The dead of night was a good time to sleep.
Zhao Zhuoru's tent was surrounded by others, making it quite secure. Over a dozen people silently emerged from their own tents.
Taking advantage of the shift change between two patrol teams, they crept towards Zhao Zhuoru's tent.
In an instant, the camp was bathed in bright firelight. Two teams of female soldiers had surrounded them. Zhao Zhuoru emerged from her tent with two guards, her expressionless face stating, "Take them down."
The group knew they had fallen into a trap and fought back desperately, throwing hidden weapons, hoping to kill Zhao Zhuoru.
All their hidden weapons were intercepted by the two guards beside Zhao Zhuoru. Within moments, all of them lay on the ground, incapacitated.
Zhao Zhuoru left one alive and beheaded the rest. Knowing her stubbornness, Zhao Zhuoru had no intention of interrogating her. She already knew who was behind the attack without needing anyone to tell her.
"Your Highness, not having guards outside your tent was a deliberate trap for us. Your Highness calculated perfectly. You knew we would have to make a move tonight, as it was our last chance."
"Drag her away."
"Yes."
By noon the next day, they arrived at Moon City. Zhao Zhuoru sent word to He Yuexuan, telling him not to wait for her outside the gates.
She went to the palace to report to the Empress, presenting the ledger and the assassins from yesterday to Her Majesty.
"Zhuo'er, you have worked hard on this journey."
"Daughter did not suffer."
"All affairs concerning Sun City will be handed over to you. I am also at an age where I should retire."
"Mother Emperor is in good health and will reign for ten thousand years."
"Hahaha, when did you learn to speak such formalities? You will be awarded a great merit for this. Hurry back, your heart surely no longer rests with Mother Emperor."
"This subject takes her leave."
Although she had notified him in advance, He Yuexuan was still waiting for her outside the mansion. Zhao Zhuoru dismounted and quickened her steps, taking his hand.
"Why are you so cold? I told you not to wait for me."
"I was worried about Your Highness."
Zhao Zhuoru smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Back at the house, He Yuexuan had already arranged for a meal. They didn't require servants inside; the staff waited outside.
"Did you miss me while you were home alone?"
He Yuexuan lowered his head, remaining silent.
Shui Wa said, "Zhuo Zhuo, you're so cheesy."
Zhao Zhuoru furrowed her brow and asked in her mind, "What does 'cheesy' mean? And why are you still following me?"
"Uh… I'll leave now."
Seeing his reaction, He Yuexuan thought she was displeased and softly replied, "Yes."
"Why is your face so red?"
"It's nothing, it doesn't matter."
…
After Zhao Zhuoru left, the Empress summoned the Second Princess to the palace.
The Second Princess had been anxiously devising countermeasures all the way. Upon reaching the imperial study, she maintained a composed demeanor and knelt upright to pay her respects to the Empress.
The Empress's expression was grim, and she remained silent. The Second Princess knelt there, showing no hint of weakness.
The hall was deathly quiet. A long time passed. The Second Princess's knees ached, and sweat trickled down her face silently.
"Do you know your crime?"
"Your subject does not."
"Heh, do you truly believe your actions were flawless? Or do you think Mother Emperor will be reluctant to punish you."
"Mother Emperor, your subject does not understand what you are saying. Did someone tell you something? Your subject truly knows nothing."
"Your petty thoughts are known to all, and your methods are not clever. I know the Prime Minister's character, which is why I arranged your marriage to his son. I thought my stance had made your intentions clear. Are you not content with your current life? Must you cause trouble?"
"My matters with Zi Wen were merely an accident. Your subject never harbored any improper thoughts. I beg Mother Emperor to see clearly."
The Empress closed her eyes. "Truly foolish. Even now, admitting it honestly would be more dignified than this. Must I bring someone out to confront you?"
"Your subject is willing to prove her innocence. I beg Mother Emperor to grant this."
"Heh."
The Second Princess's body went limp. She knew the Empress's temperament; even without evidence, she would still be punished.
Everything was over. The Second Princess lost her composure, her eyes filled with madness.
"Why does Mother Emperor think eldest sister is necessarily better than me? Is it only because she was born to the primary consort? Does Mother Emperor not think this is too unfair? I am also Mother Emperor's daughter."
The Empress didn't even deign to look at her, ordering guards to drag her away.
"Mother Emperor, is it only because of a prophecy? I am not convinced, I am not convinced. Today it is me, tomorrow it will be third sister or fourth sister. Does Mother Emperor intend to kill all her other daughters just for eldest sister?"
The guards were startled by her words and quickly stepped forward to cover her mouth. The Second Princess continued to struggle, desperately seeking an answer.
"Your sisters will not be as foolish as you. Zhuo Zhuo is worthy of the heavens. You and she have never been the same. If you do not contend, you can live."
Being called foolish by her own mother, the Second Princess felt immense pain. She had never thought herself inferior to Zhao Zhuoru.
The Second Princess was sent to her residence, and an imperial decree followed. She was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to assassinate the Crown Princess.
Laments filled the mansion. Han Ziwen collapsed to the ground. Following the Second Princess, he had not enjoyed any fortune, but disaster had arrived swiftly.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Upon seeing him like this, the Second Princess's anger flared, and she slapped him forcefully.
"You wretch, you look down on me too, don't you?"
"Your Highness misunderstands, this concubine dares not."
The servants pretended not to see, heads bowed, not daring to breathe.
"All of you, get out."
After everyone left, the Second Princess gripped Han Ziwen's neck fiercely.
"I know you didn't want to marry me, but now you have no choice but to grow old with me in this mansion. Do you think I'm stupid, like them? Do you? Do you!"
As she spoke, she struck Han Ziwen's face mercilessly with her other hand. His struggles were of no avail.
…
One year later, the Empress abdicated. Zhao Zhuoru became the new Emperor. The couple lived a very happy life, and Jun Jiuli and Shui Wa left this plane.