Chapter 40

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Yun Ran held the medicine bottles and chose a quiet limestone path.

In her head, her thoughts fluctuated. Although the Crown Prince did not look like a treacherous person, one could not judge a book by its cover.

Moreover, his mother had a grudge against Nangong Mo. Who could guarantee that there was no secret behind this so-called kindness?

She had checked the two bottles of medicine carefully just now. There was no poison.

But even if it was good medicine, it was not suitable for all illnesses. Sometimes, when poison was used well, it could save lives. When good medicine was used wrongly, it could also take lives.

Why was Nangong Mo’s leg injured, and to what extent? Was it poisoned? Broken? Or something else? She had to figure it out before treating it with the right method.

If the medicine was used rashly, it might backfire. She had to find a chance to see his legs for herself.

Unknowingly, Yun Ran realized that she had already walked to a deserted palace.

The place looked as if it had been abandoned for a long time. The palace gates were covered in dust, the corners were thick with cobwebs, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and the winter had withered. It looked dilapidated.

Even the words “Lanruo Palace” on the plaque had faded in the wind and rain over the years.

However, plum blossoms bloomed in the courtyard. The red plums were delicate and the white plums were cold. A tree bloomed, and there were a few blue and light purple plum trees mixed in.

Yun Ran thought that the former owner of this palace must have loved the plum blossoms very much.

However, looking at the withered grass that was almost as tall as a person, this courtyard must have been uninhabited for many years.

Yun Ran lingered in the midst of the plum blossoms and unconsciously walked deeper into the palace courtyard.

She climbed the stairs and walked through the winding cloister.

Suddenly, a voice floated out of the ancient and barren palace. Yun Ran paused and listened intently.

The voice was a little distant. It was as if the speaker had deliberately lowered it.

Yun Ran carefully took a few steps closer to the palace and vaguely heard a woman’s voice.

“Jue’er has already returned to the capital. If he can host the worship ceremony at the end of the year, it will be very beneficial to his prestige.”

This was followed by a man’s voice.

“Don’t worry about this. I’ll handle the matters in court.”

“Of course, I believe you. However, although the Prince of Qin has lost his military power and is living in the capital, the troops under him are all arrogant and unreasonable. They have never been disciplined and only acknowledge the Prince of Qin.”

“Other than the three counties in the southwest, Jue’er’s troops are all from the Ministry of Justice. The Third Prince and Imperial Concubine Yu are also eyeing us covetously. I’m really uneasy.”

The man was silent for a moment. Then he said gently:

“Although the soldiers under the Prince of Qin are loyal to him, they are scattered around the borders. With his current situation, it won’t be easy for him to make a comeback. As for the Third Prince, I’ll think of a way. Don’t worry.”

The woman hummed softly and said, “If Jue’er can take in the Yun family of Liangzhou as his subordinate, then there’s nothing to worry about in the future.”

“The King of Liangzhou? Yuncang?”

The man’s voice rose slightly in obvious surprise.

“That old stubborn man has never been involved in party disputes in the northern border and has always avoided the matters in the Imperial Court. Those sons of his are also hard to deal with. It won’t be easy to subdue him!”

“That’s right. Once he takes in the Yun Army, Jue’er will be able to rest easy. No one will be able to take his throne anymore.”

Under the eaves, Yun Ran frowned as she tried to digest what she had heard.

Jue? This must be the Crown Prince.

That woman must be the Empress.

So, who was the man?

A maternal relative? A loyalist? An enemy spy? Or…

Yun Ran was deep in thought when she heard a strange sound coming from inside.

The woman moaned delicately, her breathing ragged.

Yun Ran’s eyes widened and she rolled her eyes in disbelief.

“Wanrou!”

“Mulang…”

Those voices made Yunran tremble all over!

In her agitation, she kicked over an old flowerpot beside her.

“Who’s that!”

The man’s voice was cold and fierce. Yun Ran could feel the sullen killing intent through the wall.

Where should she hide? Or should she bite the bullet and silence both of them in the house?

Could the murder of the Empress cause her to be hunted down nationwide?

As her mind raced, a hand suddenly reached out from behind her and pulled her into his arms. Before she could scream, he had already reached out to cover her mouth.