Chapter 28: Persuasion

Despite the immense agony within her, Wei Yanqiao stubbornly lifted her chin. Emotions were not something she could fully control, but the more heartless Xiao Ceyun became toward her, the more intensely the fire of rage burned in her heart. Only in this way, when the time came for her to exact revenge, could she be utterly ruthless and devoid of mercy.

Shuiyao gazed at Wei Yanqiao with a face full of worry and whispered, "My Lady, this imperial palace has always been a place of sycophants who bow to the powerful and abandon the fallen. Now that you have lost the Emperor's favor, how will you manage to survive in this deep palace?"

"Go and rest now. Without my permission, you are not to enter," Wei Yanqiao said, slowly rising from the cold floor. She sat back down at the table, as if severed from the outside world, and picked up her brush. With a stubborn, defiant air, she buried herself once more in the task of copying the dense, endless scriptures.

The rift between Wei Yanqiao and Xiao Ceyun had occurred only the night before. The following morning, the food delivered to her was not only stone-cold, but the variety of dishes was far inferior to what she had been accustomed to. Fortunately, however, the food had not yet spoiled.

Shuiyao said indignantly, "My Lady, you are a Noble Consort! Even without his favor, your rank remains. These ignorant, lowly servants dare to treat you this way! It is simply outrageous!"

Wei Yanqiao replied indifferently, "Let it be. When I was at Nanan Temple, the food was not even this good."

Shuiyao urged, "My Lady, please go and humble yourself before the Emperor, offer an apology. The Emperor has always doted on you; surely he is only acting this way because he is in the heat of anger, which is why he allows these servants to be so insolent. If you go and soothe him, perhaps he will forgive you at once and return to your side."

To Shuiyao's earnest advice, Wei Yanqiao seemed not to hear a word. She continued to eat the cold, unappetizing food, her expression remaining entirely unchanged.

In the days that followed, Wei Yanqiao lived a reclusive life. Her days were monotonous and dull—either hunched over the thick scriptures or making do with leftovers and cold water. Even if she were only putting on a show, the passage of time inevitably brought a sense of stifling boredom.

She summoned Shuiyao and commanded, "Shuiyao, go to the flower house and fetch some seeds. I wish to plant some flowers in the courtyard to pass the time."

Shuiyao left in a hurry, but when she returned, she carried only a few poor-quality seeds. With a look of grievance, she complained to Wei Yanqiao, "My Lady, you have no idea. When I went to the flower house, those servants didn't show us the slightest bit of respect. Not only were they extremely reluctant to give us these inferior seeds, but they even dared to give me attitude!"

In the past, she had been a formidable figure in the palace, and everyone addressed her with deference. Now, they dared to treat her with disdain.

However, Wei Yanqiao did not flare up in anger. She merely said calmly, "That is enough. Since you have the seeds, we shall make do with them for now."

Taking the seeds from Shuiyao, she walked slowly into the courtyard, crouched down, and began to plant them with care.

Seeing this, the anger in Shuiyao’s heart burned even brighter, and she stomped her feet in frustration. In the past, if Wei Yanqiao had known she was being bullied like this, she would have immediately sought justice for her and severely punished those who dared to disrespect them. Yet now, even after she had laid the matter out so clearly, her mistress wouldn't even offer a single word of support. In that moment, Shuiyao deeply missed the arrogant, decisive, and forceful Wei Yanqiao of the past.

"My Lady, why not just go and coax the Emperor? In another month, winter will be upon us. You know how bone-chilling the winters in this palace are. Without the Emperor's favor, the supplies we receive will be pitifully scarce. You have always been sensitive to the cold; how will you endure when winter truly arrives?"

Wei Yanqiao paused slightly.

Seeing this, Shuiyao felt a surge of excitement, thinking she had finally persuaded her mistress. If she could successfully complete the task Xiao Ceyun had entrusted to her, she would surely receive a handsome reward.

However, Wei Yanqiao only replied coolly, "I will not go. Shuiyao, I have long since decided that I will no longer seek the Emperor's favor. Life in this palace will not change regardless. If you feel there is no future in staying with me and wish to find another path, you may leave at any time; I will not stop you."

Shuiyao’s eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head frantically. "My Lady, I would never leave you!" If she really left, the Emperor might not let her off so easily. She hurried to persuade her again, "My Lady, please, go and see the Emperor. In my opinion, the Emperor clearly still has you in his heart. As long as you are willing to soften your stance and show a little affection, the Emperor will surely lose his anger and dote on you as he once did."

No matter how Shuiyao pleaded, Wei Yanqiao remained unmoved. The Emperor had ordered her to convince Wei Yanqiao to admit her faults and curry favor, but Wei Yanqiao was as stubborn as if she had turned to stone, refusing to listen to a single word.

Half a month passed while Wei Yanqiao lived in the cold palace, when suddenly the Empress sent for her to come to the Jiaofang Palace. Wei Yanqiao guessed that her brother, Wei Hongbo, must have finally arrived at the capital with his army.

Wei Yanqiao, still in her simple attire, made her way to the palace where Tang Yurong resided.

As she stepped through the gate, she was surprised to find that Xiao Ceyun was also there.

In that instant, her heart tightened as if gripped by an invisible hand.

Xiao Ceyun looked at her coldly, his gaze piercing her like an arrow.

Wei Yanqiao felt like a startled deer; she lowered her head in panic, her voice trembling as she bowed respectfully, "This concubine greets the Emperor and the Empress."

Xiao Ceyun sat there motionless, saying nothing, his eyes fixed intently on the kneeling Wei Yanqiao.

Wei Yanqiao felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. Under his gaze, she became increasingly restless and began to tremble slightly.

At this moment, Tang Yurong smiled faintly and said softly, "Noble Consort Sheng, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Wei Yanqiao said, rising slowly. But she dared not lift her head to look ahead, acting like a child who had committed a fault and feared punishment.

Tang Yurong’s lips curled into a kind smile. "Noble Consort Sheng, there is no need to be so restrained. Please, sit."

Wei Yanqiao appeared uneasy, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her garment. After a moment of hesitation, she took a seat.

Tang Yurong turned her gaze upon Wei Yanqiao, scrutinizing her for a moment before asking with concern, "You seem to have grown much thinner lately, Noble Consort. Is the food in the palace not to your liking?"

At these words, Wei Yanqiao felt a pang of tension. She lowered her head quickly and answered cautiously, "Replying to the Empress, it is not that. I have simply… intentionally avoided eating too much, wishing to abstain from oily foods."

At that moment, Xiao Ceyun, who had been sitting in silence, suddenly darkened his expression. He stood up abruptly and, with a flick of his sleeves, stormed out in anger.

Watching Xiao Ceyun’s retreating figure, Tang Yurong could not help but let out a soft sigh. She spoke to Wei Yanqiao in an earnest, persuasive tone, "Sister, I truly intended to help you resolve this misunderstanding with the Emperor and restore your relationship to its former warmth. But why do you not know how to speak gentle words to win the Emperor's favor?"

Wei Yanqiao quickly rose and bowed in apology. "It is all my fault for failing to live up to your kind intentions, Empress."