Upon hearing He Beiyi's instructions, the Empress immediately whispered a few words to the people beside her, instructing them to withdraw the people who had ambushed them along the road as soon as possible!
She was extremely unwilling, clenching her teeth tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh.
Tonight, she went to great lengths to kill Li Yunyan, thinking she was doomed! Yet that bitch managed to escape!
She was unwilling to accept it!
She tried her best to maintain a calm expression, so that no one could tell that something was wrong.
A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, casting flickering light and shadow on the Empress's face. In her heart, she thought bitterly: Li Yunyan! Just you wait! Your luck won't last forever!
*
Upon arriving at Chonghua Palace, Granny Li quickly arranged for people to bring hot water and prepare ginger soup.
A period of chaos ensued.
Xiangxia helped Li Yunyan bathe.
After taking a bath and drinking a bowl of ginger soup, Li Yunyan felt all her discomfort disappear and her whole body felt warm!
Xiangxia then took out a cloth and dried her hair.
With her hair half-dry, Li Yunyan dismissed Xiangxia, saying, "I'm tired. Don't call me for anything later!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
It was already winter, but it was raining heavily outside; the weather was rather unusual.
After Xiangxia left, all Li Yunyan could hear was the sound of rain and occasional thunder outside.
Ying Huai suddenly appeared behind her and pulled her into his arms without saying a word.
Li Yunyan was a little surprised; this was the first time he had shown up on his own initiative!
She used to be the one to call him!
"Ying Huai?"
The candle in the room suddenly went out. He picked her up and placed her on the couch, using his inner strength to dry her half-dry hair completely.
His embrace was broad and warm, and Li Yunyan softened her body, snuggling closer.
Ying Huai's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he asked in a low voice, "You fell into the water just now, are you still feeling unwell?"
She shook her head. "I just took a bath and drank ginger soup. I feel much better now!"
His large hands tightened their embrace around her, his voice low and husky: "Yanyan."
"Um?"
He suddenly pulled her down into the soft blankets, propped himself up on his elbows, and looked straight into her eyes: "I want you."
"What?"
Li Yunyan's mind went blank. She used to think that these words were indecent, but hearing them from his mouth made her feel numb and itchy all over.
He lowered his head and kissed her deeply, then whispered in her ear, "Yanyan, if you don't want to, push me away."
It's impossible to push it away.
There's no way I'd ever refuse this in my lifetime!
Li Yunyan was enveloped by his hot and forceful breath, and trembled slightly as he kissed her, letting out a soft moan involuntarily.
This was a silent invitation, and Ying Huai knew she was willing!
A few clear tears uncontrollably streamed down Li Yunyan's face.
This captivating feeling, it's been so long!
The heavy rain outside continued.
......
When Li Yunyan woke up, it was almost noon. She felt weak all over and was extremely hungry.
It was as if they had been dragged to plow two miles of land.
She sat up and found that Ying Huai had cleaned her up and even changed the sheets to be exactly the same! She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Shadow Guards are so meticulous!
She placed her hand on her lower abdomen. She had taken a fertility pill the night before, and now there were three little lives inside her.
A smile played on her lips as she softly called out to Xiangxia.
"Your Majesty, you're awake?"
"Hmm, I'm not feeling well. Could you ask the kitchen to prepare some light food for me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Did Your Majesty develop a fever today because you fell into the water yesterday?"
Li Yunyan touched her forehead. She didn't have a fever, but this was a good excuse not to get out of bed.
"I do feel a bit unwell! My head is a little dizzy."
Upon hearing this, Xiangxia exclaimed, "This is outrageous!"
"Your Majesty! Lie down quickly! This servant will go fetch the imperial physician immediately!"
"No need!" Li Yunyan quickly stopped her. "I just need a nap! Hurry up and have someone bring the food up, I'm hungry!"
"Alright! This servant will go right away!"
Finally, after eating and drinking her fill, Li Yunyan felt better.
Only then did she have a moment to think about what had happened on the dragon boat the night before.
Golden carp, falling into the water, fireworks, assassins—each element was intricately linked. No one but the Empress, who oversaw the entire birthday banquet, could have orchestrated such a meticulous plan!
It remains to be seen whether the Empress will be able to escape unscathed this time.
She thought of what He Beiyi said last night, that he would come to see her today, but he hasn't come yet. He must be held up by something.
That's good, it means she really doesn't want to fawn over him anymore!
Once her pregnancy is confirmed, she will definitely persuade He Beiyi not to come again!
I fell asleep again without realizing it, and when I woke up again, it was already dusk.
After having dinner, she was no longer sleepy and felt refreshed, so she got out of bed.
Granny Li came over and asked, "Your Highness, are you feeling any better?"
"Yes, I'm fine now."
Li Mama breathed a sigh of relief and continued to report: "Your Majesty, His Majesty just sent someone to say that he is busy with affairs today and will not be coming!"
Li Yunyan nodded, "I understand."
Xiangxia, fearing that Li Yunyan might overthink things, offered a word of comfort: "Your Majesty, please don't be sad. I heard that several concubines fell into the water yesterday, and some of them were so frightened that they now have persistent high fevers. His Majesty may just be going to check on them and won't be staying overnight."
Li Yunyan wasn't worried about that at all, and casually replied, "Okay, I understand, you can go now!"
"Yes, this servant takes her leave!"
Xiangxia closed the bedroom door with a worried expression. Her mistress had also fallen into the water last night, and His Majesty had only sent people to inquire about her, without even coming to check on her personally. How heartless and ungrateful!
Her mistress is like a goddess, yet she always encounters one accident after another. It's so pitiful!
*
He Beiyi is currently in the Phoenix Palace.
The events of last night have been investigated, but not truly investigated.
After all, most of the evidence had already been destroyed, the mastermind who was found was insignificant, and everyone involved had been silenced.
Thank goodness there were those few in the lake!
However, now is not the time to confront the Queen. He doesn't have enough chips in his hand to deliver a fatal blow.
After all, she is the Empress. Unless it involves something as serious as treason, nothing else is likely to be fatal to her!
He still has to wait!
What's even more infuriating is that his kick yesterday broke two of the Empress's ribs. The Empress used this as an excuse to cry her heart out, feeling both wronged and pitiful.
He had no choice but to stay at Fengyi Palace to make a show of it.
But he's not so easy to control!
"Since the Empress is unwell, let Consort Hui share some of the burden! Yuanqing, go and inform all the palaces that starting tomorrow, Consort Hui will temporarily manage the palace affairs!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Also! The Empress needs to rest and recuperate peacefully. Tell them they don't need to come to pay their respects anymore, so as not to disturb the Empress's tranquility!"
"Yes, this servant takes his leave!"
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