As Shen Mingzhuang listened, she suddenly felt as if her heart had been violently thrown to the ground. The shattering pain in that instant caused her tears to flow uncontrollably. She buried her face in Jiang Wang's chest, and all sorts of emotions—wronged, bitter, or reluctant—overwhelmed by the exhaustion of a sleepless night, surged forth in an instant.

"I won't allow you to say such things, I won't allow it..."

She reached out and punched Jiang Wang in the chest a few times, her eyes and nose red as she looked at him.

Jiang Wang felt a pang of sadness as he looked at her, and his chest felt as if something was blocking it. He tilted his head back slightly and hugged the person in his arms even tighter, not wanting her to see him like this.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore!"

Jiang Wang whispered in her ear as if coaxing a child, but Shen Mingzhuang could hear the sobbing in his voice.

After thinking for a moment, she took a deep breath and slowly pushed Jiang Wang's hand away, wiping away her tears, and said to Jiang Wang, "I will not let you die, no matter what."

Her tone was resolute, an unwavering stance.

Jiang Wang's lips twitched, he opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't say anything and just nodded.

Regardless, he didn't want to extinguish her hope, even if it was all self-deception.

Shen Mingzhuang smiled, his bright and beautiful appearance making him feel both happy and sad. However, he was used to not showing his emotions on his face. He instructed Tan Yonglin, "Send the Empress back to the palace."

The words "send the Empress back to the palace" made Shen Mingzhuang feel as if something had slipped from her heart, leaving her feeling somewhat empty.

She took two steps, then couldn't help but look back again. Jiang Wang was standing with his hands behind his back. His casually scattered gray hair and his black brocade robe with gold dragon patterns gave him a sense of aloofness and desolation.

Shen Mingzhuang felt a lump in his throat and turned to leave.

Following Jiang Wang's orders, Tan Yonglin stayed close to Shen Mingzhuang at a leisurely pace. Shen Mingzhuang wanted to tell him to go back first, but before he could speak, he thought of something.

She asked Tan Yonglin, "Who was that monk who asked His Majesty to take his heart's blood?"

Upon hearing this, Tan Yonglin immediately became troubled.

It concerns the Emperor; a single misstep could lead to his death. How could he possibly say such a thing?

Shen Mingzhuang was naturally aware of Tan Yonglin's concerns, so he said, "You don't need to feel embarrassed. This matter is not a secret. If I wanted to know, it wouldn't be difficult for me."

Tan Yonglin thought about it and realized that it made sense. He immediately dismissed his doubts, chuckled twice, and said, "It's Master Ciyuan from Xiangguo Temple."

Master Ciyuan of Xiangguo Temple? Shen Mingzhuang frowned. "I understand. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this. I just want to ask Master Ciyuan about what happened back then."

Tan Yonglin chuckled twice and nodded, "Your Majesty, please give me your orders, and this old servant will do my utmost without hesitation."

Shen Mingzhuang smiled upon hearing this, and had Man Huan give Tan Yonglin two large red envelopes before seeing him off.

Shen Mingzhuang then called Xiao Dianzi in. After what happened in the Cold Palace last time, Xiao Dianzi was extremely wary of the Empress, fearing that the Empress might suddenly decide to go to the Cold Palace again.

The news of Liu Wenxin's execution had haunted him for two days, and he had only just recovered. When he heard Shen Mingzhuang calling him, he immediately ran over, his demeanor becoming increasingly respectful and courteous.

Shen Mingzhuang was in a very heavy mood, but when she turned her head and saw the little dot that looked like a lapdog, she was both amused and exasperated. She hadn't done anything wrong, so why was the little dot so afraid of her?

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

He bowed, waiting for Shen Mingzhuang's instructions.

"Oh, I was just thinking that I left something in the Cold Palace. Could you go and look for it for me?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dianzi's legs went weak with fear. To the Cold Palace? "Your Majesty...?"

He looked at Shen Mingzhuang pleadingly, wanting her to retract the order. Shen Mingzhuang was just teasing him unconsciously because of his pathetic appearance; she didn't have time to joke around with anyone.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. I have something serious to tell you to do."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dianzi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he didn't go to the Cold Palace, that was good. But his heart, which had just been at ease, immediately jumped again. He glanced timidly at the Empress and wondered to himself, "Could there be a place even more terrifying than the Cold Palace?"

Have you ever been to Xiangguo Temple?

While Xiao Dianzi was still thinking, Shen Mingzhuang asked casually.

"I've been there." When Xiao Dianzi heard the name Xiangguo Temple, she finally felt relieved. It wasn't a gravesite or a cold palace, but a temple. It seemed that Her Majesty the Empress wanted to go to worship Buddha.

As he was guessing, Shen Mingzhuang's voice rang out unhurriedly: "Go out of the palace this afternoon, go to Xiangguo Temple, find a Master Ciyuan, and ask him to come to the palace."

Xiao Dianzi was taken aback. It wasn't about burning incense, but about going to find someone?

"This servant understands. This servant will go and make preparations immediately."

Suppressing her doubts, Xiao Dianzi smiled and agreed.

Upon seeing this, Shen Mingzhuang finally smiled.

When Man Huan returned, Shen Mingzhuang had someone prepare a bath for her. She was exhausted, and a hot spring bath might help relieve her fatigue. She needed to be in good spirits so that she could concentrate on finding a way to save Jiang Wang.

The imperial physicians in the palace were all helpless, so ordinary medicines were probably ineffective. Surrounded by warmth, she gradually relaxed, smelling the faint fragrance of flowers. Her whole body was enveloped in the heat. She closed her eyes, and her consciousness entered the space.

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