"It was rumored that the previous queen was a spy from the South Frontier. She poisoned the late emperor. Though the Divine Doctor Fu Kang cured him, the emperor’s health was irreversibly weakened, and he succumbed to an assassination attempt."
"Where did you hear this?" How could the palace's private affairs become such rampant gossip?
The man replied, "This is how the folk tales go. They say her abilities are vast, allowing her to escape from prison, and she's yet to be caught. Soldiers have been scouring the area for her."
"The queen is a spy? But wasn't she pregnant?" Bai Wei continued to ask.
The man whispered, "I'll tell you a secret. I heard from an official, who works in Shengjing, that the child in the late queen's womb was simply not the late emperor's."
"Eh, these matters are being discussed privately. Whether they are true or not, we do not know. Take it with a grain of salt."
Bai Wei returned to Xuanyuan Xi’s side, "Princess, this..."
"We'll find out exactly what has happened once we get back to Shengjing," Xuanyuan Xi said, keeping her curiosity hidden despite a head full of questions.
At this point, the people around them had started chattering again.
"I heard that Eunuch Qi, who served the late emperor closely, has also followed his master in death. It indeed was a profound bond between master and servant."
"The late emperor had no sons, so this worthy prince was recommended by the ministers to take the throne. I've also heard that if it wasn’t for his eye disease seven years ago, he would have become the crown prince back then."
"What you're destined to have would come your way eventually. You can't force what's not meant to be yours."
"...”
Xuanyuan Xi and Bai Wei finished their midday meal while listening to the surrounding chatter.
After the meal, they were able to catch up with the latest situation from the discussions.
Although the new emperor had not been involved in the government affairs over the years, his strategic means were not lacking. He swiftly consolidated his power, sweeping the imperial court clean.
The weather was unusually tranquil like never before.
When they returned to Shengjing, it was dusk, and the house steward along with a group of people from the general's mansion were waiting at the entrance to greet Xuanyuan Xi.
As soon as they entered the mansion, Xuanyuan Xi received rewards sent by Xuanyuan Yan.
Bai Wei was puzzled as she looked at the silk fabrics and jewelry that had been sent over, "Why did the emperor suddenly send these gifts?"
Xuanyuan Xi was also confused, "Perhaps it's because of Ah Chun!”
"That makes sense, the general and the emperor have always been on good terms." Bai Wei accepted Xuanyuan Xi's explanation.
After returning to the mansion, Xuanyuan Xi learned about the current situation in Shengjing from those around her.
Apart from a change in the emperor and a few fallen officials, everything was business as usual.
In the imperial palace, Yangxin Hall.
"Ming Qi: Your Majesty, the items you arranged to be sent to the general's mansion have been delivered."
"Um, one of these days, I will pay a visit to my aunt," said Xuanyuan Yan.
Over the years, it was her who had remembered him, sending gifts on festivals and important days.
The gifts weren't expensive, but they were essentials, from which one could tell, she had put her heart into them.
"Ming Qi queried, “Princess Xuan He's health has not been well these years as she was recuperating from illness, I wonder how she is now?"
"Dispatch the court physician to the general's mansion in a few days to check on her. Ah Chun is on the front lines, and I should take care of his mother," Xuanyuan Yan ordered.
Ming Qi answered, "I will arrange it shortly."
"If my memory serves me right, Princess Xuan He's birthday is around the corner," Xuanyuan Yan said, "Prepare a grand gift."
"Sire, I think you need a reliable eunuch to serve at your bedside," was the advice he received.
He had already changed his position, but he was still stuck doing the work of a eunuch.
No women in the palace gave him money anymore, and this job, as it turned out, was more effort than it was worth.
Xuanyuan Yan looked up, "So, you served Xuanyuan Sheng for five years without uttering a word of tiredness. Now, after only a few days with me, you want to pursue your own interests?"
"Your Majesty, that's not what I mean. I just want to switch places with Ming Jiu," Ming Qi explained.
"Oh, do you think that after toiling away in the palace for five years, you can finally beat him?" Xuanyuan Yan responded.
"Your Majesty, think of it as me saying nothing. I am very content with my position."
Ming Jiu was certainly a character with his low-key daily routine, but his martial arts prowess was unparalleled.
Despite not being particularly bright, he was obedient and over the years he had protected Xuanyuan Yan very well.
The two were both handpicked by Xuanyuan Yan from the shadow guards back in the day, and they proved to be formidable evenly-matched opponents.
However, nowadays, when faced with Ming Jiu, Ming Qi was no match. It's better for him to save himself the embarrassment.
...
In the borderlands, Qin Yuchuan received a letter from Xuanyuan Yan.
Upon reading the contents of the letter, he didn't think too much about it, and prepared to dispatch people for interception.
He had known about the strong connection between woman Murong Yan and Nanjiang, but he didn't expect her to be the princess of Nanjiang.
And to think she had really tried to assassinate Xuanyuan Sheng and was now a runaway prisoner.
Given the heavy surveillance of the sky prison and its thorough security measures, she was probably the only one who had ever escaped.
But it had already been some time since her break out, so he wasn't entirely confident in their ability to capture her.
Although it was quite a distance from the border to Shengjing, Xuanyuan Yan's ascension to the throne had been in effect for a few days now, and the military was aware of the happenings in the royal court.
Seeing Qin Yuchuan burn the letter, Na Muqi asked, "General, was that a confidential message from His Majesty?"
"Yes, you need to dispatch a squad to the vicinity of Nanwu City. Arrest anyone suspicious," Qin Yuchuan instructed.
Na Muqi asked, "What type of person are we looking for?"
"Murong Yan is heading back to Nanjiang and will definitely pass through Nanwu. Remind our men to remain alert. Catch her immediately if she is spotted," he ordered.
Na Muqi confirmed, "Understood, Sir."
At the present, Murong Yan, fleeing from her pursuers, settled in an abandoned thatched hut.
"Your Highness, the journey has been tough and rugged. How are you fairing?" asked Rong Sheng.
Rong Sheng was worried as always, but his exterior remained as cold as ice, offering no hints of his inner feelings.
Looking at him, Murong Yan responded, "I am perfectly well, thanks to your timely assistance."
"Protecting you is my duty," stated Rong Sheng.
Murong Yan took a seat, "Rong Sheng, how far along are you in arranging what I asked?"
"Everything has been carried out according to your instructions," Rong Sheng responded.
"That's good. Is this place secure?" Murong Yan asked further.
"Rest assured, Your Highness, this place is extremely remote. It's unlikely that the officers will venture here," he reassured.
Murong Yan had complete trust in Rong Sheng when it came to handling affairs.
"For these few months, we shall stay here until I have our child, then we'll return to the South Border."
News of her heading to the South Border would surely reach Xuanyuan Yan, who would then notify Qin Yuchuan to obstruct her at Nanwu.
To be on the safe side, they decided to settle down temporarily, wait for the birth of the child, and then plan their return to the South Border.
During the Tianqi era, she initially thought all was within easy reach, but had not expected Xuanyuan Yan to suddenly emerge, leaving her to prepare a bridal outfit in vain.
She did not believe for a second that he had no desire for that position.
