The lookout tower was a three-story tall building hidden in a thicket of greenery and the most frequently visited place of Emperor Xianzong (贤宗皇帝) during his leisure hours. Yu Xiaoxiao brought Wang momo with her. There were several court servants, but the emperor was not visible inside.
"Your Royal Highness is here, ah." The beautiful woman beckoned to Yu Xiaoxiao as soon as she entered. "Quickly sit next to me."
Yu Xiaoxiao needed no introduction to find out who this woman was. She was a beauty with a charming appearance, the future empress consort Zhao.
"My father… I mean, where is my imperial father?" Yu Xiaoxiao asked Consort Zhao.
"His Majesty had to leave for other reasons," said Consort Zhao. "He told Your Royal Highness to wait for him here.
"Then I'll be back later." Yu Xiaoxiao turned to leave.
Consort Zhao hurried to say:
"Look at you, child. Why are you so impatient today? Hurry up and sit down, I need to tell you something.
Yu Xiaoxiao took a few steps forward and said:
- Continue.
Wife Zhao used her handkerchief to blot the corners of her eyes.
"Over the past few days, I have not slept at night because of Your Royal Highness.
Yu Xiaoxiao didn't say anything, but simply looked at Consort Zhao. If she hadn't slept all those nights, she must have come up with some kind of plot.
"After all, you and the Third Young Master of the Gu Family still have an engagement agreement. It was the Empress Dowager who issued this decree in the past. Over the past few years, the respected empress has always considered the Gu clan to be your fiancé-to-be's family, but now that they've committed such a huge crime, are you still ready to get married, princess?
There was too much information in this last statement for Yu Xiaoxiao to think about everything at once. The imperial consort of this tyrannical female empress was an ethereal, celestial-looking man named Wen Fenglin (文林林). Where did this suitor of the Gu family come from? It looks like Emperor Consort Wen wasn't the original male either!
Wang momo panicked at the words of Consort Zhao. She fell forward on her knees and screamed:
"Dear Consort Zhao, the third son of the Gu clan has already lost the ability to use his legs. Her Royal Highness would never marry such a person!
Yu Xiaoxiao remembered her memories. The female emperor seemed to have lovers that spanned every possible surname, but none of them bore the surname Gu.
Wife Zhao did not let Wang momo get up, but only looked at Yu Xiaoxiao and said:
"Your Royal Highness, why do you think the respected empress left like this?" I - when I think about it now, I just want to cry.
As Consort Zhao spoke about how much she missed the Empress in a continuous stream of words, Yu Xiaoxiao looked back at the high window behind her. Outside was a jade-colored pond. It was only the beginning of autumn now, so the water was full of lotus blossoms that had not yet reached their full bloom. A light breeze stirred the surface of the water.
In the polluted environment of the apocalypse, there were no ponds as fresh as this one. Thus, even the smallest details of the scenery caught Yu Xiaoxiao's attention. Consort Zhao continued to chat until she realized that Yu Xiaoxiao was not reacting in any way. Feeling rather insecure, she wondered what happened to the princess who always greeted her with enthusiasm while at the same time rejoicing at her? Maybe she's too cold right now?
"Princess, ah, I'm doing this for your own good too," Consort Zhao pulled Yu Xiaoxiao's hand with reddened eyes. "The Gu Clan committed a heinous crime, so it's only natural that you marry someone else." But for a girl, a change of husband will naturally affect her reputation. I have been thinking about this for the past few days, and I decided that it would be best for Your Royal Highness to temporarily step back from public scrutiny until the affairs of the Gu clan calm down. Your Royal Highness may return later.
Yu Xiaoxiao looked at Consort Zhao, dismissing the beginning of the plan.
"May His Majesty grant the fief to Your Royal Highness," said Consort Zhao. - You can go there first. If you are worried about His Seventh Highness, you can take him with you. Don't worry, it won't take long. Once His Majesty gets rid of the Gu Clan, I will definitely remind him to call you back to the capital early.
Bullshit!
Forget the beautiful scenery, now Yu Xiaoxiao was furious! She wondered why this sinful Emperor Xianzong elevated his mistress to the status of an official wife by kicking his daughter out of the house. As it turned out, the stupid daughter deceived herself with this woman!
"Your Royal Highness," Consort Zhao wiped away her tears with her orchid-like fingers. "I really don't want to see you leave.
Yu Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes at the woman. If she had told her that she agreed, then the woman would definitely have said that she would take care of everything related to the feud. By the time she leaves, she will find that Consort Zhao has only left her a few bundles of cloth in a travel chest. If she tried to go back and find Xianzong, she would find that all four sides of the capital gates were guarded by Consort Zhao's people, making it impossible to return home. Her only choice would be to starve to death during the journey.
"Your Royal Highness, you can't leave the palace ah," Wang momo exclaimed as she prostrated herself in front of Yu Xiaoxiao. She knew enough to understand that a princess couldn't marry into the Gu clan, but a senior princess shouldn't leave the palace either. If she wasn't at His Majesty's side, Consort Zhao would definitely find a way to act against the Empress's daughter.
Yu Xiaoxiao walked ahead of Consort Zhao. Such a well-thought-out plan against two children who lost their mother. No wonder the Empress flayed her alive.
Are you looking for death? she asked.
Consort Zhao saw Xianzong enter the door and didn't have time to consider what Yu Xiaoxiao meant by this question. She just sobbed.
- I want to die! I would really like to follow the empress to the yellow springs (realm of the dead), ah!
Yu Xiaoxiao grabbed Consort Zhao by the collar and threw her out the window. If this woman wants to die so badly, then she will grant her wish.