In the early morning, the mist swirls around, and the air is filled with a faint fragrance of earth, refreshing and invigorating.
In front of a serene mansion near Baiyuan Academy, it is quiet and peaceful, as if it is a paradise beyond the world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Xuanjing stood in front of the carriage, dressed in simple clothing, with a calm and steady countenance, yet his deep eyes were filled with reluctance.
He walked over slowly, gently taking Yu Yao's hand, his voice low and tender, "Yao'er, I'm leaving. Take good care of yourself and the children. I'll come to get you after I've dealt with everything in the capital."
There was also deep reluctance in her eyes, but she smiled and nodded, "Go on, don't worry about me and the children. Take care of yourself well in the capital. Remember, no matter what happens, you are not alone."
Yue Ying stood by silently observing the scene, though she had many questions in her heart, she also knew that her low status was not suitable for asking too many.
Thinking of the urgency of the time, it's time to set out.
He couldn't help but take a step forward, walked to Xuanjin's side, and respectfully urged, "Sixth Prince, time is of the essence. We should set out immediately."
Xuanjing looked deeply at Yu Yao for a moment, finally letting go of her hand, decisively and resolutely stepping into the carriage.
As the wheels creaked slowly, the group disappeared into the morning mist, leaving behind a trail of hoofbeats that grew fainter and fainter.
Lotus County, the nearby palace.
The sunlight filtered through the sparse cloud layers, casting a scattered glow in the pavilion. Du Lü Night sat alone in the pavilion, his hand tightly clenching an empty wine jug, his eyes half-closed, as if cut off from the world.
He was enveloped in a thick aroma of alcohol and an indescribable loneliness. His handsome, seductive face, now bathed in the morning light, looked even paler.
Yun Yin tiptoed into the pavilion, seeing the prince in such a state, a sigh of sorrow couldn't help but escape from his heart.
He moved forward slowly, gently shaking Du Lü Night's shoulder, and called softly, "Prince, wake up."
Du Lü Night's eyelids fluttered, slowly opening up, and the bottom of his eyes was filled with death and emptiness, as if he had lost all colors and warmth.
"What is it?"
The voice was deep and hoarse, laced with an indescribable exhaustion.
Yun Yin saw this and felt even more uncomfortable in his heart.
The Prince had become a completely abandoned creature in his eyes, much like an injured solitary wolf.
He truly couldn't understand why, since the prince and Yu Yao hadn't seen each other more than a couple of times, their feelings had suddenly become so deep. It seemed like they couldn't live without each other?
Yun Yin dare not speak up to comfort, thinking about his intention, he lowered his gaze and thought carefully, then respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the moon shadow suddenly appeared in Lotus County and secretly took away Master Xuanjing."
Hearing this, Du Lü Night became instantly a little more alert, his gaze turning towards Yue Ying, his brows furrowed: "What's going on? Why would he appear here?"
Yun Yin shook his head, his expression confused: "The specific reason is not yet clear, but I personally witnessed the moon shadow at Yu's residence. This morning, Master Xuanjin followed him away. Yu Yao is still sending him off at the door, and she should have left Lotus County by now."
Du Lü Night fell silent upon hearing this.
Yue Ying, the head of the Hidden Dragon Guards, has always been under the command of the Emperor. This sudden action must have a deep meaning.
He recalled his promise to Xuanjing to find Yun Yan's whereabouts, but because of his remembrance of the previous life, he had arrived in Lotus County in the middle of the night to search for Yu Yao. That matter was indeed delayed.
He wondered if Yue Ying's sudden appearance had anything to do with that matter.
"Perhaps..."
Du Lü Night murmured to himself, a guess forming in his mind, "Xuanjing must be the child born from the Ming Concubine? Otherwise, why would a hermit care about finding out where Yun Yan is?"
Now that the Emperor has ordered Yue Ying to bring Xuanjing to the capital, it seems certain that he must have discovered Xuanjing's identity.
He didn't know if his guess was correct, but he believed that it was probably very close to the truth.
Yun Yin heard this, his pupils constricting.
Master Xuanjin is the missing Sixth Prince from that time? The son of the Concubine Min?
Thinking of the Concubine Min's death, who was afterwards appointed as the Empress Dowager, he couldn't help but feel a tremble in his heart.
Yun Yin looked at the prince with a careful gaze, his eyes flashing with concern.
If Master Xuanjin is indeed the Sixth Prince, he would be the legitimate son of the Empress Dowager, a status of great dignity.
Fortunately, the prince is already the prince, with great abilities and has not committed any mistakes.
The emperor is not a fool king. Even if he had deep feelings for the Concubine Min, he wouldn't easily depose him.
Unless the prince commits an unforgivable sin.
Soon, Yun Yin's heart was at ease again.
As the two of them were deep in thought, a guard ran up hastily, his expression panic-stricken: "Prince, an urgent message from the capital. The Empress has been placed under house arrest in the Phoenix Palace by His Majesty. The front and rear palaces are in an uproar, and the emperor commands you to return to the palace at once."
Yun Yin's gaze also turned towards the guard, his expression filled with worry.
The Empress has fallen into trouble, and it is unclear whether it will affect the prince.
Du Lü Night's expression changed drastically as he looked at the guard, "What happened? Why has the Empress been placed under house arrest?"
The guard shook his head and said in a respectful manner, "My lord, I heard something vaguely about this matter, perhaps it has something to do with the death of Concubine Min a few years ago."
Du Lü Night didn't speak, his fingers lightly tapping the desk, making a dull sound each time.
His mind raced with countless thoughts, the cause of Concubine Min's death, the Empress's house arrest, and Xuanjin's identity... It seemed as though everything was connected by an invisible thread.
"Immediately return to the capital!"
He ordered in a deep voice.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yun Yin knew the seriousness of the situation, and his expression was as serious as could be. He took the order and went to carry out his duties.
Du Lü Night stood in place, his gaze turned towards the direction of Yu Yao's residence, as if he saw her gentle and beautiful face, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
This return to the capital might unleash a storm of what kind, I wonder.
And whether or not he has the chance to return and see her again, he wonders.
Thinking of this, he lifted his foot and left the palace, hoping to see her before leaving Lotus County.
The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight like a white silk, gently spreading over a quiet courtyard in Lotus County.
Yu Yao was startled out of a shallow sleep. In the haze, she saw a shadow standing by her bedside, exuding an unignorable aura of severity and coldness.
She gasped in fright, about to cry out in alarm, but the next moment, she met the deep and frosty eyes.
She hesitated slightly, seeing these familiar eyes, and all her fear turned into astonishment, mixed with a touch of unperceptible gentleness.
"How did you get here? And why so late? Don't you worry about scaring me?"
Her voice carried a touch of reprimanding, helplessness, coquettishness, and also happiness.
Hearing her words, Du Lü Night's mouth curved into a seductive smile, which was exceptionally dazzling in the night, as if it could illuminate the deepest shadows in one's heart.
"You're an immortal, and shouldn't you be afraid of a common mortal like me?"
His voice carried a touch of teasing and profound affection, as if it could pierce the barriers of time and space, directly reaching her heart.
Yu Yao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing his words, and the tension and unease in her heart dissipated by half.
Later, the bed creaked as he lay beside her, lying on his side facing her.
He carried a hint of nighttime chill, cool to the touch, and a delightful scent of Long Yan incense.
A hand reached out, wrapping around her, and his chin rested on the top of her head.
Even though he carried the chill of the night, it still gave people a sense of comfort. Lying in his arms, she didn't push him away.
"You're quite free and easy, climbing into a widow's bed at midnight, not afraid of gossip?"
She gave him a coquettish stare and teased, "You are really daring."
Du Lü Night raised his corner of his mouth, his deep eyes flashing with sarcasm, and said softly, "What's wrong? My actions as Du Lü Night don't need to care about other people's eyes. However, I only climb your beautiful widow's bed."
With that, he leaned down slightly and planted a kiss on her enticing red lips.
After the kiss, her lips were moist and lustrous.
He raised his corner of his mouth with a teasing smile, but his eyes held a depth of emotion that went beyond what could be seen.
Yu Yao's cheeks turned slightly red, and she hummed softly: "oily and smooth-talking."
Du Lü Night laughed softly, holding her closer, and whispered in her ear, "What oily and smooth-talking? I'm telling the truth."
He changed the tone of his words, and his expression became serious. "Yao Yao, I came here for important matters that need to be dealt with in the capital. Before that, I want to see you. Otherwise, I'm afraid this parting will be a long wait."
She hesitated slightly, Du Lü Night's return to the capital at this time should be due to the news of Yue Ying taking Xuanjing back to the palace, and it might be that something else has happened in the palace.
