The night was pitch black and heavy.
Despite the bitter cold of early spring in February, Ruo Xin had always been afraid of the cold, so her room was still heated by several braziers, making the space warm and cozy.
Yet at this moment, Zhao Hua was clearly standing beside the brazier, but she felt no warmth at all.
Instead, it seemed as if the blood in her body was slowly turning cold, almost congealing.
A chilling sensation welled up in her chest, spreading until it froze her throat.
She couldn't think of what to say to Ning Wanshuang.
Having learned the whole truth, Zhao Hua did not blame Xiao Jingheng for anything, because in her heart, she had long ceased to see him as a human being, only as a beast waiting to be hunted and killed.
But she would blame herself.
That day, she had clearly smelled the stench of blood from the medicine bowl in Xiao Jingheng's room.
She had noticed that Ruo Xin easily became dizzy and drowsy.
She had also known that Ruo Xin had developed a blood deficiency syndrome at that time.
But she had failed to connect all the dots and investigate thoroughly.
The heavy affairs of state and trivial matters of the harem had occupied nearly all of her time, as if two completely different forces were pulling her apart, threatening to tear her asunder.
She was too exhausted to be vigilant about every single thing.
And it was this momentary lapse that had indirectly led to Jin Yue's death.
Zhao Hua clenched her fists tightly, her anger and frustration intertwining in her heart.
She was so close to succeeding, so close to being able to strip Xiao Jingheng of his throne.
Just one more step, yet Xiao Jingheng had still managed to shatter Ning Wanshuang's only wish.
The more Zhao Hua thought about it, the more guilt-ridden she felt. As tears streamed down her face, she needed to summon immense courage just to look at Ning Wanshuang.
She tightly embraced Ning Wanshuang and sobbed softly in her ear, "Sister, I'm sorry..."
Ning Wanshuang did not return the embrace.
She simply stood there, tears silently falling, "You have nothing to apologize for. It is I who have wronged Jin Yue. I already knew before I left that Xiao Jingheng was going to take Jin Yue to live in Chaoyang Palace, but not only did I not stop him, I even felt a sense of relief in my heart because Jin Yue had always been clamoring for her father's company!"
Her emotions gradually became more agitated, her voice growing harsher and sharper, each word like a hammer striking Zhao Hua's ears.
"I was truly as foolish as a pig! I never thought Xiao Jingheng would go this far! Why would he treat me like this? Why?!"
Ning Wanshuang's chest felt as if it were blocked by a stubborn stone, almost suffocating her.
She pushed Zhao Hua away and began raining down frenzied blows upon herself, her behavior becoming utterly deranged.
Afraid that she might harm herself, Zhao Hua rushed forward and tightly embraced her, restraining her hands, not letting go even when accidentally struck.
After a long while, Ning Wanshuang finally calmed down in Zhao Hua's soft embrace.
Zhao Hua tentatively loosened her hold, and seeing that Ning Wanshuang no longer intended to hurt herself, she helped her sit down nearby.
She gazed at her silently, noticing that Ning Wanshuang's eyes seemed to have run dry of tears.
And when she raised her hand to wipe the tear stains from her cheeks, it was no longer a gentle brush with her palm facing upward, but a careless swipe, and that was the end of it.
Her pride was gone,
Or perhaps it had long been devoured like a delicacy by this cannibalistic harem, washed down with wine.
The hall fell into silence for a while.
Suddenly, Ning Wanshuang spoke in a slightly hoarse, cold voice:
"I want him dead."
Zhao Hua's heart sank, and she quickly tried to dissuade her in a low voice:
"Even if you hate him, sister, it's not wise to move against him directly. If the emperor dies unexpectedly, there will be suspicions about the cause of death. The seasoned officials and military leaders from the previous dynasty could then extend their claws into the harem and request that the most experienced coroners in the capital examine the emperor's body.
Those coroners have spent more time dealing with corpses than with living people. No matter how well concealed, they would be able to uncover the true cause of the emperor's death. So if you take action against him, sister, it means you cannot survive either."
Zhao Hua knew that in Ning Wanshuang's current state of utter despair, she might entertain thoughts of suicide as a means of liberation.
Therefore, to persuade her to live, Zhao Hua had to 'take a different tack', changing the subject:
"For the sake of that filthy beast, does sister really deserve to sacrifice her own life and accompany him in death?"
She took Ning Wanshuang's hand and gripped it tightly.
"I know you're heartbroken, and I understand that your disappointment with that man far exceeds mine. But if you trust me, sister, don't be too hasty. I already have a foolproof plan; only the final step remains to bring it to fruition.
Sister, please be patient for a while longer. I promise you, I will make the emperor pay back the debts he owes you, me, and all the women of the harem, with interest, atoning for his crimes with his life!"
As she spoke, a voice came from outside the door, announcing, "Your Majesty, Consort Yin and Consort Ru have arrived."
"I understand, take them to the main hall to wait."
Upon hearing this, Ning Wanshuang did not linger, immediately rising and saying, "I understand what you've told me. I need to return and stay with Jin Yue, so I'll be going now."
She stood up and started to leave, her foot already crossing the threshold.
But suddenly, she stopped, quickly turned back into the hall, and stood before Ruo Xin's bed, gently bending down to caress the child's face with a pained expression.
"If Xiao Jingheng really used that method, and Jin Yue is gone, he will only become more cruel toward Ruo Xin," she said softly.
Then, looking up at Zhao Hua, her voice grew solemn. "Ruo Xin is also my child. We must protect her well."
Zhao Hua nodded tearfully, "You are Ruo Xin's mother, sister. You still have Ruo Xin, and you have me. In this world, you are not alone."
Ning Wanshuang smiled bitterly and nodded, then left without another word.
