Chapter Thirty-Five: I Know I Was Wrong

The person’s face was twisted in a ferocious mask, eyes flashing with the frantic fire of madness. Clutching a razor-sharp dagger, they lunged toward Wei Yanqiao like a famished tiger, roaring incessantly, "You slut! It is all because of you that I have been reduced to such a miserable state. Today, I will tear you to pieces!"

Nearby, Shuiyao watched in a state of sheer panic, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Your Ladyship, watch out!" Despite her extreme anxiety, she had no intention of stepping forward to shield Wei Yanqiao from the blade.

Wei Yanqiao fled for her life, but the madman pursued her like a relentless specter, baring teeth and claws, muttering, "Slut, today I will kill you to avenge my poor child!"

As she sprinted, Wei Yanqiao glanced back to see the person’s distorted, crazed expression; it was clear they had completely lost their sanity and were not merely pretending. Furthermore, besides this terrifying lunatic, not a single soul could be seen in the cold palace. Could everyone else here have already fallen victim to this deranged woman? If she were to perish here today, wouldn't it be an utterly pointless death? No, she could not just sit and wait for the end!

With a flash of inspiration, Wei Yanqiao abruptly turned and raced toward the main gate of the cold palace, shrieking at the top of her voice, "Your Majesty! This concubine knows her wrongs! I beg you, save me!"

Shuiyao dodged around the palace, trying to avoid the gleaming dagger brandished by the madwoman. Seeing Wei Yanqiao running toward the gate, Shuiyao hurried after her, crying, "Your Ladyship, wait for your servant!"

Wei Yanqiao scrambled back along the path she had come. Gasping for air as she reached the gate, she found that the door, which had been open earlier, was now tightly locked. Stumbling to the gate, she gripped the crack with both hands and shouted to the guards standing watch outside, "I want to see the Emperor! Let me out! I must see the Emperor!"

A guard barked a harsh reprimand: "What is all this noise? If you dare to disturb the peace again, don’t blame us for being impolite! Get back at once!"

The guard delivered a fierce kick to the gate. With a thunderous boom, the heavy wooden doors shuddered violently, the force of the impact sending Wei Yanqiao reeling backward. Just as she was about to collapse, Shuiyao scurried over and caught her, asking with feigned concern, "Your Ladyship, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Ignoring her, Wei Yanqiao broke free and threw herself back against the gate, pleading desperately through the narrow gap: "Kind guard, I beg you, show some mercy and report this to His Majesty for me. I must see him!"

The guard waved a hand in utter impatience and said coldly, "Once you have been cast into the cold palace, what right do you have to demand an audience with the Emperor? Stop dreaming and stay where you are!"

Tears streamed down Wei Yanqiao’s face. Her delicate frame trembled like a flower swaying in the wind, a sight meant to evoke pity. Looking at the guard with eyes swollen red like peaches, she choked out, "Kind guard, I am the Noble Consort Sheng, cast into this cold palace only today! My favor was known throughout the entire palace; surely you have heard of it. I know I was wrong to defy the Emperor. Please, I beg you, tell him I have repented and will never cross him again. I only ask to see him for a moment—even a brief instant would suffice! If you help me, once I regain his favor, I will never forget your kindness and will surely reward you handsomely."

Shuiyao, also anxious, chimed in, "Kind guard, please have mercy and help my mistress! The Emperor still holds her in his heart; casting her into the cold palace was merely a small punishment to set an example. If you help us now, my mistress will never forget this immense favor. If you refuse, once the Emperor summons her back, will you not fear the consequences?"

Shuiyao was frustrated with Wei Yanqiao; she had urged her to humble herself before the Emperor long ago, but she had refused until it was nearly too late. Now, escape would not be so easy.

The guards exchanged glances, filled with uncertainty. In the inner palace, it was not uncommon for disgraced concubines to find their way back to favor, and the prestige Wei Yanqiao once held was common knowledge. If the Emperor were to change his mind, her temperament suggested she would surely find a way to make life difficult for them.

Reflecting on this, one guard hesitated before saying, "Fine, fine. We will try. But if this does not work, do not blame us!" They reasoned that if the Emperor truly abandoned her, they would be safe; their only fear was the Emperor allowing her to leave, in which case they would be the ones to suffer.

Wei Yanqiao was overjoyed and thanked them profusely: "Thank you, kind guard! If I am fortunate enough to step out of this gate, I will certainly remember your kindness today!"

The guard conferred briefly with his companions and then rushed toward the Emperor’s living quarters. Upon arrival, he found Bi Zifu keeping a respectful watch outside. Catching his breath, the guard stepped forward and whispered to Bi Zifu, "Chief Steward, the deposed concubine sent to the cold palace this morning claims she has realized her error and begs for an audience with the Emperor."

Bi Zifu was shocked, his eyes widening as he asked, "Is this true?"

Everyone could sense that Xiao Ceyun was on the verge of a volcanic rage. Yet, surprisingly, given his usual decisive and ruthless nature, he had not yet ordered her execution. If Wei Yanqiao were to show some tact now and offer a few sweet words, could she perhaps extinguish his fury?

Receiving the guard’s confirmation, Bi Zifu dared not delay. He scurried into the chambers to report to Xiao Ceyun, head bowed and posture submissive, whispering, "Your Majesty, the guard just reported that the deposed consort Wei knows her wrongs..."