Guest room?
A few days?
The smile on Jiang Luoxi's lips faded slightly, a flicker of anger flashing through her eyes, gone in an instant.
Hearing this, Zuo Yan was furious. He couldn't believe that the Night King treated them so lightly! Just as he was about to question it, he saw Jiang Luoxi shake her head at him.
Then, Jiang Luoxi bowed and said, "Thank you."
The servant reacted quickly and stepped forward, "Honored guest, please."
Regardless of the master's mention of a guest room or the servant's polite invitation, Jiang Luoxi was clearly aware that Yun Shu had already gained the acceptance of everyone in the Night King's mansion.
In such a short period of time.
If she had arrived a year earlier, perhaps the situation would be different now.
However, this thought only crossed Jiang Luoxi's mind for a moment. She was not someone who easily retreated or discouraged herself. Even if the current situation was unfavorable, or the path ahead was difficult, she would not back down.
On the way, Zuo Yan asked Jiang Luoxi in a voice only they could hear, "Miss Jiang, the Night King is only keeping us for a few days. Who knows if these few days will turn into tomorrow? What should we do tomorrow? The Night King doesn't even give the Emperor face?"
Jiang Luoxi shook her head upon hearing this. "No need to worry for now. We'll talk about it tomorrow."
"Alright!"
At the same time, Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye had entered the study.
Yun Shu walked around the study, her hands behind her back.
Two walls were lined with bookshelves reaching the ceiling.
Books were packed tightly, indicating how much Zhan Tianye enjoyed reading.
"I wonder how they managed to get the Emperor to issue such a decree," Yun Shu said, her gaze sweeping over the bookshelves as she voiced her doubts.
She was in need of some books lately and could borrow a few from him.
"I will go to the palace later," Zhan Tianye said, his eyes darkening.
Yun Shu thought for a moment and shook her head. "I should go to the palace. The Emperor just issued the imperial decree, and they brought it to the Night King's mansion. News must have spread along the way. If you go to the palace now, it will surely cause gossip. It's better if I go."
Zhan Tianye also pondered for a moment and then agreed. "Alright."
Suddenly, the sound of children's laughter was heard from outside the door.
"Are Mama and Papa in the study? Uncle Qiu Lu."
"Yes, they are in the study, but they are likely discussing important matters. Shall I take you to play Cuju?" Qiu Lu asked them.
Zhan Xiaoli, being sensible, said, "Okay, then we'll come back after Mama and Papa finish their talk."
Hearing Xiaoli's sensible words outside the door, Yun Shu in the study felt a surge of pride. They were her sons!
Sensible and intelligent!
She said to Zhan Tianye, "I'll go talk to Xiaoli and the others for a moment."
She had originally planned to take them back to the General's mansion today, but now it seemed she had to go to the palace. She would pick them up tomorrow.
Seeing Yun Shu push the door open without hesitation and head straight for the three little ones, Zhan Tianye's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed.
He was actually jealous of his three sons!
Perhaps in Yun Shu's heart, his position ranked below theirs.
She only wanted to talk to her sons but neglected to say a few more words to him?
For a moment, the entire study was filled with a sour atmosphere.
When Qiu Lu entered a while later, the sourness was still palpable.
Qiu Lu looked puzzled. "Is His Highness angry?"
Why did His Highness's expression seem strange?
Then he thought about it. With two spies from the Empress Dowager suddenly in the mansion, if he were His Highness, he wouldn't have a good expression either.
What's more...
"Why did the Emperor issue the decree?"
Zhan Tianye put aside his jealousy, his handsome face stern, and his gaze became deep and unfathomable. "The Emperor has grown up."
"Ah?" Qiu Lu felt like his brain had malfunctioned.
He didn't understand what His Highness meant.
What did issuing a decree have to do with the Emperor growing up?
Didn't everyone grow up from being children?
However, he still remembered the Emperor begging His Highness, asking His Highness to protect him, saying that he only trusted his fifth brother, His Highness. At that time, the Emperor seemed to have placed all his hopes on His Highness.
And at that time, the Emperor was indeed a child.
...
As Yun Shu had predicted, a young woman had moved into the Night King's mansion, and moreover, she had done so by imperial decree from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Suddenly, the capital was abuzz with speculation again.
Everyone believed that Yun Shu had lost the Night King's favor and that he would ultimately not marry her.
No one knew where these rumors originated. They all spoke of Miss Jiang as being as beautiful as a celestial being, kind-hearted, and favored by the Empress Dowager. The Night King was also involuntarily fond of Miss Jiang. As for the second daughter of the Yun family, she had only managed to make the Night King hesitate about marrying her by climbing into his bed years ago and bearing him three sons.
In fact, the Night King's heart already belonged to Miss Jiang.
Within a short period, less than an hour, these rumors had spread like wildfire.
Some even took the opportunity to visit the General's mansion, wanting to see Yun Changfeng and gauge the situation.
The Wang and Li families, in particular, seized this opportunity to mock Yun Shu in various ways.
Of course, Yun Shu had already entered the palace and was temporarily unaware of the increasingly fierce rumors outside.
After entering the palace, Yun Shu was led by the palace servants to a side hall to wait.
This was because Zhan Tianhong was currently discussing important matters with several officials.
After she had a cup of tea, a palace servant came to invite her to the Imperial Garden.
The previous few times she had met Zhan Tianhong were in the Imperial Study. This time, it was in the Imperial Garden, which surprised Yun Shu.
Wasn't he just meeting with officials in the Imperial Study? Why had he moved to the Imperial Garden so quickly?
With a hint of doubt, Yun Shu followed the palace servant to the Imperial Garden.
There were few people in the Imperial Garden.
Since Zhan Tianhong had not held a grand selection of concubines, there were not many palace consorts. The Imperial Garden, originally meant for admiring flowers, leisurely strolls, and chance encounters with the Emperor, had become somewhat deserted.
The palace servant led her through vibrant flowerbeds and up to a pavilion above a rockery.
In the tall octagonal pavilion, the aroma of tea filled the air.
Tempting pastries and fruits were neatly arranged.
Zhan Tianhong stood with his back to her.
Perhaps due to the medication he had been taking recently, his health had gradually recovered, and Zhan Tianhong's back no longer appeared so thin and stooped. He had grown considerably taller.
"Your Majesty, Miss Yun Er has arrived," the palace servant respectfully informed Zhan Tianhong.
Zhan Tianhong, who was facing away, turned around upon hearing this. He looked at Yun Shu and said, "Miss Yun Er."
"Your Majesty," Yun Shu said. Seeing Zhan Tianhong looking well and showing no signs of coercion, her doubts deepened.
The Empress Dowager and the others had not forced him to issue the imperial decree.
He had made the decision himself.
So, why was he fanning the flames?
"The tea was just brewed by the palace servants, and the pastries were also just sent from the imperial kitchen. Miss Yun Er, please sit down and enjoy them at your leisure," Zhan Tianhong said gently.