As dawn broke, the palace was bathed in the soft light of morning, and a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth and ambiguity permeated the still-warm air.

On the bed, the two figures intertwined, enjoying a moment of tenderness and tranquility.

"Miss Shen, Your Highness, the time has come."

Outside the door, the sound of the south wind was soft but slightly hurried.

The sudden noise startled the two of them awake.

"Understood," Xiao Huaijin replied calmly, looking down at Shen Yunjiao with eyes full of affection.

Shen Yunjiao nuzzled against his neck before getting out of bed.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were watery, like a pool of autumn water, making her incredibly adorable.

Xiao Huaijin got up with her, casually put on an outer garment, and said gently, "Jiaojiao, after we part ways today, no matter what happens next, don't be afraid."

Shen Yunjiao nodded. After tidying her hair and clothes, she smiled like a spoiled cat, her eyes bright. She reached out to Xiao Huaijin and said, "Will you carry me down before I leave?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin immediately walked to her side, pulled her into a tight embrace, and gently stroked her hair with his long, slender, pale fingers.

The warm embrace made Shen Yunjiao slightly dazed.

It seems that I have never been so wholeheartedly embraced in my past life.

The loneliness and solitude of the past seem to have faded with time, but the warm embrace in front of her reminds Shen Yunjiao that she is no longer alone.

"Alright, if you dawdle any longer, I won't be able to leave," Shen Yunjiao said softly in his arms.

She loosened her embrace, then, still worried, instructed Xiao Huaijin, "Remember to use the medicine I left for you."

"I will." Xiao Huaijin lowered his head and kissed her lips, answering earnestly, "Wait for my good news."

"Miss Chen, please come out quickly."

The south wind outside urged them on again.

Xiao Huaijin glanced at Shen Yunjiao reluctantly before saying in a low voice, "Let's go."

Shen Yunjiao opened the door, and Zhuye and Nanfeng waited with their heads bowed. When they saw her come out, they led her back the way they came.

In summer, it gets light faster, and by the time we emerged from the tunnel, the sky was already faintly glowing.

North Wind had already arranged for a carriage to wait for her at the exit.

Just as Shen Yunjiao sat in the carriage, a rapid and majestic sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.

A large troop of guards carrying long spears was seen marching down the main road.

Upon seeing a suspicious-looking carriage parked in the alley behind the palace, the head guard immediately called several of his men over to investigate.

Shen Yunjiao's heart sank instantly. Through the crack in the car window, she nervously observed the movements outside.

The lead guard, clad in golden armor, had sharp eyes and immediately noticed a person sitting inside the carriage, while three tall coachmen waited outside.

"Who dares to linger here? Do you know this is a forbidden area of ​​the imperial palace? State your name immediately!" The leading guard's voice was loud and powerful, echoing in the empty alley.

Shen Yunjiao's heart jumped into her throat.

what to do?

Should I give my real name or not? This guy's voice sounds really scary.

Shen Yunjiao knew that her current situation was somewhat dangerous. The other party was armed, and if she was not careful, she might be killed.

She took a deep breath, slowly lifted the carriage curtain, revealing her delicate face.

"I am Shen Yunjiao, daughter of Prime Minister Shen. I am here to..." Shen Yunjiao hesitated for a moment, and just as she was wondering how to continue her lie, a brilliant idea suddenly struck her, "to wait for Miss Chu."

“She is the Empress Dowager’s granddaughter, Chu Xiyue,” Shen Yunjiao added.

The guards were surprised to find a beautiful woman with bright eyes, red lips, and white teeth sitting inside.

He had met Prime Minister Shen, but never his daughter. The carriage also lacked the Shen family's wooden plaque, leaving him unsure of what to do.

“Miss Shen, please allow me to go and report. Please wait here for a moment.” He replied respectfully, then instructed his men, “Protect Miss Shen well, I’ll be right back.”

Shen Yunjiao was very curious about who the guard was going to report to so early in the morning.

Her curiosity was soon satisfied, because the leading guard returned shortly afterward and said to her, "Miss Chen, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

The Empress Dowager? How could I run into the Empress Dowager so early in the morning? My luck is just too good.

"Brother guard, are you joking with me? Why is the Empress Dowager outside the palace at this hour?" Shen Yunjiao asked with a surprised look.

If it were anyone else dawdling like that, Guard Zhang would have kicked them off the carriage long ago.

But the other party was a beautiful woman with a refined and elegant appearance, so Guard Zhang was naturally more patient than usual. He explained, "Miss, you may not know this, but the Empress Dowager was worshipping Buddha at Jingshan in Yanzhou when she learned of the Crown Prince's punishment. She immediately rushed back from Jingshan and only arrived in the capital today."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao could only sigh silently, "Alright, I'll get off the bus."

Since we're already here, we might as well make the best of it. There will only be more opportunities to meet the Empress Dowager in the future.

After getting out of the carriage, Shen Yunjiao turned around and said to the group of "drivers", "Wait for me here first. After I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, you can take me home."

Nanfeng lowered his head and hurriedly replied, "Yes."

Zhang, the guard, wondered, "Do noble ladies nowadays always have three coachmen with them when they go out?"

But he was only curious and didn't dare to ask. He quickly led Shen Yunjiao outside.

Shen Yunjiao then followed the guards toward the alley entrance.

As soon as she stepped out of the alley, she saw a large, antique-style, and imposing red carriage parked on the official road.

A long line of armored guards on tall horses stood in front of and behind the carriage, while a dozen palace servants dressed in rose-red palace attire stood on either side.

Such a grand procession is indeed a privilege reserved for the Empress Dowager.

"This humble girl, Shen Yunjiao, greets the Empress Dowager." Although Shen Yunjiao was not very happy, she still walked to the right side of the carriage, bowed her head, and knelt on the hard bluestone slab to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager sat in the carriage, her lips slightly parted, her voice cold yet still maintaining the dignity and demeanor of royalty: "Why is the daughter of Prime Minister Shen in the forbidden area of ​​the palace at this hour?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao quickly said in a loud voice, "I originally arranged to meet your granddaughter, Miss Chu, here, but I arrived a little early."

The Empress Dowager gently stroked the jade ruyi in her hand, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes. She slowly lifted the carriage curtain and asked, "When did you become so close to Xiyue? Are you perhaps lying to me?"

Shen Yunjiao's heart tightened, and she looked up at the Empress Dowager and said, "This subject dares not. If the Empress Dowager does not believe me, you can send someone to ask Miss Chu whether I made an appointment with her here today to get medicine for her."

The Empress Dowager gave a wink to the palace maid next to Shen Yunjiao, who immediately went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion where Chu Xiyue was to find out the truth.

The Empress Dowager turned her attention back to Shen Yunjiao. When she first saw this girl, she thought she was beautiful, but later she heard that she had a bad reputation and had embarrassed Chu Xiyue in front of everyone in the main hall. So she didn't have a good impression of this sharp-tongued daughter of the Prime Minister.

In addition, her father, Prime Minister Shen, was not a good person either, and the Empress Dowager felt disgusted as soon as she saw his face.