"Huh?" Xun'er asked, puzzled. "Your Highness, you disguised yourself just to find the Crown Prince? What exactly is your relationship with the Crown Prince?"

Before Mi Shan could answer, A Chan frowned.

"It's none of our business to concern ourselves with the Empress's affairs."

"But... this servant is really curious."

Mi Shan also knew that although Xun'er was straightforward, she was always loyal.

She meant no harm.

It's not her fault; her behavior was indeed too suspicious.

"It's good that you know. Even if people outside run into me, they probably won't recognize me. Even if they do, just say you're experiencing what it's like to be a palace maid."

Mi Shan did not answer her question directly, but instead continued speaking to herself.

Finally, looking at Achan,

"You'll come with me."

"That way, it will seem reasonable to outsiders."

"Yes. I will follow Your Majesty's orders." Achan bowed and silently gripped the sword hanging at her waist taut.

In Dai Viet, palace guards were allowed to carry swords, and so were the emperor and princes.

But Achan was probably the first palace maid to be allowed to carry a sword, and it was Mi Shan who pleaded with the Emperor on her behalf.

Ah Chan will keep this honor in her heart. She will use this sword to protect the Empress and will never betray this original intention.

The moon is bright and the stars are few; the night is deep and serene.

Mi Shan, dressed in palace maid attire, walked side by side with A Chan. Both wore hoods to shield themselves from the wind and kept their heads slightly bowed as they walked through the palace path.

The guards only glanced at them when they saw them, and when Achan looked at them, they looked away.

It was said that two palace maids from Consort Mi Hui's palace had come out late at night.

Consort Mi Hui is currently enjoying great favor, so the guards won't be too strict about what people in her palace do. After all, no one knows what might happen if someone offends such a high-ranking master.

Mi Shan, in fact, did not know whether she would be able to see Li Changyu during her trip to the Eastern Palace.

What if he happens to be away from the palace?

For some reason, Mi Shan couldn't control her thoughts and started to have wild ideas.

She looked forward to seeing him, her face flushed with a pink blush.

A moment later, she was afraid she wouldn't see him again, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

What's wrong with me?

"She just went to ask him for an answer?"

"Could it be that the Gu worms are about to flare up again? And the antidote didn't work?"

Mi Shan raised her hand and examined her wrist. The thin line remained still and was not too noticeable.

Mi Shan's eyes flickered.

Has she always relied too much on blaming her feelings on the Gu worm?

Perhaps, she just wanted to see him.

Maybe……

She was starting to develop feelings for him.

Upon realizing this, my heart began to pound wildly, echoing in my chest.

Mi Shan unconsciously quickened her pace, raised her hand to gently cover her chest, and her clear almond-shaped eyes sparkled with tiny lights, like ripples spreading across autumn water.

She likes him.

Yes,

She finally realized,

My mind automatically replayed the scenes from when I first met him.

From initial mutual dislike and hostility, to forced cooperation, and now, he has saved her time and time again.

She had also expressed interest in him.

She is not a saint; she cannot completely transform into a creature without emotions.

Liking someone is an indescribable feeling; no one can explain it clearly.

But despite the pounding in her chest, Mi Shan kept reminding herself to stay alert and not to give in.

The lessons of her past life were painful enough. She couldn't afford to go through it again.

Knowing your own feelings is enough. There's no need to tell anyone.

She will silently keep this love in her heart.

After walking a long way, we finally arrived at the East Palace.

Before she even stepped inside, she saw that familiar figure in the distance, sitting on the roof, one hand on his knee, gazing at the sky.

A bright moon shines in the dark blue night sky.

His profile is smooth and his features are clear and handsome.

Mi Shan suppressed her inner joy, tried her best to appear normal, calmed herself down, and strode forward.

As a result, they were stopped by the guards as soon as they reached the door.

"Halt! Who are you? Who gave you permission to come to the East Palace so late?"

Zhao Si, as always, had a sullen face, looking like he was strutting around with his tail between his legs.

As the most favored guard of Li Changyu in the Eastern Palace, accompanying him through wind and rain, he certainly had reason to be proud.

“This time every night is when our Crown Prince contemplates life. No one is allowed to disturb him without his order. You can’t get in!”

Just as Zhao Si finished speaking, Li Changyu heard the commotion and landed.

He floated to the door with light-footed skill, his posture elegant and graceful, showing no sign of panic, and walked towards us unhurriedly.

"Who's here?" he asked.

At this moment, Achan stepped aside.

Mi Shan, who had been hiding behind her, was revealed.

In fact, Li Changyu already understood when he saw Achan.

The moment he saw Mi Shan, his eyes lit up with a tiny glimmer of light. He didn't even realize that his heart skipped a beat the instant he met her clear, luminous eyes.

"Why are you here?" Li Changyu was taken aback.

The moment the question left his mouth, Zhao Si's eyes widened.

Wait a minute, Master, this reaction is strange!

The woman lifted her cloak.

"Why can't I come? I can come whenever I want." Mi Shan lowered her eyes and bit her lip. "Actually, I came to talk to you about something important. Standing at the door is too conspicuous. Can you let me in first?"

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