Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 506 Luo Tianxuan's Sorrow (12,000 words)

A faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon.

The night is about to end.

The faint outlines of the rising morning mist are already visible.

The empress's magnificent robes and shawls fluttered in the morning breeze, while the embroidered cloud and phoenix shawl ribbons swayed gently.

Even in summer, there is a slight chill in the air in the early morning.

Under Luo Tianxuan's gaze, the Empress felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to her head. Her body tensed and stiffened involuntarily, and a fine chill spread from the back of her hand to her neck and behind her ears in an instant.

She sensed killing intent in Luo Tianxuan's gaze.

The chill on her body was far less despairing than the chill in her heart. Even though her first impression of this daughter wasn't very good, and even though Luo Tianxuan was unwilling to accept her arrangements, she only felt a slight aversion to Luo Tianxuan. The thought of killing Luo Tianxuan had never crossed her mind.

And now, her own daughter wants to... kill her mother!
why?
Why do dark eyes turn blood red?

Why did rationality vanish in an instant? At this moment, Luo Tianxuan was like a mad beast.

There was no warmth left on his face.

No one can imagine how much these two pieces of news impacted her. For Luo Tianxuan, they were the two most important people in her life.

Luo Yuheng raised her.

It was Song Yan who gave her a new lease on life.

In that instant, it felt like the sky had collapsed.

Suddenly, Luo Tianxuan took a step forward.

The moment the embroidered shoes touched the ground, the entire space seemed to distort.

No one could see clearly what Luo Tianxuan had done, except for Hua Lianyue; no one could discern Luo Tianxuan's movements. Before the horrified eyes of the Empress, and numerous palace maids and eunuchs, Luo Tianxuan's figure flashed and vanished from sight, reappearing right in front of the Empress.

The unimaginable speed created a gust of wind, stirring up dust from the ground.

Her slender, pale fingers had somehow found their way to the Empress's neck.

Tighten your fingers.

The excruciating pain of her throat being crushed instantly flooded the Empress's brain, followed by a rapidly intensifying feeling of suffocation. With her lotus-root-like arms outstretched, Luo Tianxuan had practically lifted the Empress's body off the ground by her neck, with only her toes barely touching the ground.

In just a few breaths, the Empress's face had turned completely red.

It wasn't until the Empress let out a painful groan that the eunuchs and maids around her reacted. They instinctively wanted to rush forward and save their mistress from Luo Tianxuan's grasp, but as soon as the thought arose, they were surprised to find that their bodies seemed to be locked by some mysterious and terrifying force... An invisible pressure enveloped everyone, and their legs felt as if they were filled with lead, making it impossible for them to move.

"Ugh..."

A painful groan.

The Empress's eyes, bloodshot and red, were fixed on Luo Tianxuan. Her hoarse voice struggled to escape her lips: "Tianxuan... what are you going to do?"

"I'm your mother."

Luo Tianxuan's expression remained as cold as ever, as if all human emotion had been stripped away from her the instant she heard those two pieces of news. Even upon hearing these words, she merely curled her lips in a mocking smile.
"So what?"

creak!

He increased the pressure in his hands even more.

The pain contorted the queen's face.

Just then, the Empress had a sudden inspiration and squeezed out a few words with all her might: "Song Yan... Luo Yuheng... it wasn't me..."

The next instant, the empress felt the pressure on her neck suddenly loosen.

Although Luo Tianxuan's fingers did not move, at least she could breathe some fresh air.

Just then, Gao Yang, Luo Tianyi, and Hua Lianyue also reacted. Hua Lianyue frowned slightly, stomped heavily on the ground, and the earth trembled. The eunuchs and palace maids blocking the way were all blown away. Then, she stepped out and was behind Luo Tianxuan.

His fingers landed on Luo Tianxuan's shoulder.

"Let go. Do you really want to bear the stigma of matricide?"

Hua Lianyue's mood wasn't much better than Luo Tianyi's; however, she had experienced more and was more composed than Luo Tianyi.

The Empress, she can be killed.

Lei Yi can be killed.

Zhang Han can be killed.

Even the soldiers of the Silver Armor Guards can be killed.

Luo Tianxuan was the only exception.

In this era where filial piety is paramount, if Luo Tianxuan had truly strangled the Empress, it would have been an outrage against both gods and men, and would have been condemned by heaven and earth!

The sheer volume of insults alone could drown Luo Tianxuan.

"Think of my husband, what would happen if his wife bore the stigma of matricide?"

Luo Tianxuan trembled, her face growing paler. The reason that had been destroyed by fear, anger, and even despair in the previous moment seemed to be returning little by little. Her movements became lighter, and the Empress's feet landed on the ground.

Just then, Gao Yang stepped forward and grabbed Luo Tianxuan's wrist: "Cousin, calm down. Your husband is just unconscious, he's still alive."

"The matter of my husband's assassination attempt has not yet been fully investigated, and it may not necessarily be related to the palace." As he spoke, Gao Yang slowly removed Luo Tianxuan's fingers from the Empress's slender neck: "The most important thing now is to return to the Marquis's residence, stay by my husband's side, and not give the assassins a second chance."

Hua Lianyue and Gao Yang were both somewhat helpless. Although Luo Tianxuan was usually very calm and composed no matter what, she would go crazy at any moment once Song Yan was involved, showing no patience or composure whatsoever of a grandmaster.

Perhaps, this is what it means to have a death knell.

"Tianxuan..."

Just then, another slightly helpless and muffled voice came from behind. A person led by some imperial guards quickly approached. Judging from the golden dragon robe, one could tell who this person was.

Emperor Ninghe.

Although Emperor Ninghe had just dealt with the Yang family and Bailu Academy a few days ago, he should be in high spirits now, but he seems more tired than before.

A slightly disappointed look swept over the Empress, then landed on Luo Tianyi, and then looked at Luo Tianxuan: "Tianxuan, I am also heartbroken that Yan'er was assassinated, but I assure you that this matter has nothing to do with the people in the palace. In the past two days, no one has entered or left the palace."

"General Zhang Han should be aware of this."

Zhang Han nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with this statement. The Silver Armor Guards, together with the Imperial Guards, guarded all the entrances and exits of the palace. On the surface, no one was going in or out, but whether there were secret passages in a place like the palace, or whether someone might sneak out, was truly unknown.

With a forced smile, Ninghe Emperor spoke softly, "Let's go back. Right now, Yan'er needs someone to be with her the most."

Luo Tianxuan remained silent, only staring at Emperor Ninghe for a moment before turning and leaving without a trace of regret.

The silver-armored guards then left as well.

call.

In that instant, countless people in the Phoenix Palace breathed a sigh of relief. The aura emanating from Luo Tianxuan when she lost control was truly terrifying. Only Emperor Ninghe watched Luo Tianxuan's retreating figure with reluctance; perhaps this was the last time he would ever see his daughter.

Only after Luo Tianxuan and the others had completely disappeared from sight did Emperor Ninghe slowly withdraw his gaze. He waved his hand, dismissing all the palace maids and eunuchs of Fengyi Palace, and even the imperial guards dispersed. His eyes then slowly fell on the Empress. For twenty years, the gentle and virtuous Empress had suddenly felt somewhat unfamiliar to him.

She was still coughing violently, and although Luo Tianxuan had moved her fingers away, the intense pressure remained. As if sensing Emperor Ninghe's gaze, the Empress looked up, pursed her lips, and then spoke: "I did not send anyone to assassinate Yuheng and Song Yan..."

Emperor Ninghe sighed: "I know."

A hint of joy appeared on the Empress's face.

But soon, Emperor Ninghe's next words froze the joy on her face.

"Because you don't need to." Ninghe Emperor's voice was cold: "You know very well what Song Yan has done. He has killed far too many people. The Yang family, Bailu Academy, there are plenty of people in Dongling who want his life... You don't need to do it yourself. Just find a reason that no one can find fault with and get Tianxuan, Hua Lianyue and Luo Tianyi away from Song Yan."

“And those who want Song Yan dead will naturally not let such an opportunity pass.”

His body was trembling.

Heaven knows what he felt when he suddenly heard that Song Yan and Luo Yuheng had both been assassinated; the memorial in his hand fell to the ground.

I swallowed a handful of painkillers, which I usually wouldn't dare to take, to finally stop the buzzing pain in my head.

“Tianxuan and Hua Lianyue, two grandmaster-level experts.” Emperor Ninghe’s voice was filled with incomprehensible doubt: “They are beings that even emperors dare not underestimate. What kind of person is the Emperor of Chu? Even when facing grandmaster-level experts, he still has to treat them with respect and dare not be negligent in the slightest. He has to rely on constantly bestowing favors, offering benefits, and even constantly cultivating feelings in order to get grandmaster-level experts to serve him. Where did you get the audacity to scheme against such people?”

"Do you think that just because Tianxuan is your daughter, she will obediently listen to you?" Actually, the matter concerning Song Yan was no longer a secret.

Anyone who is willing to put in the effort can find out most of the details.

Perhaps we can't find out where Song Yan's miraculous medical skills and those strange pills came from; perhaps we can't find out where Song Yan got his ingenious ideas to improve tea and palm sugar, but finding out about the women around Song Yan is not a difficult task.

Everything that exists will leave a trace!
It was precisely because of the existence of the two grandmasters that those people, even though they hated Song Yan, dared not make a move easily.

The Empress provided them with an excellent opportunity.

The queen looked flustered: "I, I didn't... I just..."

Emperor Ninghe exhaled again, his brows furrowed, and his mind began to buzz.

"Do you really think that dragon throne in Ningguo is anything special? Do you really think Tian Shu likes sitting in that position?"

"Back then, when I had just become emperor and you had just become empress, what kind of life did we lead? Do you want Tian Shu to go through all of that again?"

My headache is back.

Even ibuprofen couldn't stop it.

"You'd better pray that Song Yan is alright, otherwise, with two mad grandmasters... you'd better pray for yourself."

"From this day forward, you shall stay in the Phoenix Palace and not go out again."

The Empress slumped to the ground, her face blank. She didn't even understand what was going on. She had only held a banquet and invited Song Yan.

So he was imprisoned?

Has it been relegated to the sidelines?

But what did she do wrong?

She just wanted her son to sit in that position!
……

Zhaoyang Hall.

This is the residence of Yang Guifei, Yang Miaoyun.

But at this very moment, there is another man inside this palace!
Of course, he wasn't a lover. No matter how much the palace had declined, it was still the imperial palace, and it was very difficult for outsiders to enter.

The man is Luo Jingyu, the biological son of Yang Guifei.

The eldest son of Emperor Ninghe in name only.

Yang Miaoyun, with her voluptuous figure, lay languidly on the chaise lounge, rocking gently. Although she hadn't slept all night, there was little drowsiness on her face; a smile even lingered on her lips. She was a classic beauty, elegant and dignified. Though no longer young, she still possessed a captivating charm, perhaps even more so than a young girl in her late teens, exuding the allure of a mature woman.

Luo Jingyu yawned, gently swirled the teacup in his hand, took a sip to refresh himself.

She didn't have the same energy as her mother, who stayed up all night to watch plays.

"Mother, my third maternal great-uncle and his entire family have been beheaded by Song Yan. How come you're not worried at all?" Luo Jingyu blew on the steam rising from his teacup and spoke slowly. Compared to the snowy night after the New Year when Song Yan slapped him, Luo Jingyu now seemed much more mature, no longer as arrogant and disdainful as before.

He seemed to be moving slowly.

"What do I have to panic about?" Yang Miaoyun's oval face broke into a slight smile, her doting gaze falling on her son: "Silly boy, if they die, you will live."

But Yang Miaoyun's eyes seemed to see even further.

A hint of coldness emanated from the depths of his eyes.

Even if the Yang family can elevate Luo Jingyu to the throne, how long can he remain in that position? Perhaps his death will come when the Yang family girl he marries has a prince.
She wasn't as foolish as her sister; she didn't want to be a puppet in the Yang family's hands for the rest of her life.

Song Yan's massacre of the court actually brought her a lot of benefits.

Luo Jingyu smiled, it was unclear whether he understood or not: "Does Mother really think that the assassination of the Marquis of Champion was carried out by the Empress?"

Yang Miaoyun shook her head: "The Empress is not stupid, how could she do such a thing? But she does have the intention of using someone else to do her dirty work, doesn't she? In the end, she still wants her son to come back and inherit the throne, which is a bit too eager for quick success."

"The throne..."

“It’s truly a thing that can drive people crazy. How could such a wise empress suddenly lose her mind at this moment?” Yang Miaoyun’s face showed a complex mix of emotions. “Does she really think Song Yan cares about this throne? With the strength Song Yan has, it would be easier for him to lead his troops to conquer Dongling than to accept the abdication of Emperor Ninghe.”

"However, this is a good opportunity for us."

As she spoke, Yang Miaoyun looked up at Luo Jingyu and asked, "My son, do you know what is most important in the way of a ruler?"

Luo Jingyu blinked: "What?"

Yang Miaoyun said with a hint of exasperation, "Stupid, it's about balance, it's about checks and balances."

"Only when the forces in the court check and balance each other can the person sitting on the dragon throne be secure... It is not good for one family to be dominant, even if that dominant family is your maternal uncle's family. Don't think that just because your uncles treat you well and have good relationships with your cousins, you can rely on them... If one day you can sit in that position, they will be your natural enemies."

"If the Yang family wants to return to the court, you, as a prince with some Yang family blood, are someone they must curry favor with and win over... You can use you, but you can't trust you. At the same time, you must also have a force that can check and balance the Yang family. Only in this way will the Yang family obediently listen to you."

Luo Jingyu nodded: "Then, who should be chosen as the force to counterbalance the Yang family?"

Yang Miaoyun glared at Luo Jingyu:
"The Marquis of Champion was assassinated and is now in a coma."

"Your Excellency is a high-ranking official in the court. You, as a prince, must be very worried about such a disaster. Select some good things from my private treasury, such as century-old ginseng, a lingzhi mushroom the size of a washbasin, or golden bear pills, and send them over. It doesn't matter whether they are useful or not, they must be valuable enough to show that you, as a prince, value him."

Luo Jingyu shrugged, looking helpless: "The Marquis of Champion's birth mother was killed by his aunt, how can this be of any use?"

Yang Miaoyun pursed her lips: "Let Yongning go with you."

"Because of the Marquis, Yongning doesn't have to marry the barbarians from the Haixi Grassland. She personally went to thank him. No one can find fault with this reason."

Luo Jingyu blinked again: "The honey trap? It won't be very effective, I heard that the Marquis of Champion has unique tastes. He likes older, more mature women, married women, widows are the best... Yongning is only sixteen, the same age as the Marquis of Champion. She's not his type."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yang Miaoyun for some reason, thinking that his mother might be more in line with Song Yan's preferences.

That gaze made Yang Miaoyun shudder. She grabbed a cup from the tea table next to her and threw it at Luo Jingyu.

What kind of look is that?

This brat, does he think he can make her, the Imperial Concubine, seduce Song Yan?

What a tragedy! What kind of monstrosity did she give birth to?

Luo Jingyu quickly jumped aside and prepared to leave.

Just as they reached the door, Yang Miaoyun called out to them, "Wait a minute, bring more people."

"Bring along all the people you've been secretly training."

Luo Jingyu was taken aback: "Why is that?"

“Because the current Marquis of Champion’s mansion is not necessarily peaceful…” Yang Miaoyun’s face was somewhat gloomy: “Those people, once they make a move, will fight to the death.”

"Sometimes, that's how gratitude is formed."

Putting aside other matters, just considering the Yang family alone, even though their overt power in Dongling City has been eliminated, their behind-the-scenes influence will not disappear. These people will never let such an opportunity pass them by.

The influence of Bailu Academy in Dongling City was not much less than that of the Yang family.

And then there's the Prince Fu, lurking in the shadows—that's the real killer, the one who strikes without drawing blood…

Yang Miaoyun was quite curious, wondering if Song Yan could really survive this ambush.
After all, dead people are not worth betting on.

……

Early morning.

Dongling City remained quiet.

The sun had not yet risen over the other side of the mountain; only a faint white light appeared on the horizon.

The morning mist was thick.

The vast Marquis of Champion's mansion was shrouded in thick fog, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

The area around the Marquis's residence was quiet, without a sound.

A gust of wind swept by, and suddenly, snow-white figures appeared in the thick fog.

Like a ghost walking in the underworld.

(End of this chapter)