bayedsolid Chapter 222 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 56
Chapter 222 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 56
Yun Qian's hands slowly tightened, her fingertips almost digging into her palms, until the pain brought her back to reality. She took a deep breath and withdrew her gaze from the window. The previous entanglement in her eyes was gone, replaced by the open-mindedness and determination.
War had never been something she could control. Even her own fate seemed uncertain at this moment. She might not be able to fully control it. However, she could not accept being abandoned, nor could she accept those innocent people becoming victims of war.
This time, no matter how dangerous the moves in this chess game are, she will never give up the chips in her hand easily.
Seeing her silence, the small system also replied in silence: "Host, don't worry, I will do my best to help you find out!"
Yun Qian said nothing more, only looking up into the distance, her gaze cold and determined. She knew she couldn't stop the entire situation from unfolding, but at least she could try to control her own destiny—even if it meant risking everything.
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The atmosphere in the government hall was suffocatingly solemn. The flickering candlelight illuminated the files on the desk, like pulsing warning signs. Yun Piao sat upright in the hall, her brow furrowed, a look of deep worry in her eyes.
She wore a deep purple robe with wide sleeves, embroidered with auspicious clouds in gold thread, a faint glow. The wide cuffs draped over the edge of the desk, their flowing lines like a sea of clouds swirling under the night sky. The collar and lapels were inlaid with fine obsidian beads, creating an understated yet luxurious look, embodying the majesty and restraint unique to those in power.
She wore a plain gold belt around her waist, with a warm jade ornament embedded in the middle. The jade was mutton-fat white and carved with a phoenix pattern that symbolized power. Its clarity carried an unquestionable sense of oppression.
The hem of her gown flowed at her feet. The rich brocade evoked a calming aura, its delicate embroidery seamlessly blending geometric patterns with the imagery of landscapes. This was a reflection of her approach to government affairs—meticulous attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture. She was a woman accustomed to controlling the overall situation, having presided over the court for years, never letting matters slip out of her grasp. But this time, she felt a long-lost unease—an unprecedented sense of uncertainty.
Outside the window, the sky was gloomy, gray clouds hung low, and a sparse autumn rain pelted the eaves. A chill seeped into the hall through the slightly opened window. Yun Piao subconsciously clenched the secret letter in her hand. The paper wrinkled slightly in her palm, making her even more irritated.
"How could such an army exist..." she muttered to herself, scanning every word in the secret report, but seemingly finding no answer. The army that had suddenly appeared in the old northern borderlands was well-equipped, swift, and strategically sophisticated, catching the imperial court completely off guard. This didn't seem like a hastily assembled rebel force.
"The Northern King's Army..." She forced the words out of her throat, like chewing a bitter pill. The former Northern King, a prince of a different surname, had been overthrown by the late emperor's suspicion. His entire family had been executed, his army annihilated, and the Northern Territory divided and controlled.
Those things should have become the dust of history with the fall of the Northern Palace, but now, these names have returned to her like ghosts.
She closed her eyes, recalling the scene of that year. On that bloody winter day, the late emperor personally ordered the suppression of the Northern King's rebels, and the flames of war spread all the way from the border to the capital. That campaign of annihilation ended so cleanly and efficiently, and Yun Piao had always believed that the late emperor had handled everything flawlessly. But now it seemed that might not be the case.
"Could it be...that there are still remnants who have escaped from that time?" A vague guess arose in her mind, but this guess made her shudder.
She seemed to see the woman who had appeared briefly in the harem back then. Her tall and sharp figure had aroused her suspicion, but Yun Piao had checked at the time and it wasn't her...
That woman from the Northern Palace, who was once the daughter of the Northern King and was later sent into the harem because of the destruction of the Northern King's army... should have died in the Night Court a long time ago. Political reckoning is never wrong.
The silence in the hall was broken by the gentle sound of rain. Drops of water from the eaves occasionally fell into the pool, making a crisp sound, as if reminding her of the urgency of time. Yun Piao opened her eyes, took a deep breath, put the secret report in her hand down, and calmed her gaze.
She couldn't panic.
As the de facto ruler of the imperial court, she had to quickly come up with a comprehensive response strategy. However, she still hesitated: should she inform Yun Qian about this crisis? She was always conflicted about whether she should let her niece learn more about political tactics and become like her in the future.
Yun Piao was all too familiar with this kind of personality. This kind of person would always hold power firmly in their own hands, never allowing others to interfere. Would he be willing to consider Yun Qian a true ally? Yun Piao didn't know, but based on her intuition from years of holding power, she had a vague feeling that he wouldn't.
She put down the secret report in her hand and tapped the table with her fingers, making a dull sound.
Her brows knitted slightly, a look of deep thought. Men usually liked what they imagined women to be like—gentle and beautiful, with a touch of willfulness and arrogance, all of which would inspire pity and cherishment in them.
But once Yun Qian tries to cross that invisible boundary and touch what he cares about most - power, perhaps those former advantages will instantly turn into unforgivable flaws.
Her gaze drifted out the window. The distant rain obscured the scene. The flickering candlelight made her profile appear as dark as the night. Her gaze drifted outward without warning. The patter of rain outside seemed to convey a silent worry. She thought of Yun Qian's eyes, bright yet calm, often revealing a persistent glint. While that glint was admirable, it also signaled danger.
She knew too well that if a woman wanted to occupy a place in the world of power, she had to pay a high price as a bargaining chip. But would Qi Heyao be willing?
Yun Qian was getting married in less than a month. Telling her this now would not only not solve the problem, but would also distract her and even cause unnecessary trouble.
Yun Piao shook her head, her voice so low it sounded like she was muttering to herself: "My niece will eventually become the queen of Qi Heyao. Her mission is to stabilize the harem and protect the Yun family, not to get involved in this situation..."
But she also knew that this crisis in the North was far more than just an ordinary local rebellion. She had never underestimated any opponent in all these years, but the appearance of this army made her feel an unprecedented sense of crisis.