When Yun Xiao reacted, the person had already disappeared. She couldn't help but jump up and roar at the sky in anger.
"What do I owe you? What do I owe you? Didn't you say I was useful? We're even."
Unfortunately, no one answered. There was only the sunlight on the ground, the gentle breeze blowing, and a faint fragrance drifting through the forest.
This scent, it was the scent of ban zhī lián.
Unique, elegant, just like him, the most peculiar combination in the world…
From afar, a voice was heard: "Your Highness, Your Highness, where are you? Where are you?"
Yun Xiao listened carefully and realized it was Wanwan and Xiuxiu, along with two young eunuchs. She suddenly remembered that she had forgotten about them.
And they seemed to have discovered she wasn't on the tree. How should she explain it to them later? Forget it, she wouldn't say anything.
Yun Xiao made up her mind and moved towards the plum grove.
Soon, someone rushed over from one end of the secluded path, hugged her, and anxiously asked, "Your Highness, your servants have found you. Your Highness, are you alright?"
The one who hugged her was Wanwan. Xiuxiu, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Zhao also anxiously checked her from head to toe. Only when they confirmed she was completely fine did they all breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's good that you're alright, good that you're alright."
Seeing their worried faces, Yun Xiao was about to comfort them. But as her gaze swept across a corner of the plum grove and a floral skirt fluttered past, she fell silent and turned back.
Wanwan, Xiuxiu, and the others followed closely behind her, all the way back to Jinhua Palace.
Jinhua Palace, Inner Hall.
Yun Xiao leaned lazily on a soft couch, holding a cup of fine tea, and asked with a smile about the previous situation.
"Were you alright just now?"
Wanwan respectfully shook her head, "We're fine, Your Highness, please don't worry. It was the Emperor's personal guard, leading a few people to inquire. We said Your Highness was missing and we were looking for you everywhere. Those people didn't make things difficult for us, they only instructed us to search elsewhere."
"Mmm," Yun Xiao nodded, her eyes flickering. She wondered if the commotion outside had interrupted Shangguan Yao's good deed.
This boar of a man was having his last chance like this. No, she didn't even know if the medicine had been administered.
Yun Xiao's pupils twitched, and she suddenly sat up straight, looking at Wanwan and Xiuxiu chillingly.
The two maids trembled slightly and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, what happened?"
"Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, do you know any eunuchs at Jingde Palace? Go and find out what's happening over there and report back to me immediately."
The two eunuchs received the order and exchanged glances, not knowing why Her Highness was inquiring about the Emperor. The Emperor had just been beaten by her, and she still wanted to…? A chill ran down their spines, making them dizzy.
"Your Highness?" they called out pitifully. If the previous incident happened again, Her Highness might not be able to escape unscathed. It would be better not to…
"Go, I just want to know the Emperor's recent movements. I have no other intentions."
Yun Xiao looked very kind, smiling adorably, making it hard to disbelieve. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao were relieved, and Xiuxiu believed her without a doubt. Only Wanwan narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling that something was not right. When had her master become so concerned about the Emperor?
In the middle of the night, Yun Xiao was fast asleep.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao, two eunuchs, rushed in, interrupting Yun Xiao's sweet dream.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, something seems to have happened at Jingfu Palace?"
Yun Xiao sat up, rubbing her eyes, momentarily confused. She looked dazedly at the two eunuchs, blinking her large, watery eyes, "What happened?"
"Your servants don't know. It was a young eunuch from Jingfu Palace who secretly came to tell us that the Emperor was furious at Jingfu Palace and has now summoned the imperial physicians. As for what happened, the eunuchs outside don't know."
As soon as Xiao Yuan finished speaking, Yun Xiao shivered and woke up completely, her long eyelashes fluttering.
In the dark night, her pupils were bright and spirited. She grinned widely and looked extremely happy. This situation was a bit unnerving. The two eunuchs felt their scalps tingle, not knowing why the Empress was so happy.
Wanwan immediately walked over and waved her hand, "You may withdraw."
"Yes,"
The two eunuchs retreated. By the bedside, Wanwan looked at Yun Xiao and said softly, "Did Your Highness do something? Why didn't you let your servant participate?"
Didn't Your Highness know she liked to join in the fun? How could such a thing be done secretly? The palace was already boring enough. How could she do such a thing without telling her?
Wanwan looked at Yun Xiao resentfully. Yun Xiao finished laughing, reached out a hand, patted her, and promised, "I'll bring you next time, so don't be angry anymore."
"Alright, don't forget your promise."
Wanwan nodded happily, then suddenly remembered the situation at Jingfu Palace and cautiously asked, "What did you do?"
Yun Xiao pursed her lips and smiled. She reached out, pulled Wanwan closer, and whispered a few words into her ear. Wanwan's face instantly turned crimson. She covered her face and stamped her foot.
"Your Highness, how could you think of such a plan?"
"Alas, for someone like that, only such a despicable method is the most effective. Otherwise, what else could possibly stump him?"
Yun Xiao seemed very troubled, but after a moment, she couldn't help but laugh again.
The gentle breeze and rain in the hall formed a strong contrast with the cold and murderous atmosphere in Jingfu Palace.
Jingfu Palace was in disarray. In the sleeping quarters, several imperial physicians knelt in a row, trembling and bowing very low, begging for mercy, "Your Majesty, your servants deserve to die. Please spare us."
A wide carved bronze pillar supported a brocade curtain with a hundred butterflies dancing through flowers. Silken tassels and pearls adorned it, and light green, soft gauze fluttered gently.
The person inside was vaguely visible, wearing white sleepwear, her chest rising and falling with each breath, her face ashen. Her large hands were clenched into fists, veins bulging.
At one corner of the bed, a figure was curled up. It was a concubine who was serving tonight. A woman who had not yet experienced intimacy did not know what had happened and saw the Emperor flying into a furious rage.
She was only wearing a bright red undergarment, her dark hair spread over her smooth, jade-like shoulders. She dared not move a muscle. At this moment, the Emperor's heavenly face was filled with rage, and she feared that any movement would bring disaster upon her.
The sleeping chamber was as cold as unthawable ice.
A chilling, murderous aura pervaded the air.
"Find out what's going on!"
A bloodthirsty voice rang out, piercing through layers of gauze, hitting the imperial physicians like bloodied daggers.