The twilight descended, the bustling noise from outside the palace rolled in, yet the imposing atmosphere within the palace remained unchanged.

"What time is it now?"

The elegantly dressed woman frequently urged.

Li Pin had already changed out of her palace attire, just waiting for Emperor Ying to finish his duties and take her out of the palace.

The old maid behind her hesitated to speak, as the recent reprimand from the Holy Emperor was too terrifying. But somehow he had suddenly changed his mind.

"Your Ladyship, please don’t worry, the Holy Emperor is busy with the affairs of state, but once he’s done, he will come. A gentleman’s promise. Once he has agreed, he will keep his word."

Upon hearing this, the smirk of pride on Li Pin’s face could not be wiped away.

"I originally wanted to go for a walk outside the palace on my own, but the Holy Emperor was worried about the child in my belly and didn’t want to ruin my mood, so he intends to accompany me. This is indeed a great favor."

"The people in the harem must be very envious."

But who is as fortunate as she is?

Li Pin gently laid a hand on her yet to show belly.

Even though the child wasn’t Emperor Ying’s,

she was going to rise to fortune by the virtue of being a mother!

With the Empress deposed, there was now no one in charge of the harem. Since the Holy Emperor adored her so much, she might even aspire to that position. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

As she thought this, the old maid behind her looked in a direction with a changed expression.

She followed the maid’s gaze, which was in the direction of Yangxin Hall, where flames were currently soaring into the sky, dyeing half the sky red.

Li Pin’s heart gave a thud.

Flames soared upwards, thick smoke billowing. The pillars carved with golden dragons looked extraordinarily striking against the blaze.

"There’s a fire! There’s a fire!"

"Quick, quickly put out the fire!"

Outside Yangxin Hall was a scene of chaos, screams and cries mingling together.

Palace Maids and eunuchs were in a panic, grabbing buckets and rushing toward the source of the fire, but the blaze was fierce, and the water turned to white smoke as soon as it was thrown on.

No one knew how the fire started.

The blaze had come too quickly, and fiercely.

Even...

Even after throwing water, the flames became even more rampant.

Mr. Tu, who had just been preparing the arrangements for leaving the palace, staggered over and grabbed a eunuch who was so frightened he couldn’t stand.

"Where is the Holy Emperor? Is the Holy Emperor inside?"

The eunuch dared not meet his eyes.

Trembling, "Inside."

With a smack, a slap.

"How could you serve him like this!"

"Why is the Holy Emperor trapped inside, while you are unharmed?"

The eunuch, with a face smeared with dirt, fell to his knees, trembling.

"The Holy Emperor just said he was weary, didn’t keep us in the hall to serve him, said he wanted to take a nap."

Mr. Tu: ??

Nonsense!

The Holy Emperor was about to leave the palace, obviously, he was very energetic not long ago!

But this was clearly not the time to question the truth of the matter.

He gritted his teeth, looking around, then stared at the Imperial Army: "Quickly save His Majesty! If anything happens to the Holy Emperor, none of you will live!"

Having said that, he rushed in without thinking.

But someone was faster than him.

It was Ying Yin, who had stayed in the Imperial Palace and rushed over as soon as he got the news.

Ying Yin asked for a blanket, soaked it, and without hesitation, rushed in, risking his life.

Filial piety?

No.

It was merely to show that he could risk everything for Emperor Ying.

His current position was truly too passive.

Not long after, people from all the palaces arrived upon hearing the news.

The Empress Dowager came, even Shen Jin came.

But by the time they arrived, Emperor Ying was already rescued by a black shadow.

The black shadow appeared out of nowhere, yet no one paid attention to it.

Immediately afterwards, the Imperial Physicians hurried over.

Once Emperor Ying was settled and the black shadow learned he was not in life-threatening danger, it silently withdrew.

The flames did not subside, as if able to devour everything. Crackling sounds, the loud crash of beams falling to the ground could be heard.

"How did the fire start?"

"I saw the Holy Emperor’s hair was burnt, and his face and hands were scorched, it’s unclear if there will be other consequences, the Dragon Robe is beyond recognition."

"Shhh, keep your voice down, speaking irreverently of the Emperor, do you have a death wish?"

Empress Dowager spun the Buddha Beads in her hand, as if she hadn’t heard the cautious gossip and feigned sobbing of the concubines.

Until an Imperial Physician came out to report.

She asked, "How is the Emperor?"

The Imperial Physician: "Although there is no threat to his life, apart from superficial wounds, the fire toxin attacked his heart and the smoke suffused his lungs, causing him to remain unconscious."

"Doctor Zhong is currently administering acupuncture. Your Ladyship, please rest assured."

The Empress Dowager seemed to sigh in relief: "It seems he has deep blessings, you must use the best medicine to save my son!"

"Yes."

Empress Dowager: "Did you all see? The Emperor needs quiet recuperation."

This was said to the concubines.

"I know you are all concerned, but please, go back."

After saying this, she shifted her gaze, instructing the Imperial Army.

"Yangxin Hall caught fire for no reason, the cause is unknown, it must be thoroughly investigated."

Imperial Army: "Yes?"

The Empress Dowager was about to say something else when a joyful voice came from inside.

"He’s awake! The Holy Emperor is awake."

Supported by Shen Jin, the Empress Dowager took a step inside.

Emperor Ying’s throat felt dry, several parts of his body hurt, and he even felt a bit dizzy.

But his mind was clearer than ever before.

He merely felt tired, wanted to close his eyes and rest, but grew increasingly drowsy, upon awakening, it was like this,

...the fire?

He didn’t believe it! Surely someone was trying to harm him!

But who could accomplish such a feat without anyone knowing!

Could they reach right under his nose?

Emperor Ying’s expression grew darker, his hand clenched tightly under the covers.

"Emperor."

Just then, the Empress Dowager entered.

Emperor Ying was in a sorry state, yet his injuries were actually not extensive nor severe.

But the Empress Dowager was extremely anxious, first expressing urgent concern, then following procedure to convey her unease and worry.

Finally, the Empress Dowager furrowed her brows: "The Holy Emperor’s health is compromised, yet state affairs cannot be delayed, for the time being, let the Grand Tutor assist with the court affairs. What do you think?"

Emperor Ying did not want to.

He would have agreed before.

After all, the Grand Tutor had no sons.

But now...

The Gu Family and the Wei Family were in-laws, Wei Zhao could even be considered half a son of Gu Fuju!

Due to the fire incident with the Yu Family, he also did not believe Gu Fuju had no hard feelings toward him.

He did not respond.

Only his voice was hoarse.

"I have a grasp of the situation, no need for you to worry, Empress Mother."

Wait...fire?

Emperor Ying’s pupils contracted sharply.

He pressed his lips together, in a flash of thought, he thought of something.

The Empress Dowager was not upset at being refused.

She only tucked him in properly.

"The Fifth is a good one. Upon learning something had happened to you, he rushed over, without a word, he rushed into the fire."

Emperor Ying was surprised by this, a momentary flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.

"After you were rescued, he was still trapped inside. He considers your life more important than his own. All these years, the Fifth has always respected you."

Hearing this, Emperor Ying’s eyes softened slightly: "How is he?"

"That child is even more fortunate than you, it sounded dangerous, but nothing happened to him. You may not believe it, he only got a few bubbles on his arm. His robe caught fire in the rush, but it was quickly put out, nothing else happened. When you were unconscious, he stayed here by your side. The Dowager could not feel at ease, ordered him to the side hall, and the Imperial Physician to check on him as well. Lest anything unfortunate happens."

???

Got a few bubbles?

If it weren’t for the pain on his face and body, Emperor Ying would have thought the fire was actually small.

He couldn’t understand.

No matter how much he and the Empress Dowager outwardly showed a loving mother-son relationship, too much of it was mixed with pretense and insincerity.

Emperor Ying wanted to get to the bottom of the whole incident.

"Where is Mr. Tu?"

Where is his confidant?

The Empress Dowager said nothing.

The atmosphere inside the hall lowered.

The servants waiting on the side did not dare to breathe audibly.

This change made Emperor Ying frown.

"He’s dead."

Shen Jin, who had been silent, spoke.

Her tone was cold and detached.

"That eunuch was loyal, worried about the Holy Emperor, but he didn’t have the Fifth Prince’s fortune. When the Imperial Army rescued him, he was already a charred black corpse."