Three days have passed since the turmoil in the harem subsided.
Inside Mi Ji's palace, the imperial physicians were taking her pulse.
The room was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense, and a sense of tranquility prevailed.
"How is it?" the wicked husband asked, standing to the side. These past few days, he had been personally overseeing the safety of the harem, fearing that something else might happen.
He would come to check on the princess every morning and evening, and personally oversee even her food and daily necessities.
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," the imperial physicians carefully put away their silver needles, wiping the sweat from their brows. "The fetus is fine, but the Princess Consort has been somewhat frightened these past few days, resulting in insufficient qi and blood; she needs proper care and rest."
"How should it be treated?"
"I've prescribed a few formulas to calm the nerves and nourish the blood. As long as you take them on time and rest well, you should be fine." The imperial physician glanced at Mi Ji and added, "However, you must avoid getting angry or upset during this time, otherwise..."
Mi Ji gently stroked her swollen belly and softly interrupted, "Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician. By the way, Grand Commandant, what's the follow-up to that matter..."
"Your Highness, rest assured." The wicked husband glanced around and lowered his voice, "The man has been executed, and his body has been displayed to the public. No one will bother you again."
"I have rearranged the imperial guards; without permission, no suspicious person is allowed to approach within a hundred paces of the imperial bedchamber."
"That's good." Mi Ji nodded, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. "I heard that Gao Jianli died a terrible death?"
"Your Highness need not inquire further about this matter," the wicked husband laughed. "These traitorous officials deserve to die. Your most important task now is to recover your health."
Mi Ji nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "By the way, what about Miss Afang...?"
"What a bunch of questions!" the wicked husband thought to himself, but quickly replied, "Miss Afang is fine. His Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to approach the villa without a summons. I have also specially dispatched elite troops from the Black Ice Guard to guard it day and night."
Mi Ji turned to look out the window, her tone complicated: "It's rather pitiful to keep her locked up like this..."
"The Princess is kind-hearted," the wicked husband sighed. "But for now, this is actually the best arrangement. Once the storm has completely passed, things will naturally..."
Just then, an announcement came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Ying Zheng strode in and, seeing the imperial physicians still treating the patients, asked, "How is it?"
"Your Majesty, the Queen and the unborn child are currently safe, but..."
"Just what?" Ying Zheng's voice deepened.
"But the Princess is restless and needs to recuperate. During this time, it's best to avoid any further disturbances. Especially..." The imperial physician hesitated for a moment, "especially the sound of any zither music."
Ying Zheng nodded: "You may all leave now. You, wicked man, may also leave for the time being."
After everyone had left, he walked to Mi Ji's bedside and said softly, "You've had a hard time these past few days."
"Your Majesty, what are you saying?" Mi Ji forced a smile. "It is you who are worrying about these things. I... I shouldn't be so sensitive."
Ying Zheng held her hand. "Right now, the most important thing is you and the baby. Those people have been executed, so just focus on your pregnancy. As for everything else..."
Mi Ji looked up at him: "Your Majesty, do you think Lady Afang will blame me?"
"You're overthinking things again," Ying Zheng shook his head. "This has nothing to do with her; she knows perfectly well what's going on. We can discuss other matters after the baby is born."
Hearing this, the wicked man outside nodded secretly. Zheng Ge'er handled it very well; now was indeed not the time for A Fang to step in.
Just then, a dark figure silently handed over a secret report.
The wicked man quickly glanced at the document, his brow furrowing slightly. "Your Majesty," he said, "I take my leave."
Upon exiting the palace, Zhang Erhe greeted him: "Grand Commandant, has something happened?"
"Shh!" The wicked husband gestured for him to follow, and only when they were alone did he say, "I just received news that some of the items Consort Sun left behind before her death are strange."
"What's strange?"
"Look at these..." The wicked man pulled several letters from his pocket. "These characters look like ordinary Yan script, but the arrangement is very strange. The people from the Black Ice Guard have been studying them for days, but they still can't figure them out."
Zhang Erhe examined it carefully: "This seems to be..."
"It's a secret document from the Yan Kingdom," the wicked man interjected. "It seems this matter isn't so simple. Have someone continue investigating; we must find out what their backup plan is! By the way, any movement from the south city?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, there has indeed been some unusual activity lately," Zhang Erhe said. "There are several people claiming to be merchants from the Yan state operating over there. They say they're here to do business, but..."
"But what?"
"But their movements are very strange; they often meet secretly late at night. And according to the Black Ice Guard, these people seem to all possess some martial arts skills."
A glint of cunning flashed in the wicked man's eyes: "Interesting. Send someone to keep a close watch, and report any unusual activity immediately. Also..."
He pondered for a moment: "Investigate whether these people have any connection to Jing Ke from back then. Anyone who could make Gao Jianli willingly die must be no ordinary person."
On the other side, in the southern part of the city.
Afang sat alone in the courtyard, playing the zither. The melody was more melodious and sorrowful than usual. The music seemed to express endless longing, and also seemed to be a prayer for the departed souls.
As the music ended, she sighed softly, "The weather is getting colder; it's kind of the Grand Commandant to remember to send tea and refreshments."
"You flatter me, young lady." The maid quickly brought over hot tea. "This was specially ordered by the Grand Commandant. He said that since you're here alone, someone should be looking after you."
Afang put down her zither and watched the steam rising from her cup: "Have you heard about what's been happening in the palace these past few days?"
"This servant dares not speak presumptuously," the maidservant quickly lowered her head.
"It's alright," Afang said calmly. "What's meant to come will come, and what's not meant to come can't be avoided. It's just a pity for that musician; for seeking revenge, he ended up like this."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside. The wicked husband led Zhang Erhe in.
"Grand Commandant, what brings you here?" Afang rose to greet him.
"Just passing by, I thought I'd drop by for the young lady," the wicked man chuckled. "You've suffered these past few days."
"Grand Commandant, what are you saying?" Afang shook her head. "But what about the King and Queen..."
"Everything is fine," the wicked husband said. "The Queen's pregnancy is stable, and His Majesty is much relieved. However... given the current situation, it would be best for the young lady to stay at the other residence for now. Once the storm has passed, things will naturally..."
"I understand," Afang said softly. "I won't cause Your Majesty any trouble."
The wicked husband watched her aloof figure as she walked away, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion. The person the great dynasty had longed for was now the loneliest of them all.
After leaving the villa, Zhang Erhe asked, "Grand Commandant, isn't it... risky to keep Miss Afang locked up here like this?"
"She'll be fine." The wicked husband shook his head. "If she were that kind of person, she wouldn't have left quietly back then. It's the others, though..."
He gazed southwards, his expression grave: "This matter is far more complex than it appears. Continue the investigation; we must uncover all hidden dangers! We absolutely cannot allow them to plot against the Crown Prince of Qin!"
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