News from Changle Palace could not be kept secret. Coupled with the fact that imperial physicians had also gone to Changle Palace, everyone knew that the troublesome mistress in Changle Palace, even with only half a life left, was still capable of causing trouble.
"Your Highness, aren't you worried?" Si Ye saw that Nangong Yu's expression was as usual and felt puzzled. Normally, if Princess Yongning had any mishap, his master would be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Now that Princess Yongning was ill, his master was calm.
Nangong Yu glanced at Si Ye, remaining silent. How could he not be worried? Detained in the palace by the Empress Dowager, she might not be harmed openly, but behind the scenes, who knew what schemes were being hatched. Yet, he could not show even a shred of concern, or the Empress Dowager would only treat her more harshly.
"Your Highness, why don't we go to Changle Palace to take a look? Ssss..." Si Ye bared his teeth, patting Si Chen's hand and signaling him to let go quickly.
"You talk too much. I have my own plans!"
Si Ye rubbed the soft flesh around his waist, tears almost welling up. "I'm just worried that Princess Yongning will suffer a loss!"
"Is Princess Yongning the type to suffer a loss?"
Si Ye thought carefully. Princess Yongning was indeed not one to suffer a loss. Those who crossed her ultimately met bad ends. Even their master had suffered many losses at Princess Yongning's hands and was no match for her.
"But now Princess Yongning is confined in Changle Palace, unable to call out and unheard. She only has Yin Zhu by her side, and Yin Zhu has no martial arts skills. If anything were to happen, we wouldn't even know how to send a message out."
"Shut up!" Nangong Yu snapped. "Get out."
The two quickly bowed and retreated. "You talk too much and angered His Highness."
"His Highness is clearly very worried about Princess Yongning, why didn't he go to Changle Palace to visit, or ask the Empress Dowager to let Princess Yongning out of the palace?"
"You'll definitely die from stupidity!"
Si Chen said slowly. At this time, begging the Empress Dowager would only be counterproductive. Prince Qi was a prime example. It was said that after Prince Qi left the palace, he took the daughter of the Minister of War as a concubine. Truly pathetic.
"Who are you calling stupid? Be careful, I'll get mad at you."
Si Chen shook his head, unwilling to argue with Si Ye, fearing that Si Ye would anger him to death.
Inside the room, Nangong Yu's hands never moved from the official documents. On the surface, he appeared calm, but his heart was already in a turmoil. Changle Palace had been lit all night, was she truly alright?
The Empress Dowager was possessive and disliked anyone disobeying her. Prince Qi had repeatedly challenged her authority, and she was merely using Xiao Man to establish her dominance and make Prince Qi obedient.
Suddenly, the person who had been sitting at the desk vanished.
In Changle Palace, Xiao Man was still sleeping. Whether she was truly ill or faking it, no one could tell. Her pale face was truly heartbreaking to see.
"Man'er."
Xiao Man opened her eyes and saw Nangong Yu sitting by the bed. She immediately looked around. "Why are you here? Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
"Changle Palace was bustling all night yesterday. I was too worried. Are you alright?"
Xiao Man curled her lips into a smile. "Of course, I'm fine. Since the Empress Dowager has asked me to stay in Changle Palace, I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. As the saying goes, it's easier to invite a god than to send one away. I, Xiao Man, am not someone who can be kept by anyone's whim."
Seeing her like this, Nangong Yu immediately understood that Xiao Man was unharmed. "It's good that you're alright. Try not to have direct conflicts with the Empress Dowager. I'm afraid you'll suffer."
"Do you have a very good relationship with the Empress Dowager?"
"It's not exactly excellent. When my mother died, she protected me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be alive to see you." Nangong Yu tucked the quilt around her. "Prioritize your own safety."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Nangong Yu held Xiao Man's hand and kissed the back of it. "Then, when will your heart have room for me?"
Xiao Man frowned. Was he going to act up again?
"His Majesty is arriving." A voice came from outside the door. Nangong Yu immediately leaped out the window.
Xiao Man closed her eyes and continued to sleep. Yin Zhu went out to greet. "Your servant greets His Majesty."
"How is your mistress?" The old emperor walked in slowly. Seeing Xiao Man lying on the bed with a sickly appearance, he frowned. "What did the imperial physicians say?"
"The princess's body is weak. She's suddenly in a new environment and can't quite adapt. She had a night of fever and chills last night and just fell asleep. Should I wake the princess?"
The emperor furrowed his brow slightly. "Forget it, don't wake her. You who serve her, be diligent. Her health is not good, not like before."
"Your servant obeys."
"Assign a physician from the Imperial Medical Academy to guard her," the old emperor commanded. He understood that the Empress Dowager was keeping Xiao Man in the palace to deter his sons, and also to warn the General's Mansion. However, Xiao Man must not have any accidents in the palace, or the Xiao family would inevitably cause trouble.
The father and son of the Xiao family, one guarding Yunzhong City and the other guarding the imperial capital, were both his trusted generals. These two treated Xiao Man as a treasure and the apple of their eye. Keeping Xiao Man in the palace, while it could control the General's Mansion and prevent them from having any ulterior motives, would lead to a difficult situation if Xiao Man had any mishap. Some things had to be made clear to the Empress Dowager.
The emperor left Changle Palace and headed straight for Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager had taken a short nap and, upon hearing of the emperor's arrival, immediately had someone help her dress. "Why has the emperor come?"
"Greetings, Mother Empress."
"Rise quickly," the Empress Dowager gestured for the emperor to sit. A palace servant brought hot tea. "Are you worried about the girl next door?"
"That girl is Xiao Zhen's most prized possession, there can be no mistakes," the emperor said as he drank his tea. "Why did Mother Empress think of keeping her in the palace?"
"Mr. Zhong said he can condition her body and if well cared for, she can live a few more years," the Empress Dowager said earnestly. "This humble one also feels for the girl. She used to be such a lively young lady, and now she's like this. The Great General must be heartbroken looking at her every day."
The emperor nodded. "Lord Xiao has poured his heart and soul into this daughter."
"The Xiao family are meritorious officials of our Yusheng. Since there is a way to condition the girl's body, this humble one thought to offer a small effort. If this girl can be cured, wouldn't the Great General be immensely grateful?"
"Mother Empress is right," the emperor said with a smile. "However, her health is frail. Those who serve her must be careful not to bump or bruise her."
"You can rest assured about that."
Leaving Cining Palace, the smile on the emperor's face faded. Hu Wan followed cautiously. The emperor had basically figured out the Empress Dowager's intentions. However, he also did not wish for Xiao Man to have any relationship with his imperial princes, so he gave her a favor that went with the flow.
"Your Majesty, shall we return to the Imperial Study?"
"Go to Weiyang Palace," the emperor said softly. "I haven't seen the Empress in several days. Let's go visit the Empress."
"Yes."