However, Lin Yan had not expected that before she could figure out a way to find An'an, someone serving him would come to find her first.
"Young Master Lin." The person who arrived was An'an's personal maid, who was also a confidante of Prince Yingchuan and his wife, placed specifically by An'an's side to care for him.
"What is it?" Lin Yan was quite familiar with her and knew that something must have happened with An'an when she saw her approaching.
"The protective charm you gave him has shattered," she said, her expression grave, her eyes betraying hidden worry.
The protective charm given to An'an was carved by Lin Yan from a jade seed. Under normal circumstances, it would not shatter easily.
When Lin Yan handed the protective charm to An'an, she had already told him that if it ever shattered, he must inform her immediately.
She just hadn't expected it to shatter so quickly, and that the Emperor had lost all pretense, acting with such brazen disregard for appearances.
Princess Fu An had only recently arrived in the capital and had already made a move. Was she afraid that others wouldn't know it was he who had made the move?
"I'll go see him now," Lin Yan said, preparing to go to An'an.
However, the maid stopped her. "Our mansion is constantly being watched by that person. I had to disguise myself to get out. Young Master Lin, you are the only one who can save the County Princess. You must not let that person discover your existence."
"Then I'll give you a few paper talismans for protection. They should last a few days. After making a move, that person probably won't act again so quickly."
The fact that this person could shatter the protective charm with a single strike meant they were absolutely not comparable to the woman in Prince Yingchuan's mansion.
Although An'an was unharmed this time, since that person was so eager, and seeing that An'an was fine, they would surely act again soon.
"Go back and have An'an feign illness for a few days. I'll write you a prescription, and it will be undetectable. However, you must arrange for me to see him as soon as possible. I need to confirm what that person has done."
"Thank you, Young Master Lin. This servant will arrange for you to see the County Princess as soon as possible."
After receiving the prescription and talismans, the maid departed.
But after she left, Lin Yan could not calm down. A person who could be an Emperor would never be so impetuous. Why would he be so eager to make a move against An'an?
There must be some hidden reason behind this. However, in this world, she had no channels for information and thus no way to uncover the truth. kanδん
But that person's actions would surely alert Prince Yingchuan, and then it would be up to them to investigate what they could find.
The maid quickly and silently returned to Prince Yingchuan's mansion.
"What did Yan ge say?" An'an still had the shattered protective charm in front of him.
This was a gift from Lin Yan, who was arguably his first and only friend.
He had always cherished this protective charm. He hadn't expected it to shatter so soon after arriving in the capital, or rather, after spending just one night in the imperial palace.
He found this hard to accept. He knew that person would make a move against him, but he hadn't anticipated that the protective charm given by Lin Yan would shatter.
Although Lin Yan had given it to him for protection, he felt it was a gift with a special meaning.
Now that the protective charm was broken, how would he face Lin Yan?
"Young Master Lin gave a few paper talismans and a prescription, and said you should feign illness for a few days. He will come to see you as soon as possible."
"Then is he angry?" An'an asked cautiously.
"This is not your fault, Master. How could Young Master Lin be angry?" the maid quickly replied.
"Never mind that. Is Yan ge really not angry?"
"Even if he were angry, it would be with you. Young Master Lin is very worried about you. But Young Master Lin gave you some more protective charms, you should wear them quickly. This servant will put them in your pouch."
She found an exquisitely embroidered pouch and placed the protective charm inside.
"Does Master have to start feigning illness tomorrow?"
"Make the medicine tomorrow. In the evening, go and call for the imperial physician. Remember to make a big fuss," An'an said, taking the pouch and hanging it on his waist.
"Yes."
The next day, Lin Yan went to work as usual, while also carefully inquiring about past events. Being in the Hanlin Academy, she still had some advantages. At least she could access the emperor's daily records.
However, if she were to openly search for them, it would be impossible. So she would have to find an excuse.
Although Lin Yan had settled in at the Hanlin Academy over the past few months, the emperor's attitude had still affected her and Cui Ziyu.
Specifically, some people in the Hanlin Academy had initially looked down on them. Although their attitude had changed somewhat later, it remained rather indifferent.
If she wanted to look at the daily records, it was unlikely that any official would give her such an opportunity.
When Lin Yan arrived at work the next day, she felt that the atmosphere in the entire Hanlin Academy was strange.
Especially since Lin Yan was not qualified to attend court, but when she arrived at the Hanlin Academy, she found that the officials who should have been at the morning court were all seated at their desks.
When Lin Yan arrived at the usual time, the hall was already packed.
"What happened?" Lin Yan whispered to Cui Ziyu. She really needed her own information channels, otherwise, she would be no different from a blind and deaf person.
"Yesterday afternoon, Princess Fu An fell ill. All the imperial physicians, both inside and outside the palace, attended to her, but none could alleviate her symptoms. The Emperor is said to have been so worried that he didn't sleep all night, so today's morning court was canceled."
"Princess Fu An? Is she the legitimate daughter of Prince Yingchuan whom the Emperor summoned by decree not long ago?" Lin Yan asked curiously, showing no sign that she had any prior connection with Princess Fu An.
"Yes, that's the legitimate daughter of Prince Yingchuan. It is said that she has been frail since childhood and has only just begun to recover."
"Then why did the Emperor summon her to the capital?"
"The imperial decree stated it was to allow the young County Princess to recuperate in the capital." Cui Ziyu gave Lin Yan a look that warned her not to ask too many questions, and then added, "This is the Emperor's family matter. It's best we don't know too much."
It seemed that many aristocratic families knew the details of this matter, but Lin Yan, from a humble background, lacked these information channels.
An'an's feigned illness would surely reassure the Emperor. If they could find the person who cast the spell, it would be even better, a permanent solution.
Lin Yan showed a look of understanding and stopped asking. In any case, she already knew everyone's attitude towards this matter. Since everyone found An'an's illness suspicious, the Emperor could not act more blatantly.
As long as the actions were not overt, she could help him defend against any hidden attacks.
Lin Yan did not inquire further about the matter and instead diligently completed the tasks assigned to her by her superior.