Guo Kai had originally thought that the Emperor held a special regard for Prince Jin, but since the Emperor had awakened from a nightmare last month, he had become distant towards Prince Jin and had not visited the inner palace again, his attitude becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Originally, the Emperor had planned to have Prince Jin lead the southern inspection tour, but for some unknown reason, he suddenly changed his mind and decided to go himself. 

Consort Shu had already spread the word in the palace that Prince Jin would be leading the southern inspection tour.

The Emperor’s change of plans caused Consort Shu to lose face. However, the Emperor was unyielding, and even though Consort Shu had pleaded for a long time, he didn’t change his mind.

The other concubines in the palace took this opportunity to mock her, angering Consort Shu so much that she feigned illness and refused visitors, and Prince Jin was also attacked by his brothers in court. 

Guo Kai sighed, feeling that he was indeed getting old; he couldn’t even guess the Emperor’s thoughts anymore. 

“Your Majesty, the wind is strong on the river. Please come inside and rest,” he persuaded. 

But the Emperor gazed intently at the distant river, lost in thought, only asking, “How much longer until we reach Jiangnan Dao?” 

“At this speed, it will take about three or four more days,” Guo Kai had noticed during the journey that although the Emperor said it was a southern inspection tour, he seemed particularly eager to reach Jiangnan Dao.

The Emperor had been on the throne for many years and had visited Jiangnan more than once. He wondered what had piqued the Emperor’s interest this time. 

“Three or four more days.” The Emperor closed his eyes and sighed, as if even three or four days were too long, impatient to reach Jiangnan immediately. The next moment, he ordered, “Increase speed. I want to reach Jiangnan within two days.” 

Guo Kai opened his mouth, trying to dissuade him. Although the Yi River was calm in the Jiangnan section, increasing speed would inevitably pose risks. After much hesitation, considering the Emperor’s decisive nature, he gave up and could only order the navy to strengthen patrols. 

After Guo Kai left, Chen Dingyao gazed at the river for a long time before slowly uttering a name. 

“Chan Zhen…” 

Chen Dingyao didn’t expect that when he opened his eyes, he had been reborn back to the nineteenth year of Zhaohua. Overjoyed but fearful that it was all a dream, he sent people to secretly investigate Chan Zhen’s whereabouts in Jiangnan before finally feeling relieved. 

In his previous life, he had intended to make Prince Jin the crown prince, so he had Prince Jin lead the southern inspection tour.

Chan Zhen was presented to Prince Jin by the local magistrate when he passed through Jiangnan Dao and then returned to the capital to become a concubine in Prince Jin’s mansion. Chen Dingyao had first met Chan Zhen three months later. 

Prince Jin’s favor towards Chan Zhen had displeased Consort Shu, so Consort Shu had summoned Chan Zhen to the palace and had her punished. On that day, he happened to go to Consort Shu’s palace and saw Chan Zhen kneeling under the sun.

The sun was scorching hot. Her cheeks were sunburned, her clothes wet with sweat, and she was barely able to kneel steadily, yet she still forced herself to kowtow to him.

Looking down at her, he saw her slender waist, barely a handspan around, trembling under his gaze. He suddenly felt pity and rescued her. 

At first, he thought she was one of the concubines in his palace whom he hadn’t yet favored. Only later, after learning her identity from Consort Shu, did he realize his mistake.

If it had only been that one encounter, he might not have become so obsessed, so determined to possess her. 

Prince Jin doted on her, taking her with him on hunts and tours. He watched from afar as she looked at Prince Jin with dependence, happily throwing herself into his arms, her eyes shining like stars.

It reminded him of the fawn he had missed in the mountains when he was a child hunting with his father. A strong sense of resentment grew within him. 

He had to have her, at any cost. 

“Haha.” He looked down at his palm, clenching it tightly, as if he could hold her forever in his hand, “Chan Zhen, you said our relationship was ill-fated, but I’ve been reborn. Heaven has given me another chance.” 

Recalling her words before she left in his previous life, a pain shot through his chest, love and hatred surging up simultaneously. 

“You loved Yun Yi, you loved Zhao’er, but you were too cruel to me. I was the one who accompanied you the longest and gave the most.” 

But thankfully, this time, she hadn’t yet become Yun Yi’s concubine. It was not too late. In his previous life, she had resented him for violating morality and seizing her. This time, he had gained the upper hand. At least she wouldn’t be as resistant to him as before. 

“Wait for me, Chan Zhen. I can’t wait to see you.” 

The Emperor’s order caused great hardship below. The boat was already traveling fast, and the Emperor wanted to go even faster. If the wind and waves increased, who would be responsible if something went wrong? 

Commander Fang Wen looked distressed, “Eunuch, why don’t you go and persuade His Majesty again?” 

Guo Kai waved his hand, “If I could persuade His Majesty, would I need to ask you? Just do as His Majesty says. Send more skilled sailors to strengthen patrols.” 

“Sigh.” Fang Wen scratched his head. He had worked with Guo Kai for many years and had a good relationship with him. He spoke frankly, “You’ve been by His Majesty’s side the longest. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. His mind changes so quickly.” 

Guo Kai glared at him, “His Majesty’s mind is not something we can guess. Go and keep an eye on the people below. Don’t let me catch any of those who disobey orders and shirk their duties.” 

Fang Wen wasn’t annoyed and leaned in to ask quietly, “I heard that Jiangnan has many beautiful women. Do you think His Majesty is coming for those Jiangnan beauties? He didn’t bring a single concubine on this southern inspection tour. That’s unusual.” 

He had heard that the Emperor hadn’t favored any concubines for over a month before leaving the palace. With this southern inspection tour, the Emperor would likely abstain from intimacy for several months. 

Guo Kai looked around; the servants were all busy and weren’t looking this way. He lowered his voice, “I’m also puzzled.

Before we left, Imperial Concubine Yang pleaded several times, but His Majesty didn’t respond. Those beautiful women were all eagerly waiting. Seeing even a new favorite like Imperial Concubine Yang being rejected, they gave up.” 

He had initially worried that His Majesty might be ill, but he had accidentally heard His Majesty’s sounds a few times at night from outside the bed curtains, and it seemed that His Majesty was still vigorous.

After much thought, he guessed that His Majesty was tired of the old women in the palace and wanted to find some new faces outside.