That night, Chu Youning slept soundly.
Chu Wenzong had just finished dealing with a pile of memorials and arrived at Perching Phoenix Palace. Cui Zhao'an was helping him undress, freeing him from the confines of his dragon robes.
But his belt had barely been loosened when Fu Kang, who stood guard outside, knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, the Young Marquis has sent someone with a message."
"What message?"
Chu Wenzong reached down and fastened his belt again.
"The Young Marquis said the Elder Princess, Princess Yongning, and the Eighth Prince wore themselves out having fun. They will stay at the Jiang Residence tonight and return tomorrow."
"..."
Thinking of how deeply all three cared about the Jiang Family, Chu Wenzong's face instantly grew long.
Yet not two seconds later, he smiled again.
Tomorrow was a day of rest. He would not have to attend morning court.
His younger sister had whisked the two little ones away and was not bringing them back, which meant he could spend a few more hours sharing a bed and pillow with the Empress. What could be better?
But then he recalled the report the Court of Judicial Review had submitted two days earlier, and he could not help frowning.
"Understood. You may withdraw."
Silence settled over their surroundings once more.
Cui Zhao'an continued helping Chu Wenzong remove his dragon robes.
"An'er, the Seventh Prince died a few days ago. The Court of Judicial Review has investigated every which way, but they haven't found a single lead.
"He was burned to a pile of charred bones. The Court of Judicial Review concluded that he died from being stabbed through the heart."
"What are you trying to say, Your Majesty?"
Cui Zhao'an calmly hung his dragon robes on the clothes rack.
Chu Wenzong sat down