It was already deep winter, and snow had been falling intermittently for two days. Early in the morning, before the mao hour, Hua Zhuyu had already awakened. This day she was on duty, sleeping on a temporary cot in Huangfu Wushuang’s outer hall. Actually, palace servants on night duty were not supposed to rest, but Huangfu Wushuang had specially permitted her to sleep, and Hua Zhuyu had not declined.
She looked at the sky and heard sounds of Huangfu Wushuang rising from the inner chamber, so she put on her outer robe and waited at the entrance to the inner hall. Soon, she heard Huangfu Wushuang’s low voice calling for someone—his voice was now mellow and deep, no longer the duck-like croak it had been before.
She smiled slightly and walked slowly into the inner chamber to see Huangfu Wushuang had already dressed in his undergarments and was sitting on the bed yawning. Palace servants brought water, and Huangfu Wushuang washed himself—in the past, he would have required others to serve him.
After washing, a young palace maid entered to comb Huangfu Wushuang’s hair, while Hua Zhuyu stood not far behind him by the wardrobe, taking out the new winter court robes made by the Inner Palace Bureau according to regulations.
The young palace maid finished combing Huangfu Wushuang’s hair, and he sat properly at the table, holding a bronze mirror as if looking at his reflection, though his gaze in the mirror was brazenly examining Hua Zhuyu.
That young eunuch, having been baptized by the battlefield, was no longer as fair as before, but had gained a bearing that others lacked. When she narrowed her eyes to look at him, her thick black eyelashes fluttered, and her clear eyes sparkled like rippling water beneath her long lashes. When she raised her head, those soft vermillion lips bloomed like flower petals, carrying an irresistible allure.
This youth, beautiful as a flower reflected in water, had actually fought valiantly on the battlefield. If not for reports from his own subordinates, he could hardly believe it—he couldn’t connect Yuan Bao with fierce combat at all.
Hua Zhuyu handed over the new robes, and Huangfu Wushuang reached out to receive them, lazily draping them over himself. Hua Zhuyu stepped forward and reached out to fasten his belt and arrange his clothing. She had done these tasks many times before when serving as Huangfu Wushuang’s attending eunuch. But doing them today somehow felt different from before.
This young man had truly grown tall. Standing before him, she had to raise her head and stand on tiptoe to fasten the topmost button for him—she really couldn’t treat him like a child anymore.
The room was completely quiet except for the rustling of clothing and their occasional fast or slow breathing.
After dressing, Hua Zhuyu stepped back two paces to look him over, seeing the youth standing tall and noble with an imposing bearing. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Your Highness, you’ve grown so tall!”
Huangfu Wushuang was particularly pleased to hear this. For some unknown reason, he especially hoped for Yuan Bao to notice that he had grown taller and matured.
“From now on, you can’t treat this Prince like a child anymore,” he said with a smile.
Hua Zhuyu smiled, “How would this servant dare treat Your Highness like a child?”
Huangfu Wushuang walked to stand beside Hua Zhuyu, saying rather resentfully, “Little Bao’er, I always feel like we’re a natural pair. If only you were a woman.”
Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately tightened, and her breathing suddenly became rapid. Had she revealed some flaw? Did Huangfu Wushuang suspect she was a woman? That couldn’t be possible. She had dressed as a man for years, and even her closest companions An, Kang, Tai, and Dan Hong hadn’t discovered it, nor had Ji Fengli seen through it. How could Huangfu Wushuang? Moreover, he had personally ordered her castration—he shouldn’t have any suspicions.
Hua Zhuyu smiled calmly, “I feel the same way, but there are no ‘what ifs’ in this world.”
Upon hearing Hua Zhuyu’s first half sentence, Huangfu Wushuang’s eyes lit up, but hearing the latter half, he immediately became dejected.
After the snow cleared, the entire palace was covered in fallen snow. The two walked on the crushed snow all the way to the Hall of Diligent Government.
These days, Huangfu Wushuang had not claimed the imperial title but was only acting as regent for Emperor Kang, so he didn’t need to hold morning court daily. He simply ordered young eunuchs to bring ministers’ memorials from the Golden Throne Hall to be reviewed in the Hall of Diligent Government.
Today, as soon as the two arrived at the Hall of Diligent Government, they saw more than ten ministers kneeling in the snow outside. It was currently the third quarter of the mao hour, when dawn was breaking—normally the time for the emperor’s morning court. Each minister held a memorial in hand, and seeing Huangfu Wushuang approach, they prostrated themselves, saying, “Please allow us ministers to visit Emperor Kang to check on his condition.”
Huangfu Wushuang’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he quickly walked before the ministers and sneered, “How many times has this Prince said it? My brother’s illness is contagious. This Prince is concerned for your wellbeing—why are you still so stubborn?”
Hua Zhuyu stood to one side, squinting as she scanned the ministers. She noticed Ji Fengli was not among them. Since returning to the capital, he had claimed illness and avoided court. But Hua Zhuyu understood that while he wasn’t present physically, these troublemaking ministers had undoubtedly received his instigation. She watched coldly as the ministers exchanged glances—clearly they wouldn’t give up without seeing Huangfu Wushang.
“Your Highness,” Hua Zhuyu stepped forward, “since the ministers are concerned about Emperor Kang’s condition, why not let them visit? In this freezing weather, if the ministers catch cold, wouldn’t that be a disaster for our Southern Dynasty?”
Huangfu Wushuang looked at Hua Zhuyu in surprise. Huangfu Wushang was currently imprisoned and naturally couldn’t be seen by anyone.
Hua Zhuyu smiled and made a gesture to Huangfu Wushuang, who understood and turned back coldly, “Since the ministers insist on visiting Emperor Kang, then follow Yuan Bao. However, this Prince will say this beforehand—any minister who visits Emperor Kang must be quarantined and confined in the palace for a period.”
The ministers had been about to rise, but hearing Huangfu Wushuang’s latter words, their faces immediately stiffened. Everyone understood what being confined in the palace for a period meant. Wouldn’t that mean no return? Huangfu Wushuang could spread word that after visiting Emperor Kang, they too had contracted the plague and even died from severe illness.
“Which minister wishes to follow little Bao’er, please proceed,” Hua Zhuyu said calmly.
The ministers looked at each other, all showing contemplation.
“My brother’s illness is no ordinary disease. Ministers, you should return and discuss with your families before coming back,” Huangfu Wushuang laughed cheerfully and walked into the Hall of Diligent Government with his hands behind his back.
“These old fools!” Once in the Hall of Diligent Government, Huangfu Wushuang sat on the dragon throne and slammed the table angrily, “When this Prince wanted to ascend the throne, few dared openly oppose it. Now that the Left Prime Minister has returned to Yu Capital, they’ve all grown bold as tigers—one moment demanding to see some Emperor Kang, the next saying if they can’t see Emperor Kang then this Prince can’t ascend the throne. Hmph! This Prince will ascend the throne in eight days!”
Hua Zhuyu frowned tightly. Ji Fengli had entered court service at fifteen and had been there for many years, with deep roots in the court. Among today’s troublemaking ministers, who knew how many were instigated by Ji Fengli? For Huangfu Wushuang to smoothly ascend as emperor, Grand Emperor Yan’s edict alone probably wouldn’t suffice.
“Your Highness, without Emperor Kang’s abdication edict, Your Highness’s ascension would lack proper justification.”
“But this crippled fool would rather die than write the edict. This Prince never expected his backbone to be so hard—I underestimated him before. Moreover, he doesn’t believe Father’s edict is genuine,” Huangfu Wushuang said through gritted teeth.
Hua Zhuyu pondered for a moment, then said slowly, “Why not let this servant try?”
Huangfu Wushuang nodded, “Little Bao’er, can you persuade him?”
“This servant isn’t completely confident, but if Your Highness could write an edict promising never to harm him after ascension, this servant believes there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance of success,” Hua Zhuyu said slowly.
No matter what, Dan Hong was Huangfu Wushang’s consort. Regardless of whether Dan Hong had feelings for him, Hua Zhuyu felt it necessary to temporarily preserve his life.
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang smiled, “Little Bao’er, my brother is this Prince’s imperial brother—how could this Prince harm him? You grind the ink; I’ll write.”
Hua Zhuyu raised her hand to grind ink, and Huangfu Wushuang picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote freely on rice paper, finishing in moments.
Hua Zhuyu glanced at it and saw Huangfu Wushuang first expressed gratitude for Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang’s virtue in abdication, then granted Huangfu Wushang the title Prince Kangxian, bestowed the fief of Nanzhao for his retirement, and promised to protect Huangfu Wushang’s safety for life, never harming him.
Huangfu Wushuang rolled up the edict and placed it in his robes, saying calmly, “Tonight, you’ll accompany me to see Emperor Kang.”
At the Left Prime Minister’s residence, Phoenix Garden.
Since returning to the capital, Ji Fengli had claimed illness to avoid court, yet he knew the court situation thoroughly, with Tong Shou delivering palace intelligence daily. At this moment, he sat on his bed, reached out to receive Tong Shou’s latest intelligence report, slowly read through it, and a faint smile curved his lips.
“Your Excellency, today a group of old ministers were all defeated by Yuan Bao. With one sentence, he made them abandon their intention to visit Emperor Kang,” Lan Bing said slowly from the side.
Ji Fengli placed the intelligence report over a candle flame to slowly burn it, the firelight reflecting a cold gleam in his narrow phoenix eyes. He smiled coldly, “He indeed did well, but this minister guesses he and Huangfu Wushuang have also understood one fact—without Emperor Kang’s edict, Huangfu Wushuang cannot smoothly ascend the throne. If this minister’s guess is correct, tonight they will definitely go see Emperor Kang. Have people watch Huangfu Wushuang and Yuan Bao closely, see where they go tonight, and find where Emperor Kang is imprisoned. Send word immediately when there’s news.”
Tong Shou nodded in agreement and hurried off to make arrangements.
That night, Hua Zhuyu went to Yongtang Palace and brought out Dan Hong disguised as a eunuch. The two of them, along with a group of young eunuchs, surrounded Huangfu Wushuang’s carriage as they proceeded forward.
It was extremely cold after the snow, with frigid air piercing their nostrils and chilling them to the bone.
The carriage continued forward. Hua Zhuyu thought they would head toward the remote cold palace or Internal Punishment Court, as those would be suitable places for imprisonment. Unexpectedly, Huangfu Wushuang’s carriage headed toward Xuancheng Hall where Grand Emperor Yan resided.
Though Hua Zhuyu was somewhat puzzled, thinking perhaps Huangfu Wushuang planned to visit the Grand Emperor first before seeing Huangfu Wushang, she paid it no mind.
Arriving at Xuancheng Palace, Huangfu Wushuang descended from the carriage. Young eunuchs came to greet them and led them toward a side hall adjacent to Xuancheng Hall. The side hall had apparently been the Grand Emperor’s study, containing a massive bookshelf. The young eunuch nimbly pushed the bookshelf aside, revealing dark stone steps that extended downward.
Hua Zhuyu had never expected such a secret chamber within Xuancheng Palace, and that Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang was actually imprisoned here. This would be difficult for anyone to imagine.
They slowly descended the steps. The secret chamber was dimly lit, its environment similar to the Internal Punishment Court where they had once lived—equally cold and damp. Inside was a simple bed with cotton quilts.
Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang was curled up on the bed dozing. Illuminated by the young eunuch’s torch, he slowly opened his eyes. Unable to adapt to the torch’s brightness, he closed them again as soon as they opened. After a while, he finally slowly opened them again. His gaze slowly swept across Huangfu Wushuang’s face, then across Hua Zhuyu’s face, finally fixing on Dan Hong’s face beside Hua Zhuyu. His black eyes, like still deep pools, seemed to ripple with circles of waves for an instant, but this lasted only a moment before returning to calm.
He turned his gaze back to Huangfu Wushuang’s face and said coldly, “I already said I won’t agree.”
Huangfu Wushuang walked before Huangfu Wushang with his hands behind his back, looking down at him with a smile, “Brother, even now you remain so stubborn? Who are you still waiting to rescue you? This is Father’s edict—even without your abdication decree, I can still ascend the throne. It’s just to spare those ministers some bloodshed.”
Huangfu Wushang smiled coldly but said nothing.
Hua Zhuyu walked forward, using the torch’s light to examine the former Emperor Kang. These days of imprisonment had made him considerably more haggard and extremely thin. Clearly, he had been tortured—there was a whip mark on his exposed hand. However, his eyes were particularly bright and cold, containing a trace of unyielding spirit.
Hua Zhuyu had never expected the seemingly weak Huangfu Wushang to have such backbone.
Looking at Huangfu Wushang, Hua Zhuyu frowned and sighed softly in her heart. Whether Huangfu Wushuang or Huangfu Wushang, if they hadn’t been born into the imperial family, they might have been a pair of mutually respectful and loving brothers. However, in this imperial family, they had become adversaries who were neither true brothers nor true brothers, determined to fight to the death.
Of these two, there was no doubt that Huangfu Wushuang was more suitable to sit on the throne, because Huangfu Wushang would only be a puppet in Ji Fengli’s hands. So tonight, no matter what, they had to persuade Huangfu Wushang.
She handed the scroll of edict written in Huangfu Wushuang’s hand to Dan Hong, nodded to her, then withdrew with Huangfu Wushuang and several young eunuchs.
In the current situation, Huangfu Wushang probably wouldn’t listen to anyone. Dan Hong was his consort after all—now, perhaps only she could speak with him. All they could do was wait.
In the side hall of Xuancheng Palace, candle flames flickered. After waiting about two cups of tea’s time, Dan Hong finally emerged from the underground chamber.
“How did it go?” Hua Zhuyu asked.
Dan Hong nodded and took out the abdication edict written in Huangfu Wushang’s hand from her sleeve. Hua Zhuyu received the edict and handed it to Huangfu Wushuang.
Huangfu Wushuang breathed a sigh of relief, took the edict, glanced at Dan Hong, and smiled, “Lady Song Zhaoyi has rendered great service. From today, this Prince lifts your palace confinement—you may move freely.”
Dan Hong’s lips curved slightly in a smile as she bowed to thank Huangfu Wushuang for his grace.
After leaving the side hall, Hua Zhuyu suddenly had a thought. Surely Ji Fengli was also searching for where Emperor Kang was imprisoned. If he discovered Huangfu Wushang was held here, given Ji Fengli’s capabilities, he might come to rescue him. Tonight, it was possible he had sent people to watch them.
Hua Zhuyu stopped and turned to Huangfu Wushuang, “The night is so beautiful—would Your Highness like to stroll around the palace?”
Huangfu Wushuang was stunned for a moment, then understood Hua Zhuyu’s meaning and smiled, “Since Little Bao’er wants to stroll, this Prince will accompany you to the end.”
Huangfu Wushuang abandoned the carriage and quietly led Hua Zhuyu, Dan Hong, and Ji Xiang out of Xuancheng Palace. They walked along the palace’s stone paths, through the rear palace where consorts lived, past Qingzhi Palace, to the Imperial Garden in the rear palace. They wandered long among the artificial mountain groups, left the Imperial Garden, then headed straight for the cold palace area, and later made a trip to the Internal Punishment Court.
They continued wandering until the third watch drum sounded, only then quietly returning to their residences.
Though it was past the third watch, Zuixian Workshop remained lively and bustling.
In the great hall downstairs, glazed lamps cast mysterious light. On the stage, a beautiful singing girl held a pipa, her delicate fingers lightly plucking out the beautiful melody of “Drunk Among Flowers.”
In an elegant room on the second floor, Ji Fengli wore white light fur, his expression lazy as he reclined beside a table, gazing calmly outside through pearl curtains hanging over the door.
Beside him, the top courtesan of Zuixian Workshop, Little Li Yao, poured wine for him. Seeing his consistently indifferent and lazy expression, she smiled, “Your Excellency, is there any tune you’d like to hear? Li Yao will play one for you.”
Ji Fengli raised his head to drain his cup, casually toying with the glazed cup, “No need.”
Little Li Yao smiled with pursed lips, “Your Excellency, Li Yao recently composed a new piece. Please honor me by listening.”
Ji Fengli shook his head, then said calmly, “Very well.”
Little Li Yao immediately smiled like a blooming flower, put down her wine cup, lifted the pearl curtain and went out. Soon she returned with a jade qin, placed it on the floor, and began playing with clear, ringing notes.
Before the piece ended, the pearl curtain was lifted and Tong Shou quickly entered.
“Your Excellency, Master Tong has arrived,” Little Li Yao pressed the strings and smiled.
Tong Shou stood solemnly before Ji Fengli and reported in a low voice, “Your Excellency, tonight Huangfu Wushuang and Yuan Bao first visited the Grand Emperor, staying there for two cups of tea; then they went to Qingzhi Palace, staying there for three cups of tea; afterward they went to the Imperial Garden, staying among the artificial mountains for three incense sticks’ time; then they went to the cold palace, staying there for three incense sticks’ time; then they went to the Internal Punishment Court, staying longer this time—half a double-hour; then they returned. Tonight they nearly walked through the entire palace.”
Ji Fengli was drinking wine when he heard this. His black eyes focused and his lips curved in a sharp smile.
“Does Huangfu Wushuang often visit the Grand Emperor?” Ji Fengli asked calmly.
“Quite often. I hear that since coming out of the Internal Punishment Court, he’s been particularly concerned about the Grand Emperor’s health. When he has no time for daytime visits, he usually goes in the evening,” Tong Shou replied.
Ji Fengli held his teacup and said slowly, “It seems we need to make another move.”
After obtaining the abdication edict from Huangfu Wushang through Dan Hong, Huangfu Wushuang’s ascension could be considered legitimate. After several days of preparation, the coronation ceremony was finally set for early December.
On the guiwei day of December, the weather was clear with faint clouds floating in the sky.
This day was the great occasion of the Southern Dynasty’s new emperor Huangfu Wushuang’s coronation.
At the first quarter of the chen hour, bells and drums rang in unison.
In Taiji Hall, all officials prostrated themselves on the ground. Huangfu Wushuang in dragon robes ascended the steps, with Hua Zhuyu in dark red second-rank eunuch robes holding the imperial edict, following closely behind.
The deep winter sunlight warmly shone through thin clouds onto Hua Zhuyu. She walked slowly before the officials, unfolded the imperial edict, and proclaimed loudly, “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees… I now inherit the great treasure, changing the era name to Hongwu… granting general amnesty to demonstrate imperial grace…”
Chief Eunuch and First Person of the Southern Dynasty’s Inner Palace Hua Zhuyu held the yellow silk imperial edict at the foot of the imperial steps, her clear, dustless voice like a summer breeze rushing toward them.
“By this imperial decree!”
Hua Zhuyu stood quietly on the imperial steps, her tall figure standing straight, her dark red brocade robes fluttering in the cold wind like an immortal about to take flight.
Ji Fengli stood at the head of the officials in court dress, calmly gazing at Hua Zhuyu. Their eyes met unintentionally, both cold as the gleam from blade edges.
Dong dong dong…
Just as the officials were about to bow in submission with three kneelings and nine prostrations, the injustice drum outside Taiji Hall suddenly sounded, reverberating deeply and heavily above the hall.
Hua Zhuyu sensed trouble. She looked back at Huangfu Wushuang and saw a flash of surprise in his eyes too. Her gaze quietly shifted to Ji Fengli, who remained unchanged, looking at her with calm composure and a gentle smile at the corner of his lips.
Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly turned cold. With Ji Fengli, the more gently he smiled, the more ruthless his actions—she immediately sensed this matter was very tricky.
A young eunuch hurriedly ran over. Hua Zhuyu walked slowly down the steps and asked in a low voice, “What’s the matter?”
“Chief Bao, Dowager Consort Yu from the cold palace somehow escaped and is beating the drum outside, saying she has important matters to report to the Grand Emperor,” the young eunuch whispered.
Hua Zhuyu’s heart sank. This Dowager Consort Yu was Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang’s birth mother, confined to the cold palace by Emperor Yan years ago. She was said to have been mad all these years. Recently, when Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang ascended the throne and wanted to bring her out of the cold palace, she had madly beaten him away. Today, how had she come here to beat the drum? Could this person be feigning madness?
“Send people to stop her from entering the hall. I’ll report to the Emperor,” Hua Zhuyu whispered, then turned to ascend the steps.
“What happened?” Huangfu Wushuang asked gravely.
“Your Majesty, it’s Dowager Consort Yu from the cold palace. The palace maids probably didn’t watch her well and she escaped. This person has always been mad and might do crazy things,” Hua Zhuyu reported calmly.
Huangfu Wushuang nodded, “Very well, then let the ceremony continue.”
Hua Zhuyu turned and called out in a long voice, “All officials kneel and bow to the new emperor…”
“Wait!” Ji Fengli’s cold shout rang out, his voice clear and cold like water splashing on jade, penetrating and clear.
Hua Zhuyu’s words immediately stopped as if severed. She looked coldly to see Ji Fengli walking out from among the court ministers. He bowed toward Grand Emperor Yan’s direction, “Grand Emperor, today the new emperor ascends the throne with general amnesty—those with grievances may voice them. Though Dowager Consort Yu is mad, she might have recovered by now. Please allow her to enter the hall.”
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Wen also walked slowly out from the ministers and echoed, “The Left Prime Minister speaks truly. Please allow her to enter the hall.”
Once Ji Fengli and Grand Tutor Wen spoke, half the court ministers knelt and called out, “Please allow her to enter the hall!”—even louder than the traditional “Long live the Emperor!”
The Grand Emperor sat on the imperial throne wearing a crown with pearl curtains obscuring his face—no one could see what he was thinking. Beside him stood Dowager Consort Liu in magnificent robes. Upon hearing this, she whispered something in the Grand Emperor’s ear.
The Grand Emperor declared loudly, “Granted!”
Soon, Dowager Consort Yu was brought up.
This was a woman in plain dress and simple ornaments. She walked with lowered head, knelt at the foot of the steps, and declared, “Your subject pays respects to the Grand Emperor.” Her voice was gentle and calm, nothing like a mad person.
“Rise. Why do you beat the drum?” Grand Emperor Yan’s rigid voice came from the imperial throne.
“Your subject has a great grievance! Please let the Grand Emperor decide for your subject!” Dowager Consort Yu slowly raised her head and said mournfully.
Hua Zhuyu’s gaze focused. This Dowager Consort Yu appeared to be in her thirties with a delicate face and clear eyes—no trace of madness at all.
She vaguely guessed that this dowager consort’s grievance definitely concerned Huangfu Wushuang. Though she didn’t understand the details, she was certain this would be a fatal blow to Huangfu Wushuang.
Hua Zhuyu looked sideways at Ji Fengli, who happened to look back at her. She felt her heart immediately rise to her throat, her hands and feet growing cold. If Huangfu Wushuang failed to ascend the throne today and was defeated by Ji Fengli, then she would be completely finished.
She watched helplessly as Dowager Consort Yu took out bloodstained cloth covered with writing from her sleeve, presented by eunuchs to the throne, watched helplessly as the Grand Emperor received the cloth and slowly scanned it, her heart filled with anxiety. Dowager Consort Liu glanced at the cloth, her expression changing dramatically.
“Good, you may withdraw. I know everything and will certainly seek justice for you,” Emperor Yan’s authoritative voice came, “Let the ceremony continue.”
Dowager Consort Yu stood stunned like a wooden chicken, shrieking, “Grand Emperor, that’s the late Empress’s handwriting—every word is true! Grand Emperor, how can you still let this traitor ascend the throne? He imprisoned Shang’er! He’s not…”
Huangfu Wushuang suddenly shouted coldly, “Gag her!”
Eunuchs immediately stepped forward and stuffed a handkerchief into Dowager Consort Yu’s mouth.
Ji Fengli started, quickly stepping forward, “Grand Emperor, please let Dowager Consort Yu finish speaking.”
Emperor Yan said word by word, “Mad ravings!”
All the ministers were stunned.
Hua Zhuyu was also somewhat surprised. Since Ji Fengli had brought Dowager Consort Yu to the hall, he must have been very confident. What was written on that cloth must be momentous enough to prevent today’s ceremony from proceeding. Why would Emperor Yan react this way? Anyone could see that Dowager Consort Yu wasn’t mad at all.
Ji Fengli’s gaze focused as he looked up at the Grand Emperor, his eyes sharp as if trying to pierce the pearl curtain. Then he suddenly smiled, though his eyes flashed with thoughtful understanding.
Dowager Consort Yu was dragged away, and the ceremony continued. The officials submitted, performing three kneelings and nine prostrations to Huangfu Wushuang, crying “Long live! Long live! Long live!”
Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, only then noticing her back was cold with sweat she hadn’t realized she’d broken out in.