Chapter 36 Knowing You Are Wrong Is Useless
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Xiao Ceyun gave a cold snort. “She has realized her mistake?” A faint, scarcely perceptible glimmer of anger and disappointment flashed through his narrow eyes. He had given her countless chances to repent and start anew, yet each time she had treated them with utter indifference. Now, at last, she had realized that she was wrong—but unfortunately, it was already too late.
Had he not been concerned that Wei Yanqiao’s death would leave the Wei family without any worries, he would have strangled her long ago.
“Go tell that ungrateful woman that since she is so devoted to copying scriptures and worshiping Buddha, she may continue doing so to her heart’s content in the Cold Palace!” Xiao Ceyun’s voice was like a bitter wind on a freezing night, sending a shiver through anyone who heard it.
Bi Zifu’s heart jolted. He had originally been delighted, believing that Xiao Ceyun would feel relieved and pleased upon hearing that Wei Yanqiao had admitted her mistake. Clearly, Wei Yanqiao had thoroughly enraged him this time. Xiao Ceyun was determined to leave her in the Cold Palace to suffer and fend for herself until she perished.
Bi Zifu hurriedly bowed and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will obey.”
Xiao Ceyun added coldly, “From now on, there is no need to report anything about her to Me. I have no interest in hearing another word about her.”
Bi Zifu once again answered respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty. This servant understands.”
From Xiao Ceyun’s resolute attitude, it was clear that he had truly given up on Wei Yanqiao and was deeply, profoundly disappointed in her.
The guard who had come to deliver the report was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but after thinking it over, he found it entirely reasonable. Every consort banished to the Cold Palace had committed some grave offense to end up there. Moreover, once someone entered the Cold Palace, getting out again was nearly impossible. He had originally hoped that by delivering this message to Wei Yanqiao, he might win her favor and gain her recognition, thereby securing an opportunity for promotion and wealth. What a pity.
When the guard truthfully conveyed the Emperor’s exact words to Wei Yanqiao, her eyes widened in astonishment. Her face was filled with disbelief, as though she could not accept what she had just heard. She murmured incredulously, “His Majesty… How could His Majesty possibly say such a thing? There must be some mistake!”
The guard stated firmly, “From now on, you should remain here in the Cold Palace and resign yourself to your fate.”
Unable to restrain himself, the guard cursed inwardly. He had thought Wei Yanqiao held considerable standing in the Emperor’s heart. Never had he imagined that he would gain not the slightest benefit from this errand, but instead waste so much time and effort for nothing. This trip had hardly been worth making.
“No! That is impossible!” Wei Yanqiao suddenly shrieked hysterically, tears pouring down her face like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam. “His Majesty would never treat me this way! I must see him in person and ask him for an explanation!”
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The guard had long since become deaf to her sobs and complaints. He simply walked to one side and stood there, assuming an expression that clearly said he would guard his post and pay her no attention.
Wei Yanqiao cried out until her voice turned hoarse, her cries seemingly capable of piercing the entire palace. “I want to see His Majesty! Let me out! I want to see His Majesty!” Yet no matter how desperately she pleaded, not the slightest response came from outside the door.
And so Wei Yanqiao wept until she was utterly exhausted. In the end, she collapsed helplessly beside the cold door, her entire being seeming to have lost its soul, her heart reduced to ashes.
Seeing her mistress in such a miserable state, Shui Yao could not help choking back sobs. “Your Highness…”
Wei Yanqiao would never leave the Cold Palace again, and Shui Yao was trapped there with her. If she had not accompanied Wei Yanqiao into the Cold Palace and had instead chosen to seek refuge with the kindhearted Empress, perhaps she would not have met with such a fate.
“If only Your Highness had listened to this servant’s advice back then, you would never have ended up in such a state!” Shui Yao said, stricken with grief.
Wei Yanqiao hugged her knees tightly, sobbing as she repeated over and over, “I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong…”
But it was already too late.
Shui Yao shook her head helplessly. “What good does it do to realize your mistake now? His Majesty is no longer willing to give you any chances. From this day forward, you will probably have to spend the rest of your life alone in this Cold Palace!”
That night, the guards pushed food through the crack beneath the door.
When Shui Yao saw what it was, she nearly retched from disgust. It consisted entirely of rancid, moldy leftovers that reeked of decay—food that even a dog would refuse to eat.
When Shui Yao had entered the palace, she had brought some loose silver with her. She went to the guard outside and used the money to exchange for a few dishes.
By the time she returned to Wei Yanqiao’s side, she had already eaten most of the food herself, leaving behind only a few scraps. Then, feigning sincerity, she placed the remaining food before Wei Yanqiao and said sweetly, “Your Highness, look. I spent a great deal of silver buying this food. Considering that we are in the Cold Palace now, managing to get even this much is already quite good.”
Wei Yanqiao’s gaze fell upon the heap of scraps before her, and a wave of uncontrollable disgust surged through her. Her face was as pale as paper, her lips trembling faintly as tears welled in her eyes. In despair, she said, “I… I am not eating. Hurry up and eat it yourself.”
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Seeing this, Shui Yao felt not the slightest pity. Instead, she pressed her advantage and coaxed, “Your Highness, how can you possibly go without eating? Even just a little would be fine.” As she spoke, the corners of her lips lifted involuntarily. Secretly, she was triumphant. She wanted nothing more than to see the once-glorious Wei Yanqiao eat her leftovers.
Overwhelmed by grief and fury, Wei Yanqiao suddenly flung out a hand and knocked the leftover food from Shui Yao’s grasp, smashing it onto the floor. “I told you, I am not eating!”
Shui Yao had never imagined that Wei Yanqiao would dare resist her. Her face flushed crimson with rage. She widened her eyes and pointed at Wei Yanqiao, scolding her harshly. “What do you think you are doing? Do you not realize that we are in the Cold Palace now? How dare you continue behaving so willfully!”
Faced with Shui Yao’s reprimand, Wei Yanqiao froze for a moment. Then, coming back to herself, she hurriedly lowered her head and apologized repeatedly. “I… I truly did not mean to. I am sorry… I am sorry…”
Shui Yao was unmoved. After giving a cold snort, she left her with one icy remark: “Since you refuse to eat, then starve yourself to death!”
With that, she turned and walked away without looking back. She found a relatively clean corner, lay down to rest, and no longer paid the slightest attention to whether Wei Yanqiao lived or died.
Wei Yanqiao hid in a corner, secretly watching the old woman who had previously pursued them relentlessly like a madwoman as she paced back and forth through the inner courtyard.
At present, neither of them dared set foot inside the inner courtyard. Yet it appeared that the madwoman would not leave it either.
Leaning against the cold wall, Wei Yanqiao slowly closed her eyes and pretended to doze. Just then, a faint sound reached her ears. She cautiously opened her eyes and quietly turned her gaze to the side, where she saw Shui Yao tiptoeing toward a certain direction.
Wei Yanqiao’s heart tightened, and her brows drew together. Even after entering the Cold Palace, was Shui Yao still planning to send word to Xiao Ceyun, revealing her whereabouts and condition?
She rose silently and followed with the utmost care.
Sure enough, Wei Yanqiao saw Shui Yao stop in a secluded spot and speak in hushed tones with a man who appeared to be a palace eunuch.
She heard Shui Yao report respectfully, “Eunuch, Wei Yanqiao is genuinely remorseful this time. After learning today that His Majesty refused to see her, she cried as though her heart had been shattered. Will His Majesty truly never let her leave the Cold Palace?”
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