Shen Sanmu's expression was solemn.

He didn't hear a single word Nian Tianfu said.

"Old Shen, you've made something of yourself." Nian Tianfu said sarcastically, then got up and left.

Shen Sanmu snapped out of his reverie, tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and after a long while said, "Ru Sui, tell your father about that dream again, the more detailed the better."

"Father, do you think His Majesty might really be a monster?" Before talking about dreams, Shen Ruhui wanted to clear up the doubts in her heart first.

Shen Sanmu angrily rebuked Shen Ruhui, warning her to quickly erase the thought from her mind.

Shen Rusui smiled and stuck out her tongue.

The people of the world know better than anyone how the Empress treats them. Even if the Empress were a monster, Shen Ruhui doesn't think it matters.

If the Empress isn't a demon, then she can only be a deity.

No mortal could live that long.

...

Bian Lang had the token given to him by Shangguan Hongyu.

This token is made of thick rattan, which Shangguan Hongyu took from her own body. Seeing this token is like the Empress herself being there.

These tokens are extremely rare, and no one in the court holds them. Only when some officials are handling important matters will Shangguan Hongyu occasionally bestow one upon them to facilitate their actions.

However, after the deed is done, the token will be taken back by Shangguan Hongyu.

Bian Lang showed his token, and the guards all knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a single word.

When they arrived at Shangguan Hongyu's palace, they saw Shangguan Hongyu sitting in the courtyard, staring blankly at a withered plum tree.

Bian Lang's sudden appearance startled her.

"Husband, you're here." Shangguan Hongyu got up and snuggled into Bian Lang's arms.

When Bian Lang embraced Shangguan Hongyu again, he realized that their previous encounter was not a dream.

After searching for tens of thousands of years without any news, suddenly, they were able to embrace each other, which felt very unreal.

Bian Lang asked with a smile, "What are you daydreaming about?"

"I just feel that my identity might not be able to be hidden anymore," Shangguan Hongyu sighed.

She was already aware of the rumors that had caused a sensation in the capital.

It was because the rumors were true that she was so troubled.

Bian Lang laughed and said, "So what if we're exposed? I don't think it's a big deal."

“That’s true. If the people no longer need me, I can go with my husband to transport corpses.” Shangguan Hongyu can never forget the days she spent transporting corpses with Bian Lang.

Bian Lang said, "But those who want to harm you, I will make them pay a hundredfold price."

Shangguan Hongyu smiled and nodded.

In the past, no matter what happened, she always silently shouldered it all by herself.

Now that's alright, with Bian Lang around, there's really nothing to be afraid of.

“Watching more circuses can send the same scenes into dreams; ordinary people definitely can’t do that.” Shangguan Hongyu had been thinking about this ever since she learned the news.

Many of the policies issued by Shangguan Hongyu were applauded by ordinary people, but they also offended many influential and capable figures.

Bian Lang laughed and said, "Don't worry, we'll soon find out who's behind this."

Bian Lang then left the palace and found those circuses, wanting to see how circus performances could instill nightmares into the minds of the audience.

No matter when or where the circus performs, it always attracts a large crowd of onlookers.

The circus performances were, to put it mildly, mediocre.

But the audience watching the play cheered from time to time, and the applause was thunderous.

Bian Lang looked for a long time, then moved to another place and looked for a long time again, but found nothing unusual.

After falling asleep that night, everything was normal, and I didn't have any nightmares.

The next day, Bian Lang went to see the circus performance again, and the result was the same as the day before, everything was normal.

However, in the capital city, more and more people are having that nightmare.

The empress transformed into a vine demon, wreaking havoc and massacring the capital. The dream was so real that anyone who experienced it felt that this day would come very soon.

...

Shen Ruhui followed Bian Lang's suggestion and went to see the circus performance.

The purpose of doing this was to see if the dream would change if I continued to watch.

For the first few days, the dreams were the same as before, without any changes.

But later, at the very end of that nightmare, a monk wearing a kasaya suddenly appeared.

The monk was incredibly skilled. Holding a bowl, he subdued the empress, who had transformed into a vine demon, in just a few moves.

When the monk first appeared, I could only see a blurry shadow. Each night thereafter, the image became clearer until I could see his face completely. Then the dream stopped changing.

Shen Ruhui told Bian Lang about her discovery, and Bian Lang just laughed and said, "It seems that the bald monk is the mastermind behind it all."

“I think so too,” Shen Ruhui agreed.

Bian Lang asked, "Ru Sui, are you feeling alright, both physically and mentally?"

"Nothing unusual," Shen Ruhui said with a smile.

Bian Lang instructed, "You still need to be careful. If you feel anything is wrong or uncomfortable, tell me immediately."

Shen Ruhui nodded with a smile.

“It seems my father hasn’t found anything either,” Shen Ruhui added.

Bian Lang laughed and said, "It's alright, the time is almost right."

Shen Ruhui didn't ask, but she guessed that Bian Lang might personally take action against the circus.

Bian Lang's ability to endure for so long had already exceeded her expectations.

After leaving the Shen Mansion, Bian Lang went to see the circus performance again.

After the circus performance ended, he followed them openly and honestly, without being sneaky.

The circus people seemed indifferent; once back in their rented courtyard, everyone went to their rooms to rest.

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