Mu Jingrui stood by the Biliu Pavilion, looking at the drooping willow branches gently sliding across the calm lake surface in the breeze, creating circle after circle of ripples.

It was as if his mood at this moment, disappointment and depression were gradually spreading.

Night had fallen and the sky had darkened, but the person he was waiting for did not show up.

Mu Jingrui felt a little sad. Since Shangguan Wanning had taken the initiative to ask him out, why didn't she come herself?

Did something unexpected happen?

Mu Jingrui hesitated, wondering whether he should go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to take a look.

He was thinking secretly, when suddenly a strong gust of wind hit him from behind. He jumped up and dodged, and the stone table beside him was broken into two pieces.

Before Mu Jingrui could stand firmly, a sword flashed by.

He could only face it with his bare hands.

Eight men in black holding different weapons attacked him. Every move they made was murderous, as if they wanted to tear him to pieces at any time.

"Who are you?"

Mu Jingrui was secretly surprised. These eight people were obviously not from the same school, but they were all top masters.

It's not easy to bring them together.

"Of course it's the person who killed you. Mu Jingrui, you cut off the cigarette supply for others, so you should pay with your life."

Mu Jingrui understood that these were killers sent by the Zheng family.

His heart ached so much that he almost suffocated.

It turned out that this was the real reason why Shangguan Wanning took the initiative to ask him out but did not show up.

Perhaps, from the beginning to the end, she never thought about coming.

Mu Jingrui was completely desperate.

He no longer showed mercy, drew out the soft sword wrapped around his waist, and stared at the person opposite him fiercely.

"Hmph, even if I killed Zheng Zhixing, it would be reasonable and legal. Since the Zheng family is pestering me for revenge, I'll show some real ability. I've already given in several times, and I've explained it to Zhixing in the underworld. If you can't kill me tonight, don't blame me for being ruthless."

A sharp light flashed across Mu Jingrui's eyes. The eight masters attacked him again, and he could only fight with all his strength.

The weapon scratched his skin, and the pain made Mu Jingrui more awake.

He didn't know how many wounds he had on his body. When all eight people fell to the ground and died, he was also covered in blood.

Mu Jingrui took a quick look, barely using his sword to support himself, and walked towards home step by step.

Shangguan Wanning's face appeared clearly in his mind.

He gave her all his heart and wanted to love her forever, but he didn't expect that her staying with him was just a scam.

Mu Jingrui's heart was as calm as still water and as cold as iron.

Shangguan Wanning remained silent for two whole days after returning home. She still couldn't get over the deep pain.

but……

She looked at herself in the mirror and knew it was time to cheer up.

Even if Mu Jingrui was cruel enough to no longer work with her, she was unwilling to entrust her life to Xiao Zhenting.

It's time to save yourself.

When Shangguan Wanning went to pour tea for her father, she heard her father mention to his colleagues that the emperor had been unwell recently and had not attended court for seven days.

She kept this in mind.

She used her father's connections to learn about the emperor's illness from the imperial physician, and made some preparations in advance when she went to the palace to pay her respects to the empress dowager.

"The flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming more vigorously these days than before."

The Queen Mother and the Empress led many ladies to stroll in the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. After looking around, they asked, "Why didn't I see the Crown Prince's concubine today?"

"In reply to the Queen Mother, I heard that she is ill and is recuperating at home."

The Queen Mother just snorted softly, with some disdain in her eyes, and didn't care too much.

Shangguan Wanning vaguely heard that Xiao Yujue refused the Queen Mother's arranged marriage for Mu Jingyan, and she secretly guessed that the Queen Mother actually did not like Mu Jingyan.

The Queen Mother said nothing and continued to stroll with everyone.

Suddenly, she felt vaguely dizzy, stumbled and fell to the ground, and fainted instantly.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and palace maids immediately became confused.

"Quick, call the imperial physician..." the queen ordered in panic, "Carry the queen mother back to the palace."

"Empress, please do not move the Queen Mother." Shangguan Wanning stepped out of the crowd, walked to the Queen Mother and squatted down, looking up at the Queen, "Empress, I know a little about medicine, can I take a look at the Queen Mother first?"

The Queen did not quite trust Shangguan Wanning, but she had heard a little about her studying medicine.

She took the initiative to step forward at this time, but the queen just thought she was trying to show off.

"Let's send the Queen Mother back to her bedroom and wait for the doctor to come."

"Empress, although the Queen Mother is usually in good health, she is old after all. A sudden fainting is a serious matter. If not handled properly, she will be bedridden. Please trust me once. If anything happens to the Queen Mother, I am willing to commit suicide to apologize."

The Queen was stunned. She didn't feel anything about Shangguan Wanning's assurance. Instead, she was a little scared by her previous words.

"Well, you take a look for the Queen Mother."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shangguan Wanning lowered her eyes and forced down the smile in the corner of her eyes.

She signaled the palace maid and the nanny to bring a pillow, laid the empress dowager's body flat, and then took out a silver needle and inserted it into several acupuncture points of the empress dowager.

Soon, the Queen Mother woke up.

"Queen, are you okay?"

The empress dowager was still a little confused. At this time, the imperial physician arrived, took the empress dowager's pulse and confirmed that there was nothing serious. He then had a sedan chair brought to send the empress dowager back.

Shangguan Wanning returned home and was greeted by Sun Jinyao.

"Is it going well?"

"It went well. It was in line with my plan."

"But what if the Queen Mother..."

Before Sun Jinyao could finish his words, he saw the Shangguan family's steward leading the empress dowager's personal eunuch towards him.

"Miss Shangguan, the Queen Mother has ordered you to come to the palace."

Shangguan Wanning looked at Sun Jinyao calmly, with a faint smile on her lips.

She followed the eunuchs to the empress dowager's bedroom and was about to kneel down to pay her respects, but the empress dowager exempted her from the ceremony.

"Thanks to you. The imperial physician just told me that if it weren't for your acupuncture, I would have to lie in bed for the rest of my life. Come, come here, come to my side."

The Queen Mother waved to Shangguan Wanning, took her to sit opposite her, and looked her over carefully.

"The family tradition of Shangguan Qing is really good. Not only are you stunningly beautiful, but you also have such a talent. In the future, please come to the palace more often to accompany me. I just need someone to talk to."

"You, the Queen Mother, said this. Ning'er will come to the palace every day to bother you. You can't chase Ning'er out."

Shangguan Wanning smiled sweetly, and her coquettish words pleased the empress dowager greatly.

"Okay, I like your lively and cheerful personality."