Chapter Four: Requesting Permission to Leave the Palace for a Blessing Ceremony

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Tang Yurong’s gaze slowly shifted toward Xiao Ceyun’s stern expression. Today’s performance had originally been a plan they discussed together. His true intention was to use the tactic of excessive praise to eliminate the ministers harboring ill will toward him, while keeping a close watch on the ever-growing ambitions of the Wei family. As the saying goes, to kill a fierce tiger, one must strike when it is most arrogant and careless.

But the anger he displayed now didn’t seem like mere acting. Could the situation have changed?

Perhaps this time she could boldly defy his orders. She bit her lip silently and decided to gamble, betting that the emperor would ultimately order Wei Yanchao’s execution.

“Your Majesty, I punish Sister Wei because...” She hesitated briefly before continuing, “Today, Sister Wei was targeted by Lady Lin. I was careless and believed Lady Lin’s slanders, leading me to unjustly punish Sister Wei. This is my dereliction of duty, and I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Having spoken, she bowed gracefully, showing utmost submission.

She still followed the plan they had agreed upon beforehand, unwilling to take unnecessary risks. The emperor’s favor for Wei Yanchao was unfathomable, and she dared not lightly probe the vast and intricate power of the Wei family. She feared that any misjudgment would lead the emperor to ruthlessly depose her as empress.

After careful consideration, she concluded that the safest and most reliable choice was to proceed steadily according to their prior plan. If she were to blunder, it would be disastrous beyond imagination.

“Is that really all?”

Xiao Ceyun furrowed his brows deeply, his face darkened with displeasure at the empress’s answer.

“What a pity! I was so close to gaining a new status.”

Suddenly, Wei Yanchao screamed in fright. Instantly, all eyes turned sharply toward her.

Seeing this, Wei Yanchao quickly knelt on both knees, her body trembling, speaking with fear and sincerity, “I lost control for a moment and offended Your Majesty and the Empress. Please forgive me!”

Her nerves had been stretched taut, and the sudden voice from her other self had truly startled her.

Xiao Ceyun stepped forward and supported her unsteady form, his face full of concern as he asked, “My beloved, what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly so terrified?”

Wei Yanchao’s mind raced, trying to figure out how to cleverly conceal her earlier lapse.

The voice in her mind spoke again: “Master, Lady Lin’s corpse was just carried away from the imperial garden.”

Wei Yanchao immediately said, “I just saw Lady Lin covered in blood and was frightened…”

Xiao Ceyun quickly wrapped his arms gently around her and whispered comfortingly in her ear, “Do not fear. With me here, no one will harm you, nor will I tolerate anyone bullying you.”

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Wei Yanchao continued to tremble all over, her voice shaking as she said, “Your Majesty, I am truly terrified. I beseech Your Majesty to allow me to return to the palace to rest first.”

Xiao Ceyun looked at the overly frightened beauty in his arms and felt a pang of pity. He nodded and replied, “Since my beloved is unwell, it’s best to return to the palace and rest early. After I finish my affairs, I will come see you later.”

Wei Yanchao hurriedly bowed and then quickly returned to the palace.

In her heart, she scolded, “Who told you to speak out suddenly! If you dare do that again, it will be against my orders!”

“Understood.”

Wei Yanchao sat down trembling. Now that Xiao Ceyun was suspicious of her, perhaps he would no longer flatter her. Perhaps at this very moment, he was scheming how to have her eliminated as soon as possible.

In the following days, Wei Yanchao pretended to have no appetite, suffered sleepless nights, and acted erratically.

When Xiao Ceyun came to see her, she continued to play the part of a frightened, pitiful woman. “Your Majesty, I wish to go to Nan’an Temple to cultivate and find peace of mind in the Buddhist hall.”

Xiao Ceyun was shocked and found it unbelievable that Wei Yanchao would make such a request.

His mind churned with many thoughts. Before coming, he had guessed that Wei Yanchao’s recent commotion might be because she discovered he overheard her arrogant words the other day, and now she wanted to invoke his pity to change his mind.

Facing the formidable power behind Wei Yanchao, he indeed couldn’t afford to openly ignore her. So he came to visit and play along with her act.

Yet he never expected her to make such an outrageous request to leave the palace for Nan’an Temple.

“My beloved, what nonsense are you speaking? Why suddenly do you want to go to Nan’an Temple?”

Wei Yanchao tightly grasped the emperor’s arm, her once radiant face now pale, her eyes flickering with panic. She whispered, “Your Majesty, please allow me to go. These days, I have been restless, unable to sleep. Perhaps the scriptures in the Buddhist hall will calm my heart.”

Xiao Ceyun was baffled. He couldn’t understand what role she was playing.

If she left the palace, wouldn’t that waste the Wei family’s efforts in sending her here? Moreover, with Wei Yanchao’s ambition—only days ago she vowed to replace the empress—how could she suddenly want to leave the palace? Was she truly frightened into such an uncharacteristic act to save her life?

“Do you really want to go to Nan’an Temple to copy scriptures and pray for blessings?”

A flash of determination appeared in Wei Yanchao’s eyes as she immediately nodded without hesitation, “Yes, Your Majesty. It is a peaceful place where I seek inner tranquility and comfort...”

Xiao Ceyun stared quietly at Wei Yanchao. After a long silence, seeing no hint of deceit on her face, he sighed helplessly and finally agreed, “Very well. Since you wish to go, then go.”

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Wei Yanchao’s departure from the palace could temporarily restrain the Wei family’s swelling power. With her as a bargaining chip, the Wei family surely dared not act rashly.

A surge of uncontrollable gratitude welled within Wei Yanchao, tears brimmed in her eyes, and she quickly kowtowed deeply to the emperor in thanks, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I shall not disappoint your expectations. I will diligently copy the Buddhist scriptures, spending my life with the flickering lamp and ancient Buddha, praying for Your Majesty and all the people of the Dayao Dynasty...”

Xiao Ceyun was puzzled. Did Wei Yanchao mean she would not return?

“Rest well, my beloved. I still have matters to attend to. I will visit you later.”

After Xiao Ceyun left, Shui Yao carefully attended to Wei Yanchao as she lay down, then quietly stepped out.

Once Shui Yao left, Wei Yanchao slowly sat up, a cold smile curling in her heart. She knew without doubt whom Shui Yao had gone to see.

Shui Yao was a spy planted by Xiao Ceyun beside her. In the previous life, Xiao Ceyun had full control over her and Shui Yao had been quite effective.

Shui Yao tiptoed cautiously, avoiding the gaze of others, and approached Xiao Ceyun. She bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty.”

Xiao Ceyun’s expression remained calm and deep like an abyss. His gaze was endless as he slowly asked, “Has Consort Wei seen anyone recently? Any unusual behavior?”

Shui Yao lowered her head and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, since Consort Wei returned from the imperial garden, she has not left her chamber, nor met anyone. She speaks nonsense all day, appearing mad.”

Xiao Ceyun pondered silently: Could it be that Wei Yanchao was truly frightened into illness by what she saw in the garden that day?

“You will accompany her to Nan’an Temple and watch over her closely. If she behaves abnormally or meets anyone she shouldn’t, report to me immediately without concealment.”

Shui Yao quickly responded, “Yes, Your Majesty. Rest assured, I will take care of Consort Wei diligently.”

Only then did Xiao Ceyun fully depart.

Three days later, Wei Yanchao left the palace.

Having observed Wei Yanchao for some time, Shui Yao, knowing her well, felt Wei Yanchao was not someone willing to endure hardship or give up wealth and power easily. Her insistence on leaving the palace must have some ulterior motive. She feigned concern, “Your Highness, since you’ve left the palace, I wonder when you will return. Are you really determined to leave?”

“Yes, I will diligently copy Buddhist scriptures and pray for the blessings of Your Majesty and the Dayao realm.”

A faint cold smile curved Wei Yanchao’s lips. She had already planned everything in her heart. When she returned, she would not keep anyone waiting. She would ensure Xiao Ceyun would welcome her back with the grandest ceremony imaginable.