He looked up and surveyed the unfamiliar capital city.
This place is not as bustling as the capital city of Wanling, and there are fewer pedestrians on the streets than on the main street of Wanling.
The architectural styles are also quite different, each possessing its own unique charm.
Just before entering Yunmeng City, Nangong Zeyue instructed his fellow disciples to put away the flags and sails.
He concluded that Mo Ziyan would not dare to carry out an assassination openly in the capital.
Passersby cast curious glances at the elegant young man in fine clothes leading a group of people toward the palace.
When a girl cast a bold glance at her, Nangong Zeyue no longer felt uncomfortable.
Countless girls fell for him along the way.
Having previously studied the customs and traditions of the Liang Kingdom at the Honglu Temple, he had some understanding of the local people, but when it came to facing them himself, he was not used to it for a while.
Upon entering the capital, Gong Xishuo and his envoys were no longer sleepy.
I'm finally back alive.
Seeing that it was still early, none of them planned to go home. They were all seething with anger and felt they had to go to the Emperor to complain.
Inside the palace, the guards were stopped outside the Liang Kingdom's royal palace.
"Please inform him that the envoy sent to Wanling has returned."
The guards were loyal to the emperor. When the envoys went to Wanling, they received a secret order to report to the palace as soon as they saw the envoys' group return.
The emperor's palace was guarded by guards, and the guards who stopped him were clearly the kind of people who ate and slept wherever they pleased.
Having received news of the Crown Prince's return, they deliberately made things difficult for the messenger.
The guard said coldly, "His Majesty has just taken his medicine and lay down. If we disturb His Majesty's rest, we will both be punished. The envoys have returned and should go home. We can report on things tomorrow."
The guard was stunned by the words of the attendant and stood there, not knowing what to do.
Everyone knows that His Majesty's health is deteriorating.
When the emperor issued the secret order, he did not specify how to handle special circumstances.
Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, the guard pointed to Jingping Palace where Mo Ziyan was staying, "His Majesty is unwell. You can go and report to the Third Prince, and he will handle it."
"No, I will wait here and report to His Majesty when he wakes up."
The guard estimated that the envoy would enter the palace in about 15 minutes, and it didn't matter whether he could see the emperor at this moment.
"When did it become the Third Prince's place to decide the Emperor's affairs!"
A cold and sharp voice rang out behind the two, startling the guards who immediately turned around and knelt down.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"
"Your Majesty, the envoys have returned to the capital, and with them came..." The guard was interrupted by the Empress before he could finish speaking.
"Come with me to see the Emperor."
The guard stood up and raised his head slightly. He saw that the person in front of him was dressed in fine clothes. His eyes seemed to have experienced many storms and were slightly weathered. He had an elegant and dignified demeanor.
The phoenix crown she wore signified her status as empress.
With just one glance, the guard immediately lowered his head and followed.
It's said that the Empress spends all her time in the Buddhist hall studying scriptures and doesn't care about the affairs of the inner palace. Why does she not seem like that today?
Could the rumors be wrong?
The rumors were true. From the moment she lost her beloved son, the Empress began to sink into despair.
Especially since she never gave birth to another prince, she had given up on competing for fame and fortune with the other women in the harem.
She handed over the power to manage the affairs of the inner palace to Consort Jing, and devoted herself to studying the classics and doing good deeds.
Until one day, her maid excitedly told her, "Your Majesty, great news! I heard that His Highness is still alive, and the Emperor is preparing to send an envoy to Wanling to welcome him."
The Empress believed the palace maid's words. The palace maids all had close sisters working in other palaces, and it was inevitable that information would be leaked when they contacted each other in private.
The Empress had been oblivious to the world around her for many years, but she was not blind to it.
She knew perfectly well what kind of monsters and demons were in the palace.
She had her suspicions about Consort Lan, but she lacked the evidence to bring her to justice.
Her seductive methods were unmatched by any other woman in the harem. As the third prince came of age, she practically ruled the harem with absolute power.
Upon learning that her son was still alive, her extinguished candle flame was rekindled.
She summoned her loyal former officials and told them about Nanzhao's ambitious plans.
Those former officials had long harbored resentment towards the arrogant and domineering third prince.
Seeing that the Empress had cheered up, they all offered suggestions on how to deal with the upcoming battle for the throne.
The Empress came to see the Emperor today to see if there was any news of the envoys returning home.
From the day the envoy left Yunmeng City, the Empress had people prepare the palace for her son while counting down the days until the envoy's return.
She figured she should be back in a few days, but she didn't expect to encounter this scene outside the palace.
In the emperor's bedchamber, the Liang emperor lay listlessly on the dragon bed.
Approaching fifty, his face was slightly pale, and his brows and eyes were lined with the wrinkles left by the years.
A faint medicinal scent permeated the hall. When the palace maid saw the Empress pause slightly as she entered, she quickly went to the incense burner, picked up a feather fan, and gently waved it. The pleasant fragrance quickly masked the unpleasant medicinal smell.
Despite his frail health, Emperor Liang still held a scroll of memorials in his hand.
Upon seeing the Empress enter, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
After the Empress greeted the guards, she summoned them in.
"Really? My son, he really is back?" Upon hearing the guard's report, the Emperor of Liang grabbed the Empress's hand, his beard trembling with excitement.
Seeing that the Emperor seemed much better, the Empress instructed her maid to reward the guard who had brought the news before letting him leave.
The Empress was virtuous and kind, and treated the concubines in the harem with great kindness. Although the Emperor favored Consort Lan a little more.
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