Chapter 378 Too Much of a Coincidence

The carriage approached the palace gate.

The armor of the guards on duty was shining, with a cold and hard luster under the reflection of the swaying palace lanterns, and they scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.

Zhang Sicheng tightened the reins and the carriage stopped steadily.

He jumped off the chariot swiftly, walked quickly to the closed red lacquer palace gate, and showed his badge.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, return to the palace!"

The heavy and huge palace gate was accompanied by a dull "creaking" sound.

Under the uniform movements of the guards, it slowly opened inwards.

The palace gates were wide open, and what came into view was the brightly lit and heavily guarded imperial road.

Yongtai, who had already received the news, was leading two teams of eunuchs and palace maids holding palace lanterns, standing respectfully on both sides of the imperial road with their heads bowed.

The orange-yellow halo connected into one, casting human shadows on the bluestone slabs, extending all the way into the depths of the palace.

A corner of the car curtain was respectfully lifted, revealing Yongtai's face, which always wore a polite and humble smile.

"Your Majesty, please return to the palace. Your Majesty and the young ladies, please return to the palace."

Yan Shixu nodded and quickly regained his imperial dignity and majesty.

"Go back to Bixi Palace." He ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yongtai bowed and responded, immediately directing the ceremonial guard to lead the way.

The carriage rumbled to the front of the Bixi Palace.

Yan Shixu carefully handed Miaomiao, who was sleeping soundly in Wen Lier's arms, to Qiuying who was waiting beside him.

He then signaled the palace servants to carry Xiaoxiao and Tiantian, who were also half asleep, out of the carriage.

Finally, he reached out his hand, held Wen Li'er's wrist firmly, and helped her step out of the carriage.

Returning to the familiar palace, everything was naturally busy again.

Palace servants came and went, helping with washing and changing clothes, and serving hot tea and snacks. The warmth gradually returned to the palace.

After everything was tidied, Yan Shixu held Zhao Zhao and Mu Mu in his arms, rocking them gently and teasing them.

Wen Li'er also took out a delicate rattle and gently turned it to attract the attention of the two children.

The crisp "dong dong" sound echoed in the hall.

She raised her head slightly, looked at Yan Shixu's well-defined jawline, and called softly, "Your Majesty..."

"Um?"

Yan Shixu responded and looked down at her, his eyes as gentle as a calm lake.

Wen Li'er said, "Just now at the Wen Mansion, my mother told me a story about a girl who was kind to my grandmother."

She recounted in detail what her mother had said:

"When my grandmother was out, she suffered from a leg disease and was in unbearable pain. A girl who passed by gave her an acupuncture needle in time and stayed with her as an escort."

"My mother was kind-hearted. She felt sorry for her loneliness and helplessness, and out of gratitude for your kindness, she let her stay for a while."

"I, the concubine, also think it is a good fate. But..."

She paused, frowned slightly, and stroked the handle of the rattle with her fingertips, as if she was choosing her words.

"Just what?"

Yan Shixu keenly caught the hint of doubt in her tone, handed the two children in his arms to the wet nurse waiting beside him, and looked at her intently.

Wen Li'er pondered for a moment before saying, "I was thinking, this young lady carries silver needles with her, and she's able to accurately administer them, quickly alleviating the severe pain in my grandmother's legs from years of cold. This medical skill... doesn't seem to be something that an ordinary female doctor with only a superficial understanding can achieve."

"Grandmother's leg disease has been severe for many years. My sister-in-law and Doctor Wu have also treated her before. Although acupuncture can relieve the pain, it also requires finding the acupoints and inserting the needles accurately. It is very delicate and only experienced people can do it."

"For a woman who has wandered alone in the capital to possess such proficient acupuncture skills is truly... surprising."

She was not a suspicious person by nature, but since this matter involved her closest relatives, any unreasonable detail was worth pondering.

Upon hearing this, Yan Shixu's expression calmed down, and a sharp light flashed across his deep eyes.

He gently stroked Wen Li'er's satin-like hair and whispered, "Li'er is very thoughtful."

After a pause, he asked, "Do you know the girl's name and where she is from? I will send someone to investigate her background."

Wen Li'er replied, "Her surname is Yun, and her given name is Zhi. She is said to be from Jingzhou."

"Yunzhi? Jingzhou?" Yan Shixu frowned slightly when he heard this.

Is it her?

As soon as he arrived in Beijing, he was coincidentally connected with the Wen family and Li'er's grandmother.

Yan Shixu already knew that Yunzhi had followed Luo Yunzhen to the capital.

But Luo Yunzhen had no intention of bringing the person back to his mansion for resettlement.

Therefore, as soon as they entered the capital, Luo Yunzhen put Miss Yun down, gave her some money, and let her settle down on her own.

However, she never expected that she would pass by and help Li'er's grandmother when her leg disease relapsed, and was then taken back to the Wen Mansion by her kind mother-in-law...

Isn't this... a bit too coincidental?

Yan Shixu thought for a moment, then said to Wen Lier:

"My mother-in-law is kind-hearted. It's okay for me to stay for a while."

"However, I did have some contact with this woman when I was in Jingzhou."

"She is the girl who saved Yun Zhen's life. However, her origins are unknown, her teachers remain a mystery, and she possesses remarkable skills, so we must be wary."

"Don't worry, Li'er. I will immediately send someone to secretly monitor her to see if this is just a coincidence or if there is another purpose behind it."

"Until we find out, tell your mother-in-law to be on the lookout. To the outside world, just treat it as a simple benefactor taking you in. There's no need to alert the enemy."

Wen Li'er nodded in agreement.

"I understand. I will send someone out of the palace to give A Niang a message, reminding her to be vigilant and asking her to take good care of Grandmother."

A look of worry crossed her face. "Grandmother was frightened yesterday and walked a long way. Her leg pain must have worsened. I think that when I have time in the next two days, I must go and visit her in person."

"As you should."

Yan Shixu nodded and said, "After I finish the important court affairs of the past few days, I will accompany you. It would be a good opportunity to have Imperial Physician Wu accompany us so that he can give Grandmother a thorough examination."

He mentioned Doctor Wu in a natural and casual tone, but Wen Li'er heard a hidden meaning.

A knowing smile flashed in her eyes, and she leaned close to his ear and said playfully:

"Your Majesty, this is a brilliant move. Letting Imperial Physician Wu accompany us, firstly, allows him to examine Grandmother's legs; secondly, it allows him to interact more with Sister You. If they get along, it might be a match made in heaven."

Yan Shixu pinched her soft palm and said jokingly, "You are so smart."

Wen Li'er raised her chin slightly and chuckled with a hint of pride:

"Of course. My grandmother and her family entrusted the marriages of my two cousins ​​to my mother, so they trust her judgment. However, as her cousin, I have to keep an eye out for any problems, just in case, don't I?"

As the two were talking in low voices, Yongtai's respectful voice came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Pingnan and the General Protector of the Nation request an audience."

Su Muyang and Luo Yunzhen came to the palace together at this time, they must have something important to discuss.

Yan Shixu gently told Wen Li'er to rest early and not to wait for him.