Turning around a corner, there was a faint light ahead, and He Zhiran put the flashlight back into her spatial storage.
As the stench of rot grew stronger, the two of them appeared before Emperor Shunwu.
In the dim light, it was visible that it was a square room.
The room was filled with objects that He Zhiran could not name, but from their shapes, she could tell that they were ancient torture devices.
These torture devices indicated that this was the place where the Empress carried out her private punishments.
Right in front of them, Emperor Shunwu was tied to a cross-shaped wooden rack, wearing only a thin robe, with his limbs firmly bound.
In the corner next to him, there was a corpse—undoubtedly the body of the Empress Dowager.
Unexpectedly, the Empress was so cruel that she did not spare even an old woman. Not only did she not let her live, but she also treated her corpse with disrespect. One must know that this was the Empress Dowager of the Da Shun Dynasty...
Emperor Shunwu raised his head with effort, trying not to let his disheveled hair obstruct his vision.
Upon recognizing that the newcomers were strangers, he was momentarily stunned.
Just as he was about to say something, He Zhiran had already taken out her silver needles from her spatial storage.
She was well aware that Emperor Shunwu had an immunity to poisons, so using drugs would be ineffective. Before he could react, her silver needles had already struck his sleep acupoints.
After ensuring that he was unconscious, Mo Jiuye quickly went forward and untied the ropes binding him.
The couple worked in perfect coordination. As Emperor Shunwu's body was about to collapse to the ground, He Zhiran waved her hand, sending him into her spatial storage.
Earlier, Mo Jiuye had only temporarily incapacitated a few palace guards in the Empress's palace. During this turbulent period, she could not afford to be careless and leave only a few people on guard duty.
If someone came out to change shifts or do other tasks and discovered that those guards had all been knocked out, it would be difficult for them to leave the place unnoticed.
Moreover, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran's main purpose in coming here tonight was to find Emperor Shunwu's whereabouts. Now that they had found him, there was no need to linger any longer.
Mo Jiuye scanned the secret chamber once more, and seeing no useful clues, he quickly led He Zhiran away.
Fortunately, their speed was fast. Just as they left the Empress's palace, they heard someone inside shouting for help. Undoubtedly, the incapacitated guards had been discovered.
The palace would soon be in chaos, and they needed to find a relatively safe place to hide.
After considering their options, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran both decided to temporarily take refuge in the Palace of Exile.
According to Mo Jiuye's understanding, due to the Empress's powerful family background and her jealous nature, Emperor Shunwu did not have many concubines.
Even the few consorts who made mistakes had already been executed by the Empress's people, without even the opportunity to be sent to the Palace of Exile.
One could say that during Emperor Shunwu's reign, the Palace of Exile had been virtually abandoned, with no one ever entering it.
Not only that, but the Palace of Exile was located in a very remote area. Even if the Empress's people searched for them, they would be unlikely to find that place in a short time, and might not even remember the existence of the Palace of Exile.
With a plan in mind, Mo Jiuye led He Zhiran, avoiding the patrol's line of sight, and successfully reached the Palace of Exile.
Historically, the Palace of Exile was always in a dilapidated state, and this one was no exception. Especially since it had not been maintained for decades, the weeds had grown as tall as a person, which made it easier for them to hide.
The two entered a random building, and as soon as they opened the door, they felt countless cobwebs in front of them.
Mo Jiuye plucked some wild grass and waved it around as he walked forward.
Although this place was relatively safe, they dared not carelessly create any light.
The two groped their way to what seemed like a bed, and with a thought from He Zhiran, the still unconscious Emperor Shunwu lay straight on it.
He Zhiran took out her silver needles again, striking a few of his acupoints, and soon, Emperor Shunwu regained consciousness.
Sensing the change in his environment, Emperor Shunwu sat up warily.
Although the darkness made it difficult to see, he could still sense two black figures standing there.
"Who are you people?" he demanded.
It must be said that as the emperor of a nation, although somewhat incompetent, he had not lost the proper imperial bearing.
He Zhiran knew that if Mo Jiuye spoke, Emperor Shunwu would easily recognize his voice, so she spoke first:
"We are people who have come to rescue you."
He Zhiran did not have a good impression of Emperor Shunwu, so her tone was naturally not friendly.
Although Emperor Shunwu disliked her tone, he was not completely brainless and knew that this was not the time to put on airs.
"Who sent you to rescue me?" he asked.
"You don't need to know who sent us. I only want to understand what happened in the palace. If you tell the truth, it will benefit you," He Zhiran said, still unapologetic. There was no need to be polite to such an incompetent emperor.
Emperor Shunwu could not determine the identities of the two, but he also realized that this might be his only chance to turn the situation around.
"It was my fault for falling into that wicked woman's trap," he admitted.
After a pause, Emperor Shunwu continued, "Not long after the Empress adopted the Fourth Prince, I noticed that the guards around me had been replaced. Just as I was about to call someone to inquire about it, those guards captured me without explanation and imprisoned me in that dark, sunless place."
"You don't know where you were imprisoned?" He Zhiran asked.
"When I was first captured, I tried to call for help, but those people knocked me unconscious. The next time I woke up, it was the place where you rescued me today," Emperor Shunwu explained.
He Zhiran nodded, indicating for him to continue.
"Later, I realized that the people who captured me were sent by the Empress.
Before I was captured, I had a dream that my Jade Seal was lost, and I was worried that the dream would come true, so I hid the Jade Seal.
Fortunately, because of this dream, the Empress's people could not find the Jade Seal, which allowed me to stay alive."
"Rest assured, we have no interest in your Jade Seal. Currently, the court is almost entirely controlled by Xue Prime Minister. If you want to regain control of the Da Shun territory, you cannot afford to remain idle," He Zhiran warned.
"I have come to thoroughly despise the Empress and her clan. If I can restore imperial authority, I will certainly have them dismembered," Emperor Shunwu said viciously.
"It is meaningless for you to say such harsh words to us. You need to take actual action," He Zhiran said disdainfully.
Such things cannot be accomplished by mere words, especially now that the entire court is largely controlled by the Xue family. Regaining control would not be so easy.
Emperor Shunwu clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "As long as they cannot obtain the Jade Seal, they will never become emperors in this lifetime.
Even if the Empress has adopted the Fourth Prince, without my imperial decree sealed with the Jade Seal, it will be of no use."
