Chapter 290
The reason for their capture was that the news that whoever possessed the original body would essentially possess the throne spread like wildfire.
Those who covet the dragon throne beneath Shi Sheng would certainly not miss this opportunity.
However, the maids nowadays are not as eager to leave as before, the rabbit has not mistaken its benefactor, and there is even Shadow One present.
These people won't stand idly by, so it's unclear how things will develop this time.
Lingwu thought to herself, then closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
Why not turn the tables and catch as many of those who might rebel after she leaves as possible?
As the night deepened, the rabbit secretly looked up, and after a long while, it took small, quick steps to shrink under Lingwu's bed.
After Lingwu fell asleep, a very soft meow was heard outside the window.
The following day, Ling Wu obtained the list of Shadow One replicas and their actions, and roughly deduced who was behind the kidnapping of her recently.
On the surface, she appears to have no ambition to seize power, but deep down she craves the throne and the blessings it might bring.
Five days later, the snowstorm stopped.
While Lingluo was intently focused on the plates of chicken on the table, Suihui, who had been transferred back to Lingwu's side, finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"Your Majesty," Sui Sui called softly.
Seeing Lingwu looking at her, she cautiously probed, "We haven't left the palace since it snowed."
“It has been quite a while,” Ling Wu nodded.
A glimmer of hope rose in Sui Sui's heart, "What if..."
When she was away for a while, the whole palace was abuzz with rumors that the Empress was especially fond of Linlang. She was extremely anxious, but for some reason, she could never leave her room.
Fortunately, Linlang is now ill, and she was summoned by the Empress, thus giving her the opportunity to serve her.
Having finally returned to the Empress's side, she naturally wanted to quickly restore their relationship. Accompanying the Empress on a trip outside the palace would be the best way to evoke memories of the Empress and her, so that the Empress would no longer be so distant from her.
Thinking it over, she continued, "How about Your Majesty takes me out of the palace for some fun today?"
Lingwu did not refuse, "The suggestion is acceptable."
Seeing that Lingwu seemed inclined to agree, Suisui was overjoyed.
“But it’s too late today. If we could go earlier tomorrow, we could play outside the palace all day,” Ling Wu added.
Ignoring Sui Sui's disappointed expression, Ling Wu got up, and the little rabbit that had been keeping her company under the table hopped and skipped after her.
Sui Sui, who remained behind, raised her chin at Ling Luo, as if to declare her status in the Empress's heart.
But Lingluo, who was staring longingly at the chicken, completely ignored her.
"..." Sui Sui was speechless and choked with sobs. In the end, she could only turn her gaze away in a huff, not even bothering to look at her once.
As night fell, the palace was empty, and Sui Sui, who wanted to stay, was sent away by Ling Wu.
Ling Wu shifted her gaze from the rabbit's energetic performance, lowered her eyes, and whispered, "Shadow One."
Even the faintest sound couldn't block Yingyi's hearing. In the blink of an eye, Yingyi appeared before Lingwu.
He knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and replied in a low, hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I am here."
Seeing how quickly he arrived, Lingwu paused for a moment before asking, "Where do you usually live?"
"Your Majesty, I am usually on the roof or in the trees."
Lingwu asked again, "Aren't you going to eat?"
Yingyi pursed her lips and shook her head, "At my level, I no longer need to eat every day."
Yingyi never looked up, and even when replying, he kept his head down.
Ling Wu didn't ask any further questions. "I've already seen the evidence of the list you copied last time. Tomorrow I need to leave the palace, so you'll accompany me to lure the snake into its hole."
Yingyi answered without hesitation, "Yes." After a moment, he took the initiative to ask, "Should the Empress inform His Majesty?"
Ling Wu nodded in satisfaction: "Of course I will inform you, but you cannot say that it was at my behest."
Ying nodded, a hint of excitement in her dark green eyes.
Ling Wu continued to instruct without changing her expression: "Go and deliver a letter to His Majesty, saying that in the past few days, it has been discovered that several forces are trying to find out my preferences."
I don’t know if the late emperor and Shi Sheng told Yingyi about her special qualities, but those who can reach this position are all smart people, and even if they didn’t say it, they should be able to guess the general idea.
She possesses profound blessings, ensuring the dynasty's long-term stability and prosperity, and naturally, she can also help rebels ascend the throne smoothly.
If some powerful force is trying to find out her preferences, it means they have ulterior motives towards her.
Upon hearing this, Yingyi replied solemnly, "This servant obeys!"
The Empress must have discovered something by saying this, but he had been guarding the place every day and had not seen the Empress have any contact with anyone else.
Could it be...?
Yingyi glanced at the cute little rabbit out of the corner of her eye.
Could it be this spineless demon?
"Go ahead," Ling Wu waved.
Shadow One composed himself and said, "This servant takes his leave!"
Qianqing Palace
Shi Sheng counted the days and asked, "Zhang Cheng, how many days has the Empress Dowager been ill?"
Zhang Cheng was startled. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has been ill for more than half a month, but the imperial physicians say that she is in good health and has now fully recovered."
Fortunately, he had previously felt that the Empress Dowager held a special place in His Majesty's heart, and he would have his eunuchs ask her about it every day. Otherwise, His Majesty's casual question today would have cost him some of the Emperor's trust.
The emperor's chief eunuchs were all envious, so he had to be extremely careful and attentive to everything.
"Go and deliver some of the Empress Dowager's favorite things..." Shi Sheng paused, recalling Ling Wu's attire that day, realizing she didn't seem to like her usual plain colors.
He pondered for a moment, then stood up. "Fine, come with me to the Imperial Treasury for a look."
Zhang Cheng's smile froze, and his heart trembled as he followed behind Shi Sheng.
The Imperial Treasury is His Majesty's private treasury. If His Majesty is willing to personally visit it in this freezing weather, then it must contain more than just one or two items...
Upon his return, Emperor Sheng was overjoyed, while Zhang Cheng pondered in his heart just how valuable the gifts His Majesty had presented to the Empress Dowager this time must be.
The sheer number of gifts is enough to make anyone dizzy.
"You may leave," Shi Sheng ordered.
Zhang Cheng bent down and backed away.
The Qianqing Palace was empty. The young emperor sat at the head of the table for a long time, a slight smile playing on his lips.
However, upon realizing Shadow One's presence, the smile on his lips vanished, and he felt a fleeting tremor in his heart that he himself was unaware of.
Why did Yingyi come? Could it be that she has turned back into the way she was before?
He had just picked out a gift for her, but before he could even give it to her, it was going to be put back into storage?
Shi Sheng said in a deep voice, "Shadow One."
"Your Majesty," Yingyi knelt down.
"You've come today. Has something important happened at the Empress Dowager's side?" His expression was not good, and the slight movement of the tassels on his forehead revealed his disdainful mood.
"Your Majesty, someone was secretly investigating the Empress Dowager's preferences today."
As soon as Ying finished speaking, Shi Sheng's first reaction was that his gift selection hadn't been in vain.
However, it only lasted for a moment before his sense of peace was overshadowed by his agitation.
Shi Sheng twirled the jade thumb ring on his finger for a long time before asking, "What are the Empress Dowager's plans these days?"
Shadow 1: "The Empress Dowager is preparing to leave the palace tomorrow to relax."
Shi Sheng took off the jade thumb ring and pinched his brow with a headache.
Faced with the choice between luring the snake out of its hole to expose the mastermind and protecting her, he only pondered for a moment before making his choice: "Withdraw 50% of the secret police to protect the Empress Dowager. Unless the Empress Dowager's life is in danger, there is no need to take action."
He will make it up to her later.
"This servant obeys the decree." Yingyi's voice was neither sad nor happy, but a ripple appeared in his dark green eyes.
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