It seemed to be a mother-son connection.
The three little ones jolted awake, all dreaming of Yun Shu.
They exchanged glances.
Then, with their short legs, they scurried off to find Yun Chang Feng.
Yun Chang Feng was just preparing to lead a rescue party for Yun Shu when he saw the three little ones. He quickly scooped them all up.
"Why are you out of bed? You should be sleeping," Yun Chang Feng said, his heart filled with urgency, but he tried to hide it from the children, asking them gently.
However, he also noticed the lingering shock on their faces, as if they had just woken from a nightmare.
"We dreamed Mama was in danger!" Yun Xiao Jing said, still shaken.
His large eyes blinked, a hint of fear in them.
Yun Chang Feng had always seen Yun Xiao Jing as fearless, rarely showing fear, yet now he was on the verge of tears, ready to cry at any moment.
Zhan Xiao Li and Gu Xiao Feng also nodded, their eyes red.
They had all had the same dream!
They didn't want to lose their Mama.
They didn't want Mama to be in danger.
Yun Chang Feng's heart lurched. He hadn't expected Yun Xiao Jing and the others to have the same dream, all of them envisioning Shu'er in peril.
Indeed, it was a mother's intuition.
Shu'er was in danger, and all three of them had dreamed of it.
A pang of sadness struck Yun Chang Feng. He glanced at the sky and softly comforted them, "Your Mama will be back after daybreak, around lunchtime. She just sent word that she had a nightmare."
After speaking, he gave Yu Le and A Cha a look, signaling them to take Xiao Jing and the others back to sleep.
Zhan Xiao Li frowned, "Is Mama really alright?"
"Your Mama is at your maternal grandfather's military camp. Some issues have arisen there, and your maternal grandfather needs to attend to it. He'll return with your Mama tomorrow, okay?" Yun Chang Feng patiently explained.
The three little ones looked at the sincere Yun Chang Feng.
Their worries subsided.
They obediently went back to rest with Yu Le and the others.
Once the three children had left, Yun Chang Feng quickly hurried out of the mansion.
A Cha, who had walked some distance, stopped and looked back at Yun Chang Feng's hurried figure. She bit her slightly red lip.
Were Miss and Jing Heng truly alright?
She prayed to heaven that nothing would happen to Miss and the others!
...
The cold moon hung like a hook.
In the deep palace.
The Empress Dowager had not slept.
She was drinking tea and admiring the moon with Jiang Luo Xi.
Perhaps because it was late at night, both of them were wrapped in thick cloaks.
The tea in front of them was continuously brewing.
wisps of steam drifted between them, obscuring their expressions from the palace attendants standing guard nearby.
"His Majesty has been in low spirits these past few days. After the morning court, he has been confining himself to the Imperial Study. I sent someone to invite him, but he merely found an excuse to refuse. Luo Xi, you have always been intelligent, help me figure out what is troubling His Majesty now," the Empress Dowager said, gracefully sipping her tea before setting down the white jade teacup.
The well-preserved Empress Dowager appeared ageless under the moonlight.
Jiang Luo Xi's expression remained placid, her thoughts hidden from others.
After hearing the Empress Dowager's words, she gently shook her head, "Luo Xi also doesn't know what troubles His Majesty. However, everything has a cause and effect. His Majesty's sudden change in behavior must have a reason."
"If I hadn't known what the Empress had done, I would have thought he was despondent because of her. Unfortunately, his heart is not with the Empress. I rather suspect he has some feelings for Yun Shu," the Empress Dowager sneered, feeling as though she were close to the truth.
After all, Zhan Tian Hong had grown up under her watchful eye.
There were things she could discern.
"His Majesty and Miss Yun Er? Miss Yun Er's heart belongs to Prince Ye, and she has already borne him three children. His Majesty shouldn't have feelings for Yun Shu. However... there are exceptions to everything. Miss Yun Er's beauty is unparalleled. Not to mention His Majesty, even I was stunned. If I were a man, I might want to marry Miss Yun Shu," Jiang Luo Xi's gaze flickered as she picked up the nearby teacup and blew on the foam.
What she said was true.
Before meeting Yun Shu, she hadn't believed Yun Shu would be so stunning.
But upon seeing Yun Shu, she realized that others' descriptions of Yun Shu paled in comparison to her own eyes. It was precisely because of this personal encounter that she had previously felt a sense of hesitation.
A glint of sharpness passed through the Empress Dowager's eyes, "Luo Xi, you are intelligent, gentle, and understanding. Prince Ye will like you. As long as you are diligent, Yun Shu will not hinder your path."
A dark light flickered in Jiang Luo Xi's eyes, but it was hidden when she lowered her head.
Even the Empress Dowager, experienced in palace intrigue, didn't detect Jiang Luo Xi's subtle change in expression.
Instead, she felt a sense of strategic maneuvering.
"Any obstacles that become hindrances must be removed. Luo Xi, do you understand what I mean?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Jiang Luo Xi still kept her head bowed, appearing gentle and detached, as if unconcerned with worldly affairs. Beneath her outward appearance, anyone would see a picture of serene tranquility.
Seeing Jiang Luo Xi's seemingly unworldly demeanor, the Empress Dowager frowned and said, "Luo Xi, if you cannot succeed, I can arrange for you to marry someone else. There are many talented men in the capital. I can choose someone for you to entrust your life to. With your intelligence, you would live very well."
She needed someone who, after marrying into Prince Ye's household, would firmly control Prince Ye.
Not a frail woman who, even before marriage, already harbored thoughts of retreat.
Although Jiang Luo Xi appeared intelligent, the current situation allowed no room for her to back down.
She still had time to find someone else.
Just then, Jiang Luo Xi's voice, still gentle, carried a hint of frost, "Miss Yun Er will not become my stumbling block. Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened, and her suspended heart settled.
She rubbed her slightly aching temples, a wave of drowsiness washing over her.
"It's about an hour or two until dawn. Let's go, you and I should get some sleep," the Empress Dowager yawned.
Jiang Luo Xi nodded.
As the Empress Dowager reached the door, she paused and looked back at Jiang Luo Xi, who was also heading back to her chambers. "Do you think the Empress can still be saved?" she asked.
Jiang Luo Xi's gaze shifted slightly, and she nodded, "Originally, no. But just now, there is a way to save her."
Upon hearing this, a spark lit up in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and she greatly admired Jiang Luo Xi, "Luo Xi, Prince Ye will surely be devoted to you!"
Such an intelligent woman, with her judicious actions and reactions, would find it as easy as taking something from her palm to win a man's heart.
...
The eastern sky gradually began to brighten.
Yun Shu completed her final stitch.