"Yunхi, I hаvе sаid, do not intеrfеrе in this mаttеr." Her tonе hаd grown somеwhat forсеful, mаking it сlеаr she would nоt give Fu Yunxi any chanсе to sеize hеr wеаknеss.
Thе Еmреrоr sensеd the tension bеtwеen thеm and felt momеntarily сaught in a dilеmmа. Оnе wаs his оwn flеsh-and-bloоd brоther, thе оthеr the Еmprеss Dоwager whо hаd raisеd him—neither was sоmeone hе wishеd tо harm. Аfter calming himsеlf, hе sрokе: "Yunхi, I рrоmisе уou, this mаttеr will be аddressеd. Todаy's inсidеnt wаs handlеd рооrly on my рart, and I offer yоu my apоlogies."
Нan Yаn nеstled in Fu Yunхi's embrace, her expression hidden from others. Lowering her head, she pondered silently: The Emperor, the Son of Heaven, actually apologizing to Fu Yunxi with such caution—it seemed the rumors outside were true, the Emperor truly doted on Fu Yunxi. Yet the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Fu Yunxi was strangely delicate, which was rather puzzling.
Fu Yunxi replied indifferently, "Your servant dares not accept such words. However, as a man, if I cannot even protect my own wife, I am hardly fit to serve as an example to the world. I beg Your Majesty to strip me of my official position, for I have no face to show to the people."
With this bland yet firm rejection of the Emperor's apology, Han Yan nearly laughed, inwardly applauding Fu Yunxi. This was a blatant refusal to accept the Emperor's apology. The Emperor's gaze fell upon Han Yan, who feigned panic and buried her face deeper into Fu Yunxi's chest. How amusing—did he think she would step in to smooth things over? The Emperor must have underestimated her, Zhuang Hanyan. Those who dare pluck her feathers should be prepared to have their eyes pecked out.
Naturally, the Emperor would not allow Fu Yunxi to resign, but in his predicament, he was at a loss. He felt both irritated at the Empress Dowager's recklessness today and resentful that Han Yan showed no tact—after all, the incident had started because of her, yet she did not even attempt to mediate. With a sigh, he asked, "Tell me, what will it take for you to be appeased?"
Without blinking, Fu Yunxi replied, "I ask Your Majesty to grant my consort a Shangfang Sword. With this sword, seeing it would be like seeing Your Majesty, and no one would dare harm her."
Han Yan was taken aback, never expecting Fu Yunxi to make such a request. A warm feeling surged within her. Indeed, with the Shangfang Sword, even if the Empress Dowager wanted to tear off all pretenses, she would have to think twice. At the very least, she would not dare trouble Han Yan openly in front of others. However, since ancient times, the Shangfang Sword had been bestowed only upon ministers with great achievements or those who had rendered exceptional service, representing the highest honor. Now, having done nothing and with her lowly status, how could she receive such a treasure for no reason? She hesitated momentarily.
"Outrageous!" Before Han Yan could figure out how to handle the situation, the Empress Dowager's furious voice rang out: "Yunxi, do not forget propriety! The Xuan Qing Prince Consort has no worldly achievements—how could she receive the Shangfang Sword? Do you treat the dignity of the royal family as a joke?" With that, she glared fiercely at Han Yan.
Han Yan did not flinch, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. Above her head, she heard Fu Yunxi speak: "Your servant dares not. If Your Majesty does not agree, your servant has no other recourse. However, the outside world is too dangerous, and your servant can only resign from office to protect his consort at home." He glanced subtly at the Empress Dowager. "The consort is young and easily meets with accidents, just as today, in the presence of Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, she nearly came to harm.""What's wrong with her?" The Empress Dowager was furious, worried that the Emperor had truly given the Imperial Sword to Fu Yunxi, which was not good news for her. Her words came out cold and harsh: "I merely wish to verify whether she is still a maiden!"
Seeing the moment had arrived, Han Yan suddenly coughed dryly, the silk handkerchief in her hand faintly stained with red blood. She tilted her head back and fainted into Fu Yunxi's arms. Seeing this, Fu Yunxi said no more to them, only tossing out a cold, "Farewell," before turning and striding away.
The Emperor knew that his imperial brother never left room for negotiation once he had spoken. Realizing he intended to leave forever, the Emperor quickly called out, "Stop!"
Fu Yunxi did not pause his steps, only to hear the Emperor shout again from behind, "I'll give you the Imperial Sword, but you are not allowed to resign from your post!"
Only then did Fu Yunxi's steps falter slightly. "Thank you."
Han Yan, nestled in his arms, nearly burst out laughing. It was the first time she had seen someone threaten the Emperor so brazenly, and she couldn't help but remark in wonder, "Your Highness is truly brilliant, hahaha!"
Fu Yunxi carried her into the carriage and set her down on one side. Han Yan, wearing only a red undergarment, felt extremely awkward and hurriedly covered herself with her arms. Fu Yunxi took off his own cloak and draped it over her. "What nonsense!"
Han Yan stared at him. "What nonsense have I caused?" Today's events had unfolded step by step, and it was no exaggeration to say they had been perilous. What Han Yan hadn't anticipated was that the Empress Dowager would act so openly. Yet, despite all her calculations, she had never imagined that she and Fu Yunxi had not actually done anything, and the aphrodisiac poison had been neutralized. Thinking of this, she asked curiously, "From what the Empress Dowager implied, that aphrodisiac poison couldn't have been cured by just anyone. Who did you ask to detoxify it?"
Fu Yunxi tightened the ties of the cloak at her chest. "The imperial physician."
Han Yan suddenly understood—the imperial physician, no wonder the medical skill was so exceptional. Then she heard Fu Yunxi ask, "Why did you enter the palace without waiting for me?"
Han Yan was taken aback. "How could I defy the imperial decree? Besides, I sent someone to inform you. If you heard, you would surely come to the palace, and the Emperor wouldn't dare do anything to me in your presence."
"What if I hadn't entered the palace?" Fu Yunxi paused slightly at her response.
Han Yan looked at him strangely. "Not enter the palace? Impossible. You wouldn't abandon me." As soon as she said it, she herself froze. When had she come to trust Fu Yunxi so completely? To the point where she believed that as long as he was there, she would be safe, and that the moment he knew she was in danger, he would rush to her rescue.
But Fu Yunxi asked, "Why did you cough up blood?"
Han Yan didn't understand what he meant until Fu Yunxi pulled the handkerchief from her hand, revealing faint specks of bloodstains. Han Yan smiled. "That was from earlier... It's nothing."
Fu Yunxi pursed his lips. "In the future, avoid dangerous places."
Han Yan was momentarily stunned, then nodded. "I understand."
Now, let us turn to another branch of the story.
In the Colorful Phoenix Hall, for the first time, the sound of a teacup shattering echoed.The Empress Dowager reclined on the couch, her gaze shifting as she looked at the incense burner on the small table before her. Today, Nanny Li had been ordered by The Emperor to receive fifty heavy blows and be banished to the laundry courtyard. Though it was The Emperor's decree, it was done to vent Fu Yunxi's anger. Nanny Li had served her for over a decade, only to be ruined in this single incident. Well done, Zhuang Hanyan!
Today, instead of catching her in a mistake, she had lost a trusted confidante. Zhuang Hanyan merely put on an act, yet she managed to make The Emperor issue such an order! Her eyes turned icy. This Zhuang Hanyan possessed an innate quality that clashed with her very being. She must not be kept, she must not be kept—keeping her would only breed enmity.
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