Yun Jinnian was speaking when she suddenly paused again.
She was foolish to have been led astray by Chu Yu.
Angrily, she said, "Quickly leave the palace. If you’re discovered at daybreak, there will be trouble!"
Chu Yu also knew that he could not stay long.
"I’m leaving, but you still need to be careful. This side hall is guarded by only one Hidden Guard, who even sneaked off to sleep. Be more vigilant from now on, and let Hemei and Henuan either set up a soft couch or make a bed on the floor within the room!"
Fortunately, it was him who came tonight. If it had been another master, and if their intention had been to take Yun Jinnian’s life...
Thinking of this, Chu Yu blamed the Empress.
And thinking of that youngster Dai Hanbo, he felt even more that the Empress was not a good person.
With so many Hidden Guards at her disposal, she assigned only one to protect Yun Jinnian, clearly not giving it much thought.
"Don’t trust the words of Mama Ma and Shaoyao too much. They both are utterly loyal to the Empress. Whatever they do or say represents the Empress. If you say anything wrong, it will definitely reach the Empress’s ears immediately!"
Chu Yu was babbling on like an old woman.
Yun Jinnian thought of her wet nurse, who also liked to babble on , yet it was always so warm.
She simply nodded obediently, showing that she had heard and remembered.
"Remember this, I’m leaving now!" Chu Yu said, reluctant to part.
As long as Yun Jinnian asked him to stay, he would definitely stay at all costs.
But Yun Jinnian just sat at the edge of the bed, watching him quietly and tenderly.
Chu Yu sighed, jumped out of the window, quickly climbed onto the roof, and swiftly left the palace.
Yun Jinnian walked slowly to the window, watching the direction in which Chu Yu had disappeared, slowly curving her lips into a comfortable and content smile.
Taking out a small pouch from within her clothes, she untied it, took out a bead, and fondled it gently in her palm, filled with joy so profound it needed no words.
It wasn’t until dawn showed its first light and without hearing any other noises within the Imperial Palace that she felt reassured to go back to sleep.
***After the intense and entwined pleasure, Lan Yichen’s steps were light as he walked.
On the luxurious carpet, a woman lay sleeping soundly.
When daylight came, he saw her appearance clearly, seductively beautiful, the kind that makes one yearn to possess her fiercely.
But, he also remembered that she was the Emperor’s woman.
He quietly and swiftly left the abandoned palace.
Luckily, his martial arts skills were formidable, so he wasn’t discovered. However, the Imperial Guards knew he had been missing the entire night.
Everyone speculated about what he had been up to but didn’t dare to ask.
Yet, seeing his light, overindulgent gait, they were very curious and whispered among themselves.
Yun Jinnian slept so deeply that she felt even more rested when she woke up, especially because of the cool morning.
Shaoyao had already paced several circuits outside, not daring to make a sound.
Hemei and Henuan stood quietly to one side.
"Has the Fourth Miss not yet risen?" Shaoyao asked.
"Mhm, she might be extra tired from yesterday, so she’s sleeping longer. Sister Shaoyao, please wait a bit longer," Hemei said softly.
They were afraid of waking Yun Jinnian.
It was rare for Yun Jinnian to sleep in.
"Then let’s wait a bit longer!" said Shaoyao, pursing her lips.
Then, from inside the room, Yun Jinnian’s voice called, "Hemei, Henuan!"
After getting dressed and eating breakfast, she went to pay respects to the Empress, and then they proceeded together to the Yangxin Hall.
"Did you sleep well last night?" the Empress asked gently.
"Well," was the simple and clear reply.
Chu Yu’s assessment of the Empress was not without reason.
However, she was Dai Hanmi’s aunt, and Yun Jinnian didn’t want to treat her with a heart full of scheming suspicion.
Upon reaching the Yangxin Hall.
Many people were already standing outside Yangxin Hall, men and women, masters and servants. Yun Jinnian looked around, furrowing her brows slightly...