Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 21 Dead Silence

After returning to Fengluan Palace, Xu Zhouye leaned absentmindedly on the couch, his eyes a little vague, as if he was thinking about something important.

When Qinghe saw Xu Zhouye's expression, she couldn't help but feel a little worried, but she also understood that this was not the time to disturb her master, so she bowed respectfully and prepared to leave.

Just as she turned to leave, Xu Zhouye suddenly asked, "Has Doctor Zhang been sent back to the Duke's Mansion?" His voice was clear and calm.

Qing He's footsteps suddenly stopped. She turned back to look at Xu Zhouye, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She quickly replied, "No, I was just about to send him back."

Xu Zhouye nodded slightly, turned his gaze to the side, and continued, "Thank you for your hard work. Go to the cabinet next to the couch and get some silver to give to Uncle Zhang and Su Ming. Everyone in Fengluan Palace has a coin bag. There is also a jade bracelet in the box on the far left of the dressing table. Take it yourself."

Qing He was flattered: "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness."

Xu Zhouye waved his hand and instructed, "Make sure to send Uncle Zhang back safely."

He must not let Uncle Zhang experience the pain of his previous life again.

At that time, Rong Yu'an used all means to make sure that he didn't even have a trusted imperial physician around him. Fortunately, he later invited Uncle Zhang to help him, and he was able to survive in the palace.

However, since it was inconvenient to invite Uncle Zhang back and forth, he asked the emperor for a favor and allowed Uncle Zhang to stay in the Imperial Hospital to work specifically for his health.

When Rong Yu'an learned of this, he attempted to bribe Uncle Zhang. Failing to do so, he threatened him with his family. Every time he invited Uncle Zhang to see him, it was extremely difficult. Knowing his difficulties, Rong Yu'an rarely invited him again.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhouye felt even more guilty.

If he had not insisted on keeping Uncle Zhang, he might not have been coerced by Rong Yu'an.

……

But even if Rong Yu'an is not there, there will be someone else.

The palace is full of dangers and numerous rules. With Uncle Zhang's medical skills, he shouldn't be struggling in this abyss.

Xu Zhouye sighed inwardly, there were so many regrets to make up for in this life.

Seeing his master's brows becoming even more gloomy, Qinghe spoke awkwardly: "Your Highness..."

Xu Zhouye then looked up at her, only to see that she seemed to be hesitant to speak.

"what happened?"

"Your Highness, is there nothing else you're worried about besides the doctor in the Zhang residence?" Qinghe was worried about him. It seemed that His Highness had forgotten the conflict he had with the Emperor not long ago.

Xu Zhouye smiled calmly, turned his head to look at the scenery outside the window, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Emperors have always been the most ruthless."

"Your Highness, you can't say that..." Qinghe looked around nervously.

"I spoke out of turn." Xu Zhouye smiled.

Qinghe thought that her master was hurt, but she was still forcing a smile, and her mood also became depressed.

Xu Zhouye rested his hand on his chin, his smile still lingering as he softly said, "In the common folk, couples have the custom of returning to their parents' homes after their wedding. Although this custom doesn't exist in the palace, as the Empress, I can return home to visit my family. When you send Doctor Zhang back, tell my father that I will be returning home to visit my family tomorrow."

Hearing that he could return to the Duke's Mansion, Qinghe grinned and said happily, "That's great! The master will definitely be extremely happy!"

*

Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere was so solemn that it was suffocating.

Chu Yunxiao leaned against the Arhat couch with a gloomy expression, his eyes closed and his brows furrowed, as if an invisible fire of anger was burning in him.

The ministers kneeling below were trembling with fear, not daring to raise their heads. They had come here to discuss some political affairs, but they never expected that they would encounter the emperor in a bad mood.

The air was dead silent, and one could clearly feel the coldness and pressure emanating from the emperor, as if it would explode at any moment.

At this time, a eunuch stepped forward cautiously and said softly: "Your Majesty, the Queen requests to return home to visit her family tomorrow."

Chu Yunxiao slowly opened his eyes, a cold and angry look in his eyes. He asked solemnly, "Why did you suddenly go back?"

The eunuch lowered his head and replied in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, the Queen said...it's a folk custom that one should return to the bride's parents' home three days after the wedding."

Chu Yunxiao's expression became increasingly ugly.

Why did the conflict happen to happen on such a day?

Chu Yunxiao pinched his brows and said impatiently, "She is the Queen. She can go back whenever she wants. Does she need to report such a small matter to me?"

The eunuch was terrified and knelt down to kowtow, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Chu Yunxiao waved his hand irritably, "Go down."

The eunuch responded as if he had been pardoned and quickly stood up.

The ministers were all sweating profusely. Just as they were about to speak, Chu Yunxiao said again, "You guys go down too."

Everyone looked at each other, bowed solemnly and left.

The hall fell into silence again.

"Shang Jiu."

"My subordinate is here."

Chu Yunxiao raised his eyes and looked at the figure that suddenly appeared, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

As if he knew what the emperor wanted to ask, Shang Jiu respectfully clasped his fists and said, "The Queen has been restless since returning to the palace. She first rewarded the attendants of Fengluan Palace, and then mentioned returning home."

Hearing that the queen was uneasy after returning to the palace, Chu Yunxiao's expression eased a little. However, his expression, which had just relaxed, instantly darkened when he heard Shang Jiu's next words.

"The Queen said you are... the most ruthless."

*

Emperor's Mausoleum at Qianzhou Mountain, Zhaojing

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, quietly illuminating the palace's glazed tiles, casting a faint yet solemn glow. Lush pine and cypress trees stood neatly around the palace, like loyal guards, protecting the tranquility of this sacred place.

In front of the palace, Rong Yu'an, dressed in simple and elegant clothes, reluctantly stepped onto the stone steps. A group of followers followed him closely, watching his every move closely to prevent any unusual behavior.

Rong Yu'an took a deep breath and slowly stepped into the late emperor's tomb.

At this moment, the heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, making a dull low sound.

His heart trembled, and he turned around hurriedly to look back, but the people who followed him were gone.

Rong Yu'an's face was pale, and his body was trembling slightly. His eyes were wandering, and his heart was filled with fear, fearing that something unclean would appear.

He panted nervously and looked around.

I saw huge stone pillars standing tall, supporting the towering ceiling. The walls were covered with exquisite murals and texts, recording the great achievements and glorious history of the previous emperor.

In the center of the tomb lies the late emperor's coffin, covered with gorgeous silk.

Rong Yu'an swallowed hard, walked to the coffin with a panicked look, knelt on his knees, clasped his hands together, with cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes closed, and prayed with his lips moving, trying to calm himself down.

But the opposite happened. The panic in my heart did not decrease at all, but became even more intense.

Suddenly there was a noise.

Rong Yu'an suddenly opened his eyes.

Turn around and take a look.

The scene before him made his pupils shrink suddenly and his heartbeat almost stopped.

Immediately afterwards, heart-wrenching cries rang out in the empty hall.

No matter how he cried for help, the servants guarding outside the palace turned a deaf ear to him.

……

Rong Yu'an's eyes were so empty as if he had lost his soul, and he lay lifeless on the cold ground like a broken doll.

His once neat clothes were now torn into countless pieces, scattered around him, revealing large areas of fair skin.

The ground was a mess, mixed with the blood on his body, it was shocking to see.

……