The events concerning her brother had spread throughout the capital.
And Yun Shu, being an intelligent person, could surely infer from these rumors why her brother had acted as he did.
Therefore, what was her true intention in suddenly inquiring about her brother's recent condition?
"I have indeed heard some things. Lord Zhen is my patient, and his body is currently in the recovery phase, requiring a period of rest," Yun Shu reminded her, offering a gentle hint.
That was all she intended to say.
Whether to heed it or not depended on the patient's family.
As a physician, she could not interfere.
Princess Ningde's expression darkened, and she said no more. Yun Shu had made her position clear, and further words would be futile.
After the carriage moved forward, Princess Ningde turned to look at Zhen Lin, who sat beside her.
Whether due to a hangover or Yun Shu's words just now, Zhen Lin's complexion was somewhat pale.
The fatigue in his eyes was very apparent.
Princess Ningde spoke in a low voice, "Brother, did you hear what she said?"
Her words were crystal clear.
Truly, a heartless person.
And extremely hurtful.
However, some of what she said was quite useful.
"I heard," Zhen Lin replied, his tone tinged with a hint of world-weary coldness.
Princess Ningde, looking at Zhen Lin's listless state, devoid of any fighting spirit, grew increasingly angry. "Brother, was it worth it?"
Zhen Lin's gaze involuntarily drifted towards the outside of the carriage. Even though he knew he wouldn't see the person he wished to see, he still looked. "Ningde, I've indulged myself for once. You don't need to worry."
"Didn't you hear anything I said last night?" Princess Ningde felt her anger surge once more.
This morning, he had suddenly decided to go to the palace. She thought he had come to his senses, but she hadn't expected him to still be ensnared in that vortex!
Zhen Lin said softly, "After today, it will all be over. Ningde, there's no need to hold a grudge against the Night Princess. From beginning to end, it was solely my own delusion."
"Could it be that you've been indulging yourself every day just to make her come and see you?" Princess Ningde suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility.
Zhen Lin's body stiffened.
Seeing this, Princess Ningde gasped, "Brother! You are utterly foolish!"
...
A crowd had gathered at the palace gates.
Everyone was craning their necks in anticipation.
They wanted to catch a glimpse of the Night Princess of Dongning, who had been the talk of the capital for the past few days.
Some who had entered the palace did not venture further in.
They stood guard.
They knew perfectly well that they would see the legendary Night Princess once the palace banquet began.
However, they couldn't resist the urge to see her sooner.
Most of those with such thoughts were men.
Many had heard about this Night Princess from the three young generals of the Grand General's mansion.
Therefore, their anticipation was even greater.
They were all wondering if the Night Princess was truly as beautiful as the rumors claimed.
After all, many rumors nowadays were unreliable.
Many were exaggerated.
However.
When the Night Princess appeared before them, they were all spellbound, their eyes wide open. It wasn't until she had boarded the imperial sedan chair prepared by the palace and departed that they snapped back to reality.
"The rumors are true!"
"Even from this distance, one can see her devastating beauty. If one were closer, wouldn't she be a celestial fairy descended to earth!"
"How could a celestial fairy possess such beauty? I truly envy that legendary Night King! He is so fortunate!"
"If I could have even one night with such a beauty, my life would not have been in vain!"
"Don't even mention yourself, I feel the same way!"
"If I could marry such a beauty, I would never take a concubine in this life. She would be my only one!"
"What a pity, what a pity. There is only one Night Princess in this world, and she is already another man's wife! Moreover, have you all noticed? She has three children with her. These are the children she bore for the Night King of Dongning! I truly, truly envy the Night King of Dongning!"
As soon as Yun Shu entered the palace, the tales of her beauty began to spread throughout the imperial court.
This further ignited the curiosity of those who had not yet seen her.
Yun Shu and her entourage were led to the Imperial Garden by the palace attendants.
The Emperor was already waiting in the Imperial Garden.
There was no one else in the pavilion, only the Emperor and the attending palace servants.
The Emperor, standing in the pavilion, spotted Yun Shu and her group at a glance.
He had seen a portrait of Yun Shu, but a portrait was far inferior to seeing the person in person.
He had to admit that Yun Shu, seen with his own eyes, was even more captivating.
And Yun Changfeng, the Grand General of Dongning, whom he had once admired and wished to eliminate, now appeared like an ordinary old man, devoid of the sharp edge of a general, exuding an aura of paternal affection.
Xie Jin, dressed in a fiery red robe beside him, needed no further introduction.
His gaze finally settled on Yun Shu's three children.
The three children were each unique and adorable, with eyes as clear as water, their features bearing a striking resemblance to Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye.
Even in the unfamiliar setting of the imperial palace, they remained composed, their young age belying their remarkable self-possession.
If only one was so captivating, but all three were.
He had several grandsons and granddaughters beside him, and in terms of appearance, they fell short.
He had to concede that Yun Shu's face was indeed unparalleled.
If she were not from Dongning, if she had not been entangled with Zhan Tianye's past identity, perhaps he would have supported her union with Zhan Tianye.
After all, among all the women of Xixia, not a single one had managed to capture Zhan Tianye's heart.
Not even to the extent of making him want to keep them by his side.
Instead, even when his memory was lost, he had protected her on multiple occasions.
As he was contemplating these matters, Yun Shu had already entered the pavilion.
"The Night Princess of Dongning pays her respects to His Majesty," Yun Shu said first.
Following her were Yun Changfeng, Xie Jin, and the three children, Zhan Xiao Li.
The three little ones offered their greetings in a proper manner.
Considering the three little ones to be his grandchildren, the Emperor couldn't help but gaze at them a few more times, his voice gentle as he said, "There is no need for such formality."
"I have ordered some fruits and pastries to be prepared here. Night Princess, General Yun, and Young Master Xie, please sit down and rest for a moment."
As the Emperor finished speaking, Yun Shu and the others took their seats.
Zhan Xiao Li's small face remained stern.
This was because he could actually hear people's thoughts, and he had just heard the thoughts of this seemingly smiling old man.
Everything the old man had just been thinking, he had heard!
This old man was different from his maternal grandfather! He was a bad old man who wanted to separate his father and mother!
He didn't believe they were the bad old man's grandchildren!
His father couldn't be the bad old man's son either!
He just had this feeling.
Yun Xiao Jing and Zhan Xiao Feng sensed Zhan Xiao Li's prickly demeanor.
Realizing that Zhan Xiao Li harbored hostility towards the Emperor before them.
The three little ones immediately exchanged glances.
Yun Shu and the others hadn't noticed the subtle shift in the expressions of the three little ones.
"Is the Night Princess accustomed to living at the General's mansion?" the Emperor asked.
Yun Shu chuckled inwardly. This was the second person who had asked her that question today.
Just as she was about to answer, a cry came from outside the pavilion, "His Royal Highness Prince Jin!"