Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 1012 How can Lü Su, in a difficult situation, protect herself?

This put Lü Zhi in a difficult position. She felt like she was being roasted over a fire.

Gao Yao's fate is currently unknown. If Empress Lü were to directly promote Gao Lin as her successor, and if Gao Yao were to return safely, she would undoubtedly believe that Empress Lü was plotting for her own selfish gain, allowing Gao Lin to ascend to power and become greedy for authority. She couldn't afford to take that risk. The mere thought of Gao Yao's suspicions and methods sent chills down her spine.

But if she didn't support Gao Lin now, could she really side with the other young masters? She was unwilling! Gao Lin was the eldest son, with the greatest advantage in terms of lineage. The other young masters were younger, and their maternal families were insignificant. Besides Gao Lin, who else could she support? Supporting someone else would be tantamount to handing over her and her son's future to others, their fate completely in the hands of another. This was something she absolutely could not accept.

A stalemate ensued, and silence spread throughout the hall. Suddenly, the candlelight crackled and burst open, creating a small flame.

After a long silence, Lü Zhi took a deep breath, knowing that she wouldn't get a clear promise from Xiao He tonight. She needed time, she needed to rethink her plans, and she needed to see how the others in the harem and the court would react.

"Lord Xiao He, this matter requires careful consideration." Her voice regained its calmness, carrying a hint of dismissal. "Lord Xiao He must be tired; you should go back and rest early!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave!" Hearing Lü Zhi's words, Xiao He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly bowed and left the suffocating Jiaofang Palace. Only when the cold wind blew outside did he realize that his inner robe was soaked with cold sweat.

As the chief minister, he had many other things to do at this time: stabilizing the court, appeasing all parties, and investigating the whereabouts of the prince... Each of these tasks was more urgent and safer than getting involved in the struggle for the crown prince.

After Xiao He left, Empress Lü did not rest immediately. She sat alone in the palace, her gaze deep and unfathomable. Empress Lü then summoned Gao Lin directly. She needed to see her son with her own eyes, to give him many instructions, and to assess from his reaction whether he truly had the ability to face the impending storm.

Meanwhile, the news also reached the ears of the other women in the harem. Xianyang Palace may seem like an impregnable fortress, but no wall is truly impenetrable. The Queen's unusual actions—an urgent late-night summons to the Grand Secretary followed immediately by a summons to the eldest son—were quickly relayed to the ears of the other palace ladies through various clandestine channels.

At this moment, these women were filled with panic, fear and sorrow for Gao Yao's safety, and also began to worry about the future. Their fate, and the fate of their children, were all inextricably linked to that man's life or death.

The one suffering the most must be Consort Qi. In her palace, the incense was still sweet and cloying, but she was devoid of her usual languid charm. Her face was pale, and her hands tightly clutched her prominent belly. Consort Qi was now eight months pregnant, but no matter how far along the pregnancy, not having given birth meant not having given birth. This was her greatest disadvantage. If Gao Yao were still alive, she might have been able to secure a better future for her unborn child through his favor. But Gao Yao was gone…

When Gao Yao was around, Consort Qi's life was very comfortable. After all, she received the most favor on average. After all, Consort Qi was indeed good at seducing and serving men, and even Gao Yao was no exception. She was young, beautiful, and understanding, and knew how to make men happy.

Given Gao Yao's physical condition and his deep affection for Consort Qi, if she were to give birth to a son, there was a possibility that she could advance further in her career. She even dreamed of using her son to rise in status and challenge Empress Lü's position. All of this became unattainable and even fraught with danger after Gao Yao's disappearance.

Although news about Gao Yao has not yet been released, people are products of their environment; one's position determines one's considerations. While there aren't many women in the harem now, they have all accompanied Gao Yao to this point, and they all understand the importance of knowing the news and the situation. They are no longer innocent young girls, but mothers struggling to survive in the deep palace.

The turmoil and gossip in Xianyang, coupled with the silence of the court officials, made even these women realize that something was wrong. After all, this concerned not only their own lives and property, but also the safety of their children. How could they not consider this?

While grieving, they all had to consider a more practical question: what would happen to them if Gao Yao were gone? Would they be forced to commit suicide as a sacrifice? The thought of this ancient and cruel system sent chills down the spines of every woman. What would happen to their children if they were forced to commit suicide? Those young princes, deprived of their mother's protection, what good would their fate be in this cannibalistic palace? It would be a lie to say they weren't worried.

In the dead of night, the undercurrents triggered by Xiao He's entry into the palace began to surge and churn within the inner palace.

Princess Yu Shu, a woman from a foreign land who commanded Gao Yao's deep respect and whose wisdom and insight secured her place in the palace, stood for a long time by the window after receiving a secret report from her trusted palace servant. Gazing at the dark night sky, she let out a barely audible sigh. She swiftly ordered the palace gates closed, forbidding any palace servants from entering or leaving at will, and simultaneously dispatched someone to bring her son back to her side. She needed to protect her child from the impending storm.

Meanwhile, Lü Su and Xiao Yue also sensed that something was wrong. Lü Su, gentle by nature, was now completely distraught, able only to hold her son tightly and weep. Xiao Yue, however, was more resolute; she immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and even called her son to her side at the first opportunity, partly to protect him and partly to think of a solution.

Lü Su knew she was outnumbered and outmatched; her only support was the unity of her sisters. Perhaps she could seek the protection of Queen Lü Zhi? After all, they shared the same surname, Lü, and were of the same clan. But how much could they truly understand Lü Zhi's thoughts?

An invisible, tense sense of oppression, like damp mold, quietly spread among the carved beams and painted rafters, seeping into every anxious and uneasy heart. Gao Yao's sudden disappearance was like a boulder thrown into a seemingly calm lake, not only stirring up ripples in the outer court, but also stirring up undercurrents and whirlpools in the deep palace courtyard, enough to swallow everything.

Inside Chang Le Palace, the lights were bright, and the air was filled with the fragrance of incense. The newly appointed Queen Lü Zhi sat regally on the main throne, dressed in a dark, gold-trimmed, phoenix-patterned robe, and wearing a pearl-embroidered phoenix crown symbolizing her status. Her demeanor was dignified, and her face serene. Her slender fingers lightly traced the smooth lacquer surface of the table, her gaze lowered, seemingly examining the text on the bamboo slips, or perhaps simply lost in thought. The candlelight cast interplay of light and shadow on her face, making it difficult to discern the true turmoil within her heart.