Man Huan hurriedly got up from the footstool. The weather in May was already a bit hot. Man Huan was worried that her mistress might need to drink water or fetch things at night, so she took a thin blanket and slept on the footstool. As soon as Shen Mingzhuang woke up, she was startled awake.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Shen Mingzhuang shook her head. A gust of wind blew in from somewhere, and she couldn't help but shiver. Only then did she belatedly realize that she was covered in a cold sweat.

Has no one been outside?

Man Huan listened, somewhat confused. Who would come at this hour?

The thought had barely formed when a muffled rumble of thunder rolled by outside, like a cartwheel rolling over a muffled drum, inexplicably making one's heart tighten.

After the thunder, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside, followed by Xiao Dianzi's voice from outside the door: "Your Majesty! There's a fire at the East Palace. The thunder sparks an old tree, and somehow no one noticed. The fire can't be put out anytime soon."

Suddenly, a fire broke out at the East Palace. Shen Mingzhuang lowered his eyes, a hint of sadness rising in them.

Tomorrow, there is another tough battle to fight. I don’t know how many people will sacrifice themselves in this battle. Every power struggle will inevitably be stained with blood. But thinking about it, I feel that my sadness is too superfluous. Aren’t royal power and wealth all built on bones?

The light in Shen Mingzhuang's eyes gradually faded. She came to her senses, nodded, and Manhuan called out loudly, "Your Majesty understands."

Xiao Dianzi was puzzled upon hearing this. Such a big matter, wasn't the Empress worried? The Crown Prince was still in the Eastern Palace!

The fire at the Eastern Palace was very strange. Despite the heavy rain, the fire burned all night long, and thick smoke still filled the sky at dawn. In the Hall of State Affairs, a room full of ministers were bustling about, whispering and speculating whether His Majesty would appear that day.

The chief steward of the daily tales confidently declared that His Majesty would announce the arrangements today. But if His Majesty could still attend court, how could he have neglected state affairs for so long?

The fire at the Eastern Palace last night has also sparked much discussion, with all sorts of opinions being expressed.

As the scheduled time for court was fast approaching, the discussions grew even more intense.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), there was still no sign of the Emperor.