Chapter Thirty-Seven: Someone Has Been Murdered

The eunuch’s expression remained cold and devoid of pity as he replied, "Even if Wei Yanqiao realizes her mistakes now, what of it? She has already lost the Emperor’s heart. The only reason the Emperor has yet to take her life is out of deference to the Wei family’s power. Were it not for their sake, she would have been beheaded long ago for the litany of transgressions she has committed. However, you need not worry. The Emperor has promised to find you a better place. Just wait a little longer, and you shall be released from this cold palace."

Hearing this, Shui Yao’s face lit up with joy, her voice trembling with excitement: "Is that truly so? Thank you, Eunuch! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Just wait. Someone will come to collect you soon."

Wei Yanqiao crept back to where she had been lying, carefully adjusting her posture, terrified that even the slightest sound might alert Shui Yao. She lay perfectly still, holding her breath, trying to blend into the surroundings.

A moment later, Shui Yao returned and lay down on her own pallet. This time, she slept with a sense of profound contentment.

Wei Yanqiao, who had been feigning sleep with her eyes closed, opened them once more. Her heart was filled with anxiety and unease. If Xiao Ceyun had indeed lost interest in her and decided to abandon her, she would be as worthless as refuse in this cold palace. In that case, any hope of escaping this place would become a distant, unreachable dream.

She would not allow Shui Yao to leave so easily. Either Shui Yao would leave the cold palace with her, or she would die here to serve as the stepping stone for Wei Yanqiao’s own escape.

As dawn broke, a pale light began to touch the eastern horizon. Wei Yanqiao, preoccupied with thoughts of the precious scriptures left in the corner of the inner courtyard, finally gathered the courage to retrieve them after much hesitation.

Yet, the moment she thought of the madwoman in the inner courtyard, she was overcome with fear and dared not enter.

Helpless, she turned to Shui Yao. She clutched at Shui Yao’s sleeve, her eyes filled with terror and supplication, and whispered, "Shui Yao, could you please accompany me to retrieve my scriptures? I am too terrified to go in alone. What if that madwoman suddenly rushes out and cuts me with her knife?"

Shui Yao sneered inwardly. She would soon be free of this cold, eerie prison to regain her liberty, while Wei Yanqiao was destined to wither away here in misery. Since that was the case, why should she continue to swallow her pride and play the part of a subservient maid to this fallen woman?

She shoved Wei Yanqiao’s hand away without a shred of mercy, dropping all pretense. "You’re afraid? Do you think I’m not? Go yourself if you want to! I am not going!" Her words were cold and absolute.

Seeing Shui Yao’s stubbornness, Wei Yanqiao did not give up. She grabbed Shui Yao again, pleading bitterly, "Shui Yao, please, just walk with me this once. I truly lack the courage to enter alone... If you help me retrieve the scriptures, I will surely reward your great kindness in the future." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Shui Yao’s face contorted with rage. She forcefully shook off Wei Yanqiao’s hand, shouting viciously, "Stop bothering me while I’m trying to sleep! You are incredibly annoying! Go yourself, and you’d best die in there!"

When she was at Yixin Palace, even as Wei Yanqiao’s head maid, she had been ordered about day and night, never getting a decent night’s rest. Now that she was in the cold palace, despite the wretched conditions, at least no one could order her about anymore; she could sleep as much as she pleased.

Seeing Shui Yao’s attitude, Wei Yanqiao felt helpless despite her resentment. Gritting her teeth, she had to summon her own courage to go and retrieve the scriptures dropped on the ground.

The madwoman, who had been sitting vacantly in the corner like a fool, became exceptionally alert at the faint sounds. She swiftly snatched up the dagger by her side and rushed toward the source of the noise.

When the madwoman spotted Wei Yanqiao, she didn't hesitate. Raising the dagger high, she charged straight at her, pouncing like a ferocious beast.

In an instant, a chill surged up Wei Yanqiao’s spine, and she was consumed by terror. She opened her mouth wide in horror, letting out a piercing, shrill scream: "Ah! Help! Someone, save me!"

The madwoman acted as if possessed, her voice chilling as she muttered, "I will kill you! I must kill you!"

Shui Yao, who had been drifting in and out of sleep, was jolted awake by the shrill scream. She sat up with a start, listening intently to the direction of the terrifying cries.

Without hesitation, she stood up and ran toward the sound. When she reached the inner courtyard, the madwoman was chasing Wei Yanqiao frantically with the dagger.

Wei Yanqiao was screaming, fleeing in a blind panic.

Seeing this harrowing scene, Shui Yao’s heart leaped into her throat. Her palms grew slick with sweat, and her legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

Despite her fear, her inherent sense of kindness compelled her to shout, "Run over here! Hurry!"

Hearing Shui Yao’s cry, the corners of Wei Yanqiao’s mouth curled into an imperceptible, cold smirk. She then lunged toward Shui Yao as if grabbing a lifeline, feigning utter terror while shrieking, "Shui Yao, save me, please save me..."

Shui Yao rushed forward to help Wei Yanqiao escape the madwoman’s pursuit. But just as the two were about to collide, Wei Yanqiao suddenly reached out, gripped Shui Yao’s arm, and yanked her backward with all her might.

Caught completely off guard, Shui Yao lost her balance and pitched forward.

At that moment, the madwoman’s sharp dagger was thrusting forward. Shui Yao watched helplessly as the cold, white blade pierced toward her, slamming directly into the lethal steel.

Wei Yanqiao’s face drained of color, her expression one of frantic panic. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Help! Murder!" Her shrill cries echoed throughout the courtyard, chilling to the bone.