Tang Zhuyun couldn't understand why she had virtually no initiative when it came to making pancakes.
But Emperor Wen would want it anytime, anywhere.
While soaking in the bathtub, Tang Zhuyun pondered this question seriously.
Emperor Wen had finished bathing and was leaning back on the couch, satisfied, reading memorials. He said, "Don't soak for too long."
Tang Zhuyun glared at him. "Scumbag!"
He pulled up his pants and went back to read the memorials, huh!
"I wonder when Yingying will be back..."
Why are you thinking about her?
As soon as Ren Yingying returned, chaos ensued.
"She'll be giving birth in a little over a month. The baby will be weak from birth and won't be able to travel for long periods. I estimate she won't be able to set off back to Beijing until around this time next year at the earliest."
Emperor Wen remained silent.
He was thinking that next year would be the ten-year period that the Daoist priest had mentioned.
If there's no good news from Liaodong in another two months, he himself might lose patience and go Liaodong.
Although it's very likely that it's not true, I can't take the risk.
However, he never let Tang Zhuyun know about this matter from beginning to end.
Emperor Wen got up, pulled Tang Zhuyun out, and helped her wring her hair.
Tang Zhuyun asked, "There's still no news about the people who followed Jinse?"
"Leaving the palace at night is more troublesome and might take longer."
The palace gates are already closed; you need a token to leave, and you'll be questioned repeatedly, so it won't be quick.
"And if anything had happened, I would have already received the news."
"Um."
They waited until the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), just as Emperor Wen was about to attend court, when news finally arrived from outside the palace.
"How's it going?"
"Your Majesty," the lady-in-waiting said, "Miss Jinse has gone to chase after someone. She left you a message saying not to worry about her; she has something to attend to and will be leaving for a while."
Tang Zhuyun: "... Understood."
After the female official withdrew, she immediately looked at Emperor Wen: "Has something happened to Jinse?"
Emperor Wen was speechless. "Is what I heard different from what you heard?"
Tang Zhuyun expressed her suspicion that Emperor Wen was hiding bad news from her.
Where did Jinse go?
"Since she's alright, my men are still with her, so there's no need to worry," Emperor Wen said.
"I hope nothing bad happens to her."
Otherwise, Ren Yingying would be in so much pain.
"She's an adult now, you can't tie her up." Emperor Wen got up and began to put on his court robes. "Lie down and rest."
I'll sleep after you leave.
Tang Zhuyun stood up and helped him straighten his court robes.
A few days later, she finally received news of Jinse.
The people who followed Jinse brought back news that she was tracking the Nanyue people and was now heading northeast.
Xiu'er said, "Could it be that they're also going to Liaodong?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Is it possible?"
If that were the case, she would prefer that since Ren Yingying was about to give birth, Jinse would stay with her out of concern.
But whatever the reason, as long as Jinse is alright, that's all that matters.
"It must be summer in Liaodong now, right?" Tang Zhuyun said.
"That must be it," Xiu'er said. "Didn't you just receive Yanran's letter a couple of days ago?"
Yanran had already secretly gone swimming at the beach and was proudly showing off to Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Yanran also went out to sea with the fishermen and told Tang Zhuyun that she had dried a lot of shrimp for her, and that someone would send them back to the capital for her once they were dried.
"She's so carefree."
"That's wonderful," Xiu'er said. "Yanran is lucky, just like me."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Could you please remove the last sentence?
So it's just that I'm unlucky.
"I have a good mother-in-law. Although her mother-in-law isn't great, she doesn't need to worry about her; she can live her own life without any trouble. You're great in every way, except you worry too much!"
Just then, Nanxing arrived again.
She was still talking about Lei Qun.
Emperor Wen has entrusted this matter entirely to her and Pei Shen.
"Your Majesty, Lei Qun insists on seeing you, saying there are some things he will only say in front of you."
Tang Zhuyun: "... Then he doesn't need to say anything."
Although she thought Lei Qun was alright, she wouldn't agree to such an excessive request.
As the Empress, is it appropriate for her to meet with a man outside the palace alone?
He said someone wants to harm you, and you absolutely must go there.
Tang Zhuyun remained silent.
"Your Majesty, I just came from the Emperor's side. He has granted your permission to go."
The Emperor would agree to anything that suggested the Empress was in danger.
The Emperor instructed her to ensure the Empress's safety.
"Is the Emperor not going?"
"His Majesty will accompany you, but he will not go inside."
Xiu'er, ever outspoken, blurted out, "They were eavesdropping!"
Tang Zhuyun: "That's called observing silently."
Xiu'er snorted and urged, "Your Highness, please go quickly."
She desperately wanted to know what Lei Qun was trying to say.
Emperor Wen also rushed over quickly and, together with Tang Zhuyun, changed into incognito clothes and left the palace.
Led by Nanxing, the two arrived at the dungeon of the Marquis's mansion.
Emperor Wen stopped outside and nodded to Tang Zhuyun.
Nanxing helped Tang Zhuyun inside.
Lei Qun was tied to a pillar, but his clothes were intact and he did not appear to have been tortured.
Tang Zhuyun knew that this was because Nanxing had made preparations for her arrival.
Upon seeing her, Lei Qun looked deeply ashamed and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, it's been a long time."
Tang Zhuyun stood three feet away from him and said calmly, "What did you want to remind me of when you asked to see me at the academy that day?"
"Yes." Lei Qun nodded. "It's a pity I didn't get to see Her Majesty, so I mingled in the crowd later to warn you of the danger."
It turns out he meant the word "dangerous".
"The sedan chair carriers were attacked..."
"I ordered them to do it," Lei Qun said.
The purpose was to alert the enemy and subtly warn them.
"Thank you." Tang Zhuyun nodded. "His Majesty said that as long as you cooperate, he won't take your life, so you can rest assured."
Lei Qun gave a wry smile. "It must have been the Empress who pleaded for me."
Tang Zhuyun didn't respond, but instead asked, "You're in such a hurry to see me, is there something you need?"
Lei Qun lowered his voice. "Your Majesty, is the Emperor outside?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... Not here."