Shen Hanshan frowned deeply. Power struggles are always wars without gunpowder. Moreover, when it involves a conflict between two countries, every step could conceal a deadly trap.
After bypassing the artificial hill and crossing the wooden bridge, he walked side by side with Zhao Zhi, his mind wandering as he considered various possibilities.
"Zhizhi, have you ever considered that Li Liang's capture might just be the beginning?" Shen Hanshan finally spoke, his voice low and serious.
Zhao Zhi stopped and turned to look at Shen Hanshan, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
"What do you mean? Do you think there's an even bigger conspiracy behind this?"
Shen Hanshan nodded, his gaze resolute.
"Yes, I always felt that everything went too smoothly, so smoothly that it seemed unreal. Although Li Liang is cunning, his power is deeply entrenched, and it's impossible for us to take him down so easily without any resistance. There must be someone manipulating things behind the scenes."
Zhao Zhi pondered for a moment. She knew that Shen Hanshan's intuition was always sharp and should not be underestimated. But she also knew very well that Yun Zhang had played a crucial role in Li Liang's quick capture.
Fearing that Shen Hanshan might overthink things, Zhao Zhi didn't reveal this point, but instead followed up with, "So, what do you think we should do?"
“We need more information,” Shen Hanshan replied. “I suggest we secretly investigate all the details before and after Li Liang’s arrest to see if there are any anomalies. At the same time, we should also strengthen the security at the Princess’s residence to prevent any unforeseen events.”
Zhao Zhi nodded in agreement.
“Okay, we’ll do as you say. The Chaoyang Garrison will fully cooperate with you. Also, I will personally interrogate Li Liang again to see if we can get any useful information out of him.”
After Zhao Zhi and Shen Hanshan finished their discussion, night had quietly fallen. The lights of Chaoyang County twinkled, reflecting the tranquility and unease of this ancient city.
She was thinking of her children whom she hadn't seen for months, and a surge of maternal tenderness welled up in her heart, dispelling the gloom around her.
Passing through the winding corridors, Zhao Zhi tiptoed into the bedroom, afraid of disturbing the children's sweet dreams.
Inside the palace, the wet nurse was gently humming a lullaby. The two little ones, Yunxuan and Yunxiao, lay in the soft brocade quilt, sleeping soundly, with satisfied smiles on their chubby little faces, as if all the troubles of the world had nothing to do with them.
Zhao Zhi slowly approached, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
She gently picked up Yunxuan, and the little girl seemed to sense her mother's warmth, her little hands unconsciously wrapping around her neck, letting out a contented murmur. Zhao Zhi's heart melted instantly, and all her weariness and worries vanished in that moment.
She lowered her head and gently kissed Yun Xuan's forehead, then turned her gaze to Yun Xiao, who was fast asleep beside her, her eyes filled with relief and reluctance.
"Children, your mother will try harder so that the three of us can be reunited as soon as possible." Zhao Zhi silently made a vow in her heart, then instructed the wet nurse to take good care of them, and turned to leave, preparing to return to Yunchao that very night.
But as soon as she stepped out of the palace, her mouth was covered and she was pulled into a room.
Upon smelling the familiar scent of soapberry, Zhao Zhi silently put away the silver needle she was holding.
"You miss the child, but don't you miss me?" The man's hot breath sprayed on Zhao Zhi's neck, making her feel itchy and tingly.
"Shen Hanshan, what are you doing?" Zhao Zhi's face flushed red, and she said in a low voice, "You can't do this here."
"Can we just go to the room?" Shen Hanshan asked tentatively.
Zhao Zhi lowered her head, the moonlight illuminating half of her flushed face. "If you don't speak, I'll take that as a yes." Shen Hanshan smiled, picked her up, and carried her into the bedroom through the other door.
Lanru, Nanxing, Fenghong, and the others covered their mouths and laughed when they saw this scene.
"Silly girl, what are you laughing at? Go and prepare hot soup for the Prince Consort and His Highness!" Lanru scolded playfully.
Nanxing suddenly realized what was happening and ran to the kitchen to give instructions, saying "Oh, oh."
Meanwhile, on the streets of Chaoyang County, Zhu Sanniang was walking hurriedly in the night, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Li Liang's drug-using men attacked the Chaoyang Garrison, and it's said many soldiers died. But without Zhao Zhi's orders, she cannot rashly go to investigate. Her status is now vastly different; she is no longer the Empress of Da Xuan, but a member of the Imperial Phoenix Guard of the Yun Dynasty. The country she represents and her stance are entirely different.
She was worried about her exiled father, brothers, sons, and nephews, but dared not rashly inquire about the situation of the garrison camp. Tonight, she had gone out to buy some daily necessities, but unexpectedly ran into Prefect Xu Hui at a street corner.
"Prefect Xu." She gave a slight curtsy.
Xu Hui was taken aback before noticing the woman in the outfit standing before him. He had seen Qin Sheng, then Empress, from afar at a palace banquet a few years ago. But the woman before him had a sallow complexion, and the gentle air about her was gone, replaced by a dashing and heroic spirit.
But His Majesty has already proclaimed to the world that Empress Qin Sheng has died, having been murdered by her half-sister along with her unborn child. Who is this person before me?
"Zhu Sanniang, Imperial Phoenix Guard of the Yun Dynasty, greets Your Excellency, Prefect." Zhu Sanniang noticed Xu Hui's confusion and explained with a smile.
Upon hearing the introduction, Xu Hui breathed a sigh of relief. "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."
Zhu Sanniang had no intention of continuing the conversation with him. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she turned and left. As the two passed each other, her gaze was drawn to a young man.
At that moment, she felt as if she had stopped breathing.
When she spoke to Xu Hui earlier, Qin Yu had already recognized her voice as unusually familiar. But with Xu Hui present, he dared not ask any questions until she introduced herself as a member of the Imperial Phoenix Guard of the Yun Dynasty. Only then did the light in Qin Yu's eyes slowly fade.
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