Two people locked eyes, sparks flew in the collision, but in the next instant, it returned to a calm and quiet undercurrent.

  That brief moment, however, was caught by the Empress Dowager, who cleared her throat softly and took a small sip of tea from her cup, seemingly nonchalant as she turned to look at Consort Zhou: "You child, you're also worried about the Emperor and your father, aren't you..."

  She sighed deeply, almost in tears: "Alas, men go to battle, while mothers and wives are left with a worried heart... She waved her hand, signaling the young man to withdraw: "Since you know nothing, I'll believe you, but the Emperor's safety is no trivial matter----tell your General to remember this!"

  The young general bowed and said, "Please don't worry, Your Majesty. The Emperor's carriage is on its way back to the capital, it's just that His injuries have not healed yet, so they will be traveling slowly."

  The empress dowager listened, neither approving nor disapproving. After he retreated, her profound and inscrutable gaze lingered on Consort Zhou's face for a moment before she said faintly, "I'm also tired... everyone please withdraw."

  The empress followed her back to the inner chamber and hastily said: "Empress Dowager, between Concubine Wei and this General, I'm afraid there's some connection?!"

  She pursed her lips and sneered coldly, with a hint of disdain in her beautiful eyes: "What a great general, huh? Hmph!"

  The empress sat upright with dignity, a faint smile of composure on her pale face: "I've already had them watched closely... If they dare to be reckless, capture them on the spot --- I'd like to see where Zhou Jun's face will be placed?"

  The empress's heart was filled with delight and schadenfreude, recalling the usual arrogance of Concubine Zhou.

  She chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while before taking her leave. As she exited the palace gate, she caught sight of a figure hastily rushing out. The Empress vaguely recalled that this was the one who had served tea to the Empress Dowager today. Why was he in such a hurry? How rude...

  She thought about it carelessly and immediately put it behind her mind, stepping into her own sedan chair.

  Princess Zhi held the elegant and fragrant letter in her hand, lost in thought for a moment without realizing it.

  She was wearing a autumn-colored embroidered cloak with a dignified and majestic face, but there were several points of paleness.

  She has been in poor health lately, caught a cold, and several old doctors have come to diagnose her, but she has not seen any improvement.

  A few days ago, she had a bit of spirit, but just in time for the imperial concubines to go to the temple to pray for blessings for the emperor. She has always been strong-willed and struggled to make a trip, and when she returned, she had a high fever again that night.

  It's been going on like this. Never seeing a good day, today I'm feeling refreshed and was just about to go out for a walk. But under the corridor's wooden pillar, I picked up such a letter.

  The letter was inserted deep into the pillar. When unfolded, those strong and elegant characters seemed to be the handwriting of Empress Zhou.

  She made an appointment with me at 11 o'clock tonight. Meet at Feiyan Pavilion - what could it be about?

  Ziqi Concubine was somewhat perplexed, she supported her fragrant cheek and pondered, doubts sprouting in her mind.

  Although the two families have a harmonious relationship now, they also have their own "gates" and "walls". Empress Zhou is naturally proud and aloof, but now she's being so secretive. What could be the reason for her to agree to meet at night?

  She quickly thought in her mind and remembered that this afternoon, another concubine came to visit her, saying that General Zhou had sent an envoy to deliver the news of a great victory.

  Is it related to the messenger?

  She was at her wit's end and finally decided to keep the appointment.

  After dinner, her spirit was very good, and she played with the maids for a while, then took her personal maid Xiang Ying and went out for a walk.

  Fei Yan Ge is located in the south right direction of Yun Qing Gong, with a total of seven floors. It has always been a place where concubines climb high to enjoy the scenery. The four walls have portraits of legendary figures from past dynasties, all vivid and lifelike, as if they were real people.

  Ziqi let Xiangying wait outside and herself lightly lifted her skirt and went upstairs.

  A narrow staircase, made of black wood, shone with a faint blue light in the dimness. Several palace lanterns swayed and flickered in the night wind, casting an eerie and quiet shadow on the entire building.

  The stairs spiralled upwards, seemingly reaching for the sky, endless. Qi Fei had only been walking for a short while when she could almost hear her own heartbeat - a kind of trembling terror rising from within her.

  Her hands and feet trembled slightly, and with great difficulty, she finally climbed to the top of the loft.

  A silver-white moon with a hint of red, emitting an eerie cold glow, pierced her eyes with a sharp pain.

  Ziqi only felt a severe pain in her back, the sound of the sharp blade bursting through her 'chest' bone, and a clear explosion inside her body.

  She fell weakly to the ground, and what caught her eye was a dark-colored silk handkerchief on the sandalwood floor with purple lilacs embroidered on it...

  Darkness envelops heaven and earth, purple hue spreads like blood, wantonly overflowing---

  This was the last magnificent view she saw in her lifetime.

  Morning 'dew' only felt herself wandering in the dark, water submerged her head, she was like a fetus, floating and sinking in the water...

  For a moment, she was somewhat sober, and in front of her eyes, the swaying figures were people's shadows, not waves, but maybe this was also an illusion.

  It was as if someone was whispering in her ear, she tried hard to open her eyes, but couldn't muster up any strength.

  The whole person seemed to be tossing about in the water, yet it didn't seem that way either. The jolting and shaking might have been from a carriage...?

  Many strange visions flashed before his eyes, but they were just fleeting illusions, a will-o'-the-wisp, a dream that vanished at dawn.

  After a while, she felt a sharp pain in her throat, and with trembling lips, she finally let out her first moan.

  "Are you awake?"

  A surprised male voice sounded in her ear, and she struggled to open her eyes. In front of her, a blurry figure emerged, revealing Qu Yun's worried yet ecstatic expression.

  He picked up a cup of hot tea and carefully fed it to her from the edge of her lips. After two sips, Chenluo finally felt a hint of strength in her body.

  Her whole body ached all over, her voice was hoarse like a crow: "Where is this?"

  "You've returned to the palace!"

  Kui Yun Road

  The next moment, a faint murmur came from outside, though small, it was getting closer and more intense.

  "Why is it so noisy in the palace?"

  Chen 'Lu' asked in a hoarse voice, Qu Yun looked at her, and 'Lu' revealed a helpless bitter smile.

  "At this moment, the palace is even more lively than the streets!"