The Emperor was in the Imperial Study, perusing memorials, when a masked dark guard in black suddenly flew in through the window and knelt respectfully before him.
"Master, Lin Zhenfan will arrive in the capital tomorrow," the dark guard said, clenching his fists respectfully.
"So that woman really called Lin Zhenfan back. Hmph, let him come back. I want to see what kind of storm the Empress and her faction can stir up," the Emperor sneered.
"Master, the Valley Master of Ghost Valley has also arrived in the capital and is currently at the Prince Qing's mansion helping Prince Qing detoxify," the dark guard added.
"That old scoundrel almost ruined my Han'er. He will not have a good end. Let him cause trouble for a while. You may withdraw!" The Emperor's face darkened as he spoke sternly.
"Yes! Master." After responding, the dark guard vanished through the Imperial Study window like a gust of wind.
—
Phoenix Residence
The Empress, with one hand propping up her cheek, narrowed one eye and lounged leisurely on the phoenix couch.
Ever since the Emperor had blinded one of her eyes and broken one of her legs, she had rarely left the Phoenix Residence. She spent every day in this desolate palace, feeling worse than dead.
It was at this moment that Xiao Anzi suddenly entered and reported to her.
"Your Highness, this servant has just received news that the Great General of Zhennan will arrive in the capital tomorrow morning," Xiao Anzi reported happily.
Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately sat up from the bed.
"Xiao Anzi, is the news you received accurate?" the Empress asked for confirmation again.
"Your Highness, this news was personally conveyed by the Great General of Zhennan. The information is very accurate," Xiao Anzi said with a fawning smile.
"Good, this is truly excellent. With her third brother in the capital to support her and Yao'er, the Emperor will not dare to do anything to them, mother and son." The Empress finally revealed a long-lost smile.
"This servant congratulates Your Highness on soon being able to hold your head high," Xiao Anzi also smiled.
If the Empress regained her former power, he would also benefit. At that time, Her Highness the Empress would surely consider his loyal service and grant him the position of a minor chief eunuch. The thought alone made him happy.
"Hahaha—"
The Empress burst into a hearty laugh, her laughter echoing throughout the entire Phoenix Residence.
—
Cold King's Mansion
After escorting Princess Qingling back to Marquis Jingyuan's mansion, Chu Mingxuan returned to the Cold King's Mansion. He then proceeded to the Han Che Courtyard, where the Cold King and his consort resided.
At this moment, Jun Mohan was instructing Leng Ruoli on how to use her internal energy for optimal effect.
As they were practicing in the courtyard, Ye Ying walked in from outside to report.
"My Lord, my Lady, Physician Chu is here again."
"Let him in!" Seeing that Jun Mohan hadn't spoken, Leng Ruoli told Ye Ying to allow Chu Mingxuan to enter.
Upon seeing Chu Mingxuan enter, both Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli led him into Jun Mohan's study.
"What is it? Chu Mingxuan?" Leng Ruoli asked curiously.
"My Lord, my Lady, I want to abduct Aman and have you examine her thoroughly," Chu Mingxuan said seriously.
"Why do we need to do that?" Leng Ruoli asked, not understanding.
"I always feel that Aman's mind had some issues. Otherwise, how could she not even recognize her own younger brother?" A hint of worry appeared on Chu Mingxuan's well-defined handsome face.
"Alright, have my Lord assign two people to cooperate with you. Aman's martial arts skills are not low, so you must be very careful with this task." Leng Ruoli glanced at Jun Mohan with her eyes as clear as glazed glass, reminding him.
"I will have Yinchen take two dark guards with you to Prince Qing's mansion," Jun Mohan said solemnly.
In the middle of the night, Yinchen contacted Fang'er, a hidden operative within Prince Qing's mansion, through a special method, to inquire about Aman's current resting room at Prince Qing's residence. Coincidentally, Fang'er informed them that Aman was sleeping in the room next to hers.
Thus, Yinchen and Chu Mingxuan had Fang'er lead them to the window of Aman's room. Chu Mingxuan used a small bamboo tube to blow two doses of knockout drugs, incapacitating Aman before bringing her back to the Cold King's Mansion.
At the Cold King's Mansion, Leng Ruoli confined Aman to a side room and then activated her spatial instruments to conduct a full body examination. Finding no issues with her health, she opened the room door and said to Chu Mingxuan.
"Chu Mingxuan, Aman's body is fine. I suspect she has a form of selective amnesia caused by nerve stimulation." Leng Ruoli said seriously.
"Nerve damage? Then how should we treat it?" Chu Mingxuan walked into the room, seeing the beautiful spirit sleeping on the bed, his heart ached. He also went over to carefully feel her pulse. As a result, her pulse was normal.
"We can use hypnosis to help her recall past events, and she will naturally recover. However, this method requires Aman's consent, otherwise, we will cause her harm." Leng Ruoli directly stated the method to Chu Mingxuan, clearly outlining the conditions and consequences of hypnosis.
"Alright, I will try to get her to agree to cooperate with our hypnosis," Chu Mingxuan replied.
After half an incense stick's time, Aman slowly opened her eyes and found herself lying in a strange room. On the table in the room was a small object emitting white light (a small desk lamp) that she had never seen before, so she couldn't name it. A sleeping man was also slumped on the table.
Upon clearly seeing the man's face, Aman was slightly startled. Wasn't this the man she had argued with on the street earlier that day, the one who called her Sister Miaoling? How could she be in the same room with him? Suddenly, a look of confusion spread across her face. Her head began to ache again. Her recent perception was indeed deteriorating; she hadn't even realized she had been abducted in the middle of the night.
Subsequently, Aman got out of bed, put on her shoes, and prepared to leave the unfamiliar room. Her movements immediately alerted Chu Mingxuan. Chu Mingxuan looked up and saw Aman walking towards the room door, preparing to open it and leave. He immediately called out to her and rushed to the door.
"Sister Miaoling, don't be in such a hurry to leave! I have something to tell you." Chu Mingxuan extended his arms, blocking Aman's attempt to open the door with his body.
"Why did you abduct me here? I've already told you, I am not your Sister Miaoling," Aman said impatiently, looking at Chu Mingxuan.
"You are my Sister Miaoling, I wouldn't mistake you. You also have a orchid mark on your wrist, which is a unique symbol of the Chu family descendants of Jiangcheng. I have it too. If you don't believe me, we can both lift our sleeves and expose our left wrists." As Chu Mingxuan spoke, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing his wrist mark for Aman to see.
When Aman saw an orchid mark on Chu Mingxuan's wrist that was identical to hers, her entire body felt as if it had been pinned by a large iron hammer. She stood there, stunned.