Chapter 76 Who exactly are you?
After watching Pei Xuanlin and Ling Zhenli ride away in the imperial carriage, Xue Haoting immediately returned to the Prime Minister's residence.
He walked heavily through the corridor and returned home, where he told Xue Wenmian everything that had happened at Huaiming Temple.
Xue Wenmian listened silently, his face showing no emotion, only nodding slightly. After Xue Haoting finished speaking, he turned and walked into the study, leaving behind a stagnant atmosphere.
Cui Yuerong stood there stunned. Just as Xue Haoting was about to leave, she suddenly came to her senses and grabbed her son's arm.
"You just said... His Majesty... he knows everything about Ah Li?" Cui Yuerong's voice was filled with disbelief and panic.
Xue Haoting stopped and rubbed his temples wearily.
“Mother, His Majesty only heard some fragmented words at the time. Although Xiao Chongheng spoke recklessly, His Majesty should not know the full story of the most important matters, such as the struggle between the Eldest Princess and Father back then, and the secret of my sister’s true identity. After all, he was the one who led the people to wipe out the entire Ling family. He was too guilty to say it himself.”
This answer did not reassure Cui Yuerong. She hurriedly pushed Xue Haoting, saying, "Take the token your sister gave you and go to the palace now to see how your sister is doing."
After saying that, Cui Yuerong turned around hurriedly and walked quickly towards the study.
Inside the study, Xue Wenmian stood before his desk, holding a wolf-hair brush, slowly writing on Xuan paper.
His shadow was cast on the wall, appearing exceptionally serene.
Cui Yuerong pushed open the door and entered. Upon seeing the scene, she said anxiously, "What do we do now? His Majesty will definitely not forgive Ah Li once he finds out what she did."
"calm."
Without raising his head, Xue Wenmian steadily wrote the last stroke of his pen, "If His Majesty truly intends to depose the Empress, then you and I should be in the imperial prison awaiting interrogation right now."
He gently put down his brush and picked up the Xuan paper filled with writing to examine it closely.
Cui Yuerong paced anxiously in the room: "Deposing the empress is no child's play. It must be announced to the world and the crimes listed. Every single thing that Li'er has done in the past two years is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family. If His Majesty wants to depose the empress, it's not difficult. The scandalous affairs of the harem that have been exposed so far are enough to get her beheaded."
Xue Wenmian finally raised his head and looked calmly at Cui Yuerong: "Then take a look, is there any movement in the manor now?"
He slowly folded the letter he had written and put it into a plain white envelope.
"If Your Majesty were truly determined to pursue this matter, there would already be swords drawn outside the mansion by now."
Cui Yuerong then noticed the envelope in his hand and asked in confusion, "What did you write in this?"
"The Queen's entire life story."
Xue Wenmian spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary, “From the moment she became the daughter of the Ling family, to how she became Xue Yingyue, and everything that has happened in the past two years.”
"You're insane!"
Cui Yuerong was shocked. "Why did you write these things? Aren't you handing His Majesty a handle against you?"
Xue Wenmian shook his head slightly and carefully sealed the envelope with wax.
"It's always better to inform him proactively than to wait for him to ask."
His fingers pressed lightly on the envelope, and the wax seal gradually solidified.
"Having navigated the officialdom for so many years, I still know the temperament and character of each emperor. The Pei family is finished. The princes and princesses are all bewitched by the concubines and their husbands. So what His Majesty needs most now is a way out for him, and this letter I wrote is that way out."
Cui Yuerong's face turned deathly pale: "But what if His Majesty, in a fit of rage after reading this letter, kills Ah Li... She's our daughter too, you can't just abandon her."
Xue Wenmian raised his eyes, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
"He won't kill, he won't, and he wouldn't dare."
Xue Wenmian got up and walked to the window, looking at the swaying shadows of the trees in the courtyard. "If he dares to kill my daughter, I dare to rebel. He gave all the power to the Xue family in order to appease women, so he should be prepared for the Xue family to overthrow the imperial power."
“But what about Ah Li? Even if she can rebel, we can’t risk her life. She’s the most like me and I love her the most,” Cui Yuerong was still worried. “What can a seventeen-year-old child understand? She just went too far. Did you apologize in your letter and ask His Majesty to send her home?”
"……Um."
Xue Wenmian actually wrote that, but it was just a polite gesture. He knew the emperor wouldn't be willing to divorce Xue Yingyue and send her home; he wouldn't even grant her a death sentence.
Taking a break and going home actually made it easier for her to be with other men.
The emperor is probably regretting giving her the freedom to come and go from the palace.
Xue Wenmian summoned the steward, handed him the letter, and instructed him: "Send this letter to the palace immediately and make sure it reaches His Majesty."
The butler accepted the order and left, his footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
Cui Yuerong walked over to Xue Wenmian, frowning, and said, "Will this even work? Don't be too confident."
"Do you think I'm indecisive? I'll write to Xue Qing right now and ask her to come back."
"Why did you bring Xianzhu back at this critical juncture? Ali is now called Xue Run, and she is my daughter. Bringing Xianzhu back would only embarrass her."
Compared to her biological daughter Xue Qing, Cui Yuerong doted on her adopted daughter Xue Run more, a fact that Xue Wenmian had noticed long ago.
It's no wonder, since Xue Qing wasn't very close to anyone growing up, and under his guidance, his personality became calm and composed, quite different from Cui Yuerong's. Xue Run's bold and flamboyant personality was very much like Cui Yuerong's, and his childlike nature made him more likely to win Cui Yuerong's affection.
Children who cry and whine get candy.
Xue Wenmian sighed: "If Xue Qing knew you said that, she would be heartbroken."
Cui Yuerong turned her head away and stopped talking.
***
Royal Palace
Inside the Zichen Palace, the air was filled with a faint blend of medicinal fragrance and ambergris.
Pei Xuanlin carefully placed the unconscious Ling Zhenli in his arms on the couch covered with soft brocade. His eyes were full of tenderness, afraid that she would be bumped or hurt.
Just as Pei Xuanlin was carefully adjusting the angle of her pillow, trying to make her more comfortable, his fingertips accidentally touched a hard object.
He frowned slightly, reached under his pillow, and touched a wooden plaque.
Take it out and examine it closely in the sunlight. You'll see that the wooden plaque is finely crafted with smooth edges, clearly indicating that it was often handled, played with, and worn by its owner.
But when his gaze fell on the back of the wooden sign, he was suddenly jolted.
His birth date and time were clearly engraved on it.
What's this……
A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in Pei Xuanlin's heart.
Why would Xue Yingyue hide a wooden plaque engraved with his birth date and time under her pillow? What was it used for?
However, this is not the time to delve into it.
Ling Zhenli's pale face and weak breath felt like needles piercing his heart. Pei Xuanlin quickly composed himself, gripped the wooden plaque tightly in his palm, and made way for the imperial physician.
"The Empress's condition is critical; we must trouble the imperial physicians to treat her."
The imperial physicians, who had been waiting nearby, rushed forward to carefully examine Ling Zhenli's pulse and check her injuries.
Pei Xuanlin stepped aside, his gaze never leaving the person on the bed.
He gripped the wooden plaque, still carrying the faint scent of her pillow, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
Just then, the eunuch stepped forward quietly and whispered in Pei Xuanlin's ear.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Bao is requesting an audience, saying that the Prime Minister's family is worried about her, so he specially sent him to visit the Empress... In addition, Deputy Commander Fang is also waiting outside the palace, requesting an audience with Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Pei Xuanlin's eyes flickered slightly, and he pondered for a moment.
Even if their actions crossed the line, Xue Haoting is, after all, Xue Yingyue's older brother, and at this moment, it is neither reasonable nor moral to prevent him from visiting her.
As for Fang Wenzhou... his purpose in coming here at this moment is probably not simple.
"Have the Duke of Bao come in to accompany the Empress, and remember to tell him not to disturb the imperial physicians' treatment." Pei Xuanlin paused, his voice low. "The Deputy Commander of the Xuanfang Department shall wait in the side hall of Xuanzheng Hall. I will go there shortly."
"yes."
The eunuch obeyed and left. Pei Xuanlin took one last deep look at Ling Zhenli on the bed before turning around and walking with slightly heavy steps toward the Xuanzheng Hall.
Inside the side hall of Xuanzheng Hall, Fang Wenzhou had been waiting for a while. When he saw Pei Xuanlin enter, he immediately knelt on one knee and bowed.
"Your subject Fang Wenzhou greets Your Majesty."
Pei Xuanlin did not immediately tell him to get up, but went straight to the dragon throne and sat down, his black dragon robe flowing with a dark luster.
He opened his palm, and the wooden plaque lay quietly in his hand. His fingertips unconsciously traced the engravings on it, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"What urgent matter brings you to see me now, Minister Fang?" Pei Xuanlin's voice was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure.
Fang Wenzhou remained kneeling, hands clasped in front of him, head raised, his gaze earnest.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty and I have known each other since childhood. Back then, I was the study companion of Crown Prince Yang Chengxiu. Although you were the Prince of Linzi, you faced a difficult situation in the palace, which Chengxiu and I both saw. We often sought opportunities to help Your Majesty, hoping that you could have a smoother time in the palace. Over the years, we have always maintained a bond of friendship that we formed since childhood.”
He paused, his voice growing even lower, "It is precisely because of this bond that, at the last moment, I could not bring myself to betray Your Majesty, and thus I led the Fang family to turn against you..."
"Oh."
Pei Xuanlin let out a cold, ambiguous laugh, interrupting him, "After saying all this, going around in circles, you just want me to remember our past relationship and forgive your Fang family for this crime of treason, is that it?"
Fang Wenzhou lowered his head, his voice tinged with bitterness: "Yes, Your Majesty is wise. I know I am guilty and dare not ask for leniency. I only beg Your Majesty to show leniency for the Fang family, since the Fang family has not done anything for Princess Wuyang. I implore Your Majesty to punish the Fang family lightly."
Pei Xuanlin did not answer immediately.
At this moment, his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, but it did not fall on Fang Wenzhou's face; instead, it was fixed on Fang Wenzhou's clasped hands in a gesture of respect.
More precisely, it rests on a ring worn on the index finger of Fang Wenzhou's right hand.
The ring has a simple design and looks nice.
However, Fang Wenzhou had never worn rings before.
This realization subtly overlapped with another image in his mind.
Xue Yingyue, his empress, had never worn rings before.
But from some point onwards, all sorts of gorgeous gemstone rings began to appear on her fingers.
And many of them were gifts from the Fang family to her.
A chilling doubt crept into his mind, but Pei Xuanlin did not immediately point it out. He simply spoke casually, his tone flat and unwavering: "The ring on your hand is quite unique. I remember you didn't have such a preference before."
Fang Wenzhou's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
He knew that His Majesty had overheard the conversation at the fire scene and knew that his relationship with the Empress was not innocent.
Fang Wenzhou lowered his eyes, his thick eyelashes concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them, and said softly, "Your Majesty, do you want to ask about the relationship between me and Her Majesty the Empress?"
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.
A chill suddenly settled in Pei Xuanlin's eyes, but he controlled his emotions, merely letting out a cold laugh, his tone carrying the aloofness and pressure of an emperor.
"No need. I believe that the Empress will tell me everything herself after she wakes up, so there's no need for Minister Fang to waste his breath here."
After saying that, Pei Xuanlin stopped looking at Fang Wenzhou and waved his hand, his gesture carrying an unquestionable meaning.
"Step down."
"...Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
Fang Wenzhou remained silent for a moment, then finally lowered his head, bowed, and slowly withdrew from the side hall.
His departing figure appeared somewhat lonely, and seemed to carry an indescribable heaviness.
Silence returned to the hall.
Pei Xuanlin sat alone on the dragon throne, his fingertips still unconsciously stroking the wooden plaque. The glaring ring on Fang Wenzhou's hand and the image of Xue Yingyue wearing the ring intertwined and swirled in his mind.
Fang Wenzhou was originally Yang Chengxiu's study companion. Could it be that he met Xue Yingyue at that time? No, even Yang Chengxiu had never met Xue Yingyue, so how could Fang Wenzhou know?
Why are the two of them in a relationship?
What exactly did Xue Yingyue keep from him?
Various doubts shrouded his mind like a fog.
But the most important thing right now is that Xue Yingyue is safe and sound and wakes up unharmed.
Pei Xuanlin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down. He did not stay in the side hall for long and quickly got up and returned to his bedchamber in the Zichen Palace.
The time between his departure and his return was not long.
When they returned to the bedchamber, the imperial physician was quietly instructing Xue Haoting on how to carefully wipe a scratch on Ling Zhenli's arm with a soft towel soaked in medicine.
Xue Haoting's movements were slightly clumsy, but his expression was unusually focused, and his eyes were full of worry.
The imperial physicians believed they were siblings, and that Xue Haoting was simply taking care of his own sister, which they saw as perfectly acceptable. They even thought the Empress and the Duke of Bao had a deep sibling bond.
Pei Xuanlin felt awkward watching them. Although they were siblings, they had a past relationship, and there might be complicated and unspeakable emotional entanglements between them.
Especially the way Xue Haoting looks at Xue Yingyue now, it's really not like a brother cherishing his sister at all, but rather like he's looking at... his beloved lover.
An indescribable sense of irritation and displeasure welled up inside me.
He somewhat regretted letting Xue Haoting come in to visit Xue Yingyue.
Pei Xuanlin stepped forward and patted Xue Haoting's shoulder calmly, his tone steady but carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Duke Bao, it would be safer for me to apply the medicine to the Empress."
Xue Haoting froze, looked up and met Pei Xuanlin's deep gaze, instantly understanding the meaning in those eyes.
Knowing he was in the wrong, and not daring to challenge Pei Xuanlin's authority as husband and emperor at this moment, he quickly put down the soft handkerchief in his hand, stood up to give way, and said in a low voice, "It was I who overstepped my bounds, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Pei Xuanlin stopped looking at him and turned his gaze to the imperial physician who seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Realizing that the imperial physician had something to say but was hesitant because Xue Haoting was a man, Pei Xuanlin did not rush to apply medicine to Ling Zhenli, but instead asked Xue Haoting to leave.
"Duke Bao, the Empress is being cared for by me and the imperial physicians. You should return to your residence first. Once the Empress wakes up, I will send someone to the Prime Minister's residence to inform her. You can come to visit her then."
Xue Haoting's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."
Before leaving, he took one last, deep look at the unconscious Ling Zhenli on the bed, his expression complex, and finally turned and left.
After Xue Haoting's figure disappeared outside the hall, Pei Xuanlin turned his gaze back to the imperial physician and said in a deep voice, "Imperial physician, please speak freely. How is the Empress's health?"
The imperial physician immediately knelt down, his expression grave, and carefully chose his words as he replied, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has suffered greatly from the persecution of treacherous people. Her body has been severely damaged, especially with multiple bruises, internal imbalances, and a severe deficiency of qi and blood. We have done our best to administer acupuncture and medicine to stabilize her condition, but Her Majesty is still weak and needs to rest."
"Hmm." Pei Xuanlin's eyes darkened.
The imperial physician paused, lowered his voice even further, and said with a hint of fear, "Your Majesty, for the next two weeks, the Empress must rest absolutely. She must not have intercourse with Your Majesty again, and must not engage in sexual relations. Otherwise, it will be very detrimental to the Empress's recovery and may even damage her health."
Although the imperial physician spoke tactfully, Pei Xuanlin was so intelligent that he immediately understood the deeper meaning behind his words.
Xue Yingyue's body suffered severe injuries under Xiao Chongheng's violent coercion.
A surge of emotion, a mixture of overwhelming rage and sharp heartache, rushed to his head, almost making him see black.
Xiao Chongheng! That damned beast! He got her, but didn't he know how to cherish and love her? He actually used such cruel methods to hurt her. He deserves to die a thousand deaths! Even being torn to pieces wouldn't be enough to spare him!
Pei Xuanlin suppressed the murderous intent surging in his chest, digging his nails deep into his palms to barely maintain a steady voice.
"Alright, I understand."
Pei Xuanlin waved his hand, his tone filled with deep weariness, "You may all leave now. I will personally apply the medicine to the Empress."
"Yes, Your Majesty, we take our leave."
The imperial physicians, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly kowtowed and led the other physicians and palace servants out of the bedchamber without a sound, gently closing the door behind them.
In the vast bedroom, only Pei Xuanlin and the unconscious Ling Zhenli remained.
Pei Xuanlin stood still for a moment, and only after his emotions had calmed down did he walk to the bedside and sit down.
He picked up the white jade box containing the cooling ointment left by the imperial physician, dipped a small amount with his fingertip, and with the gentlest of movements, carefully began to treat the bruises and cuts on Ling Zhenli's body.
With each new wound he saw, the pain and anger in his eyes deepened, and his hatred for Xiao Chongheng grew stronger.
He carefully applied the ointment evenly to each of her wounds. During the process, he noticed that the palace servants had changed Ling Zhenli into clean nightgowns, but the injuries in some hidden areas still required more meticulous care.
He cleared his mind of all distractions and focused solely on the movements of his hands, afraid of hurting her.
He slowly exhaled after all the visible wounds had been treated.
After carefully tucking Xue Yingyue in to make sure she wouldn't catch a cold, Pei Xuanlin got up and went outside the palace, whispering instructions to the palace maids waiting outside.
"Go tell the Imperial Kitchen to prepare light and nourishing porridge and side dishes continuously for twelve hours a day. They must be served as soon as the Empress wakes up, without fail."
"This servant obeys the decree." The palace maid respectfully replied and hurried off to deliver the message.
After giving his instructions, Pei Xuanlin returned to the bedside and gazed quietly at Ling Zhenli's sleeping face.
He reached out and took her cold hand into his warm palm again, while his other hand still tightly gripped the wooden plaque engraved with his birth date and time.
The wisps of ambergris smoke curled and swirled in the hall, creating an almost stagnant stillness.
Ling Zhenli lay quietly on the large dragon bed, the brocade quilt covering her shoulders. Her face was so pale it was almost transparent, like porcelain that would shatter at the slightest touch.
Her breathing was shallow and steady, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyelids.
Pei Xuanlin sat by the couch watching Ling Zhenli. Time passed by, and he looked slightly tired.
One hand caressed the cold fingers of Ling Zhenli exposed outside the brocade quilt, while the other hand toyed with the wooden plaque.
At that moment, he raised the wooden sign and examined it closely in the light streaming in through the window.
The more I looked at it, the more suspicious it seemed; these kinds of items are usually not good things.
Is it witchcraft?
Did Xue Yingyue want to curse him to die?
After a long while, Pei Xuanlin summoned a palace maid, took out the wooden plaque, and asked in a calm voice, "Where did this object come from?"
The palace maid trembled and fell to her knees with a thud, her forehead pressed against the cold ground.
"Your Majesty, this item was consecrated by a master when Lady Anguo visited the Empress in the palace some time ago."
"oh?"
Pei Xuanlin finally shifted his gaze from Ling Zhenli's face to the palace maid's back, his tone still steady, only a bit colder.
"What is the purpose of the Empress and Lady Anguo going to such lengths to create this object?"
The palace maid knelt on the ground. She knew this was a witchcraft used to pray for a child, but even if the empress had made a mistake, she was still the empress. She could not and dared not challenge the empress's authority, so she only replied, "This servant does not know."
"You don't know, fine."
Pei Xuanlin sneered. He could see that the palace maid didn't not know; she simply dared not speak up.
The palace maids weren't afraid of the emperor, but they were afraid of the empress.
It's alright, he has plenty of ways to find out.
Before long, the abbot who was praying for the Empress at Shengguang Temple answered Pei Xuanlin's questions.
"This item involves witchcraft and is used to curse His Majesty to die young. It seems that Empress Chen wants to become the second Empress Wan, so she resorted to this desperate measure."
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Pei Xuanlin felt sorry for himself, but at the same time, he inwardly sneered at himself.
I originally thought Xue Yingyue put this wooden plaque to curse him to death, but I didn't expect it really was to curse him to death.
He really lived a terrible life.
Just then, a low-voiced announcement came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, an urgent secret letter has arrived from the Prime Minister's residence."
Pei Xuanlin's gaze suddenly sharpened.
He glanced at the unconscious woman on the bed, sighed, and put her hand under the covers.
"Bring it in, and keep quiet."
The eunuch slowly pushed open the door, trying to remain quiet, and respectfully presented the envelope.
Pei Xuanlin took the letter with one hand, then waved it, signaling everyone to leave.
He dismissed the palace servants and closed the heavy palace doors, isolating them from the outside world.
At this moment, in this small space, there is only him, Xue Yingyue who is unconscious on the bed, and this letter that is about to reveal all the secrets.
Xue Yingyue.
The woman he loved deeply.
Looking at her sleeping face now, Pei Xuanlin felt a little unfamiliar with her.
Xue Yingyue, and that name that others mentioned about you, Ling Zhenli.
Who exactly are you?
Pei Xuanlin held the secret letter sent by the Prime Minister's residence in his hand, but hesitated to open it.
Perhaps it would be better to hear it from her own mouth.
But which of her words are true and which are false?
He would be unable to discern the truth, and of course, given his past love and indulgence of Xue Yingyue, whatever she said would be considered the truth.
but……
As her husband, he has the right to know everything about her experiences.
Pei Xuanlin pondered for a long time, took a deep breath, and slowly pulled out the letter.
Xue Wenmian's steady and vigorous handwriting came into view.
"Your subject Xue Wenmian is filled with trepidation and humility. I bow my head and pay my respects to Your Majesty. There is a secret concerning the stability of the nation and Your Majesty's wise judgment. I feel I can no longer conceal it, so I will report it to you truthfully."
The current Empress Xue Run gave birth to Zhong Cuimei, who is exceptionally beautiful and intelligent. However, she is not my biological daughter. Her biological father was Magistrate Ling, who was confiscated from his entire family three years ago for the serious crime of embezzling military funds. The Empress's real name is Ling Tang, and her courtesy name is Zhenli.
...
If this matter is exposed, the crime is unforgivable.
However, since I have accepted Xue Run as my daughter, I will treat her as my own and take full responsibility for her for the rest of my life. Xue Run has committed many crimes as a royal consort. It is the father's fault for not teaching his daughter properly. I hope Your Majesty will understand that Xue Yingyue is young and ignorant.
Now that things have come to this, I dare not presume to ask Your Majesty to pardon the Empress. I only implore Your Majesty, in consideration of the sacrifices made by the Xue family ancestors for the Pei family's dynasty, to spare Xue Run's life. Your Majesty may depose her from her position as Empress, banish her from the palace, and send her back to the Xue family. I only beg Your Majesty to show leniency and grant her a way out.”
...
Born of exquisite beauty, it reveals its inherent elegance.
This is a note written by Pei Xuanlin praising Xue Yingyue when he was officially named Crown Princess.
It was kind of Xue Wenmian to write it down for him specifically to remind him.
It seems ridiculous now.
Xue Yingyue, just how many men do you have?
Thinking of this, Pei Xuanlin's gaze involuntarily fell on the woman on the bed. This face, which he had gazed at and kissed countless times, now seemed so unfamiliar.
Was her feelings for him real or fake?
Was her spoiled, dependent, and even affectionate behavior in front of him all part of this drama?
All of this was to gain his trust and favor, and to become empress?
He couldn't believe it, because Xue Yingyue seemed to love him very much.
But if she truly loves him, would she still seek out other men?
Probably not.
But if it's really acting, how did she manage to be so meticulous, making it seem like she truly loves him?
Anxiety tore at Pei Xuanlin's heart. As an emperor, his dignity and face could not be violated. The history books of the past had taught him how to deal with such things: demote her to a commoner and order her to commit suicide, or even dismember her by five horses. Anyone involved should be executed along with their entire family as a warning to others.
Even if Xue Yingyue's feelings for him were fake, his attachment to Xue Yingyue and his inability to let go of his affection for her were real.
He thought about many things, and after an unknown amount of time, Pei Xuanlin took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
He straightened up and gently smoothed out the crumpled letter.
Finally, Pei Xuanlin raised his head, looked at the tightly closed palace doors, and said in a hoarse and low voice:
"Someone come here."
The eunuch gently pushed open the door and entered, bowing his head respectfully, not daring to look at him for even a second.
Pei Xuanlin's gaze passed over the eunuch and looked at the deep night outside the palace. His tone was frighteningly calm, as if the storm in his heart had never happened.
"By imperial decree, you shall immediately and secretly search for the whereabouts of Xue Xianzhu and Song Zhaoye. Once found, bring them to the capital immediately. There shall be no mistakes and no leaks shall be made."
The eunuch was terrified. Although he did not understand the meaning, he dared not ask any further questions and immediately bowed and said, "As you command."
The eunuch then quietly withdrew and closed the palace door again.
The hall returned to its previous deathly silence.
Pei Xuanlin slowly turned his head and stared at Ling Zhenli.
He reached out and gently wiped away the dampness on her forehead with his fingertips, whether from sweat or the heavy dew of the night.
"Lingzhenli"
He whispered her real name, his voice filled with endless complex emotions—pain, anger, confusion, and a deep-seated fear that even he himself was unwilling to admit: the fear of losing her, the fear that those warm memories were truly just a mirage.
"Tell me, what am I supposed to do with you?"
Unfortunately, the only response he received was Ling Zhenli's weak but steady breathing.
That night, the candlelight in the Zichen Palace burned until dawn.
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