"Xi Yan, didn't I tell you? The Ice Phoenix Clan has important matters to attend to, and I left with my clan members before I could inform you."

"Is that so?"

Yu Xiyan took out a copy of the official register for entering and leaving Chang'an City from her phoenix sleeve.

"However, when I reviewed the records of people entering and leaving the nine gates of Chang'an today, I found no one from the Ice Phoenix lineage coming or going."

Besides, even if the Ice Phoenix Clan had something to deal with, they should come to me, not the Empress Dowager.

"Even now, Mother Empress is still unwilling to tell me the truth. Does she intend to continue hiding it?"

Gu Ningye looked at Yu Xiyan in disbelief: "Xiyan, what do you mean by this? You actually investigated me in private?"

Yu Xiyan said expressionlessly, "My mother's sudden disappearance has naturally caused me great anxiety, so I must investigate thoroughly."

But Mother, why did you lie to me? I'm your daughter! Don't you even trust your own daughter?

Gu Ningye hurriedly explained, "Xi Yan, listen to me, I did hide it from you, but I had no choice."

"Forced to do something? How were you forced to do something?"

Yu Xiyan took a few steps closer to Gu Ningye, her face displaying an aggressive expression.

"Do you know how worried I was when I heard you were missing? I almost sent the Grand Master to find out where you were. Why did you keep it from me?"

"I……"

Gu Ningye was a little nervous and kept backing away until Yu Xiyan forced her to sit down in front of a guest chair.

"Mother, have they been captured by slave traders in the city?"

One sentence made Gu Ningye's heart race.

"Xiyan, listen to me..."

Yu Xiyan interrupted her: "Mother, why did you hide such a big thing from me? Last night I received news from the city guards that Yan Chenzhao had arrived in Chang'an."

He was also driving a carriage, and soon after, Mother returned. Let me guess, it was probably Shen Zhao who rescued Mother from being kidnapped by slave traders on the way, and he was the one who brought you back to the palace, right?

Gu Ningye took a deep breath and nodded silently: "That's right, it was Zhao'er who saved me, and it was he who brought me back to the palace."

"I didn't mean to deceive you; it's just that I knew he wanted nothing more to do with you, so I didn't tell you the truth."

"Is that so? Then Mother is truly too considerate of her daughter."

Yu Xiyan took Gu Ningye's hand and gently massaged it.

"What did you do during the time Mother and Shen Zhao spent together? Can you tell me?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ningye recalled the day she spent with Shen Zhao, and then remembered how Shen Zhao had inexplicably appeared as her object of masturbation. She felt guilty and dared not look directly at Yu Xiyan.

But she tried to remain calm, shaking her head and saying, "Xiyan, what do you mean? What do you mean we did again? What are you thinking?"

"What could I possibly be thinking? I'm just worried about my mother's safety."

As she spoke, she had already rolled up Gu Ningye's sleeve, revealing a fair and delicate arm.

"Mother, you don't look like someone who's almost fifty at all!"

Look, her skin is smoother than that of a young girl in her late teens, and more captivating than those pampered princesses confined to their chambers.

"Tell me, if Shen Zhao doesn't respect you as her mother, wouldn't you two do something outrageous behind your daughter's and father's backs?"

Gu Ningye quickly pulled her arm back, stood up abruptly, and said angrily, "Xi Yan, what nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly do that with Zhao'er?"

Xi Yan, ever since we returned from the Demon Realm, I feel like you've become a different person.

You've changed so much that I don't recognize you anymore. Why do you have such strange ideas?

What kind of person do you take your mother for?!

"Why is Mother so agitated? I was just speaking offhand."

Yu Xiyan revealed a look that was neither a smile nor a frown.

"Or is it that the Empress Dowager really had some shady dealings with Shen Zhao?"

Actually, even if something really happened between you two, it doesn't matter. Do you think I would still care about Shen Zhao?

If the Empress Dowager likes him, she can simply bring Shen Zhao into the palace as a male concubine.

"How wonderful it would be if they were as close as mother and child during the day, and as affectionate as lovers at night!"

Gu Ningye was so shocked she couldn't speak, unable to believe that these words would come from her own daughter's mouth.

Yu Xiyan continued, "Why isn't Mother speaking? Is she worried about her daughter, or about Father?"

There's really no need to think so much. As long as Mom is happy, that's all that matters, isn't it?

Anyway, the inner palaces and harems are so filthy you can't see your hand in front of your face. It's not unacceptable that the Empress Dowager and Shen Zhao had an affair.

Tell me, where is Shen Zhao? I have issued an imperial decree ordering him to enter the palace and accompany the Empress Dowager day and night. What do you think?

*Snap*

Unable to bear it any longer, Gu Ningye slapped Yu Xiyan across the face.

Her eyes were red and she sighed, "Xi Yan, you have truly disappointed me. Don't you want to listen to what you just said? What kind of person do you think your mother is!"

Yu Xiyan covered her face, her pupils filled with resentment.

Just as she was about to attack Gu Ningye, a flash of blood appeared on her forehead, quickly suppressing the resentment within her.

"Why would I think of my mother like that? What's going on?"

In an instant, Yu Xiyan's mind became clear.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I was overthinking things. I'm so sorry, really."

Seeing Yu Xiyan revert to her obedient self and apologize to him, Gu Ningye's heart softened.

She stepped forward and gently hugged Yu Xiyan, saying softly, "I know you've had a lot going on lately."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!