It was understandable, after all, given Nan Yuan'er’s incredibly noble destiny, who could guarantee she wouldn’t do something rebellious and disloyal in the future with the Prime Minister’s support?
How badly had the imperial relatives and powerful clans cornered the Emperor before the Great Yuan dynasty?
The Prime Minister commanded all officials, and how many disciples and supporters did he have in the court? There were over a hundred disciples openly acknowledged, not counting those he secretly funded and supported. If His Majesty truly married Nan Yuan'er, and Nan Yuan'er gave birth to a prince, who could guarantee the Nan family wouldn’t harbor ulterior motives?
Although Prime Minister Nan was a civil official, the military generals were currently controlled by the Regent. If His Majesty still wished to oppose the Regent, he would necessarily need the Prime Minister's assistance. At that time, if Prime Minister Nan persuaded His Majesty to establish Nan Yuan'er’s son as the crown prince, would His Majesty be able to refuse?
Nan Chaoyin hadn't expected His Majesty to actually agree to this marriage. His expression couldn't help but change, but he had already stated his position. If he refused now, it wouldn't just be defying an imperial decree, but deceiving the emperor. Even though he knew that if he agreed to this, all his previous plans would go to waste, he still couldn’t utter a single word of refusal in the court.
If the situation proved unfavorable, then he would retreat. If the Prince of Great Li suddenly died, or if a border war suddenly erupted between Lin Yuan and Great Li, then this marriage would also turn into smoke.
Thinking this, Nan Chaoyin kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
Nan Shiying raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze drifting over Nan Chaoyin, Nan Yuan'er, Ji Hong, and Yu Chengxuan. A bewitching smile played on her lips as she watched with great interest. Except for the terrified and anxious Nan Yuan'er, all three of the others had a thousand schemes in their minds.
Probing, guessing, and an air of unspoken meaning!
Nan Yuan'er could not accept this outcome. She suddenly stood up and walked forward step by step under the gaze of everyone.
Here it comes, the drama is reaching its climax!
Keeping aloof from the matter, the officials and their consorts from Lin Yuan all had sharp eyes, eager to see what Nan Yuan'er would do.
Would she resist with her life, or would she resign herself to fate?
If the occasion were not inappropriate, they would have set up a gambling table and placed bets for a chance at winnings!
And just as the answer was about to be revealed during this exciting moment, a eunuch rushed over, shouting in panic, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, disaster! Jingren Palace is on fire!"
Ji Hong's expression changed, and he suddenly stood up from the imperial throne. He could hardly believe his ears and said sternly, "What did you say? Say it again!"
The eunuch, with a sorrowful face, repeated, "Jingren Palace is suddenly on fire!"
"Where is the Empress Dowager? Where is the Empress Dowager?" Whether Jingren Palace was on fire was not important to Ji Hong; what mattered was the safety of the Empress Dowager.
The eunuch quickly replied, "Your Majesty, please be assured that before Jingren Palace caught fire, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had already gone to Noble Consort’s Lilan Palace."
Hearing that the Empress Dowager was not in her residence, the heart that Ji Hong had been holding finally settled. Nan Shiying placed her hand on Ji Jinmo's suddenly clenched fist and gently patted it.
Everyone heard about the fire in Jingren Palace and showed expressions of extreme shock. Jingren Palace, where the Empress Dowager currently resided, should, by rights, be the Empress’s residence. However, when the late emperor suddenly passed away, and His Majesty was still young, the Empress Dowager’s entire focus was on His Majesty, so she skipped the trouble of moving palaces and lived in Jingren Palace, staying there for so many years.
Moreover, Jingren Palace held a special significance for both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Years ago, when the late emperor learned that the Empress Dowager was pregnant, he was overjoyed. He felt that Jingren Palace, being a palace built during the era of his ancestors, was in disrepair due to age. Therefore, he immediately ordered the entire Jingren Palace to be rebuilt and renovated.
The current Jingren Palace carried the late emperor's affection for the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Thus, whether for the Empress Dowager or His Majesty, Jingren Palace held an extraordinary meaning.
Although the Empress Dowager was safe now, Jingren Palace had still caught fire, and His Majesty was likely suppressing his anger at this moment.
Ji Hong walked down the steps and headed in the direction of Jingren Palace. Seeing this, everyone stood up and followed. They had just exited the great hall when they saw a fiery cloud appear in the distance, with billowing smoke rising and spreading. Even from here, the acrid smell of smoke could be detected.
Ji Hong walked forward recklessly, until he could no longer approach.
At this time, half of Jingren Palace was already engulfed in flames. The fire fed on the wind, and the wind followed the flames, instantly engulfing the sky. The fire was astonishingly fierce.
Ji Hong stared blankly, truly not expecting Jingren Palace to catch fire. Looking at Jingren Palace, almost completely consumed by the flames, Ji Hong's mind replayed the scenes of him spending time with his father and mother in Jingren Palace.
"Quick, everyone go and put out the fire! Save the palace for me!"
Ji Hong grabbed the collar of the eunuch beside him and loudly ordered everyone to go and fight the fire.
Nan Shiying watched the sky-devouring fire dragon roaring in the air, and her gaze slowly fell upon Nan Chaoyin. It was broad daylight, and Jingren Palace would not have any open flames. How could it suddenly catch fire? And how coincidentally, the Empress Dowager was not even in Jingren Palace at this moment.
This fire, by all appearances, looked like arson!
Nan Shiying couldn't help but exclaim, "Alas, how did Jingren Palace suddenly catch fire for no reason? Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was not present. It is truly a blessing in disguise!"
Ji Hong abruptly turned his head, his gaze falling on Nan Shiying's face.
His imperial aunt seemed to be implying something!
Ji Hong suppressed the suspicion in his heart and shouted sternly, "Zhou Yunli, get out here!?"
Zhou Yunli scrambled out, wiping the sweat from his brow, unsure if it was from the intense heat of the raging fire or from fear.
"Speak, why did Jingren Palace catch fire today?" Ji Hong demanded.
Zhou Yunli had no idea, but now that His Majesty was asking, he couldn't directly say he didn't know. He was so anxious his throat felt on fire, and his eyes darted around. The moment he caught sight of Nan Yuan'er, he suddenly thought of a way to explain: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Observatory has always been observing the stars and deducing good and bad fortune. However, neither the rumors that suddenly broke out in Weihe County before nor the fire today were preceded by any warnings from the Imperial Observatory. Therefore... this has come unexpectedly and there must be something strange about it."
"Are you suggesting it was arson?"
Zhou Yunli's mouth felt bitter. No, that's not what I meant.
"What I mean is, could this great fire also be a warning?"