"You may leave!" Xue Zi Ning suddenly spoke, looking at Ming Yu.
Ming Yu blinked, looking at Xue Zi Ning and asking, "Your Majesty, you... you're not going to pursue this anymore?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head. "No, I'm not."
She had thought a lot these past few days. When will the cycle of revenge ever end?
Moreover, Hua Yun Jin was not to blame for Shen Yun Xuan's death. As for Hua Yun Dan, she no longer had any desire to execute him.
The dead could not be brought back to life. Shen Yun Xuan would never live again. Besides, Madam Hua had personally come to apologize to her and offered her own life in exchange.
Now that they were gone, they had to keep moving forward.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ming Yu said gratefully. At this moment, she finally understood why Hua Yun Jin was so infatuated with the Empress. She admired such a person greatly.
Xue Zi Ning did not wait for Hua Yun Jin to wake up. She left with Feng Wu.
Ming Yu quietly waited for Hua Yun Jin to wake up. Suddenly, there was movement nearby. She warily looked ahead, and soon, four figures in black walked over.
Seeing Hua Yun Jin still unconscious, the four figures in black clasped their fists at Ming Yu. "We are the Prince's hidden guards, Hua Ying, Hua Yi, Hua Tian, and Hua Bai..."
Upon hearing that they were Hua Yun Jin's hidden guards, Ming Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She then nervously said to the four, "He was shot and has a high fever. Although the poison has been neutralized, we need to leave here quickly."
"Hua Bai, you return to the palace first and summon the imperial physicians..." one of them, Hua Ying, instructed.
The one named Hua Bai accepted the order and immediately flew away, his speed so great that only a blur could be seen in the moonlight. "Hua Tian, escort His Majesty. Hua Yi, take Miss Yu..." Hua Ying gave the orders and took the lead.
Hua Tian carried Prince Yun on his back. Hua Yi said to Ming Yu, "Pardon me," and then put an arm around Ming Yu's waist. Utilizing their Qinggong, they headed straight for the imperial palace.
A journey that took a day of riding took only two hours with Qinggong.
Ming Yu had to admire Hua Yun Jin's hidden guards.
In Hua Yun Jin's palace, several imperial physicians were already waiting. Hua Tian settled Hua Yun Jin onto the dragon bed, and the imperial physicians stepped forward, one by one, to feel his pulse.
Ming Yu watched from the side. Hua Ying and the others had already hidden themselves in the shadows. Hidden guards would remain in the shadows when they had no tasks.
"Imperial physicians, how is he?" Ming Yu asked anxiously. The imperial physicians felt Hua Yun Jin's pulse and whispered amongst themselves in the sleeping chamber.
"Replying to Miss Yu, the fever should subside in five days," one imperial physician said.
"That's good." The imperial physicians took their leave, handing the prescriptions they held to the eunuchs, who would then prepare the medicine.
"You have a truly strong life..." Ming Yu knelt by the dragon couch, murmuring. She had just given Hua Yun Jin medicine, and now his temperature was slowly decreasing.
"Fool..." Ming Yu choked back a sob. If it weren't for her, how could Hua Yun Jin have suffered such a serious injury and nearly lost his life?
"You are back in the palace now. You are safe." Ming Yu was completely relieved. She leaned by the couch and soon fell asleep.
In the latter half of the night, Hua Yun Jin woke up. The first thing he saw were familiar surroundings, and he knew he had returned to the palace.
His right hand was being held, warm. Hua Yun Jin turned his head and saw the woman he cherished asleep by the side of the couch, her clothes still on. A wave of warmth washed over Hua Yun Jin's heart.
He was truly happy that this woman had not abandoned him and left during such a critical moment.
Looking at the sleeping Ming Yu and the fatigue on her face, Hua Yun Jin felt a pang of heartache. He carefully got up, sweat breaking out on his forehead due to the exertion. Gritting his teeth, he gently lifted Ming Yu onto the couch. With the woman in his embrace, Hua Yun Jin soon fell asleep again.
For the first time in many years, Hua Yun Jin slept so soundly. The woman in his arms gave him a great sense of security.
Hua Ying and the other three glanced at each other as they saw Hua Yun Jin sleeping soundly, seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Ever since the Prince ascended the throne, he had never slept so peacefully. He would wake up several times every night, and any slight movement from them, the four hidden guards, would immediately awaken Hua Yun Jin. It was unlike now, where they had all changed positions several times, yet the Prince had not woken up. Perhaps this Miss Ming Yu was truly special to the Prince.
So special that the Prince was unguarded around Miss Ming Yu.
The sun was high in the sky, but there was still no movement from the sleeping chamber. All the servants stood outside, waiting, and no one dared to make a sound. For the first time, they saw their Prince still sleeping at this hour. The servants walked softly, afraid of angering him.
However, someone was clearly oblivious to the situation.
"I heard His Highness has returned. I want to see His Highness." Concubine An had learned of Hua Yun Jin's return early in the morning and could no longer contain her anxiety. She changed into a pink palace gown and came with her maid.
"His Highness is still sleeping. Concubine An, please wait for a moment!" the eunuch said softly.
"Is His Highness in there alone?" Concubine An lowered her voice as she saw all the servants being so cautious.
The eunuch shook his head. "Miss Ming Yu is attending to His Highness..."
"That slut Ming Yu is also here?" Concubine An's voice suddenly rose eight octaves. Ming Yu? How could she not know? It was already known by everyone before she even returned to the palace!
"Concubine An, please keep your voice down..." The eunuch looked back fearfully.
"Get out of the way..." Concubine An kicked the eunuch away. Swaying her hips, she walked towards the sleeping chamber.
Ming Yu heard the commotion outside and struggled to get up, but a large hand around her waist pulled her closer. Warm breath tickled her ear, causing Ming Yu to tremble all over. "Miss Yu, don't move. Stay with me a little longer."
"Concubine An has arrived!" Ming Yu said irritably, completely held by Hua Yun Jin, she couldn't even move.
"Your Highness, you've finally returned. Your humble consort has missed you terribly!" Accompanying a waft of perfume, Concubine An walked in, swaying her hips. When she saw the two people embracing on the dragon couch, Concubine An's smile vanished.
Everyone knew that Hua Yun Jin's sleeping chamber never housed women overnight. Yet, Concubine An now saw with her own eyes that on the dragon couch, the couch she dreamed of, there was a woman sleeping.
Concubine An's face turned purple with anger. Raising her right hand, she pointed at Ming Yu, who was looking at her, and said furiously, "Miss Ming Yu is too undisciplined. As one of His Highness's women, don't you know you're not supposed to stay overnight in the sleeping chamber? And you dare to sleep on the couch? Aren't you afraid you'll dirty the couch and tarnish His Highness's reputation?"
"Concubine An, you are too loud!" After Concubine An finished speaking, still feeling smug, she heard Hua Yun Jin's icy voice. Concubine An froze, her gaze meeting Hua Yun Jin's cold, angry eyes. Concubine An took a few steps back in fright.