She slightly raised her head, looking around the familiar yet unfamiliar palace, her thoughts swirling.

In this heavily guarded summer resort, his own bedroom was somehow connected by such a mysterious secret passage.

No one knows where it leads or what secrets and dangers it hides.

If this secret passage unfortunately falls into the hands of those treacherous and malicious thieves.

They could then sneak in silently like ghosts, wouldn't that put my safety and the Emperor's safety in imminent danger?

At that time, this originally peaceful summer resort will inevitably be plunged into a bloodbath, and the dignity and glory of the royal family will suffer a severe blow.

Su Liyue slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, the brocade on the exquisite embroidered bed wrinkling slightly with her movements.

Her brows were furrowed tightly, as if she could twist out a handful of sorrow, and she pondered the origin of this secret passage.

Was it left by the craftsmen when the villa was built, or was it done intentionally by someone who was secretly plotting some unspeakable conspiracy?

How can we thoroughly investigate this secret passage without alerting too many people and nip potential dangers in the bud?

She sat there quietly, and the air around her seemed to grow heavy with her worries.

The time she spent waiting for the emperor felt incredibly long, and her heart grew heavier with each passing moment, as if weighed down by a massive boulder.

The Emperor was seated on the dragon throne, discussing important matters concerning the nation and its people with several trusted ministers.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, and the voices of the crowd echoed in the empty hall, creating a solemn scene of court deliberation.

Just then, a palace maid rushed into the hall in a panic, breaking the tranquility. She staggered and, without even bowing, hurriedly reported her arrival.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression hardened, his majestic face instantly tightening. He disregarded his ministers, abruptly rose, his robes fluttering, and hurriedly headed straight for Su Liyue's palace.

Upon entering the palace, the Emperor immediately noticed the worry on Su Liyue's pretty face.

Her usually bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, her delicate brows were furrowed, and her frail appearance was like a flower falling in the rain, making her look pitiful.

The emperor's heart skipped a beat, as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart tightly.

He hurriedly strode to her side, and without hesitation, firmly grasped the Empress's slightly trembling hand, saying gently, "Don't be afraid, Zitong, I'm here."

Su Liyue slowly raised her eyes and looked at the Emperor. The moment her anxious and helpless heart met the Emperor's concerned gaze, it seemed to find a place to rest and she immediately felt a little calmer.

She parted her lips slightly and recounted to the Emperor the thrilling and perilous events that had just transpired.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor frowned deeply, feeling a lingering sense of unease, but secretly rejoiced that it was the little girl who had discovered this place.

If it were a thief, the Empress would likely have met a terrible fate today, with unimaginable consequences.

The Emperor's gaze fell upon the entrance to the secret passage, which concealed hidden secrets. His eyes instantly turned icy cold, flashing with a chilling light, as if he could see through all the conspiracies behind the darkness.

He turned slightly to the side and made a short but forceful gesture to the guards beside him, signaling them to immediately go and investigate the mystery of the passage.

Then, the Emperor gently took the Empress's hand and, as if cherishing a rare treasure, they slowly sat down together on the couch beside him.

He stood tall and straight, yet could not hide his inner worry, quietly waiting for the guards to return.

After receiving their orders, the guards darted into the secret passage like ghosts.

The passage was deep, narrow, and winding, like a giant python that had been sleeping for a thousand years, quietly stretching into the unknown darkness beyond the Summer Palace.

The path is crisscrossed, like a maze, and each path seems to hide a secret.

They dared not slacken their efforts in the slightest. Holding sharp blades and with piercing eyes, they carefully examined the directions each fork in the road led to, their hearts filled with astonishment.

This ingenious and secretive layout is so interconnected that it can silently infiltrate any palace like a ghost, making it impossible to guard against.

The exits of these secret passages are also varied and ingeniously designed.

Besides being hidden under the bed, there are also the bookshelves behind the stacks of books, and the dark corners under the desk.

Even in the gardens of the Summer Palace, in a secluded spot heavily concealed by lush flowers and trees, there is an exit.

If it hadn't been discovered by chance today, it would have become a deadly bomb that could explode at any moment, threatening the safety of the entire Summer Palace.

As the emperor listened to the detailed report from the secret guards, his face grew increasingly gloomy and unpleasant, like the sky before a storm, overcast and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.

He slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to tremble slightly, and immediately ordered his shadow guards to thoroughly investigate the matter.

We must find out the mastermind behind this secret passage and show no leniency.

The leader of the Shadow Guards knew the matter was of great importance. He respectfully accepted the map of the secret passages drawn by the Shadow Guards with both hands, knelt on one knee, and left to receive the order.

They quickly blended into the shadows of the summer resort and began a tense investigation into the mastermind behind it all.

At this moment, Su Liyue's face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and a trace of fear still lingered in her eyes as she looked at the Emperor.

I thought there was only one secret passage, but I never expected there to be so many intricate passages. What kind of evil intentions did the person who built these secret passages have?

Is it coveting the throne, or attempting to overthrow the court? Countless terrifying thoughts flashed through her mind, sending chills down her spine.

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