The messenger was in a great hurry, so Yun Zhuo quickly ate a few more bites of food, then got up to change his clothes, combed his long hair again, put on his jade crown, and strode over to Ye Qingxue, saying, "Go to sleep early, you don't need to wait for me to come back."
Then he turned and went out.
Ye Qingxue tugged at his sleeve: "Take this box of pastries and eat them on the way. Zhuang Xin has already prepared tea for you, so you won't choke."
A smile appeared in Yun Zhuo's eyes, and he couldn't help but hug Ye Qingxue tightly, planting a deep kiss on her forehead: "Your Highness is so thoughtful."
It was exactly what he wanted to hear.
Since his mother passed away, no one has ever been so caring towards him.
Although he hadn't eaten his fill, Yun Zhuo felt a surge of power coursing through his body, as if it were inexhaustible.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be back soon," Yun Zhuo couldn't help but remind him again. The palace servants outside were urging him on, so he had no choice but to turn and leave.
Night had completely fallen, and lights were lit everywhere in the palace. A gentle breeze was blowing, bringing a cool breeze.
Ye Qingxue suddenly felt a pair of eyes staring at her in the darkness, and a chill ran down her neck, but when she turned around and looked around, she found nothing.
That must not be an illusion.
Having escaped death many times, she was extremely sensitive to this kind of gaze, and she dared not let her guard down for a moment.
Ye Qingxue put on a light blue cloak and walked outside. When Chunqian saw this, she smiled and asked, "Is Your Highness reluctant to let His Highness go to the palace? His Highness will be back soon. Qiu Shen said that all the troubles have been resolved and the palace is very peaceful. Your Highness doesn't need to worry."
Ye Qingxue looked around and, not finding anyone suspicious, asked, "Are Dongbai and Qiushen still resting?"
These past two days, Qiu Shen and Dong Bai had been traveling around with her and were exhausted, so after returning to the palace, she told them to eat something and go to rest.
"Yes, they'll probably sleep until tomorrow morning; they're too tired," replied Granny Xing.
"Alright, don't disturb them. Have the housekeeper send a few people to guard my courtyard. Also, send a few people to guard Qiu Shen and Dong Bai." After Ye Qingxue finished speaking, she went out and walked around the courtyard again.
Apart from Mi Rao asking if I wanted to have a late-night snack, I didn't notice anything unusual.
Is it a case of "once bitten by a snake, twice shy"?
Thinking this way, Ye Qingxue told herself that it was never a bad thing to be cautious.
Although she was suspicious and didn't find anything unusual, at least she could sleep peacefully now.
I feel sleepy after eating!
...
Yun Zhuo left the Prince's residence and learned that the Emperor had fallen ill that morning after they left the palace.
"Fortunately, Lord Ning persuaded the Emperor, and he is now willing to take his medicine and eat quite a bit. His condition has improved considerably," the palace servant said.
The carriage moved slowly forward. Yun Zhuo's hand, which was resting on her knee, slowly bent and gently tapped her knee without making a sound.
After the prime minister left the palace, the emperor summoned him.
Is it a coincidence?
I'm afraid not.
The emperor was still lying on his sickbed, and a faint smell of medicine filled his palace. Yun Zhu strode in, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt down: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The emperor waved his hand, signaling him to get up, and asked him to come to him. He also asked Huaifu to bring a stool and told Yunzhuo to sit by his bedside.
Yun Zhuo was even more astonished.
In his memory, when had his father ever been so close to him?
It seems like it never has.
"From the matter of Consort Li to the matter of Yun Xun this time, it is I who have caused you to suffer injustice, Zhuo'er, do you resent me?" The emperor's weathered voice rang out.
Yun Zhuo was shocked. No matter how he thought about it, he never expected that his father would suddenly be so close to him and even ask him if he resented him!
But at this moment, the Emperor's face was pale and he looked haggard, clearly indicating that he was ill.
Does illness make people vulnerable?
How can we teach the traditionally autocratic emperors to reflect on their actions?
Yun Zhuo composed himself: "Father, I have no resentment."
The emperor sighed again, "Although you don't say it, your father knows that you feel wronged."
Yun Zhuo lowered his eyes slightly. If his father said such things to him after returning from the Bamboo Sea Stream, he would be very moved and would think that his father truly cared about him and knew about his grievances.
But after experiencing so much, he no longer dares to, and will never, believe that again.
Madam Zhou once didn't love Ye Qingxue, but only loved her facade.
How much better could his situation be?
His mother loved him, but she died young.
His father... never loved him.
"You were once the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the heir apparent. I never imagined that those villains would be so audacious as to treat you so cruelly!"
"I really never imagined that Zhou Shi, who had been insane for over ten years, was actually deceiving me! And the seventh prince, he's always been a glutton, eating himself into a huge fat man, and then... and then he..."
Seemingly too angry and disappointed, the emperor could not continue speaking and began to cough.
Yun Zhuo brought the warm water next to him to his face.
The emperor looked into Yun Zhuo's eyes, took the water cup from her, and said with a heavy heart, "Zhuo'er, now your father only has you left!"
Yun Zhuo asked, "What does Father Emperor want me to do?"
His tone was very steady, revealing no trace of joy or anger.
Even the emperor couldn't detect his emotions, nor could he sense any grievance or resentment from him.
It was as if his dethronement had never happened.
It's as if the events of him being imprisoned and ordered to be executed never happened.
The emperor said, "I wish to reinstate you as the crown prince and Lady Ye as the crown princess."
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