Qi Yunwei was slightly taken aback when he saw Su Xiaoqi before he recognized her.
Given Su Xiaoqi's relationship with the Duke of Yu's mansion, it wasn't unusual to see her here.
He hadn't expected that in just two short years, she would transform from a mere village girl from Zhaojia Village into the much sought-after cousin of the Duke of Yu's mansion in the capital.
She had even become a confidante of the Grand Princess.
Thinking back now, his previous speculations about her might have been true.
She must be someone who had also encountered a great fortune.
Yet, she had hidden it so well that he couldn't detect anything.
Yu Changfeng, seeing Qi Yunwei staring blankly at Su Xiaoqi, his eyes flickered, and he prompted, "Brother Yunwei, what are you looking at?"
"Oh, oh, nothing, nothing at all," Qi Yunwei started, startled. He had been lost in thought.
Because through Su Xiaoqi's face, he seemed to see another person.
That person was someone he saw often when he was a child.
She was of unparalleled beauty, and treated him with the warmth and gentleness of a close relative.
She would always prepare his favorite nuts for him when he visited.
She even once teased him, asking what kind of girl he would marry when he grew up.
He would tilt his head and tell her with a serious face that he wanted to marry the younger sister from his aunt's family.
Once he found her, he would marry her!
After mentioning this matter, his aunt never asked him again about who he liked or who he would marry in the future.
He didn't understand it when he was young, but later adults told him that his aunt's little niece had been lost for too many years and was probably unrecoverable.
His words had saddened his aunt.
And so, he became sad too.
He no longer openly mentioned his cousin who had gone astray somewhere, wherever that may be.
But he would still think of her from time to time.
The first time he met her in Zhaojia Village, he only felt that her features were vaguely familiar.
After all, her skin was dark and rough then, her hair dry and yellow, and her appearance was far from appealing.
Coupled with her roughly made clothes,
She was really not much to look at.
But she was completely different now.
Her face was radiant, clad in fine attire. If one didn't look closely, it was as if his aunt stood before him.
Considering his aunt's identity and the Duke of Yu's mansion, he felt as though he had grasped something.
His heart fluttered, his eyes fixed on Su Xiaoqi, his breath catching.
Seeing Qi Yunwei's extreme impoliteness, Yu Changfeng became anxious.
His tall, mountain-like figure stood in front of Qi Yunwei, blocking his gaze. He lowered his head and reached out to touch his forehead, "Hey, Brother Yunwei, are you alright?"
Qi Yunwei shook his head blankly. He was fine; he just had something he couldn't figure out.
Su Xiaoqi subtly glanced at Qi Yunwei from the side.
She knew this person from before, but he was usually a gentleman of integrity and wouldn't be so ill-mannered.
She sidestepped, curtsied, greeted Yu Changfeng, and turned to leave.
"Hey, Xiaoqi, I'll escort you," Yu Changfeng said, watching Qi Yunwei still staring blankly at Su Xiaoqi, reluctant to even let her retreating back out of his sight.
He was also a little displeased.
Su Xiaoqi was his cousin, even if adoptive, she had been acknowledged by his own family.
Naturally, he would protect her well.
He thought for a moment, then turned back and waved his fist at Qi Yunwei.
The meaning was clear: if you dare to be so rude again, you'll get a punch.
Su Xiaoqi had walked far away, and Qi Yunwei had come back to his senses.
He also realized his momentary daze and felt a little embarrassed.
He secretly vowed to control his emotions better next time they met.
To Su Xiaoqi, Qi Yunwei was just a minor episode. After a brief curse at him in her heart for being a scoundrel, she headed straight for her destination.
Near the entrance of the Imperial City, there was a spacious square where officials attending to matters in nearby government offices parked their carriages and horses.
Su Xiaoqi immediately spotted Shen Yun's horse tied to a wooden peg.
Many officials, both high-ranking and minor, came and went from this gate.
Su Xiaoqi watched for a while, found a secluded corner, and parked her carriage. She thanked Yu Changfeng for escorting her.
She said she would wait for Shen Yun in the carriage and told him to go back first.
Yu Changfeng hesitated, "Shall I wait with you, Sister? There are people coming and going, it might be inconvenient."
Su Xiaoqi thanked him and said it wasn't necessary; she had Zhang Yu with her and there would be no danger.
Moreover, Qi Yunwei had gone to the Duke's mansion, and if he had business there, it would be better for him to return.
Yu Changfeng was indeed concerned about that matter, so he didn't refuse further.
He turned his horse and galloped away.
Inside the warm carriage, Su Xiaoqi leaned back lazily against the charcoal fire in the brazier, listening to the voices of passersby chatting.
Her hearing was exceptionally sharp; she could catch snippets of whispers from others.
Thus, she learned that these people passing by were not just randomly going about their business, but were deliberately gathered to enter the palace to offer advice.
This was because Emperor Xingzhao intended to depose the Crown Prince.
Su Xiaoqi, who had been leaning against the carriage wall, reading a book leisurely, was suddenly shocked upon hearing the sounds filtering into her ears.
"Ah..." The book in her hand fell to the ground.
Zhang Yu, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them upon hearing the commotion and asked in surprise, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Su Xiaoqi shook her head, "It's nothing, I just heard something, I don't know if it's true."
Su Xiaoqi decided to wait for Shen Yun's return and ask him before making any plans.
Then, another group of officials arrived, with much fanfare.
Su Xiaoqi deliberately lifted the carriage curtain to take a look.
A gust of cold wind blew in, making her shiver involuntarily.
At the same time, she saw that many of the people entering the palace this time were carrying specially made large medicine chests.
They moved with haste, seeming to be rushing into the palace to treat someone.
Zhang Yu also saw it and whispered, "Could it be that the Emperor is unwell again?"
"Hush, don't speak. This is not like other places. Be careful not to be overheard and cause trouble."
Although carriages were allowed to park here, because it was adjacent to the Meridian Gate, the main gate of the palace, the guards, both overt and covert, were extremely vigilant.
It was hard to say that there weren't people among them with hearing as astonishing as Su Xiaoqi's.
Zhang Yu understood this point and fell silent.
However, her eyes were full of confusion, and also a hint of eagerness.
She really wanted to investigate.
But before she could move, Su Xiaoqi saw someone hurrying towards them.
She immediately called out, "Husband."
The person approaching was Shen Yun.
He was walking very quickly, originally heading for his horse.
But upon a glance, he saw his own carriage.
He immediately rushed over, not expecting that the wife he had been trying to find through every means possible was actually in the carriage.
This was quite convenient.
He approached with great joy, grabbing Su Xiaoqi and preparing to pull her towards the palace gate.
Su Xiaoqi anxiously tugged at him, asking him what was happening.
Shen Yun looked around and lowered his voice significantly, "The Emperor was angered into illness by the Crown Prince and is in critical condition. He needs your skillful hands to bring him back to life."
Shen Yun's words were concise and clear. Su Xiaoqi blinked, feeling somewhat reluctant.
She was afraid of Emperor Xingzhao.
He was already in his twilight years, yet he was never worry-free, constantly overthinking things, which was quite exasperating.
Shen Yun knew what his wife was worried about. He squeezed her fingers and whispered persuasively, "Wife, this matter is urgent. If we don't save him, all may be lost."
Then, he leaned close to her ear and spoke in a voice only for the two of them, "Wife, rest assured, the Emperor has suffered a stroke and is paralyzed on one side. He is likely weak in will but lacking in strength."
Otherwise, how could he possibly be willing to let his wife enter the palace and face danger?
Su Xiaoqi's jaw dropped.
This, was it that serious?