Once upon a time.
Chu Heyao most admired Yan Zhao's father, Yan Lin.
A valiant general who fought on the battlefield, a man of blood and courage!
But he also admired his father, the emperor of Chu.
During Emperor Chu's reign, the country enjoyed peace and prosperity, and the rivers were clear and the seas were calm. He was a well - deserved wise emperor praised by all.
But at this moment, Chu Heyao suddenly realized that Emperor Chu became the emperor only because he was born into the royal family.
Since the previous emperor had few sons and Emperor Chu was the only prince who grew up to adulthood, he ascended the throne in order.
But if it weren't for the soldiers fighting hard on the frontiers, how could Emperor Chu sit firmly on the throne?
How could he have the prosperous scene he had now?
But was Emperor Chu really a wise emperor?
If he was a wise emperor, why did he covet his minister's wife?
If he wasn't, how could he govern the country and the world so wisely!
"I'm glad you're okay, sister - in - law!"
Chu Heyao forced a shy smile. "The palace is not a peaceful place. A Zhao, take your wife into the palace less often in the future!"
Given Ning Yuwǎn's stunning beauty, his father might well develop covetous thoughts again.
Chu Heyao could only give such a subtle reminder, but unfortunately he couldn't tell the truth.
"Yes!"
Yan Zhao didn't ask him the reason, but this kind of unconditional trust made Chu Heyao feel even more blocked!
He sighed slowly and wanted to remind Yan Zhao to be careful in the future and guard against villains.
But he didn't know that Yan Zhao had the same thought as him!
Although Chu Heyao was born in the deep palace, as the legitimate son of Emperor Chu and Empress Chu, he had been doted on and lived a life of wealth since childhood.
Empress Chu had cleared away various obstacles for him behind the scenes, which made him even more straightforward and innocent!
This kind of straightforwardness and innocence would be a precious quality for an ordinary person.
But Chu Heyao was a prince, and he would face more intrigues in the future.
Always maintaining an innocent nature was not a good thing for him!
In the Changxin Palace.
As the lanterns were lit at dusk, all the officials were sitting around, waiting for the emperor and the empress to appear.
An Xingzhi followed An Ruoqian back quietly at this moment and sat down at the lower seat of Grand Tutor An.
She walked slowly all the way, afraid that the movement would tug at the wounds between her legs and make her cry out involuntarily.
She was even more afraid that others would see through what had happened to her.
On the contrary.
Looking at An Ruoqian again, she was no longer the usual timid and humble girl. Her eyebrows were full of a gloomy and fierce look, and when she raised her head, there seemed to be an arrogant air of looking down on the world.
An Xingzhi despised her in the bottom of her heart, but since the handle of her misdeed was in An Ruoqian's hands, she was forced to be at her mercy.
But after all, she was used to being the arrogant elder sister, so she still scolded lightly, "Ruoqian! Be more restrained! If grandfather sees that you've had an episode, he'll throw you back into the wood - shed again!"
Grand Tutor An was sitting in the upper seat not far from them. Relying on her grandfather's favor, she guessed that An Ruoqian didn't dare to talk back!
An Ruoqian glanced back indifferently and said arrogantly, "He won't dare! Mind your own business!"
An Ruoqian was really perverse and eccentric after her episode. An Xingzhi only needed to take one look at her to feel afraid!
And she had only felt this way before when she was with Ning Yuwǎn!
Both of them were perverts!
An Xingzhi cursed secretly in her heart. If it were normal, she would definitely taunt and deal with An Ruoqian.
But now, she could only endure the humiliation silently. "Okay!"
"So it's Miss An. You've made me look for you for so long!"
Behind them, Ning Yuwǎn's leisurely voice sounded, and there seemed to be a hint of teasing at the end of her tone.
An Xingzhi's body stiffened. She seemed to remember the moment when she was only half a meter away from Ning Yuwǎn at the back door of the side - hall in the Weiyang Palace.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and her breathing stopped involuntarily.
"Ah!"
It seemed that someone had pinched her finger hard. An Xingzhi let out a low cry and looked up to meet An Ruoqian's cold gaze!
She came to her senses and immediately stood up to salute.
"Princess of the Marquis of De!"
As she moved, she carefully glanced at Ning Yuwǎn and saw that her eyes were smiling, but the bottom of her eyes was deep and cold.
"Miss An and Miss Song disappeared after they left. I was really worried, Princess."
Ning Yuwǎn didn't let her get up, so An Xingzhi had to keep squatting.
"I'm relieved to see that Miss An is safe and sound now."
"There was an unexpected situation just now, and I didn't say goodbye to the Princess. I've made you worry."
An Xingzhi's legs were already weak, and her body swayed greatly, which was very different from her usual dignified and gentle etiquette.
Even Grand Tutor An took a second look in their direction.
But since Ning Yuwǎn was always smiling and An Xingzhi didn't show any grievance, he shifted his gaze back to the people in front of him who were currying favor.
"By the way, where's Miss Song?"
Ning Yuwǎn seemed to look around casually. "Why can't I see her?"
How could An Xingzhi know where Song Yiran had gone?
She herself had fallen into a trap!
Suddenly, An Xingzhi shivered. At that time, she had carried the unconscious Ning Yuwǎn into Wang Fuhai's room!
But in Ning Yuwǎn's words, it was only about the matter of her and Song Yiran leaving after drinking tea.
It seemed that nothing had happened to Ning Yuwǎn herself!
It was as if she had completely cleared herself of all the things!
Thinking of the incident at the back door of the side - hall, An Xingzhi seemed to understand.
No wonder An Ruoqian had mocked her for not recognizing her opponent. It turned out that she had fallen into Ning Yuwǎn's trap early today.
She thought that Ning Yuwǎn and Wang Fuhai were like the snipe and the clam fighting, and she could reap the benefits of the fisherman.
But unfortunately, in Ning Yuwǎn's trap, she was just the cicada in the mouth of the mantis!
A faint layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, and An Xingzhi forced herself to stay calm.
"I don't know either. I think she should be okay!"
"That's good!"
Ning Yuwǎn also stepped closer with a worried look on her face. "Miss An looks pale. What happened?"
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. I'm fine!"
Ning Yuwǎn's gaze seemed to be a bit hot.
An Xingzhi looked calm on the surface, but she was trembling with fear in her heart, worried that Ning Yuwǎn would see through the red and purple marks on her body through her clothes!
Sure enough, the next moment, Ning Yuwǎn spoke again. "What's wrong with your neck, Miss An?"
What?
Her neck!
There was no mirror in front of her. An Xingzhi suddenly became stiff, afraid that the marks on her skin would be exposed.
Ning Yuwǎn seemed to be unable to see clearly, so she leaned closer to take a look.
Just when An Xingzhi was so panicked and afraid that she almost fainted, Ning Yuwǎn laughed and said, "It's just a petal!"
She gently pinched with her finger, and a peony petal fluttered down.
Just like the heart that An Xingzhi had been holding tightly, it quietly relaxed.
"The Princess has good eyesight."
An Xingzhi took a deep breath and hid all her emotions. "I still need to prepare for the Empress's birthday banquet, so I won't accompany the Princess anymore."
She didn't dare to stay with Ning Yuwǎn any longer. She felt that every word of Ning Yuwǎn seemed to be full of meaning and that she knew the inside story.
"Miss An has worked hard."
Ning Yuwǎn raised her eyebrows. Seeing An Xingzhi leave stiffly and quickly, the smile on her lips curled up.
She was really easily frightened!
Her gaze shifted and collided with An Ruoqian, who was quietly drinking tea.
The latter was still humble and timid. She nodded slightly as a greeting, and there was even a hint of worry in her eyes as she followed An Xingzhi.
How could two girls from the same family be so different?
Ning Yuwǎn thought curiously. She still had a bit of a good impression of An Ruoqian!
After all, she was the only one who was delicate, quiet and didn't cause any trouble!