Morning Court at Dawn

At dawn the next morning, the morning light was faint.

After a sleepless night, Ye Li walked out of the quiet chamber. After briefly instructing the servants in the residence, he mounted the Demon Horse he had borrowed from Tong Feng once more and headed straight for the towering Imperial City at the heart of the Capital City.

His spirits gradually lifted.

Though he had failed to catch the rat spying on him, there were only so many suspicious targets within the Capital City. They were either the bald donkeys of the Great Brahma Palace or important figures connected to the imperial family.

He silently exhaled, dispersing his stray thoughts. If I investigate them slowly, I'll catch it eventually.

He soon arrived at the Imperial City gates.

With the princess's token and the Dragon Sealing Guard's golden plaque on him, no one dared obstruct his path. He entered the Imperial City without hindrance.

He followed the route he remembered.

The Qingxin Hall he had seen that day soon appeared before him.

Third Princess Li Yingluo had long been waiting outside the hall.

She wore a solemn vermilion court robe patterned with gathered gold threads. Her little face was taut, softening slightly only when Ye Li approached, though her voice still carried a trace of barely perceptible tension.

"Lord Ye, you came at just the right time. Quickly, accompany me to court and receive the decree."

"I can go too?" Ye Li raised a brow.

From Baiyue's arrangements yesterday, he had thought he would be sitting in a side hall today, waiting for news.

"Normally, you can't." Li Yingluo lifted her chin as she spoke, her laugh carrying several hints of pride.

"But Father Emperor specially sent someone yesterday to say that if I wished to bring you to court as