Standing in the darkness, Yi Chenli had long since seen the most despicable side of imperial power.

Even so, when faced with such a pure and sincere girl, Yi Chenli was still willing to use all his beauty and kindness to preserve the girl's goodness, while letting him face the darkness head-on.

A girl like An Yuan'er deserves the best love in the world and should only have happiness.

Yi Chenli couldn't bear to do those dirty things and ruin the girl's happiness and joy, so he didn't say anything.

"Round and chubby is fine as she is now, and you shouldn't tell her."

Li Gui understood his master's intentions and nodded.

"Go and warn Consort Li that since she has gained power over the six palaces, she must be even more cautious in her actions. The Empress has fallen this time, but I'm afraid it won't be long before..."

"What does Master mean?"

"The Murong family's rise to power is temporary, and all the Empress's suppression is only temporary. Be prepared to deal with it."

Li Gui dared not underestimate the importance of this: "Yes, this servant understands. This servant will go right away."

*

Li Gui hurried along the side path towards Lichun Palace, but was startled by a small body that suddenly appeared halfway there.

Upon seeing who it was, Li Gui finally came to his senses: "My little aunt, what are you doing here? Didn't you just go back with your father? Your sudden appearance almost scared this old servant half to death."

An Yuan'er touched her head shyly: "I only dared to come to find you after I saw you and Yi Chen separate. Who knew that Father-in-law walked so fast and I couldn't keep up, which scared him."

"Do you have something to discuss with this old servant?" Li Gui hadn't expected An Yuan'er to come to him alone.

An Yuan'er nodded.

An Yuan'er secretly pulled Eunuch Li into the bushes and whispered in his ear.

Li Gui knew that An Yuan'er was precocious despite her young age. Suddenly, he had a sudden inspiration and said before An Yuan'er could speak, "Miss An, please don't give this old servant any strange or difficult questions. This old servant is really too cautious."

An Yuan'er smiled sweetly and patted Li Gui's shoulder reassuringly: "Father-in-law, don't be afraid. Yuan'er is just a little girl. What difficulties could she possibly pose to you?"

After An Yuan'er finished speaking, she slipped a delicate little bottle into Eunuch Li's hand.

Eunuch Li opened his hand and exclaimed, "What's this?"

An Yuan'er whispered, "This is my father's treasured medicine for many years, the best medicine for treating minor wounds. It will definitely not leave any marks after use."

Li Gui was shocked: "Miss An, why are you giving this to this old servant?"

Then he thought, "Do you already know?"

Li Gui remembered that her master had instructed her not to say anything.

He avoided eye contact and said, "Such good medicine, Miss An must keep it for herself. This old servant is too tough to use such medicine."

An Yuan'er crossed her arms, looking at him like he was an idiot: "Father-in-law's acting is terrible, you don't need to act with Yuan'er anymore."

"Yuan'er didn't want Yi Chenli to know about this in the first place. Father-in-law, you don't need to feel burdened. Just say that you got the medicine through your own channels, and please don't mention me."

Li Gui thought that An Yuan'er would keep bothering her with questions, but the girl really gave her the medicine and repeatedly told her to give it to Yi Chenli. After that, she didn't say anything more and left through the side path.

Li Gui realized this too late, and suddenly understood.

His eyes suddenly welled up with tears; it turned out that Miss An and her master were doing the same thing.

They were both thinking of each other. One of them knew everything but kept it a secret, while the other had guessed everything but pretended not to know.

They carefully protected each other's sensitivities, vulnerabilities, and unspoken thoughts.