"This is rather interesting. Wei Sizhong, you may withdraw!"
Having spoken, Chu Jinghui ordered Wei Sizhong kept under strict guard at the Heavenly Wave Pavilion, then headed toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
When he reached the hall, Chu Jinghui did indeed see Princess Nazhen kneeling rigidly on the steps before it.
At the sight of Chu Jinghui, Cheng Nazhen offered him the formal salute of a subject to her sovereign. "Your subject pays her respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long may you live!"
"No need for such ceremony, Princess. Please rise."
Since Cheng Nazhen had honored him with a subject's courtesy, Chu Jinghui naturally treated her courteously in return.
"What brings you into the palace today, Princess?" Chu Jinghui stood facing Cheng Nazhen, his hands clasped behind his back and his expression calm.
"It is a long story, and speaking out might leave me suspected of collusion. I should not have taken it upon myself to come forward."
Cheng Nazhen met Chu Jinghui's gaze, her eyes as clear as a spring whose depths could be seen at a glance.
"Yet I believed that unless I spoke frankly of this before Your Majesty, I would spend the rest of my life tormented by guilt and regret."
"Oh? What has troubled you so deeply, Princess?" Chu Jinghui asked.
"In truth, when I first entered the Capital City at the beginning of this year, Chancellor Wei sent several people to protect me in secret."
"Did he? He certainly took your welfare to heart."
Hearing Princess Nazhen bring up Wei Sizhong's Shadow Guards of her own accord sent a jolt through Chu Jinghui's heart, though his face remained as still as unruffled water.
"Your Majesty, on the surface, Chancellor Wei did this for my safety. In truth, however,