A few days passed. Quietly, she met Liang.
Early autumn was stealthily approaching.
The matter of Rong Wan's disappearance had been weighing heavily on Yan Zhao's mind.
He had secretly sent many people to investigate, but there were absolutely no clues to follow.
It seemed that the person behind this had made full preparations in advance.
But Yan Zhao also knew in his heart that the fox would always show its tail.
Since that person had abducted Rong Wan, he would surely reveal his purpose soon.
Sure enough.
Half a month later, it would soon be Queen Chu's fortieth birthday!
Emperor Chu had already announced that it would be a grand celebration, and all civil and military officials could bring their families to attend.
Moreover, there were even rumors that Emperor Chu intended to choose concubines for the Second Prince, Chu Heyao, and the Third Prince, Chu Heye, on this occasion!
Naturally, all the officials had started their preparations early. Especially those who had daughters in their families had spent a great deal of money to plan in advance!
As for the Estate of the Heir Apparent.
Ning Yuwang was the heir apparent's wife and also a county princess personally conferred by the emperor. Naturally, she had to go.
Yan Zhao originally planned to feign illness and come up with a plan to avoid it, but unexpectedly, Emperor Chu even ordered Wang Fuhai to deliver an imperial edict specially, specifically naming Ning Yuwang to enter the palace.
"Princess of the Heir Apparent, Her Majesty the Queen has been thinking about you these days. I'm sure she will be overjoyed to see you. His Majesty has ordered this old servant to come and inform you in advance."
Wang Fuhai sized up Ning Yuwang subtly. After not seeing her for more than half a month, this princess of the heir apparent had become even more charming, wealthy, and as beautiful as a celestial being, even more so than before.
Even though he was just a eunuch, he couldn't help but let out silent admiration in his heart and took one look after another at her.
Ning Yuwang didn't seem to notice his gaze. After receiving the imperial edict, she replied casually, "Thank you, Father-in-law Wang. Yuwang naturally wouldn't forget Her Majesty the Queen's birthday."
Yan Zhao hadn't told her about the old affairs of the General's Mansion, so she only knew superficially about the relationship between Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu.
She didn't know about the malice of Emperor Chu and Queen Chu behind it!
But she didn't like entering the palace. It wasn't that she was dissatisfied with Emperor Chu and Queen Chu. It was just that she didn't like those people who said one thing and meant another. Especially when she had to bow and pay respects to the emperor and the queen.
Although the earthly emperor was rumored to be the "true dragon" among people, he was after all a mortal. In essence, he was just an ordinary human being.
If he always received the respects of a true dragon like her, his lifespan might be shortened!
She sneered in her heart. Anyway, she couldn't bring harm to others.
Wang Fuhai's gaze still stuck to Ning Yuwang brazenly. Just then, Ning Yuwang was lost in thought.
Suddenly, a low cough came from beside her ear, and Yan Zhao's body swayed violently as if on the verge of falling.
"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
Yan Zhao coughed violently a few times, and his face looked even paler and weaker. "I'm a bit tired."
Ning Yuwang complained in her heart. He had deliberately said that his body had recovered greatly yesterday just so that he didn't have to stay in the study and could return to the main courtyard!
But today he was so tired that he could hardly bear it?
But even though she thought so, she didn't say it out!
Instead, she even acted worriedly, "Your Highness has been overly weak recently. We should ask the mansion doctor to take a look at you later."
Wang Fuhai shifted his gaze to Yan Zhao, hiding the impatience in his eyes as he said, "Your Highness should take good care of your health. Don't let your beautiful princess worry about you!"
But in his heart, he was overjoyed. If this sickly heir apparent died early, his princess would need someone else to take care of her.
He unconsciously puffed out his chest, as if daydreaming that under Emperor Chu, he might also have a chance to be among those "someone else".
"Thank you for your reminder, Father-in-law Wang!"
Seeing his appearance, Yan Zhao knew that his mind was filthy. Immediately, his eyes turned cold. "I will surely not let Wanwan worry."
Wang Fuhai remembered his bad reputation. He was slightly stunned and then tried to ingratiate himself, saying, "Then this old servant won't bother Your Highness and the princess."
Just as he turned around, he suddenly turned back and reminded, "Princess of the Heir Apparent, you should prepare well for Her Majesty the Queen's birthday!"
What did she need to prepare for?
Ning Yuwang blinked her eyes in confusion. Then she saw Wang Fuhai nodding mysteriously with a smile and replied, "Yes!"
She was still staring at Wang Fuhai's back when she gradually felt a bit of strength on the arm held by Yan Zhao.
"Wanwan."
Yan Zhao frowned. "Protect yourself well tomorrow."
He knew that Ning Yuwang wasn't the kind of person who would easily suffer losses. Although she would make secret plans, he still reminded her just in case.
"Okay."
Ning Yuwang responded without any extra expression on her face, seemingly not caring at all.
Because she had absorbed some of Yan Zhao's energy that day, one - tenth of her spiritual power in her body had recovered, and she was more than capable of protecting herself.
But Yan Zhao still worried about her. He grabbed her wrist. "Promise me that no matter who it is, don't be alone with them!"
Especially Emperor Chu and Queen Chu!
He privately didn't want Ning Yuwang to know about these dirty things. He wanted to bear it all by himself and protect Ning Yuwang's "innocence and straightforwardness".
Ning Yuwang thought: You don't really know me!
"Got it."
The next day came soon.
Since early morning, Yan Zhao had been busy in a hurry. He instructed the secret guards to hide around Ning Yuwang to protect her.
Even Lotus, he had informed in advance to stay by Ning Yuwang's side all the time.
"This subordinate understands!"
Since this was a task, Lotus naturally didn't relax as usual. Immediately, she stuck close to Ning Yuwang.
"Your Highness?"
Ning Yuwang's eyes showed suspicion. She actually had a spell that could detect people's memories, but it consumed a great deal of spiritual power.
Yan Zhao didn't suspect anything. He put his arm around her waist. "Wanwan, I'm here."
In the palace.
Before the Yin hour, Emperor Chu was anxiously looking in the direction outside the palace.
Queen Chu knew his mind at a glance, and her heart was filled with bitterness and regret.
Maybe it was because it was her birthday today, or maybe Emperor Chu wanted her to help him achieve something good tonight, so he had been willing to stay in the middle palace last night.
She gently picked up an outer robe and put it on Emperor Chu's shoulders. "Your Majesty, why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Emperor Chu held her hand back. "My dear wife, are you awake?"
He stroked the smile on the corner of his mouth. "Thinking that today is your birthday, I'm so happy that I can't fall asleep."
He was indeed happy, but not because of her.
Queen Chu smiled softly. "Then my wish today is to wish Your Majesty to achieve your heart's desire!"
Achieve his heart's desire!
Emperor Chu's expression changed greatly. He hugged Queen Chu's waist in surprise. "Then I'll thank my dear wife."
Although he was anxious, he also knew that he shouldn't disappoint Queen Chu too much today. So he hugged Queen Chu and took another short nap.
Maybe because he had woken up too early, in an instant, he fell into a dream again.
Queen Chu looked coldly at his face, her heart filled with grief.
Today was her birthday, but she had to plan for her husband to get another woman.
Even though she was a powerful queen and should have known clearly that the emperor had three thousand beauties in his harem, it still couldn't ease the pain in her heart.
In order to stabilize her position as the queen, she had to help Emperor Chu harm other women against her conscience.
Over the years, most of the women might have yielded to Emperor Chu's power, but there were also some strong - willed women who finally proved their innocence with their lives!
Naturally, Emperor Chu wouldn't come out personally to clean up the mess. He left it all to her, the so - called queen.
Just now, Emperor Chu had been too anxious to sleep, but she had been awakened from a nightmare.
Suddenly, Ning Yuwang's charming face flashed through her mind. On the one hand, she envied and was jealous of her astonishing beauty, which could easily win the emperor's heart. On the other hand, she sighed silently that such a woman would eventually fall.
Suddenly, she let out a soft laugh. The nobles in the deep palace?
But who knew that every person in the deep palace was filthy!