Knock, knock~
Inside the resplendent Bedchamber, Dongfang Liren knocked lightly on the door. After waiting a moment without hearing any movement inside, she pushed open the bedroom door.
Creeak~~
Rain pattered beyond the window. Palace lanterns beneath the upturned eaves cast a dim yellow glow, illuminating the elegant outer room. Wisps of breeze drifted inside, gently swaying the jade-beaded curtain.
The room was very quiet and appeared empty.
Dongfang Liren stepped inside, intending to call out, "Your Majesty?"
But the moment she crossed the threshold, someone shut the door behind her. Then two hands reached around from behind and covered her eyes.
?!
Dongfang Liren's expression shifted slightly. She thought some unknown villain had ambushed her in the Empress's bedchamber-but who ambushed someone like this?
Dongfang Liren stood still. She initially thought her elder sister was playing a joke, but those large hands clearly belonged to a man, and their touch was very familiar...
"Guess who?"
A man's gentle voice, deliberately pitched low, sounded beside her ear.
Ye Jingtang? Dongfang Liren froze briefly, clearly pleasantly surprised, but quickly remembered where they were...
Thud-
A muffled sound came from the bedroom.
Dongfang Liren moved with extraordinary speed, pulling away the hands covering her eyes, turning, and grabbing the man's lapels. She pinned the exceptionally handsome man straight against the door, her gaze slightly fierce.
"What are you doing here?!"
As she spoke, she examined him closely, only to discover that Ye Jingtang's hair hung loose and the official robe she had given him today was in tatters. He had clearly been through a bloody battle. Dongfang Liren eased her grip somewhat and added another question.
"Are you hurt?"
Pinned against the door, Ye Jingtang did not resist. Amusement lingered in his eyes.
"I went to find Qiu Tianhe just now and