Si Yue's wrist flipped, and a flying dagger appeared in her hand. The dagger's blade gleamed with a cold light, clearly indicating its sharpness. Ye Yichen took a step back, her smile a little awkward.
"Don't be angry, I was just testing you."
"Your test almost cost her her life." Si Yue's eyes were icy. "If anything happens to her, you'd best be prepared for Miss to settle the score with you."
The smile on Ye Yichen's face vanished. "You're no longer a maid from the General's mansion, and she's no longer your miss."
Si Yue lowered her gaze and remained silent, merely playing with the flying dagger in her hand, her thoughts wandering elsewhere. As Ye Yichen turned to leave, Si Yue called out to her.
"This time, you went to Lanyue. Did you see Miss?"
"I did. As ferocious as ever." Ye Yichen said slowly. "To quell the unrest in the four-nation trade routes, she executed the rebels on the spot and displayed their bodies as a warning to those who intended to cause chaos... Si Yue, she is the most unfathomable, the most terrifying, and the most rational woman I have ever met."
Si Yue smiled. "Yes, she is the most outstanding woman I have ever met. She lives a life I envy: unrestrained, free-spirited, and tenacious. No matter what setbacks she faces, nothing can break her. No matter how outstanding a man is, he cannot make her abandon her principles and bottom line. I am proud to have once been her maid."
"What? As the Prince's hidden guard, doesn't that make you proud?"
"It's different."
"How is it different?" Ye Yichen turned back, looking at Si Yue and asking, "Don't forget, she took all the maids except you. She abandoned you."
"Yes, she abandoned me." Si Yue said softly. "But I don't blame her at all, because if she had told me her plans, I would have informed the Prince. So her choice was correct. Although I was her maid, I am also the Prince's hidden guard, and ultimately, I cannot be loyal to only her."
"Are you unhappy?"
"No, I just feel regret." Si Yue said slowly. "She and the Prince are truly a match made in heaven. Why is it so difficult for them to be together?"
"They can't be together anymore. On the ninth day of the ninth month, she will marry Wen Mohan."
Wan Gonggong clearly noticed that the atmosphere in the palace had become somewhat strange. The guards at Cheng Qian Palace had become even more stringent, with many unfamiliar faces added. Apart from Fu An still serving him, everyone else had become a stranger.
Wan Gonggong, being a shrewd individual, understood that some things had secretly changed. He had likely done something foolish!
Wan Gonggong walked to the door, intending to leave, but was stopped by the guards.
"What? I, this eunuch, cannot leave?"
"Eunuch, His Majesty cannot be left unattended. You are the one who understands His Majesty best. Unless absolutely necessary, please do not leave His Majesty's side. Otherwise, when His Majesty wakes up and cannot find you, he will likely be displeased."
Wan Gonggong sneered and turned back into the palace. It seemed he had been implicitly placed under house arrest. He didn't know what had happened to his disciple, Fu An, or if Fu An had been bribed. In short, he was now isolated and helpless, and he had foolishly severed their only lifeline!
Wan Gonggong sat by the bed, looking at the unconscious Emperor. For the first time, he felt a panic in his heart. He didn't know what to do. He was now under house arrest, and Ran Sheng had been captured and was likely imprisoned by the Prince of Chu. Even if he wanted to help, he was powerless.
"Your Majesty, this servant deserves ten thousand deaths. I was fooled by the Prince of Chu, harmed General Ran, and even harmed you!" Wan Gonggong's tears flowed like an old man. He had lived in the palace for over forty years and had become as cunning as a fox, yet he was still tricked because he was too worried about the Emperor's safety!
Clearly, all these signs were there. His concern had clouded his judgment, and he had fallen into someone else's trap!
Just then, Wan Gonggong heard the sound of the door opening. He quickly wiped the tears from his face and looked towards the doorway. Fu An entered with medicine. "Master, it's time for His Majesty to take his medicine."
Wan Gonggong took the medicine, his expression unchanged. "Fu An, have you been personally preparing His Majesty's medicine?"
"Yes, Eunuch. His Majesty's medicine is all prepared by this servant." Fu An picked up the silver testing needle from the side, tested the medicine, and then used a spoon to drink a mouthful. "Eunuch, the poison test is complete, there are no issues. His Majesty can take it."
Wan Gonggong nodded slowly. "I wonder if His Highness the Prince of Chu has found a divine physician, and I wonder when His Majesty will wake up."
"Eunuch, don't worry too much. His Highness the Prince of Chu has already sent people to find a divine physician. There should be news soon." Fu An comforted him.
"Do you know where His Highness has imprisoned General Ran? We must not mistreat General Ran."
"This servant does not know where General Ran is imprisoned." Fu An frowned. "I imagine His Highness would not mistreat General Ran, after all, General Ran is the commander of the Imperial Guard."
Wan Gonggong's brows furrowed, and he hid all his emotions. While feeding the Emperor medicine, he said, "Indeed, His Highness would not mistreat General Ran. General Ran has extremely high prestige in the Imperial Guard. If anything were to happen to him, the Imperial Guard might mutiny."
Fu An nodded in agreement. "Master, the palace security has become much stricter recently. There are patrol guards everywhere, mostly unfamiliar faces. Has something happened in the palace?"
Wan Gonggong's heart stirred with suspicion. Did Fu An not know about the Prince of Chu's affairs? "I have been by His Majesty's side, never leaving. How would I know about outside matters? It is a time of crisis, and His Majesty is unconscious. It is normal for His Highness to increase the palace guards."
Fu An secretly glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he lowered his voice and said, "Master, something is indeed not right. Every day, someone follows me when I do my work. Every move I make is being monitored. Master, do you have such a feeling?"
Wan Gonggong immediately understood. Both he and his disciple were objects of distrust. The Prince of Chu was wary of him and also wary of Fu An. If Ran Sheng were still in the military camp, the Prince of Chu would not dare to be so blatant. His only hope now was His Highness the Prince of Qin.
However, His Highness the Prince of Qin was currently far away in the Northern Rong. It would not be easy for him to return. Moreover, the Prince of Chu would never allow the Prince of Qin to return at this time and disrupt his grand plan!
"At this moment, I actually miss Princess Yong Ning being here." Wan Gonggong said abruptly. "As long as Princess Yong Ning was here, General Xiao would do his utmost to protect this imperial city. But now, they are no longer in this imperial city. This imperial city is like an open gate, welcoming the arrival of enemies."
Fu An sighed. "Every time Princess Yong Ning visited the palace, she would secretly bring me pastries and small trinkets from outside. I also liked Princess Yong Ning very much, but I fear I will never see her again in this lifetime."
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