The Emperor wasn't in his chambers?
How did he suddenly emerge from his palace?
The pampered beauty's fluster lasted only a moment before she smiled radiantly, "Your concubine greets His Majesty."
Yun Shu turned to look at Zhan Tianhong, who was not far away.
The young man's handsome face was as before.
But his expression and aura had changed dramatically.
A single glance from him sent the pampered beauty beside him into a state of panic.
Yun Shu sighed inwardly.
"This commoner bids farewell," Yun Shu said and left immediately.
The pampered beauty wanted to stop Yun Shu, but under Zhan Tianhong's gaze, she was unable to. She could only subtly observe Yun Shu's gait.
However, since Yun Shu was carrying a medicine box, she couldn't discern anything.
Zhan Tianhong's gaze deepened as he watched Yun Shu gradually walk away.
The pampered beauty gracefully approached, "Your Majesty, your concubine has worried about you all night. Is Your Majesty feeling better now?"
She appeared delicate, pitiable, like a wilting flower that understood unspoken sentiments before him.
Zhan Tianhong looked at the pampered beauty's face, pushed her away, and said coldly, "Without my summons, you are not permitted to come to my chambers."
The pampered beauty, who had only recently gained favor, did not expect to have provoked him. Her face turned pale, and she feigned a frightened demeanor, saying tremblingly, "Yes, your concubine understands. Your concubine will certainly not come to Your Majesty's chambers again."
She knew well that her submissive posture would please him.
Before trying to win his favor, she had observed the Emperor and understood him well.
Every time she acted like this, the Emperor would smile and coax her.
But today, the Emperor walked away towards the Imperial Study without even looking back.
She stood frozen, bewildered as to what she had done wrong, as it was not like this yesterday.
The palace attendants, seeing her face suddenly turn ashen, felt a pang of sympathy. After all, she was the Emperor's recent favorite. Offering a subtle hint might earn them some favor, so they whispered to her, "His Majesty is in a bad mood today, and likely will be for the next couple of days. Perhaps Your Ladyship should visit His Majesty again in a few days."
The pampered beauty was stunned. Why?
Suddenly, she understood.
She immediately looked ahead.
Yun Shu's figure was no longer visible.
The rumors circulating faintly in the palace were true!
Her rise to favor was based on these very rumors.
"Alright, thank you, Eunuch," the pampered beauty quickly said with gratitude.
Just as the pampered beauty was about to return to her palace, she suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching.
No, she was heading towards the Imperial Study.
It was Jiang Luoxi.
"Is that Miss Jiang? Does she visit the Emperor often recently?" the pampered beauty asked a nearby palace attendant nonchalantly.
The palace attendant followed the pampered beauty's gaze and nodded upon seeing Jiang Luoxi heading towards the Imperial Study, "Yes, Your Ladyship. Perhaps the Empress Dowager has some instructions for Miss Jiang to relay."
The pampered beauty nodded, staring thoughtfully at Jiang Luoxi's retreating figure.
Relaying the Empress Dowager's decree?
Why did she feel it was not so simple?
...
Jiang Luoxi entered the Imperial Study.
Her gaze fell upon Zhan Tianhong, who was standing by the window, seemingly lost in thought, and not reviewing memorials.
Hearing the sound of footsteps at the door, Zhan Tianhong asked in a deep voice, "Miss Jiang, is something the matter?"
Jiang Luoxi noticed that the young Emperor before her was more composed than before.
There was also a hint of unfathomable presence about him.
However, it was strange; he didn't look much like Prince Ye.
Even Prince Ning and the others didn't resemble Prince Ye much.
At first, she thought they looked somewhat alike, but now, on closer reflection, perhaps the similarity was merely that they were all of royal blood, and the nobility they absorbed in the palace, something that could only be cultivated by them compared to ordinary people.
But at this moment, the young Emperor's cold demeanor bore a strong resemblance to Prince Ye.
"This commoner has indeed one matter to discuss with His Majesty," Jiang Luoxi had hesitated for a moment on her way here.
But now, she no longer hesitated.
And she had made her decision!
By taking this step, Prince Ye and Yun Shu would be temporarily powerless against her! They likely wouldn't expect her to resort to this tactic.
Zhan Tianhong turned around and looked at Jiang Luoxi, "Speak."
...
In front of the General's Mansion.
Yun Shu had just alighted from her carriage.
She was about to enter the mansion.
However, as soon as she stepped out of the carriage, someone blocked her path.
Seeing the person who had stopped her, Yun Shu was momentarily stunned, failing to recognize him.
Before her stood Zhan Ming, his face grim, emanating a pallor of impending death. The life had drained from his eyes, and even his eyebrows had fallen out.
His hair had also become sparse.
In just a few days, Zhan Ming's transformation was so drastic?
Upon closer thought, it wasn't surprising.
"Why has the Regent suddenly come to the General's Mansion to stop me?" Yun Shu asked, feigning ignorance.
She truly admired Zhan Ming's thought process; they were enemies, and he still shamelessly sought her out time and again.
Recalling the once arrogant, vicious, and cruel Zhan Ming, Yun Shu felt he had lived long enough and his mind was irrevocably damaged.
Zhan Ming glared at Yun Shu with his bell-sized eyes, as if she were his lifeline. "Yun Shu, you can save this prince! I know you can! As long as you save me, I promise to help Zhan Tianye seize the throne, and I will ensure your General's Mansion prospers for a hundred years! Anyone you wish to see dead, I can help you! Just save me!"
This morning, the servant responsible for his grooming was greatly startled while brushing his hair.
He then discovered that the comb was covered in a thick layer of hair!
With just a gentle brush!
Then, when he lightly grabbed it with his hand, another large handful of hair fell out!
And while washing his face, the water basin was filled with his beard and eyebrows!
He hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
He had been searching for a divine physician across the land during this time, but to no avail!
Zhan Ming was terrified. He realized his internal energy was also declining!
A terrifying aura of death instantly enveloped him.
Yun Shu took a step back. Zhan Ming's current predicament was a consequence of his own actions. Furthermore, the aura of death emanating from him was too potent, and a foul odor spewed from his mouth.
"I'm sorry, I can do nothing more," Yun Shu said coldly.
The conditions he offered were no longer enough to entice her.
Even if they were enticing, Zhan Ming's promises were often empty words, not to be taken seriously.
Zhan Ming was furious. His trembling finger pointed at Yun Shu, "I made so many promises to you, and you completely disregard them! Yun Shu, do you believe I will kill you right now?"
He reached out his hands, making a motion as if to strangle Yun Shu's neck.
Yun Shu easily stepped back, evading Zhan Ming. Then, the gatekeepers and guards from the General's Mansion rushed out.
They shielded Yun Shu.
Yun Shu did not act coyly, standing behind them. Then, she looked at the enraged Zhan Ming.