Xu Yuehuai was filled with anticipation and nervousness, unsure if she could successfully awaken the Empress Dowager.
Just then, she saw the Empress Dowager's eyelids twitch slightly. Then, the Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and doubt.
Xu Yuehuai was overjoyed; she knew she had succeeded!
The Empress Dowager slowly sat up. Her face was still pale, but she was no longer as weak as before. She looked at Xu Yuehuai, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "Why did I sleep so soundly today?"
Xu Yuehuai smiled slightly, saying nothing more. She knew her mission was not yet complete; she needed to continue searching for the hidden truth behind it all.
The head palace maid entered upon hearing the noise. Seeing the awakened Empress Dowager and Xu Yuehuai standing before the bed, a flicker of fear and resentment crossed her eyes. She knew her plan had failed. However, she didn't give up. She decided to secretly observe Xu Yuehuai's every move, looking for an opportunity to deal with her.
Xu Yuehuai ignored the head palace maid's gaze and turned to leave the palace. She knew she had a long way to go and needed to be more careful in order to establish herself in this palace full of intrigue and danger.
...
As night fell, the palace lanterns of Anshou Palace swayed in the breeze, emitting a soft and mysterious glow.
Xu Yuehuai stood at the palace gate, her figure appearing exceptionally graceful yet resolute under the lamplight. A subtle cunning glint flashed in her eyes, like a nimble fox plotting some scheme.
"The Empress Dowager asked me to deliver some medicinal food to His Majesty," Xu Yuehuai said to the guards at the gate. Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate. Her tone carried an undeniable firmness, leaving no room for doubt about her identity and purpose.
The guards exchanged glances, having no doubt about Xu Yuehuai's words. They knew that Xu Yuehuai was a close confidante of the Empress Dowager and enjoyed her deep trust. Moreover, they had seen Xu Yuehuai deliver medicinal meals to His Majesty on several occasions, so they had no doubt about her identity or purpose.
Xu Yuehuai smiled slightly and passed through the palace gate smoothly, finally arriving near Bai Yu's palace.
Her heart was filled with anticipation; she wanted to investigate Bai Yu's palace to see if she could find any clues. She believed that as long as she could find clues, she would surely be able to uncover the secrets behind Bai Yu.
She then walked along the palace path, the palace appearing exceptionally tranquil and mysterious in the night.
A familiar scent suddenly wafted to her nose, and she immediately became alert.
She had smelled this fragrance before, and it left a deep impression on her. She followed the scent and came to a secluded courtyard.
But it turned out that the fragrance seemed to be coming from the lawn!
She looked around to make sure no one was there, then began searching the lawn for the source of the fragrance. Gently parting the grass, she discovered an entrance to a basement. A surge of excitement filled her; it seemed she had found Bai Yu's secret.
"Tap tap tap..." But suddenly, footsteps came.
Xu Yuehuai quickly restored the lawn to its original state, then hid to the side, waiting for an opportunity to come.
A moment later, someone approached. Xu Yuehuai immediately held her breath and hid without moving.
Her eyes, like deep lake water, silently observed everything around her. A hint of vigilance lingered between her brows, as if she were searching for hidden danger. Her long hair swayed gently in the breeze, dancing with her clothes like an elegant dancer.
The man lingered not far from her, seemingly searching for something. His gaze swept around, but he couldn't find Xu Yuehuai anywhere.
Xu Yuehuai's heartbeat gradually slowed down; she knew she had successfully avoided that person's attention. She took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes, then turned and swiftly and nimbly crossed the lawn.
Her steps were light yet powerful, like those of an experienced dancer showcasing her talent on stage.
Next, she went to a corner of the lawn and began her secret operation. Using both hands, she quickly pried open the lawn.
Her movements were practiced and swift, as if she had rehearsed countless times. With her efforts, the entrance to a basement gradually came into view.
A victorious smile appeared on Xu Yuehuai's face; she knew she had found her target.
She carefully opened the passageway and quickly crawled inside. Then she restored the lawn to its original state and went deeper into the passageway.
Walking in the darkness, her heartbeat echoed in the still air, like a moving melody. She tried her best to keep her breathing steady, afraid of alerting the enemy.
Her eyes gradually adjusted to the dim environment, and she began to be able to make out the objects and layout in the basement. She discovered some strange tools and herbs, as well as some seemingly mysterious runes and patterns.
Seeing these things filled her with surprise and curiosity. What were they?
What is their relationship with white feathers?
She continued deeper into the basement and gradually discovered more secrets.
Suddenly, some sealed rooms appeared in front of them, and something deeper seemed to be hidden inside!
Filled with determination and courage, she was determined to uncover the truth behind these secrets. Just as she was preparing to delve deeper into the investigation, she suddenly heard footsteps outside.
"Thump thump thump! Thump thump thump!"
She immediately became alert, hid in a corner, and held her breath.
A moment later, the man went into the basement. Xu Yuehuai's heart raced as she waited nervously.
The man lingered in the basement for a while, seemingly searching for something.
Xu Yuehuai's heartbeat echoed in the quiet air; she was so nervous she could barely breathe.
She pressed herself tightly against the cold wall, the only sound she could hear was her own breathing echoing in the empty space.
The person seemed not to have noticed her presence, turned around and disappeared into the dark corner, leaving only a series of footsteps fading into the distance.
Xu Yuehuai let out a soft breath, feeling as if her body had been freed from its constraints. She slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing through the dim light, fixed on the direction where the person had disappeared.
That person felt completely unfamiliar to her, as if she had never seen him before. She didn't know who he was, or why he was there.
However, she clearly remembered the person's figure: tall and slender, like a sharp sword, deeply engraved in her heart.
She knew that if she saw that person again, she would definitely recognize him.
Xu Yuehuai's eyes sparkled with a brilliant light, as if an invisible force was supporting her.
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