I woke up as the Villainous Empress

191  The Cold Palace

As Yang Lingxin, the Empress herself, became implicated in an attempt to assassinate His Majesty, the palace was plunged into utter chaos. The functioning of the royal court ceased for an entire week, as ministers diligently channeled their efforts into executing Zheng Liang's orders and ensuring that Yang Lingxin faced the just punishment she deserved.

In a determined quest for additional evidence against Yang Lingxin, the residence of the Empress underwent a thorough and comprehensive search. The royal guards diligently sealed the premises, imposing strict authorization measures to prevent any unauthorized entry or exit.

As an integral part of the investigation, all the servants affiliated with the Empress Residence were expelled from the palace, as doubts surrounding their loyalty and involvement in the affair arose. This sweeping measure aimed to eliminate any potential accomplices or sources of support for Yang Lingxin, leaving no room for compromise.

While Yang Lingxin's heinous plot was successfully thwarted, thus safeguarding His Majesty from a similar befalling fate as the former Empress, the incident inflicted significant damage upon the political landscape within the royal palace.

The royal family, once revered by the people, has now become the subject of rampant gossip and speculation within the capital city. Peculiar rumors have been circulating, attributing sinister motives to Yang Lingxin, portraying her as an evil woman who cursed the Emperor and the Zheng Empire, resulting in widespread suffering, hunger, and famine among the populace.

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In the preceding week, Zheng Liang found himself deeply engrossed in the affairs of the royal court, consumed by the need to address numerous issues that had arisen as a result of Yang Lingxin's punishment and the revelation of her crimes. The repercussions of her actions reverberated throughout the palace, demanding Zheng Liang's full attention as he navigated the challenges and responsibilities that came with such a significant event.

Simultaneously, Yang Ning found herself immersed in the affairs of the Dragon Pavilion, diligently attending to its various responsibilities. In addition to her duties there, she assumed the mantle of managing the Royal Palace, taking on the tasks and responsibilities that were once handled by Yang Lingxin during her reign as the Empress and the head of the Royal Palace. She worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth functioning of these roles, shouldering the responsibilities that now rested upon her shoulders.

adorning her and loosened her tightly bound hair bun, allowing her tresses to cascade 15:16

"Ah, finally," Yang Ning sighed in relief as she removed the weighty ornaments adorning her and loosened her tightly bound hair bun, allowing her tresses to cascade freely. The sense of liberation and ease washed over her, bringing a profound sense of relaxation.

After a long and exhausting day, Yang Ning treated herself to a refreshing bath before settling into her chamber at the Dragon Pavilion, seeking well-deserved rest and relaxation. Clad in a white satin silk long nightgown, Yang Ning settled herself gracefully in front of a mirrored table. Beneath the gown, she wore long wide-legged pants, ensuring utmost comfort during her peaceful moments of slumber.

Xiaowei, Yang Ning's loyal maid, stood attentively behind her, gently combing through her long, ebony tresses with a wooden tooth comb. Yang Ning luxuriated in the comforting touch, relishing the pampering bestowed upon her.

Suddenly, Yang Ning turned to Xiaowei with a curious expression. "Xiaowei, do you know what the Cold Palace is? Is it truly as cold as people claim?" she inquired.   After Yang Lingxin's punishment of being condemned to spend her entire life in the Cold Palace, Yang Ning couldn't help but ponder what existence awaited her there. Would the Cold Palace live up to its name? She wondered, contemplating the chilling reality that awaited Yang Lingxin within its confines.

Last week, Zheng Liang sentenced Yang Lingxin to spend the remainder of her life in the Cold Palace. However, thus far, she had not been transferred to her designated destination. Instead, she resided in the dungeon while the necessary formalities were being resolved. However, in a few days, she will be escorted by the appointed royal guards to the mountains, where the Cold Palace awaits her. Like a curious butterfly, Yang Ning found herself unable to resist pondering about the Cold Palace, a place she had previously only encountered within the pages of novels. Her imagination fluttered with intrigue, eager to discover the truth behind the mysterious abode. That is why she could not control her curiosity and asked Xiaowei about it.

Xiaowei was taken aback by Yang Ning's question, causing her hands to momentarily halt their movements. Biting her lower lip in hesitation, she began to explain, "I, too, am not well-versed in this matter. However, I have heard from others that the term 'Cold Palace' does not necessarily refer to a physically cold palace."

"Instead," Xiaowei continued, "it is a symbolic representation of when a consort or concubine of His Majesty has fallen out of favor or has committed grievous crimes such as treason or infidelity."

"From what I am aware of," Xiaowei hesitantly added, "the Cold Palace is said to be an antiquated, forsaken dwelling constructed from humble materials such as wood and bricks. It is nestled in the mountains and lacks the lavish amenities found in the main palace."

"During their stay in such a place," Xiaowei continued, "one would be deprived of the privilege to indulge in exquisite palace cuisine or wear luxurious garments. Instead, they would subsist on modest sustenance such as simple, watery soups and plain rice, with scarce meat and a limited selection of vegetables foraged from the mountains."

"They would be denied the pleasure of adorning themselves in silky, opulent attire, instead relegated to donning coarse and soiled garments. Their circumstances would be even more wretched than those of a servant who enjoys relative luxury within the palace," Xiaowei added, emphasizing the stark contrast between the lives of those banished to the Cold Palace and those who resided within the privileged confines of the palace.

"Moreover," Xiaowei continued with a somber tone, "the most devastating aspect lies in the profound humiliation they endure upon being banished to the Cold Palace. Any consort or concubine of His Majesty would prefer an honorable death over the ignominy of being publicly disgraced and sent to the Cold Palace."

"Throughout the history of the Zheng Empire, it marks the first occurrence of a royal consort being exiled to the mountains and condemned to spend the rest of her days in the Cold Palace." Xiaowei paused momentarily, her lips pursed, and deliberately referred to Yang Lingxin as a royal consort, acknowledging her dethronement from the position of Empress.

Moreover, how can a lowly servant like her say something about the royal court politics and mention the name of the Empress carelessly? Upon listening to Xiaowei's words, Xu Nuan fell into serious contemplation. She had initially assumed that Yang Lingxin had been granted a relatively lenient punishment, believing that living in the Cold Palace within the mountains might be preferable to facing execution on charges of treason. However, Xiaowei's revelations gave her pause, prompting her to reconsider the gravity of Yang Lingxin's situation and the true extent of her suffering.

Upon discovering the true nature of the Cold Palace, Xu Nuan's perception shifted drastically. She came to realize that the harsh and relentless existence within its confines was far more severe and cruel than the prospect of swift execution. The latter, though momentarily painful, could potentially grant a release from suffering and the possibility of gaining wisdom in the afterlife or even a chance for rebirth. Xu Nuan's understanding of the situation deepened, recognizing that the consequences Yang Lingxin would face in the Cold Palace were indeed profound and enduring.

Spending her remaining days at the Cold Palace would serve as a constant reminder for Yang Lingxin of the life she once enjoyed within the royal palace and the abrupt and drastic fall from grace she experienced. It would be an agonizing and relentless punishment, symbolizing the depths of her downfall and serving as a constant torment. The psychological torment of witnessing what she had lost and reflecting upon her past glory would undoubtedly make it one of the cruelest forms of punishment she could endure.

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