bayedsolid Chapter 200 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 34
Chapter 200 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 34
The Queen of Clouds didn't respond. After a long moment of contemplation, she whispered, "You said before that Qi Jueyu's life lamp was extremely weak and that he would undoubtedly die young. But now I understand that that life lamp never truly belonged to him. It was carefully suspended by someone else, a lamp on the verge of extinction, a dying man, his breath barely lingering, controlled by others, lingering in the world. Is that right?"
"Continue investigating." Her voice was low and full of unquestionable pressure. "From Qianqiu Temple, to the origins of the fake Qi Jueyu, to the true identity of this corpse, not a single detail can be overlooked."
The Imperial Master stood by and when he saw her getting furious, he shook his head and retreated.
As he retreated, he took one more look at the corpse, an indescribable expression crossing his brow. He knew that this game of chess had already exceeded anyone's initial expectations, and this corpse was undoubtedly the first key to uncovering the truth.
The Queen of Clouds stood still, her gaze fixed solemnly on the pale face. The flickering light of the fire in the secret room only accentuated the gloom between her brows and eyes. An invisible oppression seemed to permeate the air, and even her followers dared not breathe.
"I want to see who dares to play such a trick under my nose." However, before these murderous words fell, Queen Yun suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if her heart was being gripped by an invisible hand.
Her face changed and her breathing became rapid. She reached out to hold the table, but only touched the corner.
The next moment, her body fell backward uncontrollably, her eyes closed, and she lost consciousness.
"Empress!" Qingchan, who was beside Empress Yun, screamed and was the first to rush forward, frantically supporting her body. The other attendants quickly gathered around, their faces filled with fear and anxiety, and the secret room suddenly became a mess.
"Don't be impatient! Have you forgotten the Queen's daily teachings?!" Qingyin's voice was firm, and her fingers tightly grasped Yunhou's wrist, trying to feel her pulse.
Fortunately, Queen Yun only fainted temporarily, probably because of her emotional ups and downs. Qingchan knew that the little princess was a lifelong pain in the Queen's heart. Now, the one she had been pursuing so hard seemed to have turned to ashes. How could she not be heartbroken?
"Seal off Qianqiu Temple and don't let any news get out. Return to the palace now. Everyone, keep your mouths shut!"
Qingchan gave the order in a stern voice and no one dared to disobey.
The attendants around were silent as a mouse, and could only hurriedly prepare a soft couch and medicine. The firelight in the secret room still coldly reflected the pale face of the corpse, as if silently mocking everything.
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After Yun Qian returned to the palace, he was about to go into the hall to rest, but before he could stop walking, he raised his hand and ordered the people who had gone to report to the Queen to come back. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable majesty: "Don't say anything, just stay quiet."
She waved her hand, no longer asking questions, and simply instructed the maid to prepare a soft couch for her to rest on. Then, she lay down in her clothes, as if everything was under her control. She spent the night peacefully, dreamlessly, as if the sudden tension in Qianqiu Temple hadn't affected her in the slightest.
The next morning, Yun Qian hadn't fully emerged from her sleep when she heard soft footsteps approaching. Chun Xi moved gently and silently, drawing aside the curtains, letting in the morning light, which bathed the room in a faint golden glow. She knelt before the couch and whispered, "Miss, the Empress has returned to the palace. She arrived at Fengyi Palace at dawn today."
Yun Qian didn't respond immediately after hearing this. She simply sat up slightly, leaned against the edge of the bed, and reached out to take the warmed teacup beside her. Chun Xi observed her expression and continued, "It's just that Fengyi Palace is heavily guarded, and no one is allowed in or out. When I passed by, even the maids were waiting outside. I'm afraid something has happened."
Yun Qian paused as she carried the teacup, her drooping eyelashes trembling slightly. She set the porcelain cup down and gazed out the window, her gaze long and deep, as if she were seeing through the morning light, layers of mysteries. The morning breeze brushed against the curtains, gently swaying the shadows of the trees outside, yet the palace's tranquility stirred a ripple in her heart.
"Aunt?" She murmured softly, as if asking, or talking to herself, "What on earth happened in Qianqiu Temple?" Her voice was calm, but her brows were slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of indescribable uneasiness.
Chun Xi took a step closer and lowered her voice, "I heard that the Empress suddenly fainted at Qianqiu Temple, and it seems to be related to something uncovered there. When I was passing by Fengyi Palace, I happened to hear Aunt Qingchan ordering her servants to suppress the news. Judging from her expression... it seemed like something serious had happened."
Yun Qian pondered for a moment, her eyes fixed on the window. She vaguely recalled the atmosphere of Qianqiu Temple when she left last night: that invisible oppression and eerie silence. And considering Queen Yun's sudden return to the palace, it was definitely more than a coincidence.
"Chun Xi," Yun Qian's voice was still gentle, but with a hint of subdued authority, "There's no need to inquire about this matter any further. If Auntie means for us to keep our mouths shut, we'll just obey."
Chun Xi was stunned when she heard this, then lowered her head and replied, "Yes, Miss."
After she turned and left, Yun Qian slowly stood up and walked to the window, quietly watching the morning light fill the courtyard. The warm sunlight shone on her face, fading some of the night's chill, but it couldn't hide the deep thought between her brows.
Memories of last night flooded back to her like a tide—Qi Jueyu's eyes, the attitudes of the monks in the temple, and all those unspoken secrets. Now, with the anomaly behind Yun Hou, all these signs made it impossible for her to easily sever the thread.
"Qianqiu Temple... Queen of the Clouds..." she murmured softly, her eyes growing darker. The wind ruffled her hair, and she could faintly hear the tinkling of wind chimes under the eaves. The tone was cold and distant, just like the question in her heart.
Yun Qian tightened the thin blanket around her shoulders, her eyes flickering slightly. She knew there were some things she couldn't ask directly, nor could she stay out of it. After all, she was so tied to her family this time that there wasn't much she could do for a while. But she wasn't worried. Thinking of this, Yun Qian couldn't help but let her gaze fall on her belly... a look that took on a touch of tenderness.
If Qi Jueyu continued like this, she wouldn't mind changing the father of the child. Whether he minded or not was none of her business.
The truth seemed to be waving to her not far away, but it was shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible for her to see the direction clearly.
But she was certain of one thing—no matter why Queen Yun was hiding it, and no matter what had happened in Qianqiu Temple, she would not easily let go of her doubts. Even if the truth seemed distant, it would eventually be revealed, and she was bound to witness that moment firsthand.