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Kuranami Miyako looked at Mei Shuang, a smirk on her lips as she put away her knife, her eyes filled with intense hatred. "I figured you wouldn't pull any tricks. As long as you go, Queen Himiko's end will come..."
"This really feels like forcing a duck onto a perch... I can't help but wonder what kind of expert has you all so obediently following orders. Aren't you afraid of being deceived?" Mei Shuang complained.
"You don't need to know that..."
Unbeknownst to them, outside the window, a pair of eyes was watching them closely, listening intently to their conversation.
After a long silence, Mei Shuang muttered to herself, "Actually, some things are destined by heaven. We can only go with the flow and cannot act against fate..."
This statement was quite jarring to Kuranami Miyako, who was quietly practicing her breathing exercises at the table. She scoffed, "Just now you were boasting about being forced into this situation, yet now you're acting as if you can see through the heavens? Let's not even talk about the survival of my Jiu Rang Family; let me ask you this: do you think it's fate that the Empress's throne is up for grabs? If you believe in going with the flow, why not just perish in the Cold Palace?"
"......"
Mei Shuang never expected that this cunning and cold-blooded assassin would have such a sharp tongue. This left her momentarily speechless.
Although the answer was obvious—she was no longer the Mei Shuang from before and had no need to bear the heavy sins of her past!
But for now, she could only shrug and smile lightly. "To be honest, I never wanted to be this so-called Empress..."
Kuranami Miyako shot a dismissive glance at the indifferent Mei Shuang and sneered, "The saying about sour grapes probably originated from you, right? You really don't need to put on an act in front of these people. Those women who know your true nature—how many of them don't hate you to the bone and laugh at you behind your back? It's just that I didn't expect you'd remain so calm after becoming a laughingstock; it seems your skin is thicker than city walls..."
After mocking her for a while, Kuranami Miyako noticed that Mei Shuang remained unfazed and instead smiled. "However, after spending this time together, I actually find you not as detestable as the legends say..."
A bitter smile rose in Mei Shuang's heart.
Suddenly, Kuranami Miyako's expression changed as she said in a low voice, "Who?"
Suddenly, with a movement, the figure was already outside the door.
Outside, it was quiet. Kuranami Miyako pondered for a moment, then turned back and commanded Mei Shuang, "This place is not suitable for us to linger. We must set off immediately."
——
Purple Dawn Palace.
In recent days, Empress Dowager Mingxi had been feeling unwell, experiencing alternating chills and heat, and occasionally coughing.
After the palace physician examined her pulse, he reported that there was no major issue; she had simply caught a chill and was suffering from poor sleep and worries. He advised the Empress Dowager to rest well.
Aunt Yu, who attended to the Empress Dowager, noticed that she had been preoccupied lately, sleeping poorly and not eating well, causing her to lose weight.
Now seeing the dark circles under the Empress Dowager's eyes, Aunt Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
When she brought over the medicine bowl, she forced a smile and encouraged, "Empress Dowager, please take your medicine. It's best to keep your mind at ease; overthinking is of no benefit..."
"Overthinking is indeed of no benefit," Empress Dowager Mingxi coughed a few times and sighed. "The child grows up without his mother’s control. It has been many days since the Emperor's wedding, yet I have not heard of him visiting any of the concubines in the Respectful Affairs Room. Not even the Empress has mentioned that he has stayed there... Alas, when will I be able to hold my grandson? The Emperor is approaching his thirties but has no son or daughter. Who will inherit the Great Qin Empire in the future? If there is a tomorrow, how will I face my ancestors underground..."
As she spoke further, Empress Dowager Mingxi's tears flowed like rain.
Aunt Yu could only sigh in response, feeling skeptical in her heart.
The Emperor clearly has someone he favors; you are forcing them apart, which leads to his rebellious mindset and refusal to indulge. Matters between men and women are not easy to discuss; what can you do about it?
In fact, Aunt Yu harbored another doubt that she dared not express: Could it be that the Emperor had some physical ailment preventing him from consummating his marriage?
Of course, such a disrespectful thought only lingered in her heart.
After lamenting for a while, Empress Dowager Mingxi took the medicine bowl but scooped some out before putting it down again, frowning slightly. "Is there still no news from over there?"
Aunt Yu turned her back to dismiss the nearby maid before gently saying, "The Emperor has already ordered a full search, and the Zhao Prince has also dispatched a large number of people to look for her... I believe we should have news in a few days..."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Mingxi slammed the medicine bowl in her hand onto the table beside her, displeased. "With so many people, they can't even catch an assassin. Truly useless!"
Seeing Empress Dowager Mingxi getting angry, Aunt Yu hurried to comfort her. "That assassin is cunning and unpredictable, and with Miss Mei Shuang by her side, they must be cautious. If they accidentally harm Miss Mei Shuang, it would be inappropriate... Moreover, once they leave the city, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi closed her eyes and sighed. "What a troublesome time this is. How can I explain this to Chancellor Mei..."
After a moment, Empress Dowager Mingxi opened her eyes again and said angrily, "It's all that damned Nangong's fault—if he hadn't insisted on taking Shuang'er out of the palace and repeatedly assured me that he would take good care of her, how could Shuang'er have ended up in such trouble?"
At this point, Empress Dowager Mingxi's eyes reddened, and tears began to fall. "I have lost someone to ease my worries..."
Aunt Yu was taken aback; the Empress Dowager was actually shedding tears over a deposed Empress Mei Shuang?
Realizing she had reacted inappropriately, Empress Dowager Mingxi used a silk handkerchief to wipe away her tears and sighed. "I am unfortunate; I don't even have a daughter. Yet Shuang'er would occasionally bring me joy. Now... alas..."
Aunt Yu was shocked internally but still advised gently, "Empress Dowager, you are doing this for Miss Mei Shuang's sake. Although she has been officially recognized, we must think about the bigger picture. It is better for her to be outside than to remain in the palace; this is also your only option... Furthermore, you have already spoken with Zhao Prince; I believe he will not act recklessly. That is why you entrusted her to him..."
Just then, a maid outside reported, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, there is a pigeon delivering a message."
By candlelight, Aunt Yu opened the thin paper note and felt her heart skip a beat. She hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, could it be that Miss Mei Shuang has news?"
"What?!"
When Empress Dowager Mingxi heard Aunt Yu's report, she felt incredulous.
She... she had appeared at Chu Xiruo's secluded training place? And had changed her name?
Empress Dowager Mingxi's phoenix eyes flashed with sharpness. "Quickly report to Zhao Prince! Surround that place immediately... Remember, do not let any word leak out; those who do will be executed!!"
Aunt Yu quickly understood what the Empress Dowager meant; if the Emperor found out that Mei Shuang was at Chu Xiruo's training place right now, wouldn't he immediately cause chaos?
The pigeon flapped its wings and flew away.
Empress Dowager Mingxi sighed heavily; this truly was a case of life imitating art.
The two little adversaries were finally able to meet again. I wonder what kind of chaos would ensue! Given Mei Shuang's temperament, upon seeing Chu Xiruo, she would undoubtedly be furious. Alas, what could be done about it?
——
When Nangong Nuo received the news, he hurried through the rugged mountain path to the temple overnight, only to find it deserted.
As dawn broke, he stood outside the temple, looking around and realizing that this dilapidated temple was hidden high in a valley. Even in this season, the bare peaks were enough to obstruct the view from outsiders. Not to mention during summer when everything was lush and green; it was no wonder his men had searched everywhere without finding it.
This was indeed a great hiding place. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's orders to surround this area, and if the guards hadn't learned that there was an abandoned temple here, who would have thought such a concealed refuge existed?
The temple wasn't large; it had a few rooms that were simple yet tidy. The Buddha Hall was even more organized, certainly not resembling a place where someone stayed temporarily.
But why was there suddenly no one here?
As he entered one of the rooms, sharp-eyed Nangong Nuo suddenly noticed a shiny little object under the pillow.
He quickly stepped forward and picked it up; it was a small earring. His heart leaped with joy—it was indeed Mei Shuang's.
It seemed that this Mei Shuang wasn't as foolish as he thought; she had left a mark here.
He reached out to check the warmth of the bedding and immediately waved his hand, "Chase!"
Just as they arrived outside the temple, they saw a little nun carrying firewood coming from outside. Upon seeing the armed guards, she didn't seem surprised at all; she simply pressed her palms together and politely asked, "May I ask what brings you here?"
Nangong Nuo sized up Peach. She was delicate and graceful, unlike ordinary girls from common families. He glanced at the dilapidated temple and coldly asked, "Where are the people from the temple?"
Peach replied calmly, "Are you asking about those who borrowed the place temporarily? They just left in the middle of the night..."
Nangong Nuo inquired further about how Mei Shuang arrived here, how she left, and the total number of people involved, confirming without a doubt that it was indeed Mei Shuang.
Nangong Nuo did not rush to pursue; instead, he pondered for a moment and asked, "Are you the only one in the temple now?"
Peach lowered her gaze. "Master left for Mountain Base a few days ago and has not returned."
"Alright, tell your master that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I will come back to express my gratitude..." Nangong Nuo glanced at Peach before leading his group away.
Peach paused outside the temple for a moment. Once she saw that everyone had descended the mountain, she entered and closed the door behind her. She made her way to the back courtyard of the temple, where an inconspicuous pile of firewood stood. After clearing it away, a small door appeared before her. She opened the small door and helped Jinghui out. "Miss, they have already left."
After stepping out, Jinghui brushed off the straw from her clothes, her brow furrowed with concern. "I just heard that since Zhao Prince came personally, it means Lin Yuxiang must be Mei Shuang. But why has she ended up in this situation? Wasn't she in the palace? Moreover, it seems like she's become a different person; even I barely recognize her."
Peach shook her head.
Her task was to accompany Chu Xiruo, who had changed her name to Jinghui, under the orders of the Empress Dowager. To put it bluntly, it was to monitor and restrain every move of Chu Xiruo. Just last night, she heard Chu Xiruo speak disdainfully of worldly matters, yet now she was worried about Mei Shuang, whom she regarded as a thorn in her side?
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