"You are..."
"Duke of Yun, it's been a long time!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Duke Yun stumbled back several steps. He couldn't help but think, couldn't help but wonder, because the person before him was too much like that person.
"Are you..." He couldn't help but ask again.
"We met on your wedding day, Duke Yun, have you forgotten?"
Duke Yun stumbled back and fell to the ground. "You... you really are..."
"Yes, I am..." Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Duke Yun scrambled to his feet and knelt on the ground. "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Yun Wei Shu trembled, looking at her father and then at the pregnant Xue Zi Ning, disbelieving. "Father, aren't you mistaken? She was just my brother's concubine, how could she... possibly be..."
How could she possibly be that formidable Empress?
"Shu'er, do not be disrespectful to His Majesty," Duke Yun said coldly.
Others might not know, but Duke Yun did. He had accompanied Prince An to that wedding and seen the Empress. He wouldn't mistake her.
Yun Wei Shu shook her head. "No... it can't be!"
How could she believe that the Empress would come to the Duke of Yun's mansion?
"Wei Shu, it is true," Yun Duan Hai said.
Yun Wei Shu took two steps back. Her father and brother would mistake someone? Impossible. She forced herself to look up at the woman before her. Now she saw the dignity emanating from the woman. This was a dignity that no one else could possess.
Her delicate and beautiful face was framed by eyes that were clear, yet sharp and stern.
A powerful pressure forced her to lower her head. What else could this be but a ruler?
She slowly lowered her gaze, curtsied, and said, "This commoner had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Xue Zi Ning walked forward and helped Yun Wei Shu up. "Ignorance is forgivable."
Yun Wei Shu looked up at her, feeling a sense of curiosity for the first time seeing the Empress.
"Who is it?" Duke Yun suddenly turned his head and shouted towards the door, then quickly walked towards the entrance.
Urgent footsteps echoed from the doorway.
Duke Yun shoved the door open. He was still holding a teacup when he saw a figure being thrown out. The teacup struck the person's knee.
The person seemed to be holding something in their hand.
"Not good," Duke Yun cried out, but it was too late. At that moment, a white dove flew out of the person's hand.
Duke Yun rushed forward to subdue the eavesdropper, but unfortunately, the person had already lost their breath.
"Your Majesty, Duke Yun is no longer safe. You must leave quickly," Yun Duan Hai urged Xue Zi Ning.
Xue Zi Ning watched the white dove disappear. "It's too late."
As expected, a knock sounded on the door. Yun Duan Hai inwardly cursed.
Duke Yun glanced at Yun Duan Hai. "Duan Hai, protect His Majesty. Do not come out, no matter what happens."
Saying this, Duke Yun walked towards the front courtyard. Yun Wei Shu followed him.
"We should go too," Xue Zi Ning said.
Yun Duan Hai quickly refused, "You cannot."
"Don't you want to see?" Xue Zi Ning asked Yun Duan Hai.
Yun Duan Hai froze, then gritted his teeth. "Your safety is paramount."
"Don't worry, I'll just watch without being discovered," Xue Zi Ning said.
Yun Duan Hai shook his head.
"This is an order. Obey it," Xue Zi Ning said, and followed before he could agree.
Yun Duan Hai had no choice but to follow. Of course, he was worried; this was his father and sister.
Before anyone from the Duke of Yun's mansion could open the door, someone outside had already kicked it open. Then, Commander Lin strode in, his voice cold. "Surround this place entirely. No one is allowed to move."
"Commander Lin, what does this mean? Forcibly breaking into my Duke's mansion? Do you still have any regard for the law?" Duke Yun was furious, his face icy.
Commander Lin chuckled at his words, his smile not reaching his eyes. "This commander received a report stating that your Duke's mansion is harboring the murderer of Consort Yun."
"You are spouting nonsense," Yun Wei Shu retorted.
"Miss Yun, this commander is not spouting nonsense. Your brother is the murderer of Consort Yun," Commander Lin said smugly.
"Commander Lin, you must take responsibility for what you just said. When did my brother become a murderer?" Yun Wei Shu said coldly.
Commander Lin stepped forward and looked at Yun Wei Shu. "Miss Yun, His Majesty has issued a secret decree. Yun Duan Hai is the murderer of Consort Yun and is to be apprehended immediately. Anyone who obstructs will be killed without mercy."
"This is a slander," Duke Yun said coldly.
"If Duke Yun feels this is unfair, he can explain it to His Majesty personally. But for now, this commander has heard that the murderer is within the Duke's mansion, and I am here to apprehend them."
"Who dares?" Yun Wei Shu stepped forward and stood before Commander Lin.
Commander Lin smiled coldly, his gaze towards her carrying a hint of bloodlust. "Miss Yun, I advise you to be sensible. Otherwise, if Miss Yun is injured, this commander will not be held accountable."
Yun Wei Shu said angrily, "There are no murderers in the mansion. You must leave here immediately."
"Miss Yun, are you refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? Miss Yun, believe it or not, I can arrest you right now on the grounds of obstructing the apprehension of a murderer."
Yun Wei Shu sneered. "If you dare to touch me, be my guest. However, I must inform you beforehand that this afternoon His Majesty bestowed upon me the title of Consort Yun. I will enter the palace tomorrow. If Commander Lin wishes to arrest me, now is the time."
Commander Lin froze. He turned to ask those behind him, received their report, and burst into laughter. "Miss Yun, you truly have your ways. This commander admires you greatly."
"Compared to your dog-like subordinates, Commander, I am still far behind."
Commander Lin's expression turned unpleasant, even gloomy.
Yun Wei Shu raised her eyes. At such a young age, her expression already held a hint of fierceness. "Commander Lin, are you displeased with what I said?"
A wise person knows when to retreat. Commander Lin lowered his gaze, cupped his hands, and said, "Miss Yun, you misunderstand. I am not displeased with you. However, I cannot disobey His Majesty's decree. I ask for your understanding."
"I understand that. However, could you allow me to send someone to gather all the people in the mansion together? This would make your search more convenient, Commander."
Commander Lin hesitated. Seeing his indecision, Yun Wei Shu glanced at him. "What? Are you afraid that there might really be a murderer who escapes? Commander, you have already sent people to surround the Duke's mansion so tightly that no one can get out. Are you still this afraid?"
"Miss Yun, please proceed," Commander Lin said.
Yun Wei Shu called Bai Shao and whispered, "Gather everyone in the mansion here. Send Mother to the ancestral hall. I do not want Mother to be affected in any way."
Bai Shao nodded. "Don't worry, miss. This servant will go and prepare."
"Wait," Yun Wei Shu said, seeing Commander Lin deploying his men. She quickly called back Bai Shao, who was about to leave.
"Miss..."
"Go and prepare two sets of servant clothes and take them to Bai Mei."
Bai Shao was startled. "Miss, this..."
"Hurry and go," Yun Wei Shu urged.