Tang Youyou frowned, her slender fingers pressing against her temples. She found this person extremely annoying.
"I'll give you one last chance. Explain clearly what happened to the emperor last night."
Her words were cold, and her gaze was sharp. The eunuch was so frightened that he almost lost control of his bladder.
The young eunuch trembled all over and slowly said, "In the second half of last night, a group of highly skilled men broke into the area outside the emperor's Yangxin Hall. They rushed into the emperor's palace. So my master ordered the imperial guards to intervene.
But after just a few rounds, all the imperial guards were killed, and the emperor disappeared without a trace. The only thing left was a pool of blood on the dragon bed."
Listening to his words, it was indeed possible that Rong Xun had fallen into a trap. However, based on her understanding of Rong Xun, this man must be brewing something.
But this matter still needed to be verified.
By now, the young eunuch's legs had gone weak. He looked up at Tang Youyou timidly and tentatively said, "So, Empress Dowager, I've told you everything I know. Can you please spare my life?"
Hearing this, Tang Youyou couldn't help but laugh. She wondered how she could have the power to behead people every day. Helplessly, she waved her hand and said coldly,
"Leave."
Seeing this, Qingyu beside her asked, "So, Empress Dowager, do you also think that the emperor has been killed?"
Tang Youyou shook her head. She clenched her fists tightly and remained silent.
After a long silence, Tang Youyou took the imperial edict of the empress and strode towards the Council Hall.
At this moment, all the court officials were gathered at the entrance of the Council Hall. Anger was written all over their faces.
When they saw Tang Youyou approaching from afar, their gazes all turned towards her in unison.
"We pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a long life."
Tang Youyou held the imperial edict of the empress and looked down at the crowd haughtily.
"All of you may rise."
After receiving the order, the officials slowly got up. Tang Youyou then said, "Today, all you ministers have time to come here. The entrance of the Council Hall is really lively!"
Facing her sarcasm, the faces of those old stubborns turned green and purple. They were so angry that they couldn't even speak properly.
"Your words are inappropriate, Empress Dowager. We are only concerned about state affairs, so we came here to see the emperor. Among us, there is also the King of a Different Surname."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou looked at the young man in a golden long gown with great interest.
The young man's long black hair fell over his shoulders, and his hair was tied up with a golden crown. He was extremely handsome and valiant. However, compared to Rong Xun, he was still far behind.
The young man walked towards Tang Youyou. There was no trace of respect in his eyes when he looked at her.
"I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."
Although he bowed, it was only a half - bow. His arrogant appearance amazed everyone.
However, Tang Youyou remained calm and showed no sign of anger.
"I don't need the King of a Different Surname to pay his respects. Your Highness is really making me feel uneasy."
Looking at this person in front of her, she couldn't stand him at all.
In the past, the general with great military achievements was granted the title of Marquis by the previous emperor because of his outstanding military exploits. Later, when he had a son, the son was granted the title of King of a Different Surname.
Su Jin was from a different clan. He had been in hiding for many years, but now he suddenly reappeared in the court. Those who knew the truth were aware that last night's incident was probably his doing.
Tang Youyou naturally knew this too.
Then this person in front of her said again, "This is the first time I've met the Empress Dowager. Naturally, I need to follow the proper etiquette. Now that the emperor has abdicated, and a country cannot be without a king for a day, the Empress Dowager must understand the pros and cons of this."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou sneered in her heart. This was another person trying to usurp the throne.
She said with a smile, "Do you know what happened to the last person who tried to usurp the throne?"
Su Jin smiled and said, "I don't know about that. I haven't been involved in politics for a long time. If my elder brother were still here, I wouldn't have come here."
His words were very beautiful, but Tang Youyou hated this kind of hypocritical person the most.
"Such a 'loyal' person. Logically speaking, when your elder brother disappears, shouldn't you look for him first? Why are you here at the entrance of the Council Hall?"
His petty mind was clearly revealed.
Hearing Tang Youyou's words, Su Jin said coldly, "Your words are too harsh, Empress Dowager. Now that the throne is vacant, the country will be in danger every day."
His high - sounding words made Tang Youyou's face even colder. Just when everyone thought Tang Youyou was about to get angry, they heard her say, "In that case, I'll have to trouble Your Highness. It's time for me to leave the palace."
She remained calm, turned around without saying a word, and left. When she returned to the Qingliang Hall, Tang Youyou looked at the familiar scenery but felt no sense of reluctance.
"Your Highness, are you just leaving like this? Aren't you going to do something? If the emperor is really okay, when he returns and sees that his dynasty has already changed, what should we do?" Qingyu said.
On the other side, Yiran said, "Yes, Empress Dowager. If you just leave like this, the one who will ascend the throne this time is the King of a Different Surname with remarkable military achievements. He is a well - deserved candidate. Even if the emperor comes back, he may not be able to regain the throne."
But Tang Youyou understood what they both meant.
The reason why she did this was to wait for Rong Xun and see what he was up to.
Now, what she needed most was to bide her time, not to show her sharpness.
"I understand what you two mean. Stop talking. Pack up your things and let's go."
Hearing this, the two of them didn't ask any more questions. They quickly packed their luggage, and that night, they left the palace.
It wasn't until they came to the Rouge Workshop on Chang'an Street that they finally felt at ease. When the Grand Empress Dowager Xuan in the workshop saw Tang Youyou, she was surprised and said, "Little girl, why are you back? Didn't you just return to the palace a few days ago? Did you get bullied?"
Hearing this, Tang Youyou quickly shook her head and said, "Of course not. How could I let others bully me?"
After saying that, Granny Xuan turned around and led her into the room.
Her room was still the same, and everything inside was spotless. It should have been cleaned every day.
"Granny Xuan, I may stay here for some time this time. I'm preparing for something. Maybe I'll need your help then."
"Need my help? Little girl, just ask if you need anything."
Tang Youyou naturally knew about the power in Granny Xuan's hands, but she had no idea how much power it was.