Outside the Imperial Study.
" Empress, go back. His Majesty won't be seeing you." Eunuch Zhang walked out of the Imperial study and advised the Empress.
This was already the third time.
The Empress had been kneeling outside the Imperial study for the whole day and evening requesting an audience from the Emperor.
However, the Emperor refused to see her. It was already midnight.
The Empress looked pale and helpless and her knees were bleeding forming patches of blooming red on her gorgeous Phoenix gown.
Her jade-like body couldn't withstand such torture.
As the autumn wind blew the Empress's slender body trembled uncontrollably looking extremely fragile and pitiful in the deathly still night. Even Chief Eunuch Zhang couldn't help but feel a hint of pity of her and sympathize with her.
However, despite her miserable state, the Empress looked determined as she shook her head, " No, Eunuch Zhang, I must meet His Majesty. If His Majesty is not willing then I will just continue kneeling here."
Despite her weak and vulnerable exterior her every word revealed her firm stance and determination in her heart. Although she looked miserable at the moment she didn't reveal her weakness. Her knees bleeding but her back stood straight as a pine.
She was the dignified Empress, the mother of the world.
A hint of admiration appeared in his eyes when Eunuch Zhang saw the Empress this way. He really admired the Empress's indomitable spirit.
Not only was the Empress was a beauty but her beauty also held a noble charm and elegance that was beyond comparison...oh no, there was someone who could compare, and if he was honest that person's beauty and elegance were even a notch higher than the Empress.
Madam Jiang was someone who had the beauty that could topple the city and the country. Her elegant and aloof temperament with a trace of heroic spirit between her brows was even rarer.
Eunuch Zhang was too engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't the hint of disgust that flashed across the Empress's eyes, however, it was only for a moment before it was soon replaced by a gentle look that also held unwavering and unyielding perseverance.
Eunuch Zhang sighed and advised again, " Empress, you are injured, you should return to your palace and treat your injuries. Your Majesty, it's not good to be too stubborn. His Majesty is busy now when he is done with his work he will naturally meet you. Why don't you come back tomorrow morning, Your Majesty?"
However, no matter how much Eunuch Zhang persuaded the Empress refused to live.
Seeing her persistence Eunuch Zhang felt helpless and shook his head as left to guard the door of the Imperial Study.
Although, these people usually respectively called him Chief Eunuch Zhang and flattered him whenever they met. In the end, he was just a servant.
If the Empress refused to leave he couldn't ask someone to drag her out, right?
Sigh! It was so hard to be a servant.
Chief Eunuch Zhang left with his back facing and didn't see the venomous look of the gentle and dignified Empress he admired.
The Empress was too disgusted when thought of the infatuated look in that lowly eunuch's eyes, heh, even a slave dare covet her beauty!
Was she someone a mere slave could lay his eye upon?
If this lowly dog wasn't the Emperor's dog she would have already gotten someone to gouge his eyes already.
However, despite her extreme displeasure, there was also some vanity and pleasure in her eyes.
Huh! She sure was a narcissistic one.
The Empress knew how to play both soft and hard. This was her charm.
The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly and frowned when she felt her knees throb. Her expression instantly changed and turned hideous and resentful.
'Damn! Xiao Jinggou! I, Xu Jinyao will remember today's grievance and humiliation!'
The Empress shouted and cursed in her heart then immediately after her expression turned normal, a gentle and dignified empress.
The change was so fast and impeccable that in Jiang Ying Yue's previous world, she could be an Oscar-winning actress.
And it was all thanks to her talent over the years the Empress had managed to disguise herself too well and there were only a few people who truly knew her, the real her.
Behind her gentle and magnanimous facade was a cruel and vicious core stained with the blood of countless innocent lives.
The Empress clenched her firsts, her nails were digging into her palms. She also knew that her actions were impulsive and might anger the Monarch. But she had to do it.
It was fine if it was anything else, but how could she sit back in peace when her only son was captured by someone as a hostage?
The Empress felt too uneasy.
That b*tch Nangong Ruyi's daughter was just too unpredictable. Moreover, she had an explosive temper. Now that their Royal family had caused the General family's downfall, they would definitely take revenge.
It was fine if they just captured her son to threaten His Majesty to agree to their demands and conditions but if they did something to her son.
That little b*tch not only had an explosive temper but was also violent. What if she took out anger on her son?
If that little b*tch moved her hands and feet impulsively even if her son didn't lose his life he might lose his pair of hands or feet. Then, how would he be able to fight those b*starts for the throne?
Moreover, the Emperor's heart was just too fickle. He wanted to control everything in his hands.
When he was down and out and wasn't even able to keep his crown prince position it was her Xu family who supported him to the throne. Her family and she had schemed so much for his sake trying means win allies for him and wasn't that how her son's engagement came about?
Her son was an orthodox Prince, this nation's crown prince. He was handsome and noble. There were countless beauties with top talents fighting to enter the Crown Prince's East Palace.
However, for that White-eyed wolf of an Emperor, her precious had to give up on such good prospects and endure humiliation for more than ten years.
That little b*tch of the Jiang Family was an ugly boor, was she even worthy of her precious son?
And so what if she had some talent?
There were still countless girls who not only had better talent but also had better looks.
Fortunately, that little b*tch's family was a thorn in the Emperor's flesh and he had finally gotten rid of them otherwise her precious son would be forced to marry her.
The more she thought the more anger the Empress felt. Now that she thought that her son was captured by that little b*tch she wanted to go down the tear her into pieces.
Damn!! That b*state!
What was this b*state Emperor thinking?
Was he going to just sit here and watch her son tortured?
She had heard the girl from the Bai family was also captured along with her son and her people had come here for an explanation from the Emperor.
However, it was not known what method the Emperor used to coax them, they went back soon after and didn't come back to cause more trouble.
She was doubtful but had no way to inquire and she could only kneel here.
Her precious son....
She couldn't guess what the Emperor was thinking. Was he going to a bad one her and clan now that he had achieved his goal?
Burning the bridge after crossing the river?....Huh! Did he think it was that easy?
The Empress lowered her head and clenched her fists, nails digging into her flesh creating bloody mark. However, she didn't seem to feel the pain. Her eyes were narrowed, filled with poisonous thoughts.
" Aren't you afraid they'll come at you at once?"
Jiang Ying Yue didn't answer but gently tugged the person who was sleeping on her bed. When she saw that the person really wasn't reacting she lifted the quilt and gently brought out a small hand.
Under the dim-light she observed the small hand carefully and found many abrasions and cuts on them. Some of them looked fresh but some looked old but they have yet to heal completely.
Jiang Ying Yue's gaze didn't change as she gently lifted her sleeve and proceeded to inspect the rest of the arm.
However, the result was still the same. The tender skin on the arm was littered with bruises and cuts of all sizes.
Tian Lan suddenly realized that Jiang Ying Yue was acting abnormal. So stood up from her chair and bent over curiously to take look. However, the sight was so shocking and heartbreaking that caused her to gasp, " This....how did she get injured so badly?!"
Seeing the lovely little girl covered in so many injuries Tian Lan suddenly lost it.
" Xiao Mei, Xiao Mei, wake up! Tell Sister Lan who bullied you. I am going to kill that b*stard!"
Rage caused her to be impulsive. Tian Lan didn't care anymore she just wanted to wake Jiang Ying Mei up and get the culprit's name out of her mouth so that she could find those b*stard beat them to death.
She looked like she was out for blood.
Seeing her like this Jiang Ying Yue's eyes twitched fiercely as she hurriedly stopped the impulsive girl.
" Don't shout. I know the culprit, there's no need to wake her up. She is too tired, let her sleep."
" Huh? You know?" Tian Lan finally stopped and asked.