At six quarters past midnight, Zuo An sent Si Chengfeng back to Yixia Garden, and then went back to the ear room in Lingkun Courtyard where Mu Lige was to rest.

Although Zuo An and Hua Qingcheng are now married, it does not affect Zuo An's continued fulfillment of his promise to protect Mu Lige during his pregnancy.

“Knock knock knock~”

Unexpectedly, just as Zuo An lay down, there was a knock on the door.

"Uncle Zuo, are you asleep?" Shu Mo, who was ordered to find Zuo An, asked softly while knocking on the door.

He waited for a while, but there was still no movement from inside. Just as Shumo was hesitating whether to knock again, the door suddenly opened.

Zuo An, who was sleeping in his clothes, opened the door swiftly. However, he crossed his arms and looked at Shu Mo, who was standing at the door, with an amused look on his face. The latter felt uneasy when he saw him.

"Shumo, why are you here so late at night instead of sleeping?"

Zuo An leaned against the door frame, looking at Shu Mo with interest. His eyes were filled with a playful amusement and a gentleness that he didn't have elsewhere. This Zuo An was undoubtedly alive.

"The Crown Princess has summoned you." Shu Mo swallowed slightly and spoke concisely.

Shu Mo had always been clever and intelligent, adept at reading people's expressions. While the man before him didn't yet hold an official position within the Eastern Palace, Shu Mo knew it was only a matter of time. Therefore, he didn't truly regard Zuo An as merely his master's bodyguard, but rather treated him with the respect he would give to a princess serving the emperor.

"I understand."

Although Zuo An was tired of the cumbersome rules of the palace, the woman he loved was a princess, so he had to try his best to adapt to these rules. However, it was obviously impossible for him to completely abandon his nature and become a well-behaved harem man.

After a while, Zuo An arrived at Mu Lige's dormitory.

"What do you want from me?"

Although Zuo An's attitude still looked unruly, he held no malice in it. His eyes revealed a firmness and confidence, as if nothing in the world could stop him.

Mu Lige, who was very familiar with Zuo An's arrogant temperament, was not angry. He knew that Zuo An's unruly attitude was not directed at him personally, but was his attitude towards the whole world, including Hua Qingcheng.

"Fifth brother, is he... okay?"

In front of the Bailing stage in the room, Mu Lige was wearing a dark-colored casual suit. Although he had a big belly, his handsome appearance remained the same, as if a ray of warm sunshine shone from him, unknowingly warming the people around him.

"It's not bad. I just nearly got killed by that old hag Yu Lianhuan. With me here, who can really hurt Si Chengfeng?"

Zuo An was arrogant and confident, with a nonchalant air, as if he was saying something like "The weather is nice today."

"What do you mean by that?"

Mu Lige, who was already worried about Si Chengfeng's late return, felt even more uneasy at this moment.

Mu Lige's handsome brows knitted slightly, like ripples on a tranquil lake. A flicker of worry flashed across his star-like eyes, dimming them like the brightness of a bright moon suddenly obscured by a dark cloud.

"It's related to Si Tianyu and Nangong Chen..."

Zuo An, who didn't want to say much, was afraid that Mu Lige would have wild thoughts, so he simply and clearly told her about Yu Lianhuan's assassination of Si Chengfeng, as well as her account of how Meng Lishi was deceived by Si Tianyu and how Si Tianyu poisoned her with the thousand-year-old ice toad poison.

"Meng Lishi is so unlucky to meet Si Tianyu!" Mu Lige couldn't help but feel sorry for the talented man who met the wrong person.

"I know you have a kind heart, but... now that you're about to give birth, it's best not to get involved in these messy matters. As long as I'm here, the East Palace... will be fine!"

After a moment's thought, Zuo An finally spoke out what was in his heart. Although his words were not gentle, they revealed his concern, and Mu Lige smiled slightly when he heard them.

On the other side, as soon as Si Chengfeng stepped into Yixia Garden, Jiangyi reported to him that Si Lingyun had been waiting for him in the hall for most of the day.

Si Chengfeng sneered slightly, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of his lips, but it was fleeting.

Strolling through the Yixia Garden, palace lanterns flickered along the way, but Si Chengfeng had no intention of appreciating the night view. He knew that Si Lingyun must have come to the Yixia Garden for something concerning the Si family.

Arriving in the hall, Si Chengfeng spotted a familiar figure. Si Lingyun, his half-brother, only half a year younger than him, a lord who had always lorded it over him, now looked haggard. His eyes revealed a hint of anxiety, but more of it was confusion and uneasiness.

"Meet Si Liangce!"

As Si Chengfeng entered the hall, several servants from Yixia Garden, led by Chu Wei, stepped forward and saluted him. Si Chengfeng nodded slightly, then went straight to the seat at the head and sat down. He waved his hand for them to leave, leaving only Jiang Yi and Chu Wei.

"Lingyun pays his respects to Si Liangce." Si Lingyun, who had learned his lesson, saluted Si Chengfeng very politely.

"I wonder what brings Si Chenghui here to me?" Si Chengfeng picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. He glanced at Si Lingyun who was standing below, and opened his thin lips and spoke lightly.

"Brother~"

Si Lingyun made up his mind and knelt down heavily in the direction of Si Chengfeng.

"The Si family is in big trouble. Now you are the only one who has the ability to save the Si family..."

Si Lingyun cried bitterly while playing the emotional card.

"You and Her Highness the Crown Princess have known each other since childhood. Your affection is undoubtedly beyond the reach of those of us who have come later. If you ask Her Highness the Crown Princess to speak well of the Si family to the Emperor, the Si family will surely be saved from danger."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!