Chapter 468: The Eccentricity Under Dan Liang Royal City (28)

Chapter 468: The Recklessness Under the Dan Liang Royal Capital (28)

The rain came - just a brief summer storm. When it first arrived, it poured heavily, accompanied by rolling thunder, yet within half an hour, the torrential rain ceased, leaving a rainbow stretching across the sky.

A rainbow's colorful glow.

The skies cleared, and the sunlight, once obscured by thick clouds, reappeared. Yet at this moment, outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, the Grand Steward—so flustered he'd misplaced his ceremonial whisk—felt as though dark clouds loomed over his head.

"Your Majesty… Your Majesty… A grave matter has arisen…"

In such panic, as the Grand Steward rushed into the Hall of Diligent Governance, he tripped over the threshold and tumbled face-first onto the floor, eating dirt.

As his words fell, the Emperor of Dan Liang on his dragon throne stood up in shock.

Similarly, in the rear palace where Empress Yun had returned, a eunuch arrived in the same frantic manner as the Grand Steward, delivering news that would likewise turn her pale.

A loud clatter rang out as a teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

Tea splashed, staining Empress Yun’s embroidered silk palace shoes.

Empress Yun mirrored the Emperor's reaction, rising in horror, her face went ghostly white in an instant, as if struck by a severe illness.

Her reaction lasted until the eunuch by her side snapped back to his senses and hastily tugged at her sleeve. Only then did Empress Yun suddenly regain her composure, before rushing from her quarters, her steps hurried and panicked, filled with dread.

"Princess, has something happened?"

Not far away, in a side hall, Xiao Yu stared in astonishment.

She could hardly believe that Empress Yun, who had always been graceful as a swaying willow, could display such a flustered and terrified side. The woman who now lifted her skirts and ran in panic had lost all her usual poise.

By the window of the side hall, Xianmu Yaling looked equally stunned at the sight of Empress Yun.

This version of Empress Yun was one Xianmu Yaling had never seen before in her memories—not even when she'd defiantly left Dan Liang and was intercepted midway, yet still faced no reprimand.

They'd simply conveyed Empress Yun’s words, urging her to return first, stating that her marriage to her cousin had already been announced to the world. Her reckless departure would leave her uncle and aunt unable to face her parents.

Moreover, her uncle was already on his way. Even if she was quarreling with her cousin and wished to leave, she should at least wait until her uncle arrived to resolve the marriage issue, so as not to harm their relationship, before leaving Dan Liang properly.

The dignity of Zhu Xian and Dan Liang—if they wanted to make fools of themselves, then so be it. But between her and her cousin, who loved her deeply and was the Crown Prince of Dan Liang, he'd never see her wronged. If the marriage were to change, he would surely shoulder all the blame himself rather than let her bear any grievance.

Such earnest words, such meticulous care—far gentler than even her own mother’s treatment of her. Even when it concerned her cousin, Empress Yun had remained tender toward her.

But now, what could possibly have happened to make her aunt so panicked and terrified, losing all composure?

"Princess, could something have happened to the Crown Prince?"

Xiao Yu's words hit Xianmu Yaling like lightning. The only thing that could provoke such a reaction from Empress Yun, Xiao Yu reasoned, must involve Rong Feng, Empress Yun’s own son.

Xianmu Yaling turned to Xiao Yu, her heart sinking.

Could something really have happened to her cousin?

The idea twisted her stomach—what if her running away had hurt Rong Feng?

Once this idea took root, Xianmu Yaling couldn't just sit there.

Though after her return, Empress Yun had soothed her with kind words, urging her to stay calm and avoid seeing Rong Feng for now, to think it through—was she really ready to cut off her cousin over a single mistake?

Empress Yun's advice had given Xianmu Yaling pause. That goodbye night, in that instant, she'd faltered. Was she really willing to sever ties with her cousin over just one mistake?

Moreover, if the marriage alliance between Zhu Xian and Dan Liang kingdoms were to be ruined because of her, becoming the world's laughingstock—just as the Impostor Empress Yun had said—could she truly disregard the alliance between the two nations and leave so recklessly? Did she not even care about Rong Feng?

With this realization in her heart, Xianmu Yaling ultimately heeded the Impostor Empress Yun's words and stayed, obeying orders not to seek out Rong Feng.

Perhaps, given time, before the wedding date was finalized, Rong Feng might get past the hurdle in his heart.

But now, seeing the Impostor Empress Yun rush off and Xiao Yu's sudden speculation, how could Xianmu Yaling remain in the palace, waiting until their wedding to see Rong Xiao again, hoping their rift would heal?

Her heart pounding with worry for Rong Feng, she was just about to take Xiao Yu and leave the side hall to follow the Impostor Empress Yun and see what had truly happened—whether it was indeed related to Rong Feng.

Yet before the two could step out of the side hall, the Impostor Empress Yun, who had already left, suddenly returned—but not alone. Old Ding had arrived, prompting her to turn back and re-enter her chambers.

Though Old Ding was past his fifties, as an outsider, his presence in the inner palace without an attendant guiding him was a blatant breach of protocol.

Furthermore, after Old Ding followed the Impostor Empress Yun into the main hall, the doors were abruptly shut, with her personal eunuch guarding them outside. The oddity of it set off alarms in Xianmu Yaling’s mind.

After a moment of hesitation, she turned away—not exiting through the main door but slipping out unseen through a side window.

She instructed Xiao Yu to wait while she investigated.

She knew the palace inside out, especially the Impostor Empress Yun's chambers, more so than even her own mother's. Xianmu Yaling could easily approach unnoticed, even with guards posted outside. She pressed her ear against the rear window to listen.

With just one overheard sentence, her face went pale with shock, her pupils contracting.

The conversation between the Impostor Empress Yun and Old Ding—her frantic, garbled words, the revelation of her false identity, the sudden arrival of the Elder Prince in Dan Liang—all these secrets caused Xianmu Yaling to let out a gasp, inadvertently alerting Old Ding.

Immediately, Old Ding signaled the Impostor Empress Yun. Tendrils of green smoke curled from a small hole in the head of his cane, drifting toward Xianmu Yaling through the window cracks.

Before she could react, she crumpled to the ground, collapsing unconscious.

The sound of her fall alerted the Impostor Empress Yun's personal eunuch outside, who swiftly moved to the rear window.

Old Ding and the Impostor Empress Yun pushed open the shutters, discovering Xianmu Yaling as the eavesdropper. Old Ding's brows furrowed deeply, his bulging eyes turning toward the equally pale-faced Impostor Empress Yun, a shadow of malice crossing his face.

"She can’t be left alive."

With that, he swiftly glanced toward the side hall where Xianmu Yaling had been staying.

The Impostor Empress Yun's eunuch understood instantly, hurrying off to seize Xiao Yu, who was still in the dark.