The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother, do you think Brother Yantian truly regrets his actions?"

Yun Yanshuang walked alongside Yun Yanshui, her curious gaze lingering on Yantian's distant figure ahead.

"Regret? Definitely not," Yun Yanshui chuckled.

"And why are you so certain?"

"Do you remember what happened to the Second Aunt all those years ago?"

"Of course. Second Aunt was humiliated by a local thug from the Zhou family, and unable to endure the disgrace, she hanged herself.

When the Second Uncle found out, he went to the Zhou family alone, and in front of their entire clan, he killed the scoundrel who had dishonored her."

Recalling the incident, Yun Yanshuang felt a lingering anger.

"Exactly. After that, our Yun family and the Zhou family clashed, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. It wasn't until the authorities intervened that things finally settled.

Second Uncle even spent several months in jail for it. When he returned, Grandpa and the elders scolded him for being impulsive and not considering the consequences, which had led to unnecessary losses for our family.

But did the Second Uncle show any remorse afterward?"

"No, he didn't," Yun Yanshuang admitted.

"Right. Instead of regretting his actions, he took his spear and went back to the Zhou family, avenging the fallen members of our clan.

He killed over a dozen Zhou family members, leaving their clan terrified. They were forced to report him to the authorities again, and Second Uncle was arrested and imprisoned a second time.

If it hadn't been for Uncle's connections in Yunzhang County and the hefty bribes he paid, Second Uncle might not have survived."

"After being released from prison, Second Uncle chose to open a martial arts school in Yunzhang County rather than return home, to avoid bringing further trouble to the family.

And because of their fear of Second Uncle, the Zhou family stayed quiet for years after that."

"Second Uncle is a man of principle and deep emotions. His wife's humiliation and tragic end were his breaking point, and he sought vengeance no matter the cost.

Now look at Yantian. He killed Baili Moxun out of fury for Baili Moxue, driven by the same uncompromising spirit. How could someone like him possibly feel regret?

For men like Second Uncle and Yantian, their loved ones are their bottom line. Touch that, and you die."

Yun Yanshui laughed softly.

"Hehe! Now that you mention it, Yantian really does resemble Second Uncle in that way," Yun Yanshuang said with a giggle.

"Of course he does. Like father, like son," Yun Yanshui replied with a grin.

"Earlier, when Yantian admitted fault to Uncle and the Emperor, it was probably just to save face for the elders."

"Exactly." Yun Yanshui nodded in agreement.

"What are you two whispering about back there?"

Walking at the front with Yun Yunyang, Yantian turned his head to glance curiously at his siblings.

"Oh, nothing much! Shuang'er was just saying how dashing you looked when protecting Baili Moxue," Yun Yanshui replied nonchalantly, quickening his pace alongside his sister to catch up.

"Quick, tell me! What about my son?!"

Inside her opulent palace, the North Palace Consort sat impatiently, awaiting news of her son, Baili Moxun, hoping he had returned from the mountain with the sought-after fortune.

If Moxun had acquired the fortune, his cultivation would improve greatly, and her standing within the court and the family would become even more secure.

However, the nervous and hesitant demeanor of the rotund middle-aged cultivator delivering the report made her heart sink.

"Your Highness… the Ninth Prince… did not return from the mountain. It is feared that…"

The middle-aged cultivator trailed off, leaving his statement unfinished.

But those few words were enough. The weight of the revelation hit the North Palace Consort like a bolt of lightning. Her body trembled, and she nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, a maidservant quickly stepped forward to steady her.

"Did I not order you all to accompany my son?! What were you doing?!"

Suppressing her grief and rage, the North Palace Consort glared at the middle-aged cultivator with bloodshot eyes, her expression twisted with fury.

If not for the man being a trusted envoy sent by her family, she might have unleashed her wrath fully on him.

"The Ninth Prince… refused to let us follow, so…"

The man's voice grew weaker with each word, his head hanging low, afraid to meet her gaze.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

The North Palace Consort's shrill scream reverberated through the palace. Her rage boiled over as she hurled curses at the gathered attendants.

"A bunch of useless trash! You couldn't even protect my son! What did the family send you here for? To disgrace me?"

Tears streamed down her face as the attendants fled her wrath. Left alone in the grand hall, the North Palace Consort collapsed onto her seat, trembling as she broke into sobs.

It was over.

Everything was over.

The carefully laid plans she had nurtured for years were now in ruins.

Creaaak…

The heavy doors of the palace slowly swung open, and the Eastern Palace Consort stepped inside with an entourage of eunuchs and maidservants. Her face was a mask of cold fury.

"What are you doing here?"

The North Palace Consort's tear-streaked face twisted with hatred as she glared at her unexpected visitor. Her voice trembled, equal parts fear and anger.

She knew why the Eastern Palace Consort was here. It was her! Her daughter had caused all of this, ruined her son!

Slap!

The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the hall, leaving the North Palace Consort stunned.

"You dare strike me?!"

Before she could react, another slap landed on the other side of her face.

The Eastern Palace Consort's icy voice followed: "If I could, I'd kill you right here! You had your son lay a hand on my daughter? You think I'll let you get away with that?"

The truth had been revealed—Baili Moxue's injuries were caused by Baili Moxun. And now, the Eastern Palace Consort understood the root of it all: the North Palace Consort's scheming.

"You and I are finished!" the North Palace Consort snarled, attempting to lunge at her rival.

But the eunuchs accompanying the Eastern Palace Consort stepped forward and restrained her with ease, pinning her down as she struggled futilely.

"Do you think you still have the power to challenge me?"

The Eastern Palace Consort's voice dripped with scorn.

"With Moxun gone, you have no standing left in the palace. And don't even think about relying on the Chuanyin Lu family. They won't back you anymore."

A flicker of fear crossed the North Palace Consort's face.

"Didn't you find it odd how I walked in here without resistance? Why didn't your family's people stop me at the gates or intervene? I'll tell you why—because they've already abandoned you."

The words hit like a hammer, and the North Palace Consort's face turned pale.

The Eastern Palace Consort straightened her robes and glared down at the defeated woman.

"Two slaps are enough to vent my anger. As for your punishment, someone else will deal with you.

From this moment on, your time as the North Palace Consort is over. You'll have nothing left here."

Without sparing another glance, the Eastern Palace Consort turned and left, her entourage following close behind.

The North Palace Consort crumpled to the ground, her hair disheveled, her gaze blank.

"It's over… Everything is over… completely over…"

Moments later, Baili Xi arrived at the North Palace with his retinue of Imperial Guards.

His eyes took in the pathetic figure of the North Palace Consort, sitting on the cold floor with the marks of her humiliation still visible on her face. He knew at once who had been here before him.

With a weary sigh, Baili Xi waved his hand, signaling the guards.

"Take her away. Confine her to the Cold Palace."

The North Palace Consort snapped out of her stupor at his words.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I was wrong! I was wrong!"

Her voice was frantic, her tone pleading as she crawled forward, desperation etched into every word.

"Yes, you were wrong."

Baili Xi's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth.

"For years, you've plotted and schemed in the palace. Did you really think I didn't know?

I tolerated it because you were my consort. Because Moxun was my son. Because of the Lu family.

But this time… This time, you've gone too far.

You orchestrated a conflict between my children. You caused Xue'er's injuries. And worst of all, your manipulations led Moxun to his death.

How could I ever forgive you for this?"

With those words, he turned and walked away, his hands clasped behind his back.

The North Palace's anguished cries and pleas for mercy followed him down the corridor.

But the Emperor did not look back, leaving her to be dragged away by the Imperial Guards, condemned to the shadowy silence of the Cold Palace.