In the Taihe Palace, Emperor Jing sits on the dragon chair, with deep exhaustion and helplessness in his eyes.
He keeps picturing the determined face of Yao'er and her words in his mind.
Lu Xi served beside him with great care, not daring to breathe a single breath.
The entire Taihe Palace is filled with a suffocating quietness, as if the air has become solid.
Jing Emperor was disturbed in heart. He knew that as an emperor, he had numerous concubines for the sake of perpetuating his lineage and balancing various forces in the court, which was his duty and also the rule followed by emperors through generations.
However, Yao'er's appearance disrupted the inner balance he had maintained.
She was different from other concubines. She was direct, stubborn, and extraordinary, like a stone throwing into his peaceful heart lake, causing ripples.
He called out in a deep voice, "Lu Xi."
"Here I am, your servant," Lu Xi replied as he entered, bowing and standing in attendance.
"I hereby command that starting from today, reduce the number of times for the concubines in each palace to pay respects. Also, there is no need to bring the green head plates over every night to the Palace of Respect. If I wish to favor someone, I will summon them myself. As for Shuguikuan, she is not allowed to enter the Taihe Palace without being summoned and should not approach it either."
The Emperor's voice carried an unchallengeable authority.
Lu Xi was startled for a moment, then promptly withdrew and made his way back, secretly guessing the Emperor's intentions in his heart.
The wind in the palace seemed to be changing again.
After the news spread in the rear palace, the concubines of various palaces talked ceaselessly, like a flock of birds startled, chirping and gossiping.
In the Imperial Garden, several concubines were gathered together.
One of the concubines in a yellow brocade dress spoke softly, "It's really strange that the Emperor has issued such an order. Previously, Shugui Kuan was so favored, and the Emperor didn't do this. What magic does Qin Zhao Cong have to make the Emperor make such a change?"
"Sister, there's no need to speculate. It must be that Qin Zhao Cong used foxish allure. Look, even pregnant, she can bewitch the Emperor and make him dizzy."
"Humph, who knows. But now, it seems that our favor will decrease."
……
As they were discussing, they saw Shugui Kuan walking over in a dazed and distraught manner.
The face that had once captivated countless men, with its beauty that made all beings subservient, was now filled with exhaustion, and her eyes showed despair.
Upon hearing the discussion of the others, her body shivered slightly, and her steps became unsteady.
The concubines, seeing her like this, stopped their gossiping, but the schadenfreude in their eyes was impossible to conceal.
Originally, Shugui Kuan was incredibly favored and received the Emperor's favor every day. The other concubines could only follow and serve her. But after encountering Qin Zhao Cong, she became nothing compared to her.
Shugui Kuan glanced at the other concubines' triumphant and even sympathetic looks, feeling even more agony in her heart.
She had thought she still had a chance to win back the Emperor's favor, but this edict was undoubtedly sealing her path to the Emperor's side forever.
"Why? Why does the Emperor treat me so?"
Shugui Kuan shouted in her heart.
She remembered the despicable means she had used to win the Emperor's favor in the past.
She was like a beautiful toy, showing off her charms in front of the Emperor, using all her abilities.
She had practiced skills to please the Emperor, served him wholeheartedly and meticulously, and even did many dirty and degrading things to gain his favor.
She still remembered that at first, just seeing the milky fish soup made her feel sick to her stomach.
That dish had been a long time ago and no longer appeared in front of her.
Later, she gradually got used to it and even began to like the milky fish soup the most. She would have one made by the imperial kitchen every day.
As the Emperor's favor increased and she became more prominent, Shugui Kuan felt that all her efforts and hardships were worthwhile.
But now, all of it has become a mirage.
"It's all that Qin Zhao Cong, all of her fault. If it were not for her, how could the Emperor treat me so cruelly…"
Shugui Kuan was filled with resentment. She clutched her fists tightly, the nails digging into her palms unnoticed.
Suddenly, she rushed towards the other concubines like a madwoman.
The concubines were startled by her actions and retreated in fear.
"You all must be laughing at me behind my back, you all should die!" Shugui Kuan shouted, her eyes blazing with fury.
Shugui Kuan's eyes were red, and she shouted loudly with a very high-pitched voice.
The concubines were terrified by Shugui Kuan's appearance. One of them, in fear, said, "Shugui Kuan, please don't lose your mind. We haven't done anything."
Shugui Kuan stared at them with teary eyes, suddenly curling her lips to mock, "Now that I have lost favor, how much better can you all be?"
This remark made the faces of the concubines present look very unpleasant, and they couldn't help but resent Qin Zhao Cong, starting to worry about their own futures.
Shugui Kuan saw their unpleasant expressions and felt extremely satisfied in her heart.
Then she became despondent again and turned back to the Security Palace.
Every step felt like it was draining her of all her strength.
Her mind kept echoing the words of those concubines, and her resentment towards Yuyao grew like wild grass.
Upon returning to the Security Palace, she slammed the door shut as soon as she entered, as if to shut out the entire world.
She leaned against the door and slid down, collapsing to the ground with empty and despairing eyes.
"Why? Why does the Emperor's favor disappear so quickly? Why am I not allowed to approach, completely blocking my path to favor? It's all that Qin Zhao Cong, that harlot!" Shugui Kuan shouted in despair.
Shugui Kuan gnashed her teeth and muttered under her breath, her voice filled with malice.
She swept everything on the ground and smashed all the porcelain, as if venting her anger.
She smashed while laughing wildly, and her laughter echoed through the quiet palace, sending shivers down one's spine.
As she laughed until the end, her voice gradually turned into a painful whimper.
"Why am I not as good as her? I've given so much to the Emperor, loved him so deeply…" Shugui Kuan cried out in despair.
Shugui Kuan wept, her eyes filled with madness and unwillingness.
Her gaze fell upon a knife in a half-open drawer, which now seemed like an outlet for her pain.
She picked up the knife without hesitation and deeply cut her arm.
The fresh blood surged out instantly, but she seemed to feel no pain. Instead, a sense of liberation flickered in her eyes.
She picked up a piece of white silk with her bleeding fingers and began to write a blood-letter on it.
Every drop of blood falling seemed to be her shattered heart weeping.
"I, your concubine, am well aware of my lowly status and have always taken delight in pleasing the Emperor. I have used those despicable means to try and secure a place in the Emperor's heart. I am like a wild grass on the side of the road, relying on these methods to seek even a sliver of life."
"But Your Majesty, though I am unworthy, my love for you is genuine. I have never intended to harm anyone; I simply wanted to receive your favor. Every look and every word of yours has been like sunlight illuminating my world."
"Now, with one word from Qin Zhao Cong, I have lost everything. I know that in your heart, I might be just a discarded plaything. But Your Majesty, I am not willing to accept it! My love should not be so cheap."
"I have been thinking of the Emperor day and night, reminiscing about the tenderness he once showed to me. I know I was wrong in using those methods, but I just wanted to make the Emperor happy."
"Your Majesty, if you can still see this broken heart of mine, even just a little bit of compassion, please look at me one more time. I am willing to repent and make a new start. As long as I can return to your side, even if it is just to watch you from afar, I will be content."
The blood-letter was long, filled with all the things she wanted to say, written with her own blood, one character at a time.
After finishing the blood-letter, she summoned her confidante maid Xiangju, her eyes filled with madness and determination: "Take this to the Taihe Hall. Make sure the Emperor sees it."
Xiangju looked at the blood-stained white silk and her crazy mistress, trembling all over.
However, she dare not disobey the order and had to tremble her way towards the Taihe Hall.
In the Taihe Hall, Emperor Jing sat restlessly on the dragon throne, his edict being crumpled in his hands into a mess and not a single word read in.
Lu Xi stood beside him carefully, not daring to breathe a word.
Xiangju held the blood-letter with fear and trepidation, her face full of dread.
But thinking of what the mistress had instructed, she could only come over with a hard heart.
Just as Lu Xi stepped out of the Imperial Study, he saw Xiangju. Of course, he knew her; she was a competent maid close to Shugui Kuan.
Lu Xi rushed forward, "Xiangju girl, what's going on?"
His gaze fell on the blood-stained white silk, and he immediately understood.
He showed a conflicted expression and softly advised, "Xiangju girl, you had better go back. His Majesty has been restless and troubled lately. I'm afraid he doesn't want to see your mistress's things."
Upon hearing this, Xiangju's face turned pale. She knelt down and whispered, "Lukxi Gongge, please. My mistress is now in a hopeless situation. This is her last wish. Please, let the Emperor see this blood letter."
Lu Xi hesitated, he knew the Emperor's temper very well. Going to disturb him at this time would definitely result in a good scolding.
But seeing Xiangju's sincerely pleading expression, he felt a bit sorry for her.
Emperor Jing heard the faint sounds of conversation outside the hall, and the voice was filled with impatience. He asked, "Lukxi, who is talking outside?"
Lu Xi quickly entered the hall and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, it is Xiangju, a maid from the Security Palace's Shugui Kuan. She has brought something from her saying that it is her request to send to the Emperor."
Emperor Jing heard that it was from the Security Palace, and he frowned and scolded, "Lukxi, do you think you can ignore my words? Send that girl back."
Lu Xi was already prepared for a scolding, but he still couldn't help but remind, "Your Majesty, it is Shugui Kuan's blood letter."
Hearing the words "blood letter," Emperor Jing paused slightly, recalling the past of Shugui Kuan, his expression complex.
In a moment of silence.
He sighed softly, "Let her in."
With permission granted, Xiangju quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and then cautiously entered the Taihe Hall.
Upon entering the hall, she dare not look up at the Emperor directly, just lowering her head, with both hands respectfully presenting the blood-stained white silk.
Lu Xi took the white silk and hurried to the Emperor's presence, presenting it to him.
Emperor Jing unfurled the white silk and saw the words written in blood, which caused a strong shock in his heart.
His gaze moved with the blood-letters, and his expression gradually grew serious.
Lu Xi watched Emperor Jing's expression from the side, curious about the contents of the blood-letter but dared not show any curiosity.
After Emperor Jing finished reading the blood-letter, his heart seemed to have been turned upside down, with a mix of various emotions rising in his heart.
Although he did not love Shugui Kuan, she was still his woman, and had served him with all her heart. To see this desperate blood-letter, how could he not feel anything inside?
Although it tasted unpleasant in his heart, he couldn't change his resolve.
Emperor Jing sighed softly, placed the blood-letter aside, and addressed Xiangju, "Go back and tell Shugui Kuan that I have known her heart. As long as she remains obedient, I won't neglect her."
As for favor, forget it. Although he himself felt a bit reluctant.
Xiangju heard Emperor Jing's words and was filled with disappointment.
She had originally thought that seeing the blood-letter would cause the Emperor to show some compassion for her mistress, but instead, all she got was a neutral and indifferent response like that.
But she dared not defy the imperial will, so she respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Upon saying this, she slowly exited the Taihe Hall.
Security Palace.
Shugui Kuan sat motionless amidst the scattered debris, her eyes empty and staring into the distance.
The wound on her arm had not been treated; the blood had clotted and stuck to her clothing.
She seemed like a lifeless puppet, with no response to the world around her.
Xiangju returned and saw her mistress in this state, her heart aching.
She walked softly to Shugui Kuan's side and called out softly, "Madam, I'm back."
Shugui Kuan seemed to be abruptly pulled back to reality. She turned her head mechanically, her eyes flashing with a hint of expectation, "What's the matter? What did the Emperor say after reading the blood letter?"
Xiangju bowed her head, too afraid to look at Shugui Kuan, whispering, "The Emperor said he knows your heart. As long as you behave yourself, the Emperor won't neglect you."
Hearing this, the faint light in Shugui Kuan's eyes instantly disappeared. She laughed mockingly, "Behave myself and be honest? That means the Emperor will never favor me again?"
She slowly stood up, swaying and walked to the copper mirror.
Looking at her gaunt reflection in the mirror, she mumbled to herself, "Once upon a time, I was the most enchanting woman in this palace, deeply favored by the Emperor. Now how could I have become like this?"
Xiangju beside her comforted, "Madam, please don't be too sad. I think as long as you take good care of yourself, there might still be a chance for a turn of fortune in the future."
Shugui Kuan coldly snorted, "What kind of chance is there? There isn't any more chance now. The Qin Zhao Cong is favored and carrying the imperial heir. The Emperor's whole heart and mind are on her; how could he even look at me?"
Xiangju saw that Shugui Kuan was beginning to resent Qin Zhao Cong again, and her heart was worried. She whispered, "Madam, this resentment won't help at all, and may even bring trouble upon yourself."
Shugui Kuan, as if she hadn't heard Xiangju's words, continued to resentfully say, "Without favor, the Empress and Zhang Fei certainly won't let me off. Since I can't live anymore anyway, why not everyone go together?"
Xiangju was shocked and immediately said, "Madam, please don't think like that. Although we have lost favor now, as long as we live well, there will always be ways. If you do something extreme, not only will you not have a chance for survival, but you will also implicate your family."
But Shugui Kuan seemed not to have heard Xiangju's words. Her eyes were filled with pain and despair.
And there was the hidden madness deep in her eyes.
This night, at midnight, the entire Apricot Palace suddenly caught fire.
Yu Yao was sleeping soundly when the system's alarm went off abruptly: "Host, wake up immediately! That woman, Shugui Kuan, is mad. She set fire to the Apricot Palace. If you don't run now, you'll be burned to death."
She startled awake, at this moment, the thick smoke was already beginning to fill the room.
She quickly threw off the blankets and got out of bed, holding the heavy belly.
In a hurry, she quickly pulled on an outer robe and was about to rush out the door.
Just then, Huo, Li Wan and Xiao Qingzi came in.
They were coughing from the thick smoke, but still called out anxiously, "Madam, let's go. The fire is too big."
Huo saw the situation and quickly wrapped a wet cloak around Yu Yao, tying the strings as she said, "Madam, the thick smoke is very dangerous. Please be careful not to inhale it. Don't forget that there are still your little emperor and empress in your belly."
Yu Yao was full of panic in her heart, but she still tried to calm herself down and nodded.
Xiao Qingzi led the way, while Li Wan supported her on the side.
"Turn this way, the fire here is a bit smaller."
Xiao Qingzi called out.
But just a few steps ahead, a burning beam fell straight down, blocking their path.
"What should we do?"
Li Wan cried out anxiously.
Yu Yao looked at the burning beam, her heart was panic-stricken yet she managed to keep calm, "We'll go around it. Be careful."
Xiao Qingzi, Huo, and Li Wan carefully moved Yu Yao to the side, but the fierce fire made the temperature around them rise rapidly, burning their skin and causing pain.
The grand palace guards, who were originally hiding near the Apricot Palace, no longer cared about hiding now. They all came out with buckets of water to extinguish the fire.
Seeing that Qin Zhao Cong was still trapped inside the palace, they hurried to rescue her.
The entire Apricot Palace was in chaos.
Some were extinguishing the fire, while others were saving people.
Shugui Kuan, hiding in the shadows, watched as the Apricot Palace was engulfed in flames and laughed maniacally, "Burn, burn, burn that slut to death."
Her eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment, and her once gentle and beautiful face twisted into a somewhat fierce expression.
