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“I am speaking to you, did you not hear?” The Empress Dowager’s tone held a hint of displeasure after receiving no response for a while.
Yan Qing snapped out of her reverie, the events of the past ten years swirling in her mind. There was simply too much to process.
“Release Xiao Jinghan?” She raised her gaze to the Empress Dowager, giving a faint smile, “Impossible.”
What?
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response. After a moment of extreme shock and surprise, she finally raised her head, looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar daughter with a gaze of compassion.
Familiar, because Yan Qing was her biological daughter conceived for months.
Yet unfamiliar, because the mother and daughter had met so infrequently. Besides the label of “Lone Star of Calamity”, the Empress Dowager’s impression of this daughter was even less profound than that of a palace maid.
Upon a close inspection, the eighteen-year-old Yan Qing truly possessed a breathtaking beauty, making even the Empress Dowager feel a twinge of jealousy.
However, beyond her appearance, what truly shocked the Empress Dowager was Yan Qing’s demeanor and attitude. Ten years ago, this daughter had longed for her mother’s affection, her eyes reflecting a different kind of longing.
But standing here now, there was a palpable sense of distance.
Even when she smiled, there was a coldness that kept others at bay.
The Empress Dowager disliked this feeling, and in a tone of confirmation, she asked again, “What did you say?”
“I came to the palace today just to see how the Empress Dowager is doing. Whether these years have taken a toll on you due to missing your daughter, making you pale and weary from excessive worries. But you look radiant and noble”, Yan Qing’s lips curved slightly, “So, I can rest assured.”
The Empress Dowager frowned subtly, “Assured about what?”
“To be at ease to boldly pursue what I desire, without worrying that the Empress Dowager’s health will suffer, or that it will lead to her end from distress.” Yan Qing concluded.
The Empress Dowager’s expression froze, her hand instinctively tightening on the cat’s back, prompting a few protesting meows from the white cat.
There was a sharp glint in her eyes, as if trying to pierce through Yan Qing’s gaze to see what was truly on her mind.
How dare she speak to her like that?
“Mother, rest now. I won’t disturb you any longer.” Yan Qing slightly bowed, her voice still relatively gentle, although the underlying detachment and indifference were palpable, “You have never been keen on seeing me before, and from now on, I will try to stay away from you as much as possible. If I can avoid appearing in front of you, I will never show up in your presence.”
With that statement, she calmly turned and left.
The Empress Dowager’s face turned pale, silently staring at her retreating figure, unable to react for a long while.
The air in the hall seemed to solidify, becoming eerily quiet, almost deathly still.
The palace maids were horrified, heads bowed, suppressing even the sound of their breath.
As Yan Qing walked halfway, she was intercepted by a fair-faced eunuch.
“Princess Chang.” Wei Changhai respectfully bowed, smiling, “The Emperor requests your presence in the study.”
Yan Qing showed no surprise, nodding slowly, “Lead the way.”
“Of course.”
Wei Changhai led Yan Qing to the study. Just as he was about to announce her arrival, Yan Qing, seemingly unaware of the protocol, walked straight into the study.
Wei Changhai’s expression shifted slightly, attempting to stop her but it was too late.
Once inside, Yan Qing’s gaze landed on the young man seated on the dragon throne.
Her biological brother, the Sixth Prince, Yan Chen.
Yan Chen, as the legitimate son of the Empress, has been greatly favored since birth, enjoying unparalleled glory and privilege. His prominent status, coupled with the Emperor’s favor, commands respect even from his royal siblings.
Due to Yan Chen’s poor health since childhood, the Empress spared no effort in ensuring his well-being, fearing any mishaps. Ten years ago, Yan Qing was exiled to Zhuque City, a decision influenced by Yan Chen’s health condition.
At that time, being frail and sickly, the Empress believed that Yan Qing was adversely affecting Yan Chen. Hence, the astrologers suggested exiling the Ninth Princess to Zhuque City until Yan Chen ascended the throne.
Blessed with the destiny of an Emperor, Yan Chen was immune to the malevolent aura of the lone star. This immunity allowed Yan Qing to remain in Zhuque City for a full decade until the Emperor fell critically ill, and Yan Chen was about to ascend the throne, permitting Yan Qing to return to the Imperial City.
Upon his coronation, Yan Chen appointed a Regent to govern, considering both his health and to intimidate the feudal lords, leveraging the Regent’s power to suppress his royal siblings.
The Yong Dynasty has been somewhat unsettled since a decade ago, with the four Kings gradually becoming discontented. Apart from Regent Yan Cang’s ability to subdue them, others lack such audacity.
The Emperor’s thoughts are profound and meticulous. While he believed the arrangements were appropriate, he had not considered whether Yan Qing would accept his directives.
The interactions between these siblings are extremely rare, almost devoid of any emotions, resembling strangers, if not more indifferent. If not for power struggles, they might have lived out their lives without crossing paths. However, being part of the royal family, how could they not be embroiled in the struggles for imperial power?
“Princess Chang.” Wei Changhai noticed Yan Qing standing and reminded her cautiously, “You should bow when you see the Emperor.”
Yan Qing glanced at him, “Bow?”
“Yes.”
“How should I bow?”
“Just… kneel down…”
“Kneel down and show me first.”
Wei Changhai quickly knelt down and greeted the Emperor, “I bow to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
Yan Qing nodded, “What else?”
Wei Changhai hesitated for a moment, then turned to Yan Qing and bowed, “I bow to Princess Chang, may the Princess live a thousand years.”
Yan Qing calmly said, “You may leave now.”
Wei Changhai was once again taken aback.
“Yan Qing.” Yan Chen, with an icy gaze, watched the scene unfold, his face covered in a layer of frost, “What do you think you are doing?”
Yan Qing raised her gaze, meeting the young Emperor’s eyes directly, “Wasn’t it you who wanted to see me? Perhaps I should be the one asking you what your intentions are.”
Wei Changhai was shocked, breaking out in a cold sweat, trembling as he spoke, “Princess… Princess speaking to the Emperor… there should be some decorum, you cannot speak… so directly…”
“I was exiled to the Zhuque City when I was eight, no one taught me decorum.” Yan Qing lowered her eyes, straightening her cuff, “I may not have been taught, but I’ve set plenty of rules for others in these years. Would you like to experience them, Master Wei?”
“Ma… Master…” Wei Changhai’s face turned pale, unable to fathom Yan Qing’s audacity, “Master…”
“Wei Changhai, leave first.” Yan Chen’s voice was cold.
“Yes.” Wei Changhai, feeling as if a pardon had been granted, quickly stood up and left the room.
However, he didn’t dare to close the door to the study, standing meekly outside, keeping a close eye on the movements inside.
The other young eunuchs stood in the corner, their heads bowed, showing no reaction.
“Yan Qing, you are truly audacious.” Yan Chen’s gaze turned sharp, “Not bowing when you see me is one thing, but daring to show such disrespect. Do you realize that even if I wanted to kill you now, you wouldn’t be able to resist?”
Yan Qing seemed to find the situation amusing, “Emperor, are you joking? To be precise, it’s me who wants to kill you, and you wouldn’t be able to resist.”
What…?
Wei Changhai nearly fainted.
“Outrageous!” Yan Chen gripped the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice sharp, “You are acting in complete defiance!”
Yan Qing remained indifferent, undeterred by his display of authority, “If you have something to say, say it. Don’t try to intimidate me with your Emperor’s power. I’m not impressed.”
Yan Chen’s face turned livid, struggling to contain the rage building within him.
Unfazed, Yan Qing, as if not satisfied with the tension, calmly added, “If you have nothing to say, then I will take my leave.”
“Release Xiao Jinghan.” Yan Chen suppressed his anger, issuing a stern command, “Besides being your betrothed, he is also the legitimate son of General Xiao. Your disrespect is intolerable.”
“I am not yet married to him.”
“By the late Emperor’s decree, even if the marriage is not finalized, you are considered a couple. You cannot deny it.”
Yan Qing’s lips curved slightly, “Emperor, you might have misunderstood some things.”
Yan Chen furrowed his brow.
Yan Qing took a leisurely two steps forward, resting her hands on the dragon table, her gaze playful as she observed Yan Chen. Seeing his guarded expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yan Chen.” With a mocking glint in her clear dark eyes, Yan Qing spoke calmly and distinctly, “Allow me to correct your three mistakes.”