She was in no way inferior when lying on the ground beside Baili Ziyun, even appearing to have a slight edge.
How could Imperial Physician Wang not be curious about such a girl?
Regardless of her former identity, she was now the Emperor's woman and so beautiful. If her temper was also pleasing, then no matter who she was before, she would undoubtedly become an extraordinary person from now on.
With this thought, Imperial Physician Wang's expression became much more respectful, as if he were already treating a superior, not a young girl.
After the two finished their examination, they walked out of the pavilion. The two maids who had been guarding inside the room earlier called in the maids from outside, and then together they lifted the two people up.
After all, they could not let the two lie on the ground in the cold for an entire night.
If that were to happen, and these two seemingly frail individuals were to pass away, and the Emperor demanded them the next day, where would they produce replacements?
Moreover, Imperial Physician Wang and Imperial Physician Li had come with a group of court officials and naturally knew that Grand Princess Zande had also come.
Since she was here, they could simply hand over these two people to Grand Princess Zande and save themselves the trouble.
Grand Princess Zande had been watching a play outside and was in a relatively good mood. However, she had been searching for Baili Ziyun and Lin Xiaowei, who had disappeared, and had become somewhat agitated.
Seeing the pavilion in front of her, Grand Princess Zande turned around, preparing to leave.
Just then, a palace maid ran out from inside and quickly approached Grand Princess Zande, blocking her way.
"Grand Princess Zande, please wait."
Grand Princess Zande was startled to hear someone call her name and quickly turned around, asking what was the matter.
The approaching palace maid whispered a few words in Grand Princess Zande's ear, and everyone saw Grand Princess Zande's face instantly turn as pale as paper, devoid of any color.
What was going on?
Everyone was extremely puzzled.
Could it be that feeling unwell was also contagious?
Grand Princess Zande, however, no longer noticed the expressions of those around her. Her legs had gone weak, and she could no longer concern herself with anything else.
"Princess..."
After a long silence, the palace maid called out softly again.
"Hurry and take me there," Grand Princess Zande urged repeatedly.
Grand Princess Zande's reaction was observed by all the court officials, and their expressions became extremely subtle.
Grand Princess Zande was most concerned about her appearance in front of outsiders, which was evident in her attire and adornments.
Not only that, Grand Princess Zande also cared deeply about etiquette, about who had what status, and what form of address to use when speaking. She cared about these things the most.
Anyone who made a mistake in these matters when speaking to her would face bitter consequences.
Yet, now, she herself had not referred to herself as "this Princess."
Moreover, looking at her hurried demeanor just now, there was no trace of propriety or etiquette.
All of this made everyone extremely curious as to what could have happened to make her change like this.
Soon, Grand Princess Zande followed the palace maid and hurried into the pavilion. In a short while, Grand Princess Zande, along with several palace maids, helped two people out.
Because it was dark, although there was dim light, they could not clearly see the appearance of the two.
However, even if they couldn't see clearly, Grand Princess Zande's urgent demeanor suggested that it must be her only daughter, Baili Ziyun.
It was only after Grand Princess Zande and the others left that the court officials finally reacted.
First, the Emperor was helped out of the pavilion, and then Baili Ziyun. A little thought was enough to understand what had just happened.
Everyone looked at each other and finally said nothing.
Some even wished they could cut off their own legs, wondering why they had been so foolish as to follow.
Today's events were clearly not simple.
Looking at the Grand Emperor not far ahead, under the lamplight, there was a hint of a sinister smile on his face.
This was truly...
Fortunately, their embarrassment did not last long, as Sima Hao and Jiang Yubao exchanged a few words. Jiang Yubao bowed in response and then walked over quickly.
"The night is deep and the dew is heavy. It would be a beautiful thing for all the lords to return to their residences early and still have time to spend New Year's Eve with their families, wouldn't it?"
Jiang Yubao said this with a smile, as if he had something joyous to celebrate today.
When the Grand Emperor spoke to dismiss them, these people naturally knew not to be disrespectful and took their leave after bowing.
In a short while, only Sima Hao, Zheng Xiang, and their group remained in the pavilion, along with Sima Han and Yi Zhiye.
Yi Zhiye and Sima Han had not said a word from beginning to end, but their expressions were very intriguing.
Today was truly a worthwhile spectacle.
Sima Hao suddenly turned his head and looked at Yi Zhiye and Sima Han, his face full of surprise.
"When did you two arrive... This... Alas, to have made you witness such a spectacle."
Sima Hao said, shaking his head.
Sima Han and Yi Zhiye exchanged a look upon hearing this, seeing the amusement in each other's eyes.
"The Emperor these past few years... Alas, it's hard to describe!" Sima Hao sighed again.
After Sima Hao finished speaking, a strange silence fell, and everyone felt a bit awkward.
Sima Hao's intention was to start a conversation, hoping that Sima Han and Yi Zhiye would inquire further. However, after waiting for a while, he found them remarkably calm, showing no inclination to ask.
Sima Hao was puzzled. Did these two have no curiosity at all?
But that shouldn't be the case. Everyone should have curiosity.
Furthermore, this was the biggest gossip in the land, concerning the imperial throne. He couldn't believe Sima Han would be completely uninterested.
Yet, that was precisely the case. Sima Han's face showed no sign of interest. He stood there calmly, not saying a word, with a faint smile on his lips.
Sima Hao suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
However, since things had reached this point, he could not simply give up.
After all, due to the matter of Sima Han's recent arrival in the capital, their original cooperation had entered a stalemate. Now that there was finally an opportunity for reconciliation, he naturally could not let it go.
As long as he reached a consensus with Sima Han today, future matters would be easier.
Thinking of this, Sima Hao winked at Zheng Xiang.
He thought Sima Han and Yi Zhiye hadn't seen it, unaware that their every move, even their intentions, were being clearly observed.
Zheng Xiang, having received Sima Hao's signal, immediately stepped forward and said with great concern, "Your Highness, please be at ease. After all, this is the imperial throne you passed down to the Emperor. Although you have retired, you are, in any case, the Emperor's father. The Emperor is still young, and you should offer him more guidance when he makes mistakes."
Sima Hao was satisfied with this, truly understanding him. With just a glance, Zheng Xiang knew what he needed him to say.
"Prince Duan, you are too kind. I am old now and do not interfere in matters outside my purview. As for the Emperor, apart from occasional foolishness, he is quite sensible in governing the country."
Yi Zhiye and Sima Han chuckled upon hearing this. What did "sensible" mean?
A man on the verge of thirty, who had been a prince for decades and Emperor for five years, was called sensible.
No matter how one interpreted this statement, it was not a compliment.
Indeed, Zheng Xiang continued, "Your Highness, you are too modest. Young people, after all, lack the wisdom and experience of elders. Naturally, they sometimes do not know how to handle matters best. More often, they are still young and can easily make mistakes. Therefore, it is often said that an elder at home is like a treasure, and it is very true."
Sima Hao, however, shook his head with a bitter smile, "When one is old, one only serves to be disliked, and no one listens to their words anymore."
Sima Han and Yi Zhiye listened to their back-and-forth banter with growing boredom.
Time ticked by, and it was almost midnight. If they didn't leave soon, they would miss spending New Year's Eve.
With this thought, Yi Zhiye suddenly yawned and stretched languidly.
Zheng Xiang and Sima Hao, who were in conversation, were both startled by Yi Zhiye's action.
Yi Zhiye smiled apologetically and then yawned again before saying, "I'm truly sorry. It's so late, I'm getting sleepy. By the way, what were you just talking about? I was drowsy and didn't hear anything. Was it important? If it was important, please, Prince Duan, repeat it."
After speaking, Yi Zhiye looked at Zheng Xiang with a smile, as if waiting for Zheng Xiang to repeat it.
Upon hearing Yi Zhiye's words, the faces of Zheng Xiang and Sima Hao turned extremely unpleasant.
This was clearly a lie. The claim of being drowsy and not hearing clearly was utter nonsense.
Just now, Yi Zhiye's eyes were wide open, and he had appeared very interested while listening. Now he claimed to have been sleepy. Wasn't this lying through his teeth?
Sima Hao stared at Yi Zhiye with a dark expression, inwardly furious.
Sima Hao understood that Yi Zhiye was acting this way precisely because he was sure that if he said this, Sima Hao would have to let him go.
However, he was so unwilling.
His plan had been meticulously laid out and executed smoothly. Although there had been a minor unexpected hitch, it hadn't been a major issue.
At this point, if he let Sima Han and Yi Zhiye leave just like that, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?
Even if Sima Zhu's reputation was ruined, and he lost the hearts of the people and the loyalty of the court officials, in the end, when a new Emperor was chosen, he himself would have no chance.
Instead, one of the four existing princes would be selected.
And among his four sons, except for Sima Han, the others were either uninterested in the throne, incompetent, or difficult to control.
After careful consideration, only Sima Han was the most suitable.
Thinking of this, Sima Hao felt a tinge of regret.
If he had known that Sima Han had changed so much in these past few years and had become much more assertive, he would never have acted as he did back then.
Sima Hao sighed helplessly in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about the present situation.
Indeed, Yi Zhiye yawned again and stretched, completely unconcerned about his image. He squinted and mumbled, "Ah, I'm so sleepy. Sima Han, I say we leave quickly."
After speaking, Yi Zhiye grinned at Sima Hao, "Your Highness, you are old. Don't think too much about these things late at night, as it's not good for your sleep. These matters are the Emperor's concern. You don't need to worry too much. It's best to go back and sleep early."
Sima Hao's face grew even more grim. He could only reluctantly nod, allowing Sima Han and Yi Zhiye to leave.
Seeing that Sima Hao had agreed to their departure, Yi Zhiye was unwilling to delay for even a moment. He pulled Sima Han and turned to leave.
Sima Han was indifferent to these trivial matters and naturally followed Yi Zhiye away quickly.
Watching the two gradually walk away, Sima Hao's face turned completely grim.
"What is going on? Besides Baili Ziyun, who is the other person?" Sima Hao asked in a hoarse, displeased voice.