Wang Qingyao closed the door, specifically instructing Yin Zhu and the others that no one was allowed to enter.
Then, she took the Dragon's Concealment token and entered the palace.
Although she and Xiao Yun had both been forbidden by the Emperor from entering the palace without summons.
However, if they truly wanted to enter, no one would dare to stop them.
With the Dragon's Concealment token, Wang Qingyao faced even less resistance from the guards.
She proceeded unimpeded all the way to Ninghui Hall.
The world was cold, the wind biting, and her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red from the chill.
Yet, she didn't feel cold. Partly from walking, and partly because the mystery was about to be revealed, she was a little excited.
Her blood surged, a mix of excitement and anticipation, every pore of her body seemed to be shouting.
An Oscar-winning actress was about to be born!
The eunuch went in to report to the Emperor.
Through the large door, she saw Shunfeng was already inside. The Emperor, upon hearing of her arrival, looked surprised and shot Shunfeng a warning glance before summoning her in.
Before entering, she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. The pungent scent of mint instantly made her eyes red and teary.
The Emperor, engrossed in his official duties, heard her footsteps and said, "You two are becoming more audacious by the day. How many times have I told you not to do this?"
—Enter the palace less, enter the palace less. I am protecting you.
Shunfeng stood at the lower end of the imperial desk. He had regained his youthful appearance, but upon closer inspection, one could see he had aged considerably. He was still him, yet not quite him.
Seeing Wang Qingyao's appearance, Shunfeng knew the plan had succeeded.
The Emperor looked up at that moment and saw Wang Qingyao's almost-crying face. He asked curiously, "What's wrong with the Princess of Ding'an? Did you quarrel with the Prince of Ding'an?"
The Emperor assumed the young couple had argued, and Wang Qingyao had come to complain.
However, wouldn't it be better to complain to the Empress Dowager? Why come to him?
She was being rather foolish.
Although the Emperor was not entirely pleased with Wang Qingyao, considering she had borne Xiao family a son and a daughter, he was willing to listen to her grievances for a moment.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Wang Qingyao heard his words, her tears could no longer be held back, falling like raindrops.
Wang Qingyao felt her tears were perfect, undoubtedly beautiful and despairing.
The Emperor was startled, his tone softening considerably, "Did Ah Yun, that rascal, bully you?"
Wang Qingyao shook her head. With her movement, tears streamed down like pearls from a broken string, scattering everywhere.
"The Prince is dead," she choked out.
The Emperor froze, as if he hadn't heard her clearly. "What did you say?"
"The Prince is dead," she said again, sniffing. "He died suddenly after returning from the palace. There were no signs, no accidents, no illness. He just took a nap and never woke up."
The Emperor looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face ashen, his eyes filled with grief and rage.
He looked at Shunfeng.
Wang Qingyao also slowly turned her gaze to Shunfeng, her face contorted with hatred.
"It was you, you killed the Prince!" she roared at him.
Shunfeng was startled. He hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to have already discovered him.
At the same time, he was relieved that he had acted early.
The Green Demon was indeed incredibly powerful and impossible to guard against. What if she had found out? He had still succeeded, hadn't he?
The Emperor smashed a teacup at Shunfeng's feet, roaring in rage and despair, "How dare you defy my command?"
Shunfeng knelt subserviently. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This is my mission. I dare not disobey my master. Your Majesty should also listen to your master."
"Are you referring to the former Emperor? Killing Xiao Yun, and harming three generations of the Xiao family under the guise of a curse, were all the former Emperor's ideas?" Wang Qingyao asked, tears streaming, her voice filled with righteous indignation.
By this point, the truth was clear.
The Emperor had known all along that with Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun's intelligence, they would surely guess that the mastermind was the former Emperor.
If even the current Emperor could not stop him, who else could it be but the former Emperor?
The Emperor did not deny it.
Shunfeng did not deny it either.
Wang Qingyao cried out in anguish, "Why? Why did the former Emperor treat the Xiao family like this? What did the Xiao family do wrong to be hunted for three generations, living in fear of a curse for three generations?"
The Emperor's expression was filled with guilt.
He said with difficulty, "The Xiao family did nothing wrong..."
On the contrary, the Xiao family had assisted the former Emperor in founding the nation and contributed most of their wealth to quell the war. They were meritorious officials of the Great Sheng.
However, the former Emperor was suspicious.
At that time, the former Emperor, the grandfather of the Xiao family, and the Prince of Ding'an were close friends. They had pacified the empire together and founded the Great Sheng, earning the admiration of the world.
In the eyes of the people, the three were equals, saviors of the common folk.
After the founding of the Great Sheng, the hierarchy was established. The relationship between the Xiao family's grandfather and the Prince of Ding'an grew closer by the day. In the eyes of the former Emperor, this was undoubtedly a ticking time bomb. He was already suspicious, and even when they were not in a monarch-subject relationship, he suspected that the Xiao family's grandfather and the Prince of Ding'an were closer to each other.
In the relationship of three people, one would always be hurt.
The former Emperor, living in fear of shadows, became increasingly displeased with the Xiao family's grandfather and the Prince of Ding'an. He always felt they were plotting behind his back to seize his empire.
These two men, one with wealth and the other with soldiers, their cooperation would have unimaginable consequences.
Finally, when the Xiao family's grandfather and the Prince of Ding'an were discussing becoming in-laws, the former Emperor could no longer bear it.
However, their noble status and high prestige among the populace made a rash move likely to incite public outrage.
Therefore, the former Emperor pondered for three days and three nights, finally coming up with the terrible idea of a "curse."
As for why the unfortunate Xiao family was chosen instead of the Feng family, the Prince of Ding'an?
Firstly, the border was unstable and required the Prince of Ding'an to guard it.
Secondly, the ancestors of the Xiao family were tomb raiders.
Secondly, the Prince of Ding'an was highly skilled in martial arts. Although Shunfeng was also a master, in a clash of masters, a single mistake could reveal a weakness. In that case, could the former Emperor's reputation be preserved?
Therefore, the former Emperor chose to target the Xiao family, picking the softer persimmon to squeeze.
The plan was successful, and no one suspected anything.
Before the former Emperor's death, he revealed the truth to the Emperor and instructed him to carry it out for generations. After Shunfeng's death, another person could be selected from the Shenwu Army to carry out the mission.
This matter overturned the Emperor's worldview.
He had grown up with Xiao Yun's father, their bond as close as brothers. Coupled with his naturally benevolent nature, he simply couldn't bear to be cruel.
His affection and unconditional indulgence towards Xiao Yun were also due to his guilt.
Unfortunately, Shunfeng was a tough nut to crack. He only obeyed the former Emperor. Moreover, he had a strong sense of professional ethics; he would not act against Xiao Yun until the Xiao family had descendants.
Wang Qingyao let out a cold laugh upon hearing this, her laughter mixed with curses, "The former Emperor was truly insane."
Utterly insane.
Shunfeng's eyes narrowed, and killing intent flared. "How dare you disrespect the former Emperor?"
Wang Qingyao shouted at him, "Do you know who you killed? Do you know who Xiao Yun is?"