her foes
Regardless of the circumstances, the former enemies are no longer present, and she should indeed feel a sense of comfort—this is what Yun Huang thought in her heart, yet she could find no trace of solace on her mother's face. It seems that she no longer cares at all
As a person approaches death, their words may be kind, yet Guo Hou's lips moved, uttering a venomous curse: "Wretched maid, today you have harmed me, and in the future, there will surely be someone who will repay you tenfold with even greater cruelty. After my death, I shall transform into ... ... "
In front of the Magnolia Palace, the shadows of the paulownia trees are dense, and the tall palace lanterns cannot dispel the deep darkness of midnight. The princess dismounted from the phoenix carriage, and an old palace maid serving the venerable Consort Ke hurriedly approached, reporting that the consort was still waiting in front of the hall, insisting on waiting for the princess's return
Shao Huan felt a soft reluctance in his heart, as if he wanted to say something, yet he sensed that any words would be superfluous. He merely placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, offering her silent comfort. Yun Huang closed her eyes, quietly listening to his breathing grow deeper, and soon fell into a deep sleep, as if she were extremely tired and weary.
In this world, there is only the illusion of cause and effect, yet the retribution of karma has never been witnessed. If there truly exists the power of deities and spirits, then how can so many monsters and aberrations run rampant
Princess Jianchang stood in silence, while the old palace maid anxiously raised her eyes. She saw that the princess's face was pale under the moonlight, revealing a weariness that a young woman should not possess. Yunhuang said nothing as she turned and walked towards the Jinglu where Taifei Ke resided
"What do I want this ally to fight for?" Yun Huang said with a mix of annoyance and a smile, "Is Your Majesty dissatisfied with the three thousand beauties and still need one more Yun Huang?"
Shaohuan's voice was low and hoarse, as if he were half-awake and half-drunk, "Why are you so melancholic?"
The Consort Ke seemed to understand, yet also appeared quite perplexed
That person seemed to have loved her, yet also seemed to have hated her
Shao Huan slightly furrowed his brows, "I bestow Huayao upon you as a maid, not merely to bring you pleasure"
Therefore, she ought to be happy, should she not
During his reign, he committed patricide and fratricide, slaughtering countless individuals, while his ministers faced severe punishments, often leading to the extermination of their clans. The fate of the Su family cannot be considered the worst; at least they retained a Consort Ke and a Princess Yun. He did not kill her, nor did he ever strip her of her title, but from that point on, he chose to forget her. He allowed others to humiliate and insult her, permitting her daughter to grow up in solitude, leaving them in the desolate Xinyigong Palace, facing the elements alone, blooming, withering, and falling together with the hibiscus flowers.
In the third year of Tianyou, Crown Prince Huai Jin met with disaster in the northern frontier, leading to a dramatic upheaval in the capital. The commander of the Imperial Guards personally led three thousand armored soldiers to storm the palace, forcing Emperor Jing to abdicate overnight. The entire East Palace was slaughtered in a single night, with the relatives of the Crown Princess executed, and all other concubines, servants, and guards met the same fate. The guards of the East Palace fought to the death to protect the Crown Princess and her four young heirs as they attempted to escape. The wet nurse took the illegitimate second prince out through the northern gate, while the Crown Princess fled with her two sons through the eastern gate. Upon reaching outside the eastern gate, the Crown Princess's whereabouts were exposed, and she was killed along with her young son. The eldest son, Yin, was rescued by the loyal guards of the East Palace, and subsequently, he, along with the illegitimate son Zheng and the eldest daughter Si, managed to escape and went into hiding. King Luling ascended to the throne as emperor, and in the spring of the following year, he changed the era name to Tianying. Four years later, the case of the orphaned heir of Crown Prince Huai Jin was uncovered, and the three young children hidden away by Duke Wending Su Huan were all discovered. The eldest son was killed on the spot, while the younger son and daughter were also brutally murdered.
The wet nurse trembled even more violently, her teeth chattering.
Only because he is the only person in this world who is willing to indulge her, teaching her that even in her reluctance and struggles, she gradually falls deeper into it
"It doesn't matter, Yunhuang, it really doesn't matter." Shaohuan tightly grasped her wrist and leaned down to kiss her. His soft lips covered the fiery, painful wound, and the initial shock was gradually drowned by the shivers stirred by his lips and tongue. From her wrist to her fingertips, he kissed every inch of her skin, gently biting down, capturing the restless heart demon.
Yunhuang gazed at her mother's face, momentarily lost in confusion, unsure if such a love-hate relationship truly existed in this world, leading one to eternal folly. In a daze, the blurred visage of her father seemed to flicker before her eyes, or perhaps it transformed into the features of Shaohuan, the smile of Shaohuan.
"I have given you everything you desire," he said, his long fingers caressing her icy cheek. "Yet, does it still not bring you joy?"
Yunhuang gazed intently, watching the white silk tighten more and more, observing Guo's struggles becoming increasingly feeble. There was no bloodshed in this death, not even a whisper of sound, only the cold moonlight illuminating the snow-white silk and the deathly pale face
The winding bridge leading to the quiet lodge stretches out, with ripples dancing on the distant waves and a cold moon casting a dim yellow light. From afar, one can see the noble Consort Ke standing there, draped in a wind cloak, eagerly gazing towards the palace gate. The slender figure captured in view suddenly causes Yun Huang's heart to skip a beat, and her eyes unexpectedly warm with emotion
The wailing was the voice of the Empress Mother. Yunhuang bit down on the wet nurse's hand, seizing the opportunity to break free and rushed towards Consort Ke. However, she saw the guards dragging away two burlap sacks, the bulging bags leaving two lines of crimson on the palace steps made of jade bricks. The Empress Mother stared blankly, fixedly gazing at the two pools of deep red spreading on the steps below, and before she could utter a sound, she fainted. Yunhuang looked down in panic, seeing the intricately carved jade bricks stained with a bizarre pattern, the winding grooves still holding the deep red that spread out... From that moment on, Yunhuang remembered this scene, often pouring clear water over the jade bricks, watching the water traces spread across the surface, yet it could never compare to the vivid crimson of that year. Yunhuang looked down in panic, seeing the intricately carved jade bricks stained with a bizarre pattern, the winding grooves still holding the deep red that spread out... From that moment on, Yunhuang remembered this scene, often pouring clear water over the jade bricks, watching the water traces spread across the surface, yet it could never compare to the vivid crimson of that year.
In my heart, Yun Huang would rather have no father emperor, only regarding that vague figure in bright yellow as "that person"
Not competing, not wanting, not caring; these words spoken from her mouth are both laughable and pitiable
Midnight had passed, and a light carriage with a small entourage swiftly entered the palace gates, while the carriage of the Grand Princess of Ningguo quietly returned. The palace gates are locked at the hour of the dog, a rule as unyielding as thunder, with strict palace regulations in place; even the Empress is not permitted to enter or exit at will. If one wishes to open the palace gates after the designated time, it is necessary to seek the Emperor's decree. Even with the most compelling reasons, violating the palace regulations would result in punishment by flogging. This is a rule established by our ancestors, and no one has ever been exempt—except for the Grand Princess of Ningguo.
Yunhuang understands everything clearly, yet is unable to control her own heart.
Yun Huang silently raised her hand, her slender white fingers meeting the moonlight, and on her wrist, there was a striking red mark.
The palace maids issued a command simultaneously, tightening both ends of the white silk ribbon.
After being tightly bound by the white silk around her neck, Guo, upon hearing Yun Huang's words, felt a fleeting sense of relief and comfort in her eyes
"I do not want to argue," she ultimately lowered her head, her expression momentarily bewildered, carrying a childlike stubbornness. "It would be fine to just endure this life as it is; I do not want anything else, nor do I care."
Yunhuang slowly approached and noticed her hair was disheveled by the wind, so she reached out to smooth it. However, Empress Dowager Ke grasped Yunhuang's hand, gently warming her cold fingertips in her palm, with a quiet and gentle smile. Yunhuang assisted her in walking back to the inner hall, helped her out of her clothes, and watched her lie down to sleep. Empress Dowager Ke gazed intently at her daughter, her dark pupils reflecting Yunhuang's weary smile. She timidly reached out her hand to caress Yunhuang's cheek, wishing to erase that unappealing smile.
Musk has always been a forbidden substance in the imperial palace, and prolonged use by women can lead to infertility. The empress of Emperor Cheng of Han, Zhao Feiyan, and her sister were fond of using musk, which resulted in their inability to bear children for life. With this precedent, no concubine dared to use it. ... While others sought offspring by every possible means, she alone added musk to the orchid-scented bath she took every day ... ... Shao Huan lifted her wet hair in his hands, leaned down, and said softly, "I forbid you to use this substance again"
Shaohuan's expression turned cold as he gazed at her directly, "You should be clear about my intentions; there is no need to say such words to provoke me."
In the long, silent night, only a sense of endlessness is felt
"It is musk again." Shaohuan felt a moment of melancholy, his eyes filled with pity yet revealing a hint of helplessness.
Yunhuang also smiled with a sense of melancholy, shedding her armor; no one is truly as cold and hard as iron.
"Is Pei Lingxian here?" Yun Huang raised her eyebrows slightly and coldly said, "It is one thing for a woman to be humiliated, but to willingly become a concubine for that person?" Shao Huan chuckled, "You seem to be the one aggrieved, yet you do not know who is the one tormenting others." Yun Huang felt somewhat angry, propping herself up slightly to glare at him, "These two matters are entirely unrelated; even if I am the one tormenting, others still cannot humiliate me."
Watching her mother finally fall asleep, Yun Huang quietly rose, walking alone out of the palace door. The hem of her skirt trailed behind her, the light silk gauze dampened by the night dew, cool against her skin, the chill seeping deep into her bones
This year, Yunhuang is three years old
Yunhuang closed her eyes and remained silent, only feeling his warm breath brushing against her neck, stirring a soft sensation in her heart
It is said that experienced executioners master the measure perfectly, delivering the initial blows with enough force to shatter bones without causing unconsciousness or death. In this light, the fact that the two young children did not even utter a cry and died from a single strike can be considered an act of mercy
In the heavenly family, regardless of whether they are favored or not, children are always cherished in various ways; even common folk dote on their offspring. However, Yunhuang does not know the taste of being pampered; she only knows to stay by her mother’s side, protecting her from humiliation when others bully her. When Yunhuang is bullied, Ke Fei can only cry in panic, lacking even the courage to pull her away. Gradually, Yunhuang learns not to resist, learns to silently endure, and no longer hopes for help from others—except for herself, everyone else is a stranger, including her mother.
"For those who serve the nation, they should see evil as a farmer sees the need to remove weeds, cutting them down and uprooting them, ensuring that they cannot take root again"
The palace gate in the night is like a gaping maw, leading directly into the dim depths of the inner palace
"You won't let me go even if I become a vengeful spirit, will you?" Yun Huang interrupted her words and smiled slightly, "I understand the Empress Mother's intentions, which is why I have chosen to send you on your way at midnight. With the moon at its zenith, the yin is strong and the yang is weak. When a person dies, their grievances linger, and they wander between the realms of yin and yang, never able to attain rebirth"