The two were immersed in the hallucinatory ecstasy and boundless wildness created by the drug, their vulgar words and shocking plots echoing in the empty bedroom, completely unguarded!

Just then, outside the heavy, carved wooden door of the bedchamber, an old and hunched figure stood frozen in place! Xi Linghao! He had fallen asleep early, comforted by Lianxing, because of his troubled mind, but then he remembered his reprimand of Ayuan during the day, and felt a strange emptiness and regret in his heart.

He had an inexplicable urge to see Lianxing, and without informing the palace servants, he only brought two personal eunuchs. Upon reaching the palace, he found the doors tightly shut. His trusted palace maid, who was guarding the gate, tried frantically to announce his arrival, but he stopped her with a cold glare. He dismissed the eunuchs, telling them to wait at a distance, and then tiptoed, intending to give Lianxing a "surprise."

Who would have thought that just as he reached the palace entrance, he would hear strange, blush-inducing sounds coming from inside! He initially thought it was Lianxing masturbating, and a pang of pity and lust even rose in his heart. But as he held his breath and listened closely, the intermittent yet crystal-clear obscene words and shocking conspiracy were like poisoned ice picks, piercing his eardrums and his heart!

"Old good-for-nothing...can't satisfy you..."

"Find an opportunity...to kill the old bastard..."

"Having conceived your child... saying it's a posthumous child... then the entire Xiling Empire... will be ours..."

Every word was like the most vicious curse and the sharpest dagger! Xi Linghao felt ice-cold all over, as if he had fallen into an ice cave! His blood seemed to freeze instantly, then rush to his head! He clutched his chest tightly, and immense anger, betrayal, shame, and fear instantly engulfed him! His vision blurred, and he almost couldn't stand! He suddenly raised his foot and, with all his might, kicked the tightly closed palace door hard!

Clang

Clang

A loud bang shattered the deathly silence of Lanyue Pavilion!

Inside Qiwu Palace, A Yuan and Xiao Chengkang sat facing each other, playing chess. They appeared calm, but in reality, they were both waiting for news from Lanyue Pavilion. Xi Lingche was also placed in a side hall, under the close protection of trusted guards.

Suddenly, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps approached from afar! The Shadow Guard leader appeared in the hall like a ghost, kneeling on one knee, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of lingering fear: "Young Master! Princess! It's done! His Majesty... His Majesty went to Lan Yue Pavilion alone! He heard... He heard everything!"

Ah Yuan's hand holding the chess piece hovered in mid-air. She exchanged a glance with Xiao Chengkang, and a sharp light flashed in their eyes at the same time!

"And then?" Xiao Chengkang asked calmly and in a deep voice.

"His Majesty was furious! He kicked open the palace door on the spot! Inside... the scene was appalling! Lianxing and Zhao Zheng were still under the influence of the drug and were behaving in a disgraceful manner... His Majesty was so angry that he vomited blood on the spot! He has ordered that the two adulterers to be arrested and thrown into the death row! Kunning Palace... has also been surrounded by the Imperial Guards!" The Shadow Guard leader spoke very quickly.

A-Yuan slowly put down the chess piece, a cold, relieved smile curving her lips. She looked at Xiao Chengkang, her eyes filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and the tacit understanding of fighting side by side: "Kang Kang, we... won this game."

Xiao Chengkang grasped her hand and squeezed it tightly: "Yes, but the storm has only just begun."

Just then, the door to the side hall was suddenly pushed open, and Xi Lingche rushed in, his face pale. He had clearly heard the commotion as well: "Royal Sister! Prince Kang! What...what happened outside? Father Emperor..."

Seeing his panicked expression, A Yuan stood up and walked to him, her voice steady: "Che'er, don't be afraid. The person who harmed you has been brought to justice. The truth has come to light." She briefly recounted Lianxing and Zhao Zheng's conspiracy.

Xi Lingche was stunned, cold sweat pouring down his back. The immense fear made his legs weak: "So...so that's how it is...she...she was so vicious! She even tried to murder Father!" His gaze towards A Yuan was filled with gratitude and dependence. "Royal Sister! Thank you so much!"