Li Yunyan greeted him at the palace gate. Seeing him approach, she gracefully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

Chu Xingmo stepped down from the imperial carriage, a gentle smile on his face, took her hand, and walked into Zhaohua Palace.

Many palace servants who had been hiding nearby and secretly observing witnessed this scene and quickly ran back to their masters.

"Your Majesty! His Majesty has really come to the inner palace!"

"Really?" Consort Ji put down her cup, her expression puzzled. "Did His Majesty really go to Zhaohua Palace?"

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The maid Bi’er nodded. “This servant saw His Majesty come to the inner palace and take Consort Zhao’s hand as they entered Zhaohua Palace!”

"His Majesty actually held her hand?"

Consort Ji found it unbelievable. How could His Majesty, who had always been indifferent to women, suddenly seem to have become enlightened? He had only met Li Yunyan twice, so how could he have developed feelings for her?

Now they're even holding hands?

The meticulous Consort Ji felt that things were definitely not that simple!

Because when she first entered the palace, she had inquired and found out that His Majesty had never looked at any woman seriously. Even those serving in His Majesty's Hall of Mental Cultivation were all eunuchs, not a single palace maid!

That's why she believed the rumors that His Majesty was attracted to men; otherwise, it wouldn't make any sense!

Could this be a scheme orchestrated by His Majesty and Prime Minister Li? Is the aim to quell the rumors circulating inside and outside the palace that are detrimental to His Majesty?

Consort Ji felt she had figured out the truth, and calmly said to Bi'er, "Continue to inquire, the more detailed the information, the better!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"