——
The Princess's Residence.
Upon learning of the news from the palace, Yan Mingyi frowned. Why did this suddenly come up with the topic of Wushan?
Yin Fang lowered her voice and asked cautiously, "But Your Highness's whereabouts that day aroused His Majesty's suspicion?"
Yan Mingyi shook her head. At first, she thought that her whereabouts had been exposed, but then she thought that she was cautious and had not seen anyone that day, so it should not have aroused the suspicion of her royal brother.
Considering the political climate in the court, Yan Mingyi thought long and hard and felt that this matter was probably not aimed at her, but rather... at the Crown Prince's Palace?
She narrowed her eyes slightly and said to Yin Fang, "Find a way to remind Shen Tangning."
The crown prince was recuperating in the palace, and to avoid attracting attention, she couldn't have direct contact with him...
Yan Mingyi frowned and muttered to himself, "If something really has happened, it's probably too late to remind you now."
*
Inside the palace, Emperor Chongde took a nap at noon and had a dream.
He awoke with a start, his temple throbbing. A slight noise came from beside him: "Is Your Majesty having a nightmare?"
He raised his head, his eyes still bloodshot, looking somewhat ferocious. When he met Consort Li's concerned gaze, he suddenly realized where he was.
This is the Imperial Concubine's Jianjia Palace.
The other person paused for a moment, then calmly poured tea and handed it over. He stood up and stepped forward, placing his soft fingertips on the emperor's forehead and gently massaging it: "Your Majesty has been thinking too much lately, and you can't even sleep soundly. No matter how busy you are with state affairs, you must take care of your health."
Emperor Chongde squinted, his expression softening: "You're so considerate."
Consort Li chuckled sweetly, her voice tinged with reproach: "Your Majesty has finally remembered me. I thought Your Majesty's heart was entirely devoted to Consort Rou!"
Consort Rou is currently favored by the emperor. She is young, beautiful, and gentle, which inevitably makes Consort Li feel threatened.
Emperor Chongde was used to her spoiled and willful nature, and upon hearing this, he simply smiled faintly: "With your domineering attitude, who would dare to compete with you?"
"Your Majesty always teases me," Consort Li pouted, then paused and asked, "What dream did Your Majesty have?"
Emperor Chongde's expression turned calm, and his eyes became somewhat deep: "I dreamed that I was in a forest when I suddenly encountered a giant snake that wanted to tear me apart and swallow me whole."
"The snake grew into a python; Your Majesty's dream doesn't have a good omen." Consort Li looked slightly surprised, then laughed. "However, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, so why would you be afraid of a mere python?"
python?
Emperor Chongde's eyes flickered, and he remained silent for a long time.
After a stick of incense had burned, he stood up, straightened his sleeves, turned and left, turning his head to ask Eunuch Fu, "Has any news come back from Wushan?"
Eunuch Fu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Wushan is so vast, how could we have news so quickly?"
Emperor Chongde pursed his lips and boarded the palanquin without saying a word.
"Report to me immediately if there is any news."
...
After seeing the emperor off, Consort Li lazily leaned back on her chaise lounge. She glanced at the incense burner beside her, which was emitting wisps of smoke, and casually said, "Go, clean up that incense."
The palace maid responded, "Yes, Your Highness."
Consort Li fiddled with the long nail guards on her fingers, her red lips curving into an ambiguous smile.
No one can compete with her son.
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