The sky was completely bright, and the rain had stopped.
Mi Shan sat quietly at the square table, unable to sleep all night.
A cool breeze blew in through the open window, bringing a touch of coolness and dispelling fatigue.
"One more ingredient is missing."
"Pteris vittata".
Mi Shan picked up the small cauldron; once she found the Wind-tail Grass and added it in, the antidote would be ready.
A glint of light flashed in his eyes.
She suddenly remembered that she seemed to have seen fern leaves in the Calyx Garden.
"I'm going out for a bit."
Mi Shan told Xun'er what was going on, then hid the cauldron and headed straight for the E'er Garden.
After searching around, I found the inconspicuous little grass by the corner of the wall, but I still needed to climb over the bushes to pick it.
Just as she laboriously crouched down, trying to squeeze through the bushes—
"Who's crawling there? Get out here right now!"
It was Prince Rui's voice.
Mi Shan's vision went black. He turned around and found that Prince Rui had already walked behind him, along with Crown Prince Li Changyu.
Upon recognizing her, Li Changyu was taken aback, a slight look of surprise appearing on his handsome face, his brows furrowing: "What are you doing here?"
"So it's Consort Mi Hui," Prince Rui said, surprised, then smiled. "Is this some new kind of training method? Or is there some treasure hidden in the bushes? Tell me, and I'll help you find it?"
Whenever Mi Shan saw him, she was reminded of the embarrassment of being caught having an affair with Li Changyu.
She hurriedly scrambled up from the bushes, her cheeks flushed red as if they were about to bleed.
She brushed the hair that had been ruffled by the branches from her cheek.
"Prince Rui is joking. What a coincidence that you and the Crown Prince are together..."
"Yes, what a coincidence." Prince Rui felt somewhat displeased at the thought of his second brother getting there first and stealing his beauty.
Li Changyu's expression was cold. Standing there, he was a head taller than Prince Rui. He said in a detached and indifferent tone, "Unfortunately, Prince Rui and I were summoned by the Emperor to the Imperial Study to discuss important matters."
"I see." Mi Shan's eyes flickered.
They quickly realized that Li Shengyuan must have contacted them about recent events, which might be related to Kong Wang.
I calmed myself down.
"I am going to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress, which is also the direction leading to the Imperial Study. Why don't we go together?"
This was the first time Mi Shan had taken the initiative to suggest traveling with them. Li Changyu raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze towards her becoming more discerning.
Prince Rui was very pleased, and every time Consort Mi Hui saw him, she would avoid him like the plague.
This is a rare opportunity.
"Alright, let's go then. Consort Mi Hui, come to my side. I'd like to say a few more words to you."
Mi Shan didn't refuse; she smiled and straightened her skirt.
"Oh, there's still some mud here, let me wipe it off for you." Prince Rui eagerly took out a handkerchief and knelt down to wipe her skirt.
Mi Shan was startled and quickly stepped back, saying, "No need, Prince Rui, this is inappropriate. If someone sees this, there will be gossip."
“What’s the big deal?” Prince Rui said dismissively. “You and my second brother… never mind, let’s not talk about this. I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything and know nothing. You and my second brother had no choice.”
His gaze was intense as it fell upon her, more earnest than ever before.
When walking side by side, he would often talk to her, making sure to say things that would make her happy.
Mi Shan didn't dare to laugh, and just nodded perfunctorily.
Li Changyu, who was watching from the side, grew increasingly cold, his eyes becoming icy, and a feeling of displeasure churning within him, like an overturned sea, its waves rising and falling.
"The Imperial Study is just ahead; we've arrived. Would Consort Mi Hui like to go in and greet Father Emperor?"
Mi Shan was experiencing an indescribable illusion. It was an illusion because her emotions were not actually fluctuating, but for some reason, she felt uncomfortable in her heart.
Just as I was wondering about this feeling, I wondered if it was coming from Li Changyu.
Upon hearing Prince Rui's words and looking in the direction he pointed, all three of them stopped in their tracks, their faces showing slight surprise.
There, the Imperial Consort Ru, with her hair disheveled and hairpins removed, was kneeling sadly at the entrance of the Imperial Study. Beside her were Rong Ting and Lin Mama, kneeling with her.
"How could she..."
Mi Shan's brow twitched. "It must be because of the Prince of Pingxi, and he's pleading with the Emperor."
Sure enough, Consort Ru kept repeating to Xu Ninghai beside her:
"Eunuch Xu, please go in and announce that I wish to see the Emperor."
"My brother should not be imprisoned. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency."
"Imperial Noble Consort, please don't make things difficult for me. As you know, His Majesty is unhappy about this matter. Knowing why you came, he asked me to tell you to go back first. He will not see you."
"But……"
"Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort." Mi Shan stepped forward and spoke slowly.
"You should listen to the Emperor first. Since he said he won't see you for the time being, even if you kneel here for three or five hours, until dark, he probably still won't let you in."
“Mi Shan?” A hint of displeasure flashed across Consort Ru’s face. “How do you know? I must demand that His Majesty release him today.”
“Father doesn’t even want to see you, so how could he possibly intend to release you?” Li Changyu said coldly.
Empress Ru was taken aback, then lowered her eyes in disappointment, clearly knowing that they were right.
Mi Shan took a deep breath and said calmly, "His Majesty has his reasons for doing this. I say this only because I understand him."
"You're just a newcomer who's only been in the palace for a short time. What makes you think you know the Emperor better than I do?" Consort Ru refused and insisted on kneeling there.
Xu Ninghai had no choice but to shake his head at them.
"Your Highnesses have arrived. Please come in first."
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