The night was already deep, the thunder was still rumbling, as if the Thunder God and the Mother of Lightning were constantly striking above the nine heavens. The snow-white lightning occasionally flashed across the night sky, and the timid palace maid was frightened to lose her color, but she covered her mouth and dared not make a sound.
Morning dew waiting under the corridor, ears full of noisy rain sounds, she leaned against the white jade railing, listlessly gazing at the rain curtain, gazing at the distant palace buildings and towers.
The sound of the rain is loud and clear, yet it brings peace to heaven and earth. Under its thunderous roar, all human affairs fade into insignificance, forgotten in the haze.
Gu Yun was discussing matters with Yuan Qi, but she wasn't paying attention and excused herself.
It's probably just a rumor!
She gently brushed away the water droplets from her hair, recalling Yuan Qi's faintly cold smile, and couldn't help but smile.
He was born in this mysterious and dark palace, where he can't even see his five fingers when he stretches out his hand. For him, it's just a normal life. He won't easily believe anyone, nor will he show his weaknesses to others.
Beneath his faint smile lies an unfathomable abyss and the imperial mind of a ruler at the pinnacle.
Her smile deepened, as if she was very pleased.
"What are you laughing at?"
Yu Yun stepped out of the palace and came to her side, asking curiously.
"I'm laughing... How did Lin Yuan give birth to such a son."
Her smile was crystal clear, but in the rain, it seemed hazy and absolutely beautiful, only a hint of bitterness between her eyebrows that couldn't be shaken off.
"Giving birth to such an excellent son, and yet wanting to usurp power, ending up with mother and son mutually harming each other... what Heaven has given Lin Yu is truly wonderful..."
She sighed and finally spat out a sentence:
"But if she really dies a good death, is there still justice in this world?"
The resentment and venom in his words cut deep into her bones.
Yu Yun looked at her, reached out and wiped away the raindrops for her. He deeply understood her mood, but couldn't help feeling heartache.
She hated most was the heartless and cruel Yuan Xu, however, he had already been buried in his coffin, became so-called former emperor, worshiped at ancestral temple, forever received sacrifice.
His death, this moment of deep hatred, from the blue sky to the yellow spring, but who will bear it?
Only Lin Wan!
In this world, she always grasped something to live on, such as hatred and revenge, so that she could continue to walk calmly among the ruins of the ancient palace.
Is such a lonely and miserable life worth it?
"Do you also hate the current emperor?"
Subconsciously, Qu Yun asked.
"I don't know..."
A girl's brow, a hint of melancholy.
"Watching him, I thought of Yuan Xu, but in fact, they were completely different..."
She recalled Yuan Qi's smile, cold and calm on the surface, but with a hint of mockery hidden beneath, as if there were infinite sharp icy blades in the depths of his soul.
Yuan Xu, he is forever like a spring breeze, warm and gentle, making everyone feel at ease.
They don't look alike.
She gently shook her head, shaking off the inexplicable thought, took the silk umbrella handed over by the servant, and strolled out with Qu Yun.
The grand path in the palace is wide and tidy, but at this time, there is no one in sight.
Two people walked side by side, chatting in a low voice, but the content was not related to the wind and moon, if someone heard it, they would be shocked and faint.
"What did the Emperor have those secret hands of yours do?"
The morning dew asked softly, its voice clear and audible amidst the vast rain sounds.
Gu Yun smiled and said: "Even if rumors spread far and wide in the wind and rain, it is indeed unfavorable to him. Some bloody means are also inevitable."
Morning dew did not give up, smiling at him and saying: "Just relying on Thunderclap's skills is probably still not enough, right?"
Kui Yun smiled bitterly and had no choice but to surrender: "The Emperor has one more thing to say..."
"To hide a pearl, it must be buried among countless ordinary beads."
The morning dew was so clever and quick-witted, she understood Yuan Qi's meaning with just a slight pause, and burst out laughing, her eyebrows relaxed and the melancholy between them vanished in an instant.
"Really... doesn't seem like the son of those two..."
She said with a smile.
Within two or three days, there were rumors that the imperial censor had submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating that the rumors in the city were mixed and confusing, fearing that they would interfere with the sacred hearing, and requesting that the emperor take steps to stop them.
Chenlu couldn't help but satisfy her curiosity, taking advantage of the guard's leisure time to read through the memorials one by one, almost laughing out loud.
She couldn't help but laugh when she mentioned it to Qu Yun.
"That's simply a mythological novel, the plot of Mu Lian saving his mother, the legend of evil Taoist practices, the haunting of vengeful spirits from previous dynasties, and the assassination by Tartar assassins. It's so vivid and lifelike that after hearing these stories, listening to tales of emperors killing their mothers is simply dull in comparison - rumors mixed with rumors can't stir up any waves."
Qiu Yun smiled, for the first time seeing her slightly narrow her eyes, but not because of murderous intent. He felt relieved in his heart and also started to joke: "In a few days, the capital will be even more lively!"
Chen Lü Xuan'er smiled and said: "I'm waiting to see, Emperor, you've mastered the art of assassination, what new tricks do you have!"
The capital was truly bustling at this time. The various strange rumors about the Empress Dowager's encounter with danger had not yet subsided, when another bizarre incident occurred in the capital...
Several ministers were assassinated at home, with extremely bizarre deaths.
His Majesty was extremely enraged after hearing the report and severely reprimanded the Governor of Beijing, ordering him to solve the case within a deadline.
The poor governor of Jingzhao ran his legs off and turned white-haired with worry, but on the next day, he received another memorial...
The Empress Dowager's younger brother and current Imperial Father-in-law, Duke Jing'an Lin Yuan, was stabbed by an assassin at the second watch.
This news was like a thunderbolt on a clear day, leaving him stunned and despairing.
It's really an unlucky year, this time it's not just a matter of losing one's official position, but also possibly one's family and even life!
When he heard the report from the bailiff and found some clues at the scene, he was overjoyed and rushed to the scene in person.
After visiting the frightened Duke Jing'an, the Metropolitan Governor Ma rushed to the bedroom where the incident occurred. He carefully examined the evidence and felt confused.
The scene gathered the best of the six doors, including the military elite who were not ordinary in previous years. The general's expression was solemn, and he leaned in close to his ear and whispered something. When the prefect of the capital heard it, he couldn't help but be shocked and lose his composure.
"Hurry...hurry up and prepare the sedan chair, I'm going to have an audience with the Emperor!"
The next day after his urgent audience, the emperor broke with precedent and held a grand court, an extremely rare occurrence.
The ministers all secretly speculated and whispered among themselves, only stopping when the emperor arrived.
"Your Majesty's subjects!"
Yuan Qi spoke cautiously, scanning the officials below the steps, saying: "This time, there are Tartar masters sneaking in, you all should be careful of your own safety!"
The officials were already nervous, and upon hearing this sudden sentence, their hearts trembled with fear. Some of the timid ones had already broken out in a cold sweat.
