Female supremacy: blasphemy of imperial power [Yuri/GL]

Chapter 40: Uncovered

When Chao Yan awoke, it was already late afternoon. The setting sun resembled spilled blood, casting a crimson hue over the entire imperial palace. Shuwen and Fosang, upon seeing Chao Yan awaken, quickly got up. "Your Highness, you're awake?"

Fosang skillfully set up a small table by the bedside and placed a dish of food on it, serving the prepared meal to Chao Yan. "Please rinse your mouth." After sleeping the whole day, Chao Yan's mouth felt off, and she glanced at the food with no appetite. However, she knew that if she couldn't eat anything, she wouldn't be able to endure. Fosang brought over a cup of tea while Shuwen brought a small pot of water, moving with practiced ease. Everything was done with great skill. Chao Yan's body had deteriorated to this point. If it weren't for Chao Yan's persistence, even eating and bathing would have been taken care of by Fosang or Shuwen.

Chao Yan rinsed her mouth and managed to force down a few mouthfuls of food, but she couldn't eat anymore. She reluctantly drank some soup with Fosang's help. While Fosang was tidying up, Chao Yan asked, "Where is this?"

"This is the accommodation arranged for the Empress by the West Wind Crown Prince." Although not explicitly stated, Fosang could vaguely guess that the person Chao Yan had been constantly trying to save was the Empress of Yunqi.

"Let's change places. It's not proper to occupy her space." Chao Yan calmly instructed.

Shuwen quickly replied, "When the Empress left, she said to let Your Highness recuperate here, and she will reside in the side chamber, so it won't be a problem."

"I want to move," Chao Yan emphasized once more.

"Your Highness!" Seeing that Chao Yan was determined to leave, for some reason, Shuwen knelt down in urgency. No one understood Chao Yan's condition better than they did, and moving Chao Yan back and forth was a form of torment for her.

Although Shuwen's act made Chao Yan feel somewhat compassionate, she still explained, "This is, after all, the Empress's bedroom. Even though it's not in Yunqi, but as a subject, I cannot overstep these boundaries."

"Can the Empress really live in the side chamber while I stay in the main chamber?" Chao Yan didn't intend to leverage her condition for favoritism. She valued the boundaries between ruler and subject.

"The sun is setting, and it's not convenient to return to the manor now," Shuwen said dryly, seeing Chao Yan's resolute attitude.

"Surely there isn't an empty room in this vast palace?" Chao Yan arched her eyebrow knowingly. At the same time, she knew she had surprised her own attendant. Others may not know, but she was aware that her mistress rarely exhibited such uncouth gestures, which she did only when she felt agitated.

In the end, a decision was made to move, although at Shuwen's insistence and Chao Yan's concession, they only relocated to the side chamber.

After seeing Shuwen off at the door, Fosang closed it unceremoniously, leaving Shuwen standing dumbfounded on the other side.

Having been briefed roughly by Chao Yan about her and Fosang's situation, Shuwen pondered how surprising it was that two women could have such a relationship. Behind the door, Fosang continued to perform her duties, though she was embarrassed under Chao Yan's watchful gaze.

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"I have two decrees here. Choose one for yourself; the remaining one will become void," West Wind Beiyi threw two decrees to Yi Meng, then handed another pair to Song Yuwei. “The same goes for you.”

Yi Meng absentmindedly opened the decrees, but as she perused them, her expression became increasingly complex. One decree declared her to be the Empress Dowager, while the other designated the consorts of the late Song as sacrificial offerings. Choosing the former would make her the most esteemed woman in the world, while choosing the latter would grant her freedom but also a return to her previous state of having nothing.