The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Seeing his silence, Wulan Yun became even more agitated, raising her voice:

"And another thing, Your Majesty, why did you have to take Yun Wan's daughter as your concubine? Why did you have to get her pregnant of your child of all people?!"

Shen Wangxi finally spoke: "What do you mean? What's your relationship with Yun Wan?"

"What does it matter?" Wu Lanyun asked as if she had heard a joke, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? That night, when you were drunk and promiscuous, you took Yun Wan as your concubine. When I found out, I was so enraged that I suffered a postpartum hemorrhage and went into premature labor!"

"The imperial physician later told you I was perfectly healthy, but that was a lie!"

"I threatened to kill myself to beg them not to tell you the truth."

Pointing to herself, she spoke each word with uncontrollable sobs: "I've damaged my health, I can't have children anymore! It's Yunwan! She's the one who's caused us to be unable to have children all these years!"

Shen Wangxi suddenly realized why they had no children for many years afterward. He had only thought it was because their fate hadn't come yet and had never investigated it further.

Looking at him, Wulan Yun felt an even greater sorrow: "But now, her daughter! blatantly takes your place, carrying your child!"

"Why? Your Majesty, tell me, why can't I hate Shen Qingruo? Why can't I hate the child in her womb?!"

Shen Wangxi closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a deep coldness.

He spoke slowly, his tone indifferent: "Wulan Yun, from a woman's perspective, your situation is indeed understandable."

"But you've forgotten, I am the emperor. The people of the world should follow my will and my preferences."

"You have offended me with your own love and hate, plotting to harm the imperial heir, which is a capital offense."

Wu Lanyun's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He continued, "But considering that you have been with me since childhood and never abandoned me in times of crisis, I will pardon all your crimes and preserve your position as Empress."

"But I will never come to the Jiaofang Palace again."

"As for Ayan, strip the Princess of all privileges, confiscate all her servants, fiefs, and treasures. Send her out of the palace immediately and confine her to her residence. Without my decree, she is not allowed to leave the residence even a step."

Ulan Yun seemed to have all her strength drained away, and suddenly burst into laughter, a loud and shrill laugh.

Shen Wangxi turned away resolutely, refusing to look at her again.

Ulan Yun watched his retreating figure and shouted with all her might, "Your Majesty! My father and brothers died for you on the battlefield, and the sons of the Ulan family shed their blood for you."

"I, Wulan Yun, have followed you since childhood, and I will never abandon you in times of crisis."

"How can you treat me like this? How can you face the spirits of the Ulan people in heaven? How can you face me?"

Tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling, "And what about your promises!"

"You promised to cherish me for life and never betray me. When you were enjoying yourself with that bitch Shen Qingruo, did you ever think of your wife with whom you swore eternal love?"

Shen Wangxi paused slightly at the palace entrance, but he did not turn back. He took a step forward, completely shutting out the woman's devastating cries behind the palace door.

-

Outside the Jiaofang Palace, Shen Wangxi stood under the corridor, the night wind carrying a chill.

Wu Tian, ​​who had been waiting at a distance, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty."

Shen Wangxi slowly spoke: "Convey my decree."

Wu Tian's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed even lower: "This servant is here."

"All the palace servants in Jiaofang Palace were beaten to death."

"The imperial guards who followed the Empress into Qingyi Palace today shall all be executed."

"The leader shall have his entire clan exterminated."

Wu Tian felt a chill run down his spine.

The Imperial Guards were only ordered to be mobilized by the Empress; their crime doesn't warrant the extermination of their entire families...

But the saying "When the emperor is angry, millions will die" is never an exaggeration.

After all, if the most honorable person in the world is unhappy, someone naturally needs to pay the price, regardless of right or wrong.

Even though Emperor Shen Wangxi of the Great Zhou Dynasty may appear aloof and cold on ordinary days, he is, in essence, an emperor.

His kindness and tolerance were always conditional and limited.

"Your servant obeys the decree." Wu Tian suppressed his fear and kowtowed deeply.

Shen Wangxi said no more, turned around, and stepped into the deep night.

Wu Tian slowly stood up, looked in the direction where the emperor had disappeared, and sighed softly.

Tonight, the stench of blood in this palace will likely intensify.