I raised my head and stared at him. He didn't seem to care at first, but when I looked at him carefully, he opened his mouth so wide that his jaw almost fell off.
"You — you —" Apparently frightened by my sudden appearance, especially since I was dressed in men's clothes.
"Shh — Lord Yuwen, you don't know me anymore?" I looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to me, so I said.
He dismounted, looked around cautiously, and asked in a low voice,
"How did the Empress come back?"
I sighed and said:
"Sigh, it's hard to put into words. First, think of a way to help me enter the palace."
He was surprised. "I thought you wouldn't want to go to the palace anymore. Did you hear about the crown prince?"
At the mention of Zhao'er, my expression turned sorrowful as I gently nodded my head. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"This is not the place to speak. Empress, follow me into the manor."
This time, it was A'he who respectfully invited me into Yuwen Mansion. The butler and manservant naturally didn't dare to make things difficult for me.
He ordered someone to prepare me a bath and a new set of guard uniform. The dirt on the road was finally washed clean. Although I was at Yuwen Manor, I didn't dare to show off too much. I hid in his room and didn't dare to go out.
He ordered the whole household not to step into his room except to bring food and drink.
He went out and when he came back, he said to me,
If the Empress wants to enter the palace, she can still enter by the secret passage tomorrow night. A-He will go to reinforce her, and tomorrow night is New Year's Eve, the Emperor will hold a banquet with Madam Xuan Hua from Yongfu Palace. At that time, all of the palace concubines will attend, and the defenses at other places will be a little more relaxed.
I nodded. On such an important day as New Year's Eve, Yang Guang had set up a banquet at Yongfu Palace.
"It's all up to Mild to trouble you again." I said gratefully.
"What are you talking about, Empress?" "At the order of the Empress, we shall go through fire and water, no matter what happens!" He looked solemn as he spoke.
Naturally, I knew that he was only interested in me and could be considered a confidant. Thus, I asked,
"What disease did Zhao'er have? "What's the situation now?"
He frowned, worried, and said:
"There are times when good and there are times when bad. Even the imperial physicians aren't allowed to make any connections. Right now, His Majesty is looking for famous doctors everywhere. Empress, don't worry. The Crown Prince will definitely get better." "Sigh, it's all because of his weak character. He failed to serve His Highness the Crown Prince well."
His heart ached, and he wished that he could immediately see my child.
He saw that I was not looking well, so he asked,
"Does the Empress enter the palace this time to see the Crown Prince and then leave, or does she plan to return to the palace?"
I was slightly sad as I stroked my belly and said,
"Everything has to do with evil fate. This is my life, and I can't avoid it. I can't leave Zhao'er any longer."
He glanced at my belly and was shocked.
"Could it be …"
I nodded. "More than three months."
"Sigh … the world is unpredictable. It seems like the Empress is truly unable to break free." He heaved a long sigh.
"Yes. Since I cannot get rid of him, I can only accept my fate. My life's hard work will be bitter, but I absolutely cannot let my child suffer any longer. A He, these days Emperor — what are the variables in the palace? I'll be able to deal with it once I get back. " He wanted to ask Yang Guang, but as the words were about to reach his mouth, he swallowed it back down. He felt a burst of bitterness in his heart.
He seemed to understand what I meant and said:
"Empress, after you have been gone for three months, the palace has remained relatively calm. The Emperor has still been wandering through the palaces every day, but — he has never set foot in Yongan Palace. However, if this were the case, when the Empress quietly returned, no one would discover her.
His heart skipped a beat as his lower abdomen throbbed. His face turned pale as he leaned against the bed with the support of Ah He. He was filled with an indescribable grief.
He knew that he would never go to the Palace of Yongan again, but when he heard the news, he was still upset. It was as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't spit it out.
He clearly hoped that he would not go to Yongan Palace so that the matters of my Li Palace would not be discovered, but when he truly heard the news that he had never gone there before, his heart felt such pain. He … already disdained me so much?
"Empress, please be at ease. Ah He guarantees that Empress will return to the palace safely, and that no one will find out about this. If — If the Empress wanted to see His Highness the Crown Prince, but needed the permission of the Emperor, the Empress would still be grounded. But since the Empress is pregnant, perhaps the emperor will be happy and release her from her confinement! " He consoled her.
How could he understand me?
However, at this point, I have no other choice but to try to win back my favor with the child in my womb, as Ah He had said. He nodded and looked at the worried A'He.
"I'm fine. It's just that my fetal appearance is a bit unstable. I'll be fine after a short rest."
He heaved a sigh of relief.
"The Empress is having a peaceful time. There are too many people in the House of Ah He, so it would be inconvenient to ask for a doctor. After we enter the palace tomorrow night, we can think of a way to call the imperial physician."
On New Year's Eve, every household was decorated with lanterns and decorations. Everyone on the street was wearing new clothes, and they were all brimming with joy and looking like they were in the prime of life.
In my disguise as a little guard, Ah He escorted me to the secret door, and then left. I only had to wait for the banquet in the palace to begin before I could enter through the secret passage, while Ah He, who had entered the palace from the west gate, chose the right time to come to meet me at the Peach Blossom Garden.
Three months ago, I only wanted to escape, but now, I have to put in all my effort to enter this place, which is as deep as the sea. Originally, once I entered, I would no longer have any leeway left, and would have to endure the cold wind and rain for the rest of my life.
After three nightingale cries, I knew that it was time for Ah He to join us, so I reached out my hand to tap on the door a few times, and opened up the secret door. The moment I entered, I looked back at the world outside the wall, although it was a deep night and all I could see was darkness, but I always felt like I had stepped inside, and could no longer breathe the air outside the wall.
With every step he took, he felt suffocated.
Since I was pregnant, he didn't dare to bring me along to perform the Qing Gong. He could only take the small path, dodging left and right before heading to the Yongan Palace.
If he met any patrolling guards on the way, he would pretend to be patrolling. Fortunately, he was the leader of the guards. Although he was not on duty, no one dared to question him.
After a few rounds, they finally approached Yongan Palace. From a distance, they could hear the sounds of music coming from within Yongwu Palace. The sounds of singing and laughter mixed together. There were also rows of palace maids carrying a variety of dishes as they shuttled back and forth. Although they were separated by two palaces, one could still see the brilliance of lights within the Blessed Blessings Palace, as if it was daytime.
His heart felt sour. Right now, he should be hugging left and right, surrounded by beauties, while the Yongan Palace was shrouded in darkness, looking lifeless. He could not help but shake his head and sigh.
The gate of Yongan Palace is still guarded by guards, no one can enter and no one can come out. A'he and I prepared to go around to the back wall and climb over it, but just as we got to the side, we found a figure standing upright not far from the gate, lost in thought.
This was the only way to get to the back. We had to hide behind the trees and observe.
I could just make out the silhouette of the man standing on the side of the palace by the light of a few stars and the faint glow of the distant Forever Blessed Palace lights.
His body was imposing and imposing, and although one could not see his facial features clearly, his dragon robe gave off a domineering aura, and his heart was filled with cold air. Who else could it be other than Yang Guang? Luckily, he was quick to react, otherwise he would have caught him red-handed.
Seeing him staring fixedly at the Yongan Palace, he stopped his steps. Although he was only several zhang away from the vermillion door, he hesitated for half a day and in the end, did not walk over.
What was he doing? The wine beauties that were placed in Yongfu Palace didn't enjoy the music and dance, but instead went to the outside of Yongan Palace to enjoy the cold wind?
I saw him pacing a few steps back and forth, but after walking for a long time, I still couldn't get to him. I was standing behind a tree with my legs numb.
Another black shadow trotted over. Looking at his body, he seemed to be in Changshun. He stepped forward and saluted with his hands in front of his chest.
"Your Majesty, the emperors are all waiting."
Yang Guang was a little impatient, as he scolded in a low voice:
"Can't you tell them that I'm at the toilet?"
Zhang Shun was stunned. He bowed and said,
"But Your Majesty, you have already been out for an hour. It's New Year's Eve today. How about this servant ask the empress to come out and enjoy with His Majesty? "
Yang Guang glared at Zhang Shun, and shouted in a deep voice:
"You blind servant!" Who said that I want to see the empress? I think that the Eternal Fortune Palace is being too noisy, can't we come out to admire the moon? "
ChangShun looked up at the sky in a daze. Today was New Year's Eve, and although it was a sunny day, there were only a few winter stars. Where did the moon come from?
Yang Guang seemed to realize that his words were inappropriate, and became even angrier. But he did not dare to shout loudly, and instead angrily kicked Zhang Shun, leaving in anger.
Changshun staggered and fell down like a dog eating mud. However, he was afraid of Yang Guang's dignity, so he didn't even dare to make a sound.
Yang Guang left sullenly, while A Zhi and I heaved a sigh of relief, and slipped away towards the back of Yongan palace.
The wall was high and deep, so he carried me on his back, performed his lightness skill, and jumped on top of it. Seeing that there was no one around, he jumped off, and then supported me as I walked towards the main hall.
Afraid that we would be discovered by the unrelated court members of Yongan Palace, we did not dare to walk along the corridor. We only passed through the flower beds, and the night became even quieter, and because of my confinement, there was no celebration at all in Yongan Palace, so we all turned out the lights early and went to sleep. Only there were a few lights in the main hall.
As he was slowly approaching, he heard Ying Xiu's angry shout:
"You've eaten the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard! How dare he disturb the Empress' cultivation! Get out of here! In the future, if we meet again and you take half a step into the Empress's sleeping quarters, I'll break your legs! "
Then came the half-sobbing voice of the little palace maid, Ling'er:
"Hui`er knows, but it's New Year's Eve today. The other empresses from the other palaces have brought the empress a lot of snacks." Hui`er knows, it's just New Year's Eve today, the empresses from the other palaces have sent many snacks to the empress.
"You still dare to talk back?! Didn't I say long ago that if I'm not here, leave anything in the outer hall? You still need to enter inside, and if the Empress blames me for it, I won't be able to protect you! " Although Ying Xiu's voice was filled with anger, there was also a trace of fear. It was obvious that Ling'Er felt guilty for not seeing me earlier.
"Yes, big sister Ying Xiu, Ling'er will remember this." "Yes," she replied, sobbing.
"You can leave now. It's just a small matter. From now on, go to the side courtyard and sweep. Don't come to the main hall when you have nothing to do!" Her voice was soft, but still stern.
Just as she was about to leave, Ying Xiu called out to her again:
"Wait a minute — you said just now that it was the empress from another palace who sent the dessert. Which palace is it from?" Yong An Palace is currently restricted, so who can enter? "
Celery's voice penetrated a trace of unease as her words flickered:
"I didn't see the lady at the gate either. The guards at the gate gave it to me. It was probably because the ladies gave the guards money that they were willing to give it to me."
Ying Xiu answered with an "Oh" and said:
"Very well, you are not to mention what has happened today to anyone. Otherwise, be careful of your skin and get lost."
She withdrew, and I hid behind the pillar with him. After Jing'er had gone, I stepped out of sight and entered the inner hall.
"Who is it?!" Ying Xiu, who was pacing up and down in the main hall with an anxious expression on her face, suddenly saw Ah He and me and shouted.
"Shh — — Lady Ying Xiu, it's me." Noticing that there was no one around, he quickly stopped her from questioning him loudly.
"So it's Lord Yuwen. Why have you come?" Ying Xiu asked in surprise. She glanced at me and frowned, "Why did you bring someone else? If anyone finds out about this, they will be sentenced to death if they barge into Yongan Palace! "
I raised my head and looked at her, smiling with tears in my eyes.
"If I don't come and get discovered, you all will be sentenced to death."
Ying Xiu was stunned. She stood there blankly for a moment before waking up from her stupor. For a moment, she felt both happiness and sadness. Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees. She hugged my leg and sobbed silently.
"Empress!" "You're finally back!"
"Get up! Didn't I just come back well? You should be happy, why are you crying? " I held on to my sleeves and a thin layer of mist appeared in my eyes.
"Young lady and young lady Ying Xiu, please continue your conversation. This humble subject shall not disturb you, master and servant. Before the third night is over, this humble subject must leave the palace. This humble subject will take his leave first." He saluted and left quietly.
As I am in the "quiet training", other than Ying Xiu in the main hall, my dog and grandma are allowed to go in and out of the hall, so no one else is allowed to take even half a step inside. So at this moment, only Ying Xiu and I are left in the hall.
After crying for a while, Fang Xing wiped away his tears and asked:
"The Empress won't return this time, will she?"
I smiled indifferently. "What kind of place do you think the palace is? "How can I leave as I please and come as I please?"
Ying Xiu was overjoyed. She grabbed my arm, as if she was afraid that I would disappear all of a sudden.
"Granny's words are very accurate. She said that the Empress will definitely come back, and indeed, the Empress came back."
"Oh? What did Grandma say? " I was slightly shocked. When I left back then, I had already made up my mind to never return. How could Grandma know that I would return?
Yingxiu helped me to a seat, poured a cup of hot tea, and offered it to him.
"The Empress warmed her body first and slowly reported back. At first, when she found out that the Empress had left the palace, she was extremely ill. After she recovered from her illness, she suddenly said, "The Empress will definitely return." He also said that we must defend this place with our lives. Before the Empress returns, we must not let anyone discover any clues. This servant didn't believe it then, but now, I do. "
As she spoke, another string of tears rolled down her face, but she was still smiling.
"I've wronged the both of you." How much pain did they suffer because of my selfishness? He had been holding his heart up high all day, afraid that someone would discover him someday. If so, he would probably lose his head from head to toe.
"No, this servant doesn't feel wronged. It's just that I'm a bit worried, for the past three months, this servant will be afraid every night. The emperor has walked to the entrance of Yongan Palace several times, and this servant was scared silly at that time, afraid that he would come in." If someone else wanted to enter, this servant could stop them, but if the emperor wanted to come, this servant had no way to do anything. Fortunately, every time was just a false alarm, so the emperor always stood there for a while before leaving.
This servant didn't go into the inner hall just now, but climbed up a tree with Doggie to keep an eye on him. If the emperor wants to enter Yongan Palace, then this servant will find a way to stop him.
After he finished speaking, his forehead was covered with sweat as if he was still afraid.