Two days later, in the morning.
Zhong Li sat in the carriage, watching the two women opposite her chatting cheerfully. She then lifted the carriage curtain to look at the scenery outside.
The scenery in Rain County, before the rain, was still exceptionally pleasant. Because the corpses within the hills had been processed one after another, the toxic gas that had permeated the entire valley slowly dissipated, making the air fresh and invigorating.
"Where are we going?" Cui Ningya looked at Zhong Li and asked cautiously.
Before Zhong Li could answer, Hua Yao quickly interjected, "To the Emperor's temporary palace, the Cool Breeze Hall."
"Ah?" Cui Ningya covered her mouth in surprise and said, "Why are we going there? I..."
"Don't be afraid!" Hua Yao patted Cui Ningya's shoulder and said, "The Crown Prince has already informed the Emperor. You are also a victim of the Divine Maiden Cult, and the Emperor will not make things difficult for you."
"But..."
"Although the Emperor is suspicious, he is also a wise ruler. Moreover, with your condition, why would he bother with a young girl?" Zhong Li said, her gaze falling on Cui Ningya's abdomen.
When she rescued Cui Ningya, Zhong Li had examined her thoroughly. Her physical condition was beyond terrible. Due to years of abuse from Tang Yuanhua, she had lost her fertility.
"The Emperor's invitation is also because the Dali Temple and the Crown Prince have joined forces to solve the case. I heard they have prepared many fruits from the Western Regions. Aren't you planning to try them?" Zhong Li asked Cui Ningya.
"Can... can I?" Cui Ningya asked.
Hua Yao picked up Zhong Li's words and said, "Of course, you can. As long as you are willing, from now on, I, you, and Li'er will be good sisters."
Cui Ningya glanced at Zhong Li timidly and asked, "Really?"
Zhong Li smiled gently, not answering, but merely nodding slightly.
That afternoon, everyone arrived at the Cool Breeze Hall.
Zhong Li lifted the curtain and looked at the building in front of her. The eaves curved slightly, the beams were intricately carved, and the high roof seemed to soar into the clouds. It appeared that the late Emperor had doted on Empress Ruan immensely.
"So beautiful!" Hua Yao also got out of the carriage, linked her arm through Zhong Li's, and exclaimed sincerely.
Zhong Li nodded and turned to look at Cui Ningya. "What do you think?"
"Ah?" Cui Ningya, lost in thought, was looking at the building in front of her with a faraway look. Awakened by Zhong Li's call, she finally responded, "It's... so beautiful."
"Lord Zhong, Miss Hua, you two have arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you inside!" Eunuch Hua stood at the entrance of the Cool Breeze Hall. Upon seeing Zhong Li and the others, he hurried to greet them.
Zhong Li bowed to Eunuch Hua, said, "Thank you for your trouble," and followed him into the hall.
The Cool Breeze Hall was evidently well-maintained, with many potted plants and flowers blooming vibrantly inside.
Zhong Li and Cui Ningya hadn't felt anything particularly remarkable about the Cool Breeze Hall while they were in Rain County. However, as soon as Hua Yao entered the side hall, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Mmm... so comfortable. I feel like I could sleep soundly at night if I lived here."
"Indeed. Concubine Nangong arrived this morning and took a nap in the side hall. Even she said she felt much better," Eunuch Hua said as they walked.
Hearing Eunuch Hua mention Nangong Xiaodie, Zhong Li couldn't help but ask, "How is the Concubine's health?"
Eunuch Hua heard this, smiled, and turned to look at Zhong Li. "Speaking of the Concubine's health, His Majesty even said he wanted to thank Lord Zhong."
"Me?"
"Yes. A few months ago, if not for Lord Zhong's counsel, the Concubine wouldn't have known when she would have recovered. Recently, the Concubine has come to terms with things and asked the Emperor for the Sixth Prince to raise.
Actually, speaking of raising him, Your Excellency knows that the Sixth Prince is incompetent. The Concubine is merely seeking emotional solace, and His Majesty understands this, so he indulged her." Eunuch Hua said.
"So, the Sixth Prince is also here this time?" Zhong Li asked.
"Yes, sons follow their mothers. The Sixth Prince is still an aimless person. I heard the Emperor say today that he plans to grant the Sixth Prince the title of a three-character prince when he has time." After speaking, Eunuch Hua continued to walk forward.
Hearing this, Zhong Li's pace slowed slightly. She initially thought it would be a long process for Nangong Xiaodie to persuade the Emperor to accept Lu Yuanfeng, but she hadn't expected it to be so quick.
If Lu Yuanfeng were to be enfeoffed as a prince, it would mean the Emperor intended for Lu Yuanfeng to be Nangong Xiaodie's support. It seemed the Emperor truly favored the Nangong family.
The three of them, following Eunuch Hua, soon reached the main hall. At this moment, the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, watching the dancers in the dance hall while drinking the clear wine in his hand. Sitting beside him were Nangong Xiaodie and the Sixth Prince, Lu Yuanfeng.
Only after Eunuch Hua reached Lu Jing'an and announced their arrival did he react. He waved his hand, and the dancers dispersed.
"Announce Dali Temple's Lord Zhong and the Hua family's young lady to enter." Eunuch Hua called out loudly.
Zhong Li and Hua Yao led Cui Ningya into the hall.
"My dear Zhong, please rise."
As Zhong Li prepared to kneel, Lu Jing'an spoke first.
Zhong Li nodded and stood up.
"I was just telling my beloved concubine about the Divine Maiden Cult incident. The capture of Tang Yuanhua was largely thanks to Lord Zhong's deep infiltration into enemy territory," Lu Jing'an said, his smile evident on his face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise." Zhong Li cupped her hands in a salute.
Nangong Xiaodie also smiled at Zhong Li and said, "Yes, thanks to Lord Zhong. Otherwise, I might have missed this year's Cool Breeze Hall. Oh..."
As she spoke, her gaze fell upon the woman behind Zhong Li, and she asked, "The woman behind you?"
Zhong Li glanced at Lu Jing'an. Seeing that his expression was normal, she said, "Your Majesty should have heard before I arrived. The one behind me is Cui Ningya."
"Oh?" Lu Jing'an raised his eyebrows slightly and tilted his head to look behind Zhong Li.
Cui Ningya felt flustered and didn't know what to do. Her body went weak, and she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Zhong Li pulled her up when she saw the situation.
"This commoner, Cui Ningya, greets Your Majesty." Cui Ningya slowly knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
Lu Jing'an waved his hand and said, "Mo Cang has already told me about your situation. Since you are a victim, and now in this state, I am not such a narrow-minded person. Come, attend to her, grant her a seat."
After he finished speaking, Eunuch Hua, with the help of a young eunuch, placed Cui Ningya's seat at the last table.
Seeing this, Zhong Li glanced at Lu Wuxie, who was sitting beside Lu Yuanfeng and had arrived a little earlier than them. She then turned and took her seat.
As the dancers re-entered the inner hall to perform, small tables were placed before everyone, and dishes began to be served one after another.
Lu Jing'an raised his cup and drank with the accompanying ministers and ladies. During this time, Eunuch Hua walked up to Zhong Li and whispered, "Lord Zhong, His Majesty says that these few days are the hottest, and it's unbearable in Jincheng. If you are willing, you can stay at the Cool Breeze Hall until the heat passes."
"Thank you, Eunuch Hua. Please convey my thanks to His Majesty." Zhong Li nodded and smiled at Eunuch Hua.
Eunuch Hua nodded and quickly moved around the back seats to approach the Emperor.
At this moment, a piece called "Golden Snake Dance" began to play in the dance hall. Everyone's attention was focused on a woman dancing with a sword in the dance pool.
The woman had a graceful figure and a beautiful appearance. As the rhythm changed, her movements became more intense, and the speed of her swordplay quickened.
Just as the music reached its climax, the woman's gaze sharpened. She shouted at Lu Jing'an, "Your life!"
Simultaneously, a golden snake-shaped silver hairpin flew towards Lu Jing'an like a sharp sword.