He clutched his clothes, "Why, Nan Xuzong, why did you make me see this! Is it because... is it to let me know that she is yours, and will always be yours! Nan Xuzong, Nan Xuzong! What do you want me to do!" Tears streamed down his face, his mind filled with their intertwined figures! The image wouldn't leave him, wouldn't leave him!
Beigong Minhao drew his dagger. "You were the one who knelt before me begging for my help, you were the one who asked me to protect her! You were the one who said I was your only brother and your only friend! But you know I love her, you know I've been holding back all this time, hiding in the shadows... You know it all!"
But what did you do to me? Brother? Ha! Was I too stupid, or is this just my fate? He gasped, "You saved my life, you gave me back my faith and hope! You also made me suffer endless pain! Nan Xuzong, what are you thinking? Is death the only way to end it all?"
He suddenly burst into wild laughter.
The secret room here is soundproof, so the people upstairs naturally can't hear any sound!
"It's over! You win." Beigong Minhao suddenly stopped speaking and plunged the sharp knife deep into his own throat!
"Clang!" The dagger in Bei Gongminhao's hand was knocked away, and he immediately clutched his wrists, which were being soothed by the powerful internal force. He looked up and glared at the newcomer with resentment.
"What are you doing?" Nan Xuzong frowned. He was now impeccably dressed, his rosy complexion gone, but his body still smelled fresh. He was elegant and handsome.
Looking at him now, it's impossible to imagine what he did before!
Bei Gongminhao looked coldly at Nan Xuzong, "What are you doing? Isn't my meaning quite clear?"
"Obviously? What are you doing? Do you think you can end everything like this?" Nan Xuzong's eyes showed his doubt.
Bei Gongminhao stood up, his height almost the same as Nan Xuzong's. He glared at him angrily, "End everything? Ha! I, Bei Gongminhao, don't have the ability to end everything, but at least I can end myself!"
"You're insane tonight!" Nan Xuzong stepped forward. "I don't understand what you're talking about at all!"
"What are you saying? Never mind, never mind!" Bei Gongminhao shook his head, his face no longer showing heartache, but rather disappointment, even despair!
"Speak, what did you bring me here for?" He composed himself, closed his eyes, and tried to remain calm... He didn't want to see the person in front of him right now!
“You’re acting rather strangely,” Nan Xuzong said calmly, then sat down opposite him. “I don’t know why you’re here. I’m surprised, but I don’t want to dwell on it now. It’s almost midnight, and we need to get to the palace as soon as possible!”
"You don't know? Didn't you ask me to come?" Bei Gongminhao asked in surprise, immediately pulling out a small piece of paper from his pocket and slamming it onto the table. "Didn't you ask me to come?"
Nan Xuzong frowned, picked it up and looked at it. "Hmm, I'm the one who called you here. It says midnight on it." Nan Xuzong put down the paper and looked at him. "You're early."
Bei Gongminhao didn't answer. He knew his nature perfectly well; Bei Gongminhao always arrived early, even when there was nothing wrong! And Nan Xuzong always arrived right on time!
Beigong Minhao smiled bitterly. Had he forgotten his habits? Or had he truly forgotten his feelings? How ironic!
But Nan Xuzong's attention wasn't on that.
He squeezed out two words through gritted teeth, "And..." Nan Xuzong's expression changed instantly. He stepped forward and grabbed Beigong Minhao's collar tightly, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "What did you see?"
"You drugged her!" Bei Gongminhao's eyes flashed coldly, unconcerned about his current anger. Bei Gongminhao's chest burned with the same fury!
"You actually drugged her! Nan Xuzong, what did you promise me?!" He practically roared!
Nan Xuzong was stunned for a moment. "Tonight is her birthday. We should give her the best memory."
Bei Gongminhao's heart skipped a beat. Birthday! Today was her birthday! Damn it, why didn't he know? Why didn't he go to see her? Even if he went to see her as someone else, with someone else's face, it would still be very meaningful!
"What are you doing?" Nan Xuzong grabbed his arm. Bei Gongminhao actually wanted to go out and see her?
Bei Gongminhao looked at Nan Xuzong, at the burning anger in his eyes. Yes, she was his woman, and she must be lying in the brocade quilt now, tired and weary after blooming in all her beauty!
What right do I have to go see her?
I was so stupid!
"She knows something's going to happen tonight. Do you think she'd sleep peacefully if I didn't use a sleeping potion?" Nan Xuzong coldly suppressed his anger, threw down this sentence, and walked towards the other end of the secret room. "Aren't you going to leave now? This matter is urgent!"
"Okay!" Bei Gongminhao gritted his teeth and followed Nan Xuzong.
Even when I turned around, I couldn't see her!
At this time, Nan Xuzong and Beigong Minhao split up and approached the palace from different directions.
With his back to Bei Gong Minhao, listening to him leave in another direction, Nan Xuzong stopped and turned around, watching Bei Gong Minhao's figure grow smaller and smaller. "I'm sorry, Minhao, this is a necessary step! Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to bring yourself to do it... Please forgive my selfishness! Everything for her depends on you! One month, one month, please endure one more month, endure one more month of pain, and all of this will be over!"
The night was so alluring.
Deep within the nine-tiered palace, lights still shone brightly, and revelry filled the air. No one knew that this inner palace, past midnight, was far from peaceful; instead, it was bustling with activity.
Layers of gauze curtains and beaded veils were gently lifted, revealing bursts of women's laughter and men's playful noises.
"Beautiful lady, come here, come here!"
"Your Majesty, please come! Come quickly, your concubine is here!" Her voice rang out crisply like a bell, and her moaning was so captivating!
The Zhou Emperor was blindfolded and played a game of catching beauties in this enormous palace.
Several scantily clad women in red were all stunningly beautiful, with slender waists that could be encircled by one hand, delicate features, and alluring eyes. Their small lips, adorned with rouge, held a tender, spring-like quality. With a breath and a laugh, they were captivatingly seductive.
Laughter continued as the beaded curtain turned.
At this moment, a woman dressed in a charming and noble phoenix robe entered the palace, followed by several beautiful maids and eunuchs.
Wherever he went, no one dared not look up.
Empress Yao raised her phoenix eyes slightly, and everyone else followed suit with utmost caution.
Because Emperor Zhou's actions at this moment had exceeded the limits permitted by Empress Yao in the past, he would surely be reprimanded by her today. Everyone knew that Empress Yao usually kept Emperor Zhou firmly under her thumb. Perhaps others did not know, but what those in the palace knew was that, from some unknown time, Emperor Zhou had become increasingly dependent on Empress Yao, and Empress Yao imposed various restrictions on him, stipulating rules on his diet, clothing, and even his sexual relations.
But today, Emperor Zhou seems to have gone mad, playing such tricks in his palace.
A palace maid respectfully lifted the beaded curtain in front of her. Although Empress Yao's face was cold, she showed no anger. She walked very lightly and moved very quickly.
"Haha, I will definitely catch you! Come here!" Emperor Zhou rushed over following the sound of laughter, and just then, he grabbed one of the people. "Haha, I finally caught you, haha, let me see who you are!" He laughed and grabbed the person in front of him with one hand, and removed the blindfold with the other.
He was so engrossed in his own world that he forgot the sounds around him were gradually quieting down!
Empress Yao raised her phoenix eyes slightly and waved her hand, immediately dismissing all the women, palace maids, eunuchs, and others, and not forgetting to close the palace gates!
Emperor Zhou removed the gauze, only to see Empress Yao, whose face was filled with sarcasm. "Your Majesty has such refined tastes. Why not let me join you in your games?"
"So it's the Empress." Emperor Zhou seemed slightly deflated, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He then threw the gauze on the ground and walked to sit on the dragon throne. "Empress, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Isn't he still senile?" Empress Yao smiled and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I heard from the palace servants that Your Majesty is still not asleep past midnight. I suppose it is because you have something on your mind that you are acting this way. So I came to see you. Now that I see Your Majesty is indeed trying to relieve your worries, I feel that as the mother of the nation, I should be the first to share your burdens." The rest is self-explanatory, and I suppose Emperor Zhou was already aware of it.
His illness wasn't serious enough to cause him to become confused and insane at that point!
Empress Yao smiled; her words were so agreeable to the emperor! They were simply impeccable!
"Indeed, I have worries. What does the Empress think are my worries?" Emperor Zhou asked.
Empress Yao stepped forward and sat down on his dragon throne with him. "Is Your Majesty asking me to guess?" Empress Yao was only a woman in her thirties, a stage in a woman's life where she could exude the most charm and maturity, and was the stage where she could most easily attract every man! She was a beautiful woman, and now, with her own temperament and pride, plus the fragrant medicine she used on her body, she had begun to make Emperor Zhou infatuated.
He put his arm around Yao Hou's waist. "Hmm, guess."
"Then what I'm guessing is that you're troubled about the birthday gift you're giving me."
"Oh? A birthday gift? Let me think..." Emperor Zhou's mind raced for a moment, but he only seemed to realize something, without truly understanding!
"Very well, although today, a month from now, is my birthday, I've thought it over and decided that a simple celebration is best. Your Majesty need not go to such lengths for my birthday." Empress Yao, with her alluring red lips, stepped forward and closed the distance between herself and Emperor Zhou.
In everything we do, we should proceed step by step and climb higher. If we go straight for the enemy's head, sometimes we will do the opposite of what we want!
Emperor Zhou paused for a moment, then said, “I will definitely hold a grand birthday banquet for you, Empress. Rest assured, this banquet will not only invite princes and nobles, but also dignitaries from all the countries on this continent! Let them come and congratulate you on your birthday!”
"Then, Your Majesty, I thank you!" Empress Yao smiled, her cherry lips like flowers. "Your Majesty, have your troubles been resolved?"
"Hmm..." Emperor Zhou thought for a moment, "It seems not..." Yes, it seems that the Crown Prince was just deposed. The position of Crown Prince, hmm, is a bit troublesome. Who should be appointed?
"Does the Empress know my heart?" Emperor Zhou asked, looking at Empress Yao with a questioning gaze. Empress Yao, her eyes filled with allure, leaned forward, cupped Emperor Zhou's head, and kissed him. "Your Majesty..." her voice was captivating.
Emperor Zhou seemed to be addicted to the taste, wanting more after eating it. He was clearly attracted and bewitched!
Empress Yao pushed Emperor Zhou away at this moment, and called out softly again, "Your Majesty..."
"Empress, give it to me, quickly, give it to me..." Emperor Zhou reached out, pulling at Empress Yao, "Your lips seem to have something I want to eat, come quickly, give it to me..."
"Your Majesty!" Empress Yao smiled, "I hadn't even finished guessing yet!"
"Guess? Good, good, guess quickly, and let me have some right away, hurry." Emperor Zhou seemed anxious, his face began to turn pale, and sweat was already beading on his forehead.
"I suspect that what worries you is the matter of establishing a crown prince." Empress Yao looked at Emperor Zhou with her cold and beautiful eyes, and placed her soft, boneless hand on the golden robe with dragon claws on Emperor Zhou's chest.
Even the slightest tremor can be incredibly alluring!
"Establish a crown prince..." Emperor Zhou pondered these four words carefully, and suddenly, a glimmer of reason returned to his eyes. "Yes, establish a crown prince!" His dark eyes, which held a hint of majesty, were now fixed on Empress Yao. "Then, Empress, what are your thoughts?"
"How could I possibly have any brilliant ideas? Your Majesty, you are making me feel ashamed by what you say," Empress Yao smiled, her voice crisp and clear. "However, I have read some ancient books, which say that the distinction between elders and juniors, and between superiors and inferiors, must be clearly distinguished and respected."
"Okay, continue." Zhou Di shook his head, as if his mind had become clearer.
"Yun'er has committed a heinous crime and has been punished. Now, Your Majesty has four other outstanding sons, each with a different personality." Empress Yao breathed softly as she stepped forward, beginning to curry favor with the Emperor.
"I wonder how Your Majesty came to know these princes?" Empress Yao covered the back of Emperor Zhou's ear, her voice gentle, but her eyes were as cold and ruthless as a snake's.
☆、286 Depose Empress Yao and exterminate her entire clan! (Climax!)
"They, they are all good, all good." At this moment, as Zhou Di heard her question, the images of the four of them seemed to linger in his mind, but when he tried to distinguish them clearly, they became even more blurred.
Empress Yao gently rubbed his temples, saying, "Your Majesty, please explain! Otherwise, how can we establish a crown prince?"
“Hmm, what you said… is right!” Emperor Zhou paused for a moment, thought for a moment, “Ting’er, Ting’er is the second oldest, the second oldest, um, the second oldest…”
"But Yun'er is already dead. According to the order of seniority, Your Majesty, Ting'er is the eldest!" Empress Yao said softly, coaxing the Emperor Zhou, which made him feel extremely comfortable.
"That's indeed true... I... I'll think about it, I'll think about it..."
"What are you thinking about?" Empress Yao smiled. "Your Majesty, have I now considered myself to have resolved your troubles?"
"A little, a little." Because Zhou Di's mind wasn't quite clear, he went along with her suggestion.
Seeing that this was an opportune moment, Empress Yao took out a small bottle from her bosom and poured out a black pill. "Your Majesty, look, what is this?"
"Medicine! Delicious stuff, quick, let me have one to satisfy my craving, come quickly!" Emperor Zhou's eyes lit up when he saw the medicine, and he was about to pounce on it, but Empress Yao had already put the whole bottle away, and was only holding the black pill in her hand. "It's fine to satisfy Your Majesty's craving, but Your Majesty, since I have solved your troubles, why not settle them down immediately?"
"What do you mean?" Emperor Zhou snapped out of his daze. Although his eyes were gradually becoming empty, he was still an emperor and still possessed the aura of an emperor!
"To appoint Huangfu Ting as Crown Prince, and tonight we will draft the imperial edict so that it can be announced at the palace banquet tomorrow. What a wonderful thing this is!" So this was Empress Yao's plan!
Empress Yao looked at Emperor Zhou, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "If you, old man, don't agree to make Ting'er the Crown Prince, then I'll have no choice but to send you to the Western Paradise! Tomorrow at the palace banquet, the 'Imperial Edict' will be announced again. Anyone who disobeys will be killed! If they are members of the royal family, they will be executed immediately for treason!"
"Establish Huangfu Ting as Crown Prince?" Emperor Zhou muttered these words to himself, then realized something. This... no, no, Huangfu Ting was too hasty, and his methods were somewhat cruel. Others might not know, but he, as the father, was aware of it! Huangfu Ting was not up to the task. If the throne were passed to him, the world would surely descend into chaos within ten years! At that time, the Huangfu dynasty would likely be destroyed! And if external enemies were added, it would likely hasten the demise of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty!
"He won't do. The Crown Prince has been deposed, and the position is vacant. I think it's up to Heaven to decide! Let the people judge their merits, and whoever has the best reputation can be the Crown Prince!" Emperor Zhou struggled to his feet, forgetting that he hadn't taken drugs yet. Perhaps his concentration was so great that he could temporarily suppress his latent addiction!
Empress Yao immediately followed Emperor Zhou's lead, "Then, didn't Ting'er personally resolve the matter of Prince Lin of Fusang a while ago? He personally brought out the murderer who killed Prince Lin! He prevented a war between the two countries. Who else could handle such a situation? Only Ting'er! Only Ting'er could uncover the truth in such a short time! These past few days, the people have been vying to spread Ting'er's fame!" Empress Yao's first move was a soft explanation. This time, the focus shifted from mentioning "Yun'er" to "murderer," deliberately highlighting Huangfu Ting.
Emperor Zhou thought about it and realized that recently he had often heard people outside saying that Huangfu Ting was remarkable and the future hope of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. However, there was not a sound about Huangfu Xuan. As for Huangfu Zong, he was heard to be afraid of his wife and spoil the eldest daughter of General Ji's family so much that she was unruly and always with him, without caring about what others said or his status as the fourth prince!