Lu Yao was hauled out of bed cursing, dressed in his official robe still cursing, and unceremoniously stuffed into a sedan chair.
When he arrived at Xianyang Palace, bleary-eyed, he glanced up at the starry sky. The pitch-black night looked like his life, with no end in sight, and nearly made this grown man burst into tears on the spot.
Fortunately-
"Guard Zhong?"
That rather desolate figure outside the palace gates brought him a trace of warmth amid the biting wind, and he unwittingly laughed aloud.
Nothing warmed the heart more than having company in misfortune.
Zhong Chengwang turned around just in time to catch that smile. His eyes remained as still as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple. "Lord Lu."
Lu Yao silently and awkwardly went to stand beside him.
A long moment passed.
"Well..."
"Lord Lu-"
The two unlucky souls spoke almost simultaneously, then shut their mouths at the same time.
An awkward atmosphere spread through the silence.
Just as they were about to speak again, a rustle of footsteps suddenly came from inside.
Eunuch Changshun poked his head out from behind the door. "My lords, you may enter."
The two lowered their heads and eyes, then quietly entered the emperor's bedchamber.
Inside Xianyang Palace, a maid had just finished fastening Jiang Yanchuan's belt. When the two entered, he merely shifted his gaze slightly.
"Speak," he said coldly.
Lu Yao was utterly bewildered, but Zhong Chengwang beside him had already begun recounting everything the Little Princess had experienced the previous night, down to the smallest detail.
Including everything she had said in her inner thoughts.
Of the four people who could hear the Little Princess's thoughts yesterday, his martial skills were the weakest. He was also the only one who currently had a wish he urgently hoped