The setting sun was like blood, casting down its radiance. The solemn and magnificent imperial palace was shrouded in a thick red hue, hazy as blood.

Hua Zhuyu crossed the nine-curved stone bridge of Lianyan Lake, strolling toward Yongtang Palace where Dan Hong resided. Now, with the imperial palace full of crises, she absolutely could not let Dan Hong remain in the palace any longer. Today, she would go discuss leaving the palace with Dan Hong. She quietly entered Yongtang Palace and saw from afar that the little palace maid beside Dan Hong was standing under the corridor. Seeing her enter the courtyard, the maid didn’t greet her but instead flashed into the room.

Hua Zhuyu found this very strange. Using her lightness skill, she reached the door in a few steps and pushed open the carved lacquered door. A medicinal fragrance wafted from inside. Since Hua Zhuyu was a eunuch and Dan Hong was a former consort of the late Emperor Kang, she rarely came here to avoid suspicion. Unexpectedly, arriving suddenly today, she actually saw Dan Hong taking medicine.

“What’s wrong with you? What illness do you have? What medicine is this?” Hua Zhuyu snatched away the medicine bowl that Dan Hong was about to hide.

Dan Hong’s beautiful eyes filled with panic. Avoiding Hua Zhuyu’s sharp gaze, she smiled gracefully and said, “I caught a cold – it’s nothing serious.”

“Just caught a cold? Then why are you hiding from me?” Hua Zhuyu asked lazily, slowly sitting down in a chair to one side.

The little palace maid hurried forward to pour tea for her, then quietly withdrew.

“Dan Hong just didn’t want the general to worry. The general has been in a bad mood lately, and I didn’t want to add to the general’s troubles.” Dan Hong lowered her eyelashes slightly, concealing the panicked emotion in her eyes, but this panic didn’t escape Hua Zhuyu’s notice.

“Which imperial physician wrote this prescription for you? Give me the prescription, and when I leave the palace, I’ll have Tai look at whether the medicine you’re using is appropriate.” Although Dan Hong was no longer imprisoned thanks to Hua Zhuyu, she was after all a consort of the former Emperor Kang, Huangfu Wushang. The imperial physicians in the palace probably wouldn’t wholeheartedly treat her illness. Moreover, she didn’t quite believe Dan Hong had really just caught a cold.

Upon hearing this, Dan Hong’s beautiful eyes focused.

Hua Zhuyu saw this and calmly took a sip of tea, smiling charmingly. “Where’s the prescription?”

Dan Hong furrowed her brows. “I don’t know where I put it for the moment. When I find it, I’ll have someone send it to you.”

“No need!” Hua Zhuyu stood up and said slowly, “You go tell the little palace maid to collect the medicine dregs properly. I’ll take them to have Tai look at them – it’s the same thing.”

Dan Hong suddenly looked up, her jade face instantly pale as snow. She moved her lips, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Hua Zhuyu sighed lightly, walked forward, and said gently, “Dan Hong, is there anything you can’t tell me?”

Dan Hong bit her lower lip with her silver teeth. After a long while, she said quietly, “General, you don’t need to investigate. That medicine is for protecting pregnancy. I’m with child – the baby belongs to the former Emperor Kang. When I went to persuade him to write the abdication edict, it was because I told him I would do everything to protect the child in my womb that he wrote the abdication edict.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s ears buzzed, and her heart felt as if someone had suddenly grabbed it – both painful and pitiful. She stepped forward and grasped Dan Hong’s wrist, whispering, “Dan Hong, you’re so foolish! Such an important matter – why didn’t you tell me earlier? How can you protect the child while in the imperial palace? I’ll immediately go petition His Majesty. If he still won’t let you leave the palace, I’ll arrange below to secretly get you out of the palace as soon as possible.”

“General, I can’t bear to leave you. I can’t leave you alone in the palace.” Dan Hong said anxiously, her eyes reddening.

“No, you must go!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly, her whole body emanating chilling coldness. If Huangfu Wushuang learned that Dan Hong was carrying the former Emperor Kang’s child, he would absolutely not spare Dan Hong. She must get Dan Hong out of the palace as early as possible.

“Dan Hong, who else knows about your pregnancy? Where did you get the pregnancy-protecting medicine?” she asked quietly.

Dan Hong furrowed her brows. “Besides that little palace maid just now, only Imperial Physician Ye from the Imperial Medical Bureau knows. A few days ago, when I caught a cold, Imperial Physician Ye took my pulse and said my pregnancy was unstable, so he prescribed pregnancy-protecting medicine for me.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly tensed. How was it this Imperial Physician Ye again? Regardless of whether this Imperial Physician Ye was trustworthy or not, Dan Hong must leave the palace immediately.

After nightfall, Hua Zhuyu quietly returned to the eunuch quarters. She lay on the bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep. When the long night watch bells had struck three times, taking advantage of the changing of the palace guard, Hua Zhuyu left the quarters and slipped into Xuancheng Palace where the Grand Emperor lived.

She crouched on the roof, faintly hearing the sounds of strings and woodwinds coming from the great hall. Hua Zhuyu frowned. It was said that Emperor Yan’s condition was serious – why was he indulging in music and pleasure in the deep of night? She had originally planned to sneak into Emperor Yan’s room when the night was deep and no one was around to question him about some matters, but now it seemed impossible. Just as she was about to leave, she heard the music inside stop, followed by coughing sounds mixed with the faint murmur of a woman’s voice. Hua Zhuyu was puzzled and quietly lifted a glazed tile to look down.

The palace hall was dimly lit with strange incense swirling about. Layers of bright yellow curtains fluttered in the wind, revealing silhouettes within the drapes.

The Grand Emperor leaned against a couch, and beside him was the woman who had guarded him during the coronation ceremony – Consort Liu.

“Grand Emperor, it’s time for medicine.” Consort Liu walked over with her clothes half-open and graceful posture.

The Grand Emperor kept staring at Consort Liu without even blinking, his expression consistently cold and stern, making observers feel fearful. Consort Liu brought the medicine bowl to the Grand Emperor’s front, and he took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

“It tastes good, doesn’t it?” Consort Liu said with a smile.

“It tastes good, doesn’t it?” The Grand Emperor repeated with a cold, stern expression.

Hua Zhuyu was shocked and alarmed, feeling that Emperor Yan seemed wrong somehow. Thinking back to the banquet welcoming the returning northern expedition soldiers and Huangfu Wushuang’s coronation ceremony, it was this Consort Liu who had been by his side. Could it be that Emperor Yan had already been bewitched and all his words were under this Consort Liu’s guidance? No wonder when Consort Yu had presented that blood-stained silk scroll that day, Emperor Yan had remained unmoved after reading it.

Hua Zhuyu lay uneasily on the roof, her heart slowly sinking. Huangfu Wushuang, you really can bring yourself to act against your own father emperor!

She wondered if Ji Fengli had discovered this before.

Thinking of Ji Fengli, Hua Zhuyu’s thoughts became confused for a moment. That person’s appearance in white clothes with black hair and gentle smile seemed to transform into a bamboo splinter in an instant, carrying past appearances and smiles, piercing deep into her heart.

She quietly moved down from the eaves and flew outside Xuancheng Palace.

The night watch was nearly over, the night thick and deep. A patrol of Imperial Guards came toward her, someone coldly shouting, “Who’s there?”

Hua Zhuyu hurriedly flew to hide in the shadows of trees to one side, watching the Imperial Guards rush over. She quickly held her breath, not daring to move carelessly. Squinting at the leader getting closer and closer, she heard someone on the bluestone path beside her slowly emerge.

“It’s me!” The aged and hoarse voice in the dark night made one’s heart skip a beat.

Through the gaps in the branches, Hua Zhuyu saw a figure walking over with shuffling steps. Her body stiffened as she was somewhat shocked to discover that the person was actually Imperial Physician Ye whom she had seen in Wen Wan’s palace.

“So it’s Imperial Physician Ye. This subordinate has offended.” The Imperial Guard leader hurriedly clasped his fists in salute.

Imperial Physician Ye snorted coldly and said slowly, “Go on down.”

Several Imperial Guards hurriedly clasped fists and withdrew. Imperial Physician Ye, carrying his medicine bag, quickly walked toward Xuancheng Palace. From the Imperial Guards’ attitude just now, it was clear that Imperial Physician Ye was treating the Grand Emperor’s illness. The Grand Emperor’s condition was probably inseparable from this Imperial Physician Ye.

Watching Imperial Physician Ye enter Xuancheng Palace, Hua Zhuyu then quietly left, but the doubts in her heart grew thicker and thicker.

When Hua Zhuyu requested Huangfu Wushuang to send Dan Hong out of the palace, he refused. Knowing he would absolutely not let Dan Hong leave, Hua Zhuyu began preparing to secretly get Dan Hong out of the palace. However, since Ji Fengli’s incident, Huangfu Wushuang had been monitoring Hua Zhuyu more and more strictly – his attitude suggested he was determined to make her his head eunuch for life. If she secretly left the palace alone, she could still shake off the people he sent after her, but if she brought Dan Hong along, it would be troublesome.

Hua Zhuyu had to look for another opportunity. Just at this time, the Southern Dynasty welcomed two major events. One was the selection of concubines. Huangfu Wushuang had just ascended the throne and the rear palace was empty, needing to be filled quickly. The other was the annual grand ceremony of tributary nations paying homage. The Southern Dynasty had many small tributary countries, such as the Yue Shi, Kucha, and so on. These small countries would come to pay homage and tribute to the Southern Dynasty every year after the New Year. This year, coinciding with the new emperor’s ascension, the ceremony was naturally even more grand. Eastern Yan had always had good relations with the Southern Dynasty, and it was said they had also sent envoys to visit and congratulate the Southern Dynasty’s new emperor on his ascension.

This first month would be lively in the Southern Dynasty. Hua Zhuyu and Dan Hong agreed that when the time came, they would take advantage of the various nations’ congratulations to find an opportunity to leave the palace.

First year of Hongwu, first month. The Southern Dynasty’s new emperor ascended the throne, and various small countries sent envoys to pay homage and congratulate. On the twenty-eighth day of the first month, envoys from Persia, Kucha, and Yue Shi had arrived in Yudu. This day at morning court, several envoys entered the hall for audience.

Huangfu Wushuang wore bright yellow Shu brocade nine-dragon court robes and a southern pearl crown, his bearing handsome and elegant. He sat high on the dragon throne, with Hua Zhuyu standing behind and to one side of him.

When all ministers attended court, Huangfu Wushuang announced loudly, “Summon the envoys of Persia, Kucha, and Yue Shi to enter the hall.”

“Summon the envoys of Persia, Kucha, and Yue Shi to enter the hall…” The ceremonial voice was passed out layer by layer, echoing throughout the vast Golden Throne Hall.

Soon, a group of envoys in foreign dress were led by palace attendants to the hall.

The Persian envoys were numerous, led by a young man with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and curly hair. The Kucha envoy was an elderly man over sixty, the prime minister of Kucha.

The Persian and Kucha envoys respectfully knelt and saluted Huangfu Wushuang, then rose and said, “Respected Majesty, we were ordered by our kings to convey our countries’ friendship to you, wishing to maintain good relations with the Celestial Dynasty for generations, never to have warfare.”

“No need for excessive ceremony, please rise!” Huangfu Wushuang smiled and said. These envoys were extremely devout, performing the Southern Dynasty’s grand ceremony upon arriving in the Southern Dynasty, which greatly satisfied Huangfu Wushuang.

The two countries’ envoys presented their gifts. Huangfu Wushuang smiled and ordered them to be received, then announced loudly, “All who come from afar are guests. I have prepared a banquet. Please, envoys, move to Qianqing Hall to take your seats.”

“Your Majesty, the Yue Shi envoy has not yet arrived.” A minister stepped forward to report.

Huangfu Wushuang said in a deep voice, “Has the Yue Shi envoy reached Yudu?”

“He arrived in Yudu yesterday. This minister has already arranged for them to stay at the Yue Shi envoy residence. This morning, this minister also sent people to invite them. However, Yue Shi sent their young prince to pay homage, and he said that unless an official of third rank or above comes to invite him, he won’t come.” The minister said somewhat fearfully.

Hua Zhuyu muttered to herself – this Yue Shi envoy had quite an attitude.

“Outrageous!” A minister in the hall said coldly, “This Yue Shi young prince is too arrogant!”

“Your Majesty, why not send this minister to drag that ignorant child here and see if he still dares to be so presumptuous?” A military general stepped forward and said.

Huangfu Wushuang’s sword-like brows were deeply locked, his expression slightly darkened. After a long while, he said, “No need! I’ll comply with his request and send a minister to invite him.”

Qianqing Hall.

Because the weather was still somewhat cold, the banquet was set inside the hall. Palace maids moved exotic flowers and plants from the warm rooms of the Imperial Garden, filling the entire hall. Upon entering, one could smell the wafting floral fragrance. At the entrance was placed a huge flower vase containing a red plum tree that was blooming magnificently, its dark fragrance compelling.

Since Huangfu Wushuang had no concubines yet, for this banquet, Huangfu Wushuang allowed ministers to bring their family members. When everyone arrived at Qianqing Hall, the officials’ wives and daughters had already arrived, each dressed gorgeously.

After Hua Zhuyu accompanied Huangfu Wushuang to take his seat, the banquet officially began. After three rounds of wine, a eunuch came to report that the Yue Shi envoy had arrived.

Huangfu Wushuang put down his wine cup and glanced sideways with a faint smile. “Announce him!”

“The Yue Shi envoy requests audience…” The palace attendant’s drawn-out voice echoed melodiously throughout the hall.

Hua Zhuyu filled a cup of wine for Huangfu Wushuang and looked up toward the hall entrance.

It was said that this time Yue Shi had sent their young prince as envoy. Everyone had heard that all people of Yue Shi were beautiful as flowers. In past years, it was always elderly ministers who came for audience, so people had no chance to see them. This young prince had a great reputation in Yue Shi, making everyone somewhat curious. They all looked up, watching the great hall entrance.

That red plum tree bloomed extremely gorgeously, like fire, like rosy clouds, and like blood. A figure emerged from behind the red plum, walking into the hall with steady steps. The person wore a dazzling black robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, extremely luxurious. His black hair, like a waterfall, was neither tied nor bound, just loosely scattered down, carrying a few traces of unruliness and arrogance. As he walked leisurely, his robes moved like willows by a lake, stirring without wind. The black robes against the red plum tree were startlingly beautiful. Without seeing his face, one felt this person’s radiance was too brilliant to look at directly. When they saw his face, everyone couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

He wore a golden mask on his face, carved with intricate and gorgeous patterns, revealing a soul-stirring and bewitching charm.

Only then did everyone suddenly remember that Yue Shi was in the south of the Southern Dynasty, where sunlight was intense, so their dress often covered their faces. This young prince always wore a mask – this was already their country’s custom.

The Yue Shi young prince didn’t come alone but was followed by a young man and a group of graceful Yue Shi women.

These women wore various brilliantly colored gauze skirts with exquisite veils covering their faces. Their features were dimly visible behind the veils, mysterious and enchanting. Their necks, waists, wrists, and ankles were all adorned with gold and silver ornaments and various pearls and gems. As they walked, the bells on their wrists and ankles made crisp, pleasant sounds like a beautiful melody.

These women’s bold attire and exotic charm greatly amazed everyone present. For a moment, everyone’s gaze shifted from the young prince to these women.

The Yue Shi young prince, surrounded by the women, walked to Huangfu Wushuang and stopped, placing his left hand on his chest and bowing slightly. “Nalan Xue pays respects to His Imperial Majesty.” His voice was leisurely, carrying laziness and enchantment.

“Prince Nalan need not be overly courteous. Please consider this your homeland and take your seat.” Huangfu Wushuang said indifferently.

Nalan Xue smiled with curved lips, turned and was led by a eunuch to sit among the guests.

“Bold Yue Shi envoy, His Sacred Majesty is present, yet you do not show your true face to the sovereign. This shows disrespect to the Celestial Dynasty. Quickly remove your mask!” A minister at the banquet was dissatisfied with this person wearing a mask and shouted coldly.

This shout expressed everyone’s thoughts. Everyone wanted to see his face, and their gazes instantly enveloped him like a net.

The young man beside Nalan Xue smiled and said, “Please forgive us, Your Imperial Majesty. The young prince has worn this mask since he was eighteen and can only remove it upon death. This is our Yue Shi royal family’s rule. If everyone wants to see what Yue Shi men look like, you might as well look at me instead.” Having said this, the person removed the veil covering his face.

Only then did everyone notice this attendant beside Nalan Xue.

The moment the veil fell, everyone was stunned. No one had expected there could be such a man in the world.

The first time people saw him, they felt that using “beautiful” to describe him wasn’t enough, but it seemed there was no other word if not beautiful. It was a different kind of beauty from Southern Dynasty people – fair skin, deep dark eyes, pupils bright as black gemstones, long lashes thick as feather fans. A bright red cinnabar dot adorned his forehead, so striking that it added several touches of exotic charm to him.

He wore short boots, and like the women behind him, his left boot had a string of golden bells that made crisp sounds as he moved lightly.

His bright gaze swept around the hall once, and he smiled with curved lips, saying quietly, “If everyone wants to know what Yue Shi people look like, just look at me, Yue Po.”

His words made everyone in the great hall sigh involuntarily. If all Yue Shi people looked like this, it could truly be called a nation of enchanting demons.

Everyone’s attention was instantly captured by this attendant called Yue Po, and no one demanded that Yue Shi young prince Nalan Xue remove his mask anymore.

The banquet resumed, with fine wine and delicacies flowing like water. On the stage before the guests, palace dancers displayed their graceful songs and dances to their hearts’ content, creating a feeling of drunken revelry, as if asking what night this was.

When the wine was flowing freely, Yue Po suddenly stood up, ignoring the surprised looks from everyone present, and bowed to Huangfu Wushuang: “Respected His Imperial Majesty, besides coming to congratulate Your Imperial Majesty, we also bear an important mission from our Yue Shi Emperor.”

Hua Zhuyu was extremely surprised, not knowing what mission this attendant spoke of.

Huangfu Wushuang also raised his brows in surprise and asked indifferently, “What mission? Please speak!”

“As everyone knows, the Celestial Dynasty’s martial arts are profound, making us neighboring countries extremely admiring. Our Emperor very much wants to exchange with your country’s martial artists, and specially ordered the young prince and me to definitely spar with the Celestial Dynasty’s high-skilled martial artists once we arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded and smiled. “Since this is a mission ordered by the Yue Shi Emperor, I will certainly help you complete it.” He turned to Hua Zhuyu standing behind him and said, “Little Bao’er, have someone build an arena in the Imperial Garden. Later I’ll lead the ministers to enjoy the scenery while appreciating the martial arts sparring.”

Hua Zhuyu nodded in agreement and glanced sideways at Yue Shi young prince Nalan Xue, who sat impassively among the guests and raised his head to drink a cup of wine. He seemed to sense Hua Zhuyu’s gaze, and his lips gradually curved into a wanton and arrogant arc, neither smiling nor not smiling.

On the open ground beside the plum grove in the Imperial Garden, a high platform was erected. Below it were thick felt carpets with several tables and chairs arranged, surrounded by winding screens to block the winter winds.

Envoys from various countries and ministers’ family members all took their seats separately. Wen Wan’s illness had improved, so she was naturally also present.

A sound of gongs and drums rang out, and the martial arts sparring between various countries began on the high platform. This martial arts sparring was originally proposed by Yue Shi to compete with the Southern Dynasty, but it equally aroused the interest of the Persian and Kucha envoys, eventually evolving into a multi-national martial arts competition.

On the high platform, the first to take the stage was the Persian envoy. He stood ready on the platform, and Nalan Xue’s attendant Yue Po slowly walked up. The two engaged in combat, or more precisely, one attacking and one being attacked. In less than five moves, the Persian envoy was knocked to the ground by Yue Po. Next came the Kucha envoy, who likewise ended in defeat. Finally, Yue Po clapped his hands and said with a smile, “Your Imperial Majesty, Yue Po has finished warming up. It’s time for your Southern Dynasty’s masters to take the stage.”

His words were extremely arrogant, but he indeed had the qualifications to be arrogant, because his martial arts were truly outstanding. Even looking across the Southern Dynasty, they were superior, though he couldn’t be considered an absolute master.

“Little Bao’er, can you defeat him?” Huangfu Wushuang turned to ask Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu smiled with curved lips. “If this servant were to defeat him, it would be a narrow victory. I’m not completely confident. Your Majesty might as well find someone with certainty to take the stage.”

Huangfu Wushuang didn’t force her, smiling slightly. “Then good! Go select someone from among the military generals to fight.”

“Yes!”

Just as Hua Zhuyu was about to bow and withdraw, Wen Wan suddenly said to Huangfu Wushuang with a smile, “Your Majesty, why not let Eunuch Bao take the stage? Just think – if even our Celestial Dynasty’s eunuch can defeat him, then the military generals would be even more capable. Wouldn’t that be very face-saving? Besides, Yue Shi only sent an attendant to fight. Moreover, Eunuch Bao was extremely brave on the battlefield. Hasn’t Your Majesty always wanted to see Eunuch Bao’s battlefield prowess? Watching him spar would be quite good too.”

Wen Wan’s words struck right at Huangfu Wushuang’s heart. He had long heard that Hua Zhuyu fought courageously on the battlefield, killing countless enemies, and had always regretted not seeing it with his own eyes. Now, hearing Wen Wan say this, his dark eyes immediately flashed with burning light.

“Little Bao’er, you must take the stage!” Huangfu Wushuang said eagerly.

Hua Zhuyu glanced coldly at Wen Wan with a sneer. It seemed she was still holding a grudge about that spear thrust on the battlefield, so she wanted her to fight, hoping she would be defeated and injured by Yue Po. However, she might be disappointed.

“Your Majesty, this servant is willing to fight, but I need a special weapon.” Hua Zhuyu bowed and said indifferently.

Huangfu Wushuang furrowed his brows. “What weapon? I will certainly prepare it for you!”

Hua Zhuyu smiled and pointed to a rock beside the plum grove. “That rock there. Please have Your Majesty send someone to move it over.”

Huangfu Wushuang looked puzzledly at that rock, about the size of a millstone. Could this thing be used as a weapon?

Everyone present was also stunned. Yue Shi young prince Nalan Xue sat quietly without saying a word. He seemed naturally taciturn, and upon hearing Hua Zhuyu’s words, he raised his brows imperceptibly.

Two Imperial Guards went over and moved the rock onto the high platform. Hua Zhuyu brushed her robes and slowly walked up the platform, her raised apricot-yellow hem like blooming flowers, dazzling and brilliant.

Yue Po’s long lashes fluttered a few times as he said with a smile, “You’re that little eunuch Yuan Bao?”

Hua Zhuyu’s smile at the corner of her lips slowly froze. She hadn’t expected the Yue Shi envoy to have heard of her in less than a day of arriving in Yudu. It seemed she was truly famous throughout the world.

“Correct, I am Yuan Bao.” Hua Zhuyu said slowly, vaguely sensing that this Yue Po held inexplicable hostility toward her.

Yue Po narrowed his eyes slightly, a flash of cold steel crossing his gaze as he smiled coldly. “It’s such an honor to compete with Master Yuan Bao! Let’s begin then.”

Hua Zhuyu smiled with curved lips, bent down, and picked up the rock at her feet. Honestly, if this were before, lifting ten such rocks would be no problem, but now she had to take it easy, after all, her internal energy was much weaker than before.

Hua Zhuyu stood motionless on the high platform holding the rock.

Yue Po was somewhat confused by Hua Zhuyu’s situation. Holding his blade, he asked, “I say, won’t you start?”

The people below were also stunned by Hua Zhuyu holding the rock. Several ministers’ family members didn’t know Hua Zhuyu had been on battlefields or her capabilities. Seeing her standing on the platform holding a rock, they wondered why His Majesty had sent her up – wasn’t this embarrassing for the Southern Dynasty?

“I’m waiting for you to start. You start quickly – this rock is very heavy, my wrists are getting sore from holding it.” Hua Zhuyu said shamelessly.

Yue Po was stunned and couldn’t help smiling. It was the first time in his life he’d encountered such an unpredictable opponent. Could this little eunuch really plan to use the rock as a weapon and smash him to death with it?

“Since that’s the case, then Yue Po won’t be polite!” Yue Po smiled coldly, a trace of coldness crossing his eyes. His long blade spun in a flourish, channeling all his internal energy into the blade. Like thunder, he struck directly at Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu calmly watched the blade bearing tremendous force coming toward her, raised the rock in her hands and smashed it against the blade while turning her body and floating to one side.

The thunderous strike hit the rock, which immediately shattered into pieces, fragments scattering across the platform.

Below the platform, Nalan Xue’s eyes sharply focused on the stage. Seeing the moment the rock shattered, his heart suddenly stirred. His cold eyes narrowed as he said indifferently, “Lost!”

A maidservant beside him smiled and filled his wine cup, saying, “I also think this Yuan Bao will surely lose.”

Nalan Xue smiled coldly, his stern aura seeming to penetrate the hearts of those beside him. “It’s not the little eunuch who lost.”

“Ah?” The maidservant looked up at the platform in surprise, setting down the wine pot.

She saw that the little eunuch in apricot-yellow robes now held a treasured sword, sparring with Yue Po. So she had never intended to use the rock as a weapon at all – she had a sword with her. Meanwhile, Yue Po was clearly lacking in offense, every move and technique constrained, unable to fully display his skills.

“What’s happening?” the maidservant asked in confusion.

Nalan Xue smiled faintly without speaking.

Everyone present was equally puzzled, not understanding why Yue Po, who had just fought others so well, now seemed bound and restrained, as if deliberately going easy on Eunuch Bao.

Only Hua Zhuyu understood – Yue Po was trapped by her Seven Star Formation.

She had deliberately let Yue Po shatter the rock earlier. While sparring and moving about with him, she had quietly kicked the scattered rock fragments into a Seven Star Formation.

This formation immediately confused Yue Po. Hua Zhuyu seized the opportunity, pointing her sword at Yue Po’s throat, stopping one inch from his neck, saying coldly, “You’ve lost!”

Yue Po immediately became dejected, not understanding what had happened to him.

Hua Zhuyu sheathed her sword, casually moved about the platform to scatter the rocks arranged in the Seven Star Formation, then slowly descended from the platform.

Everyone present erupted in discussion, all somewhat surprised that Hua Zhuyu had won so inexplicably.

Huangfu Wushuang said happily, “Little Bao’er, this time I finally witnessed your bravery.”

Wen Wan sat beside Huangfu Wushuang, a trace of cold light slowly flashing in her eyes as she stared at Hua Zhuyu. When Hua Zhuyu was pouring tea for Huangfu Wushuang, she inadvertently looked up and saw the fleeting coldness in Wen Wan’s eyes, her heart immediately tensing.

This Wen Wan probably wouldn’t let her go easily. She carefully recalled – these past days, besides peacefully nurturing her pregnancy, she hadn’t left the palace much or taken many actions. Moreover, even when she did go out, it was always undetected. Wen Wan shouldn’t have discovered any evidence against her. But why did she feel an ominous premonition?

Just then, a little palace maid hurried through the plum grove and ran to Huangfu Wushuang, kneeling breathlessly before him. “Reporting to Your Majesty, something has happened!”

Hua Zhuyu had just defeated Yue Po, and Huangfu Wushuang was in a good mood. Hearing this, he glanced coldly at the little palace maid. “What matter has you so flustered? Report quickly!”

“Our mistress admired the plum blossoms in the courtyard for a while, but for some reason, after returning to her room, she suddenly fainted.” the little palace maid reported fearfully.

Huangfu Wushuang’s sword-like brows furrowed as he asked impatiently, “Who is your mistress?”

The little palace maid kowtowed. “Reporting to Your Majesty, our mistress is Song Zhaoyi from Yongtang Palace, consort of the former Emperor Kang.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s heart skipped a beat, only then realizing this little palace maid was from Yongtang Palace.

“Your Majesty!” Wen Wan suddenly stood up with a smile. “Wan’er heard that Song Zhaoyi has been brewing pregnancy-protecting medicine lately. Could she be with child?”

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s heart tensed, immediately understanding why Wen Wan had looked at her with such cold intent earlier. She already knew, or had discovered, that Dan Hong was brewing pregnancy-protecting medicine daily. So she had bribed a palace maid within Dan Hong’s palace to reveal this matter. In that instant, she felt a chill rise up her spine. If her identity were exposed now, it would be disastrous.

“Such matters shouldn’t be speculated about. Song Zhaoyi’s constitution has always been weak – occasionally fainting is normal.” Hua Zhuyu steadied herself and said slowly.

“It seems Eunuch Bao knows Song Zhaoyi quite well,” Wen Wan said with a smile. “I heard that before entering the palace, Eunuch Bao already knew Song Zhaoyi. After arriving at the palace, Eunuch Bao has been extremely caring toward Song Zhaoyi, frequently visiting her Yongtang Palace. Could it be… Eunuch Bao, what are you feeling guilty about, and what are you worried about? When Song Zhaoyi was Emperor Kang’s consort, she never attended to him at night. So whose child is in her belly now? In this palace, besides you who frequently associates with her, there are no other men. Could it be that Eunuch Bao is a false eunuch?”

Wen Wan’s tone was light and breezy, as if joking. However, every word was sharp as a knife, striking directly at Hua Zhuyu.

Everyone present was stunned, even Huangfu Wushuang was shocked by Wen Wan’s words, his eyes widening.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart surged turbulently. Fine, she admitted she was a woman, so she had never thought Wen Wan would suspect the child was hers, much less that she would use this move against her.

A false eunuch – a false eunuch who defiled the palace, a false eunuch who caused a consort to become pregnant.

This charge… oh, she thought, if it were confirmed, probably even Huangfu Wushuang couldn’t save her.

Moreover, Wen Wan had chosen such a special moment to speak of this matter. She seemed to know that if she spoke of this privately, Huangfu Wushuang would certainly protect her, so she chose today to reveal it. This way, with foreign envoys present, Huangfu Wushuang would inevitably be enraged and eliminate her in his fury. It seemed Wen Wan was determined to see her dead. Now, how could this situation be resolved?

Wen Wan’s tone was mild and her voice not particularly loud, but these words were enough to reach the ears of envoys from various countries at nearby tables and several nearby ministers. Then, after the initial shock passed, the ministers who heard this quietly told those near them. In the blink of an eye, this news spread like ripples on water to everyone present.

Shock, disdain, contempt – all kinds of gazes wove together into a great net, overwhelming Hua Zhuyu from all directions.

Under everyone’s gaze, Hua Zhuyu slowly turned around. In the distance, the plum grove bloomed magnificently, bright red and white flowers gleaming dazzlingly in the sunlight. Further away were the upturned eaves of the nine-story palace buildings, each trying to outdo the others in endless succession. Closest were faces bearing various expressions.

Yue Shi young prince Nalan Xue held a wine cup, his cold eyes narrowed, glancing at her coldly once before impassively looking away. A chill immediately rose in Hua Zhuyu’s heart.

In the vast plum grove, a long, enduring silence.

Wen Wan said nothing more. The matter had been started by her – surely someone would continue making trouble over it. Because she knew that in the court, she wasn’t the only one who wanted Yuan Bao dead.

Indeed, immediately a minister stepped forward, kneeling before Huangfu Wushuang and saying, “Your Majesty, such a grave matter of defiling the palace must be thoroughly investigated immediately!”

“Your Majesty, please thoroughly investigate! Purify the palace!” Several old ministers quickly stepped out from their seats and knelt on the ground.

These ministers had long felt that Huangfu Wushuang’s favoritism toward this little eunuch was excessive. If they could take this opportunity to eliminate him, it would be quite satisfying.

Hua Zhuyu’s lips curved in a cold smile, her gaze sharply sweeping over these people as she said coldly, “Speculation without evidence – you actually believe it. That day, His Majesty personally ordered little Bao’er’s castration. If you don’t believe it, then you don’t believe His Majesty.”

“Correct!” Huangfu Wushuang sat on the dragon throne, narrowing his eyes coldly. “I know this matter clearly – no further investigation is needed!”

“Your Majesty! If you don’t investigate thoroughly, this old minister will kneel here and not rise!”

“Your Majesty!”

The matter grew larger and larger. Only then did Hua Zhuyu realize that after killing Ji Fengli at the execution ground that day, she had indeed offended many people. These people, even in front of foreign envoys, weren’t afraid of embarrassing the Southern Dynasty – they clearly hated her to the bone.

Huangfu Wushuang snorted coldly, his handsome face dark with gloom as he ordered with a cold laugh, “Ji Xiang, go to Yongtang Palace and summon Song Zhaoyi for audience.”

Hua Zhuyu’s thoughts raced like lightning. She hadn’t expected that Dan Hong’s attendance at the Emperor’s bedchamber had no record in the Department of Imperial Attendance. When Dan Hong came and the imperial physician took her pulse, discovering she was indeed pregnant, suspicion would undoubtedly fall on her.

“Your Majesty, Song Zhaoyi has been brought.” Ji Xiang’s shrill voice slowly rang out, awakening Hua Zhuyu from her thoughts.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly turned to see Dan Hong in plain palace dress walking slowly with Ji Xiang. Her face showed confusion – she didn’t know why Huangfu Wushuang had summoned her. She slowly knelt before Huangfu Wushuang, saying clearly, “Song Qiluo pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Song Qiluo, as Emperor Kang’s consort, the Department of Imperial Attendance has no record of you attending him, yet you now carry a secret pregnancy. Tell me, whose child is in your belly?” Huangfu Wushuang asked coldly, narrowing his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Dan Hong’s expression stiffened, her face immediately turning deathly pale. Kneeling on the ground, she said sorrowfully, “Your Majesty, the child in Qiluo’s belly is indeed Emperor Kang’s. When Qiluo was Emperor Kang’s consort, I did receive his favor, but… it wasn’t nighttime attendance, so the Department of Imperial Attendance has no record.”

The ministers below immediately gasped. Not nighttime attendance meant daytime indulgence – they hadn’t expected Emperor Kang to be so romantic and lustful.

“Your Majesty, this woman is clearly in love with Eunuch Bao. How can her words be trusted? Your Majesty, to investigate this matter thoroughly, please summon the old eunuch who castrated Eunuch Bao. One question will reveal the truth.” The crowd of old ministers said unwillingly.

Huangfu Wushuang waved his hand impatiently and said coldly, “Ji Xiang, go summon Eunuch Ge. Today I will let you all understand clearly.”

Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected these old ministers to be so relentless, determined to see her dead before giving up. Her brows couldn’t help but furrow. However, even if Eunuch Ge came, he could only confirm he hadn’t personally performed the operation – it couldn’t prove she wasn’t a eunuch.

Eunuch Ge was quickly brought over. Seeing Huangfu Wushuang, he hurriedly knelt respectfully on the ground.

“Eunuch Ge, do you remember him?” Huangfu Wushuang pointed at Hua Zhuyu and asked.

Eunuch Ge squinted at Hua Zhuyu for a while, then said respectfully, “This servant remembers and recognizes him. Isn’t he Yuan Bao, the first-rank Head Eunuch newly appointed by Your Majesty?”

“I ask you, did you personally castrate him?” Huangfu Wushuang asked coldly.

Eunuch Ge said hoarsely, “This old servant remembers that day I didn’t personally perform the operation – Eunuch Bao did it himself. However, this old servant did see his clothes covered in blood – it wasn’t fake. Please examine this clearly, Your Majesty!”

“Oh?” Huangfu Wushuang raised his brows somewhat surprisingly. “So you didn’t personally perform it?”

“Yes!” Eunuch Ge answered with lowered head.

“Good, I understand. You may withdraw!” Huangfu Wushuang said coldly with furrowed brows, inadvertently glancing at Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu felt her heart turn cold under Huangfu Wushuang’s glance. She already understood in her heart that Huangfu Wushuang actually suspected she was a false eunuch.

Just as Eunuch Ge withdrew, the crowd of old ministers was already indignant.

Nie Yuanqiao declared loudly, “Your Majesty, since Eunuch Ge didn’t personally perform the operation, then fraud is possible. Why not send someone to examine the body? This matter will be clear with one examination.”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang’s face darkened, his expression black as the sky before a storm as he said through gritted teeth, “Nonsense! This matter ends here for now. I will send someone to investigate clearly later.”

“Your Majesty, this matter should be investigated quickly!” someone still persisted.

“Silence!” Huangfu Wushuang suddenly stood up from his seat, his dark eyes glaring, his whole body emanating cold intent with hints of killing intent. “Whoever mentions this matter again, I want his head! Today is the day envoys from various countries come to pay homage to our dynasty, not to watch a show. All of you withdraw. If anyone doesn’t get up, I’ll let you kneel here for life!”

Seeing Huangfu Wushuang’s anger, the ministers immediately fell silent.

Huangfu Wushuang turned and ordered the Imperial Guards, “Come, temporarily confine Eunuch Bao and Song Zhaoyi to the Internal Punishment Court.”

Hua Zhuyu had originally thought Huangfu Wushuang would confine her to the Ministry of Justice, but hadn’t expected he would confine her to the Internal Punishment Court. That place was much better than the Ministry of Justice prison where Ji Fengli had been held.

The midday sun was intense. Everyone looked up watching that little eunuch in apricot-yellow robes gradually disappear from view. Actually, everyone understood that in less than two days, this little eunuch would appear in the palace again. Huangfu Wushuang confining her to the Internal Punishment Court now was clearly a delaying tactic. When investigated again, the result would certainly be a real eunuch. The emperor’s favoritism and protection of him had reached an outrageous degree.

Nalan Xue sat quietly before his table. The afternoon sunlight shining on the mask on his face gleamed with chilling, intimidating light.