"You're awake?" Leng Yue had just opened her eyes when she heard the Regent's voice.

Leng Yue wanted to rub her eyes, but she didn't expect that the slightest movement would cause pain all over her body. Leng Yue was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face, and she could only hiss as she gasped for breath.

"Does it really hurt that much?" The Regent had been standing by Leng Yue's bedside watching her. Seeing her like this, he asked again, "Can you still take a carriage back to the palace in this condition?"

Leng Yue looked at him in surprise, "You didn't go to Mingyang Mountain?" Going to Mingyang Mountain to pay respects to one's ancestors carries a different significance. Ye Rufeng actually gave up this opportunity; Leng Yue couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Regent Ye Rufeng's eyes flickered. "I can't leave the Emperor here alone. I was worried, so I apologized to the Empress Dowager and stayed."

Leng Yue didn't ask any more questions, only saying, "Thank you for saving me today, otherwise I definitely wouldn't be able to recover here so peacefully."

Ye Rufeng didn't say anything. Normally, it was only natural for a subject to save the emperor. However, their situation was different; Ye Rufeng had only saved the young emperor out of pity. Therefore, Ye Rufeng couldn't bring himself to say "it was my duty."

Here, no one is obligated to do anything; it's all about conflicting interests. As someone who knows the inside story, Ye Rufeng genuinely feels sorry for the young emperor, but he's truly useless!

"Can you ride in a carriage like this? Can you hold on a little longer? It's not safe here, and it'll be dark soon." Ye Rufeng continued the previous topic. His pity for the young emperor didn't mean he would always indulge him. This was their only entanglement.

Leng Yue knew that Ye Rufeng's words were his final ultimatum. What could she do if she disagreed? Did he expect him to go along with her? Impossible.

Rather than an ugly ending, it's better to be pragmatic. Leng Yue nodded, "We can persevere. Please, Lord Ye, put in more soft blankets."

Since you can't avoid it, why not make yourself more comfortable?

As expected, Ye Rufeng smiled faintly when he saw Leng Yue's reaction. "Don't worry, I'll have someone do it."

Ye Rufeng acted swiftly; in less than fifteen minutes, the group, lightly equipped, headed back home. To avoid attracting attention, Ye Rufeng and Leng Yue dressed simply and plainly. Unsuspecting people would only think they were ordinary travelers on their way, and wouldn't suspect their true identities. Unless someone was watching them closely!

Leng Yue lay sprawled inside the carriage. She didn't know the robber's identity, nor whether he would return. All she knew was that she couldn't withstand another ordeal. Leng Yue was absolutely certain that if it happened again, she would be reborn on the spot!

Fortunately, everything was calm on the way back, and Leng Yue finally returned safely to her palace.

Lying in bed, Leng Yue felt a mix of emotions. "He'er?"

"Is His Majesty feeling unwell?" He'er asked, bringing over some ointment. "Would you like some ointment applied?"

Leng Yue shook her head. "No, although it still hurts, it doesn't need any medicine. He'er, can you talk to me?"

"What would Your Majesty like to talk about?" He'er did not refuse.

"I'd like to talk about Qingluan. Do you know her?" Leng Yue, who had betrayed Zhan Wudi, was wavering. She didn't know if Qingluan was truly sincere. So, she couldn't help but ask around.

He'er thought for a moment, "I've met Miss Qingluan a few times, but I'm not familiar with her."

"What kind of person do you think she is?" Leng Yue asked again.

He'er shook her head. "I can't quite put my finger on it. I just feel that Miss Qingluan is very serious and cautious. She does things in a very methodical way, which sometimes makes people forget her age."

"Yes, Qingluan always acts very composed, which makes people forget that she is only fifteen or sixteen years old." Leng Yue sighed. Fifteen or sixteen years old is the prime of life in modern times. People are either studying or showing off their youth in front of their parents, either being spoiled or rebellious.

Here, however, Qingluan had vanished without a trace.

"He'er, what about you? Will you be able to leave the palace in two more years?" He'er is already in her early twenties. Palace maids can apply to leave the palace and go home after they turn twenty.

Hearing Leng Yue's question, He'er smiled bitterly, "What good would leaving the palace do? He's long gone."

"Him?" Leng Yue perked up immediately, sensing there was more to this story. "Is he your lover?"

He'er blushed slightly. "He's not my lover, just my cousin."

"Aren't most of the cousins ​​married?" Leng Yue asked, and He'er couldn't help but smile bitterly again.

“My cousin… he has someone he likes!” He’er’s expression grew increasingly strange. “But the person he likes doesn’t like him back. Originally, seeing that there was no hope for my cousin to marry that woman, I thought I’d leave the palace as soon as possible, so that I could just stay by his side. Who knew, who knew… alas, fate is truly cruel!”

Leng Yue was engrossed in listening when He'er suddenly stopped talking. "What happened to your cousin in the end?"

He'er looked at Leng Yue, "That woman married the wrong person and was tortured to death by her husband's family not long after. My cousin was furious and went to confront that family, but they accused him of being an adulterer. To prove his innocence, my cousin committed suicide on the spot."

"They went too far, and your cousin is so pitiful." Leng Yue couldn't understand why people in ancient times would commit suicide to prove their innocence over a disagreement. Every time she heard about such things, Leng Yue felt sorry for him.

It's often said that good people don't live long, while evil ones live on for a thousand years. Isn't that true? Those who are principled and considerate of others often find themselves exhausted and prone to a shorter lifespan. On the other hand, those who act impulsively and willfully are mostly selfish. Such people live happier lives, and therefore tend to live longer.

However, it is people who are principled and considerate of others who can create greater value for society! Therefore, Leng Yue always feels sorry whenever she hears about such things.

"Yes, my cousin was so pitiful, and it's such a pity. He was such a talented and kind person, yet he died so inexplicably." He'er said, her eyes glistening with tears. "Later, with the Empress Dowager's permission, I avenged him, but he can never come back!"

Leng Yue nodded, "Separated by life and death, how can he come back!" But then she felt something was off, so she comforted He'er, "Actually, you don't need to be so sad. Someone as good as your cousin is probably already living a life of luxury in a wealthy family. Don't be sad!"

"Really?" He'er wiped away her tears. "If my cousin really becomes the child of a wealthy family, that would be wonderful."

"Of course, of course, that's definitely how it is, don't worry." Leng Yue nodded affirmatively, and He'er's complexion indeed improved a lot.

"I've been holding this in for a long time, and I feel much better after talking to you," He'er said somewhat embarrassedly. She had previously thought about showing off to the Emperor like Li Zi. Moreover, her attitude before hadn't been very good.

Leng Yue shook her head indifferently, "Talking to me makes my injuries hurt less, but it made you cry."

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other and smiled. Leng Yue was unaware that her unintentional act today had sown the seeds of good karma for her future.