Lin Yanzhi woke up, and the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a pure and incomparably beautiful sleeping face.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and even in her dreams, she slept restlessly.
Was she dreaming of something?
He reached out to smooth away her unease.
Suddenly, her long eyelashes fluttered, and in an instant, her eyes shone with dazzling brilliance, as colorful and captivating as the morning light.
"You're awake?" the girl's rosy lips parted slightly.
Lin Yanzhi nodded, "Your Majesty, you have saved this humble subject once again."
"It is my duty." Xue Zining got up but found her body stiff and unable to move.
"Your Majesty, what is wrong?" Lin Yanzhi also noticed her strangeness.
"Nothing is wrong." Xue Zining adjusted her breathing and stood up, but her legs gave out, and she sat back down.
A soft breath brushed against Lin Yanzhi's face, making him pause.
Xue Zining stood up again, "Young Master Lin, rest well. I will be taking my leave."
"I bid Your Majesty farewell." Unable to get out of bed, Lin Yanzhi could only bow from his bed.
"Young Master, Her Majesty has left." Cui Sheng came to help Lin Yanzhi.
"What happened last night?" Lin Yanzhi asked Cui Sheng.
Cui Sheng said with lingering fear, "Young Master, last night was terrifying. After you vomited blood, you lost consciousness. I rushed to fetch Imperial Physician Shen. Imperial Physician Shen said that Her Majesty's heart's blood was also needed. I had no choice but to go to Zhaoyuan Palace to request it from the Empress. Fortunately, the Empress heard the news and came without hesitation."
If anything had happened to the Young Master, his lord would have flayed him alive.
The fact that the Empress had drawn her heart's blood for Young Master Lin for the second time spread throughout the harem and the court.
Now everyone knew that the Empress's most favored person was Young Master Lin.
Otherwise, why would she have drawn her heart's blood twice?
During the morning court, Grand Tutor Lin repeatedly refuted the Grand Censor's words.
After the court session, Li Shengming stopped Grand Tutor Lin.
Grand Tutor Lin looked at Li Shengming and asked coldly, "Lord Li, what is the meaning of this?"
Li Shengming was equally blunt, "Grand Tutor Lin, you have gone too far."
"I wonder what Lord Li means by 'gone too far'?"
Li Shengming snorted coldly, "Have you forgotten whom you should be loyal to, Grand Tutor Lin?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Lin cupped his hands and bowed towards the sky, "This official is loyal to the late Emperor, loyal to Huangze, and loyal to the imperial power of Huangze. Lord Li, what are you implying?"
Li Shengming sneered, leaned closer, and said coldly, "Grand Tutor Lin, do not forget that we are on the same side. If you try to play both ends against the middle, are you not afraid of dying without a burial place?"
"Thank you for your counsel, Lord Li. This official's loyalty has always been to Huangze. As for who sits on that throne, this official does not care."
With that, Grand Tutor Lin cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, turned, and left.
Li Shengming sneered, "Truly, a villain who has achieved success, one man's rise lifts all his associates."
"My lord, do not be angry. Grand Tutor Lin will not be arrogant for long. Once the Regent fully controls the capital, the realm will be the Regent's. By then, Grand Tutor Lin will regret his actions today," Li Shengming's subordinate consoled him.
Li Shengming's ashen face improved somewhat upon hearing this. He said in a low voice, "Tomorrow, the Regent will be holding a meeting with the lords at his residence. Ensure that everything is prepared and that no one is allowed to disturb us."
"My lord, rest assured. Tomorrow, the eldest young lady is hosting a flower banquet, which can serve as a cover."
Li Shengming nodded, "Be extra careful."
"My lord, rest assured," the subordinate replied.
Li Manor
Li Chenxuan stood at the entrance of the manor, hesitating. He did not know what to say to his elder sister when he saw her.
Should he tell her the truth?
"Oh, who do we have here? Isn't this our elder brother who just entered the palace? Why have you returned home?"
"You must have been disliked by the Empress, and that's why you've returned home in such a dejected state!"
The two speaking were the two sons of Concubine Qiao, who had just returned from outside.
Li Chenyang and Li Chentao.
Li Chenxuan ignored the two and walked straight towards the manor, only to find them blocking the entrance, one on each side.
Li Chenxuan looked up and said coldly, "Move aside."
Li Chentao smiled playfully, "Why is elder brother in such a hurry? Why don't you tell us how you served the Empress in the palace?"
"Move aside," Li Chenxuan said with a frown.
"Oh, second brother, look, elder brother is angry," Li Chentao said to Li Chenyang, his eyes full of cold mockery.
Li Chenxuan's eyes were filled with rage, his hands clenched into fists.
Seeing this, Li Chentao leaned his face forward and said, "Does elder brother want to hit me? Come on, hit me!"
As Li Chenxuan was about to raise his hand, a voice suddenly called out, "Chenxuan."
This voice made him tremble all over. He looked up and saw a young girl walking towards them hurriedly.
"Chenxuan, you mustn't joke around with your younger brothers." The girl's words reduced the tense standoff into a mere playful squabble.
Li Chenyang and Li Chentao exchanged glances, knowing that there would be no further developments. They patted their sleeves and left.
Li Fanghui gave an awkward smile. In the eyes of her siblings, she, the legitimate daughter, was insignificant.
"Elder sister," Li Chenxuan called out when he saw the loneliness in Li Fanghui's eyes.
Li Fanghui smiled when she saw him, "Chenxuan, you're back."
Li Chenxuan's nose stung. No matter how much hardship or injustice he faced, he would not retreat or be weak, but his elder sister was his only weakness in this world.
"Yes, I'm back," he choked out.
Li Fanghui took his hand and said, "Come, let's talk in the room."
Li Chenxuan nodded, letting Li Fanghui pull him into his study.
"Chenxuan, tell your sister, are you doing well in the palace?"
Li Chenxuan was startled. Seeing his sister's worried expression, he paused and said, "I am very well. The Empress treats me very kindly."
Li Fanghui sighed, "Father has told me everything."
Li Chenxuan's body trembled, "Elder sister..."
"Chenxuan, I know you worry about me, but from now on, do not lie to your sister here."
Looking into his sister's eyes, Li Chenxuan nodded, "Elder sister, I will never do it again."
Li Fanghui nodded and smiled, "You must be tired. Go and rest!"
Li Chenxuan nodded. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would be unable to resist telling his sister that he was not doing well at all.
Watching Li Chenxuan leave, Li Fanghui lost all her vitality, sat there, and tears streamed down her face.
"Eldest young lady, why don't you tell Young Master? My lord..." The maid Qingxiu couldn't finish her sentence.
Li Fanghui shook her head, "My brother is already treading on thin ice in the harem. I cannot distract him further. Moreover, Father is right. As his children, it is my responsibility to share the family's burdens."
Hearing this, Qingxiu said indignantly, "If it is to share the family's burdens, why must Miss bear them? Miss is the legitimate daughter. To be a concubine to someone else? This..."
"It's nothing..." Li Fanghui shook her head and lowered her eyes. Who could she blame? She and her brother were orphans, with no one to plan for them.
They could only rely on themselves.