"Zhaozhao, my recovery isn’t going well. Do I still need to go with you to King Yan’s Temple to absorb spirit energy?"
Three days passed, and after Yu Nianzhao forcefully stuffed his soul back into him, Nan Guili became a weak scholar, claiming he was unwell to stay at Prince Su Mansion under the guise of needing close care, fearing another bout of Soul Separation Syndrome.
Xie Jiuxiao had lost his temper with him more than once, but Emperor Anqing worried about him causing trouble in Great Chao Country, so under such circumstances, he had no choice but to let Nan Guili stay at Prince Su Mansion.
Meanwhile, he had to console his own brother, encouraging him to be generous.
After all, Yu Nianzhao would never fall for Nan Guili, so he should be more confident.
Xie Jiuxiao truly felt grateful!
Really a faithful big brother, coming to set him up at a time like this?
Xie Jiuxiao said coldly, "If you need to absorb spirit energy, can’t you go alone? Are you a baby that just stopped nursing?"
Nan Guili raised his eyebrows and said, "What if I faint at King Yan’s Temple, and Soul Separation Syndrome strikes again?"
"Heh, how fragile you are."
"Not too bad."
"Shameless!"
"We’re both the same～!"
The two sparred, neither willing to yield.
"Ha! Zhaozhao, are you going out later?"
Dongfang Chenyue walked slowly towards them, yawning, with a drowsy expression.
"Not going out for now. Mr. Dongfang has come to Shangjing, aren’t you going to check with him?"
Yu Nianzhao took a sip of tea, completely ignoring the ’finest drama’ of the two men.
"They’re all going to exorcise Shangjing, no room for me to step in."
Dongfang Chenyue, lacking vigor, started yawning again, "Moreover, I just feel like I haven’t slept enough today. I can’t go on, too sleepy. Zhaozhao, I’m skipping dinner, heading back to sleep."
Truly, she came hastily and went hastily.
When night fell, Yu Nianzhao noticed something strange about Prince Su Mansion.
"Zhixi, have you noticed anything odd? Why do people in the mansion seem few suddenly? Where did everyone go? Ms Jiang?"
Usually, at this time Ms Jiang would have prepared dinner and beckoned her to eat.
But at this moment, everything was silent, not even Zhixi giving her a reply.
Yu Nianzhao turned around in bewilderment and found that Zhixi had unknowingly fallen asleep on the table.
"Zhixi?"
Yu Nianzhao walked over and shook her, trying to wake her.
But Zhixi slept soundly, utterly unresponsive, no matter how much Yu Nianzhao called her.
"Ms Jiang, Yiu Renjian?"
Yu Nianzhao walked towards the courtyard, calling out, but no one responded.
She searched one room after another, finding Ms Jiang lying asleep in a room, corners of her mouth curving in a strangely blissful smile.
Yu Nianzhao simply left Prince Su Mansion; outside, the streetlights dim, devoid of any shadow.
Once lively and bustling streets had turned desolate; not even a dog bark could be heard.
"Too bizarre..."
Yu Nianzhao frowned deeply, a sense of disorientation hit her.
She pinched her cheek; it hurt. It’s not an illusion then.
"Zhaozhao, were you just calling for someone?"
Nan Guili heard her voice and came out, curiously asking, "Why isn’t there anyone outside?"
"Perhaps... everyone’s sleeping."
Yu Nianzhao’s gaze darkened as she prepared to take the horse to the Ministry of Justice.
Clip-clop clip-clop!
A fine horse arrived first.
Xie Jiuxiao leapt off and looked Yu Nianzhao up and down, relieved to see she was okay, pulling her into an embrace.
"Something’s happened in Shangjing; many people have inexplicably fallen into slumber. I was worried you might be affected, so I rushed back. Glad you’re safe."
Xie Jiuxiao exhaled a sigh, frowning deeply, "Even Mu Hongxuan got hit, falling asleep. On my way back, the doors were tightly shut, or people were directly asleep on the streets."
"Yes, I know, Ms Jiang and the others too."
Yu Nianzhao glanced at Nan Guili and speculated, "Nan Guili’s fine; maybe it’s related to his Soul Separation Syndrome."
"Prince!"
Just as they planned to head to the palace for inspection, Dongfang Chenyuan’s voice called out.
Dongfang Chenyuan rushed towards them, followed closely by Dongfang Hong and Mr Dongfang.
"You’ve noticed something amiss in Shangjing too, haven’t you? Everyone’s fallen into slumber; my father couldn’t find a cause. Fortunately, my father alerted us earlier and placed talismans on us, or we might have fallen victim too."
Dongfang Chenyuan patted his chest, still anxious.
"Where’s A Yue?"
Dongfang Hong frowned, more concerned about Dongfang Chenyue.
"She’s asleep in her room, unharmed."
Yu Nianzhao snapped her fingers, speaking sharply, "This isn’t a sudden incident; it’s intentional."
Xie Jiuxiao almost telepathically connected with her, both speaking in unison, "Chu Wenjun!"
They quickly rode to the prison, inside, people slept heavily, and the cell door holding Chu Wenjun was wide open.
"He’s gone. Did they pull people into dream realms just to break Chu Wenjun out?"
Xie Jiuxiao sneered, "Such grand ambition, they didn’t even bother with a cover-up?"
"It means... they’re determined for success in this action."
They exchanged a glance, Xie Jiuxiao said coldly, "Quick, let’s reach the palace."
Upon arriving at the palace, a dead silence prevailed inside; eunuchs, maids, and guards dozing off at their spots.
"Such strong demonic aura!"
Dongfang Hong finally sensed something wrong, "Originally thought it was ghosts at work, never expected it to be demons!"
Mr Dongfang slapped his thigh, "Demon? Our Dongfang Family is a sect of mystics, not demon-fighting Heavenly Masters, what do we do?"
"I’ll try to awaken them."
Dongfang Hong walked straight to the eunuchs at the palace door, using him as a test subject, placing a talisman on his forehead.
Whew whew whew!
The eunuch kept sleeping soundly, nearly blowing the talisman away.
Dongfang Hong shook his head helplessly, "No luck, can’t pull back their awareness with talismans."
"Royal brother!"
Xie Jiuxiao entered Emperor Anqing’s chamber, finding him still asleep on the bed, finally relieved.
"Huawu!"
Yu Nianzhao didn’t hesitate to summon using the mirror.
Huawu’s graceful figure emerged from the mirror, initially intending to flirt with Yu Nianzhao, but then caught a familiar scent.
Her expression changed significantly, she glanced around, trying to spot a familiar figure.
"Ziyu, is it you?"
Huawu was excited, she circled the chamber twice but couldn’t find the person she longed to see.
"Demon! It’s a demon!"
Mr Dongfang shouted loudly.
Dongfang Hong was stunned too, "This is... a Mirror Demon? Princess Consort Su actually harbors Mirror Demons? Truly audacious beyond belief."