The night was as dark as ink, and the moonlight as smooth as silk.
In the Spring Morning Palace, spring colors seemed to burst forth; in the Imperial Radiance Palace, deathly silence reigned.
Yun Zhang lay on his back on the couch, fuming, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
The Zhao Zhi he knew was never interested in men.
But why did she say those frivolous things to me tonight? Unless that person is someone she cares about very much!
“No, that’s not right either! If the other person is someone she cares about deeply, why doesn’t he refute her calling him a ‘male concubine’?” Yun Zhang muttered to himself. He turned over and thought again, “Could it be that he really is a male concubine?”
"Although I have never forced anything in matters of the heart, where does her doing this leave me?"
Yun Zhang felt somewhat frustrated.
He took a deep breath. Since he couldn't sleep anyway, he got up and stood in front of the half-open window, letting the night breeze blow on him.
"There must be something I've overlooked," he thought, pinching his brow. "Could she be being coerced? I'd rather it was Shen Hanshan."
The more Yunzhang thought about it, the more his heart ached, feeling conflicted, sour, and filled with mixed emotions.
Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, falling on Yunzhang's face and revealing his deeply furrowed brows.
"No, I have to go and find out more."
Having made up his mind, he changed into a set of night clothes, avoided the patrolling guards, left through the secret door of Chenhui Palace, leaped onto the glazed roof, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.
As they passed a rockery, a faint conversation suddenly reached Yunzhang's ears.
A chill ran down his spine. He crept closer, pressing his ear against the crack in the rock, trying to see who was there.
"Minister Shen, how is the matter progressing?" A deep and authoritative voice rang out. Yun Zhang frowned slightly. If he remembered correctly, this person should be Emperor Zhao Yi of the Great Xuan Dynasty, whom he had just met once.
But didn't he go back to the embassy to rest a long time ago?
So late at night, still in their Yun Dynasty's palace. Clearly, the visitors are up to no good. At the same time, this incident also reminds Yun Zhang that the security in their palace is far too lax!
"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is under control." Another voice rang out, followed by one with a hint of smugness and arrogance, "This Empress may be an unruly little wildcat in front of outsiders, but when she comes to me, all her claws have to be obediently put away."
She thought she was the ruler of this land, little did she know, she had already walked into a trap I had meticulously laid.
Hearing this, Yun Zhang's chest heaved with anger. He gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly, "Shen Hanshan, you beast!"
Zhao Yi chuckled lightly, his voice full of calculation: "Very good. I like people like you who are efficient and meticulous."
Remember, our goal is not merely to control her, but to completely dismantle her regime and let the dragon flag of the Great Xuan fly over every corner of the Yun Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, I have always kept the purpose of this trip in mind. What kind of bullshit girls' academy is this? Women's virtue lies in their lack of talent. What kind of order is this if the world is manipulated by women?!"
"Exactly!"
Yun Zhang's heart sank. He never expected that Zhao Zhi was facing such a severe crisis, and that the mastermind behind it all was Shen Hanshan, who had always kept Zhao Zhi's chastity, and the high and mighty Emperor of Da Xuan!
Anger, worry, and an indescribable impulse swirled in his chest. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.
"Trying to harm the Emperor? Not a chance! Your wicked plans will not succeed!"
Yun Zhang secretly vowed that he had to do something quickly to protect Zhao Zhi and this land from the scourge of war and intrigue.
However, he was clear-headed and knew he couldn't act rashly, as that would only alert the other side. He had to be careful and find the best opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
Just as Yun Zhang was about to leave quietly, a series of rhythmic footsteps approached from afar, as if someone was getting closer.
His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly hid in the nearby flower bushes, holding his breath and waiting for the situation to unfold.
Before long, several patrolling guards arrived. After surveying the area around the artificial hill, they found no one there. One of the guards muttered to himself, "Strange, we clearly heard someone talking here just now."
Immediately, he seemed to realize something, his gaze quickly sweeping towards where Yun Zhang was hiding. He frowned slightly and said, "Alas, perhaps it's because the Emperor of Da Xuan is coming that we're too nervous, to the point that we're seeing threats everywhere."
Upon hearing this, the others laughed heartily, yawned, and continued patrolling other areas.
After the others had gone far away, Yun Zhang quietly sneaked into Chunzhao Palace and tiptoed towards Zhao Zhi's bedroom.
Through the flickering candlelight and the hazy gauze curtains, he could only make out an elegant figure lying face inward.
Indeed, there was only one person in the bedroom.
A chill suddenly ran through Yun Zhang's heart. Could it be that what he had just heard was true?
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