Now, the Imperial Dragon guards had vanished into thin air.

Fortunately, the marriage had already been arranged. She didn’t want to say more, lest the court would overwhelmingly support the Regent, leaving her embarrassed. Moreover, since Chu Zhaoyou had entered the hall with Xiao Heng, she feared he might disrupt the proceedings. She left the morning court in a fit of anger.

With the Empress Dowager’s departure, the carefully prepared morning court lost its significance. Xiao Heng’s hasty appearance was to publicly announce the cancellation of the marriage.

Even though the Regent was absent, his subordinates had been stationed outside the general’s residence. Xie Chaoyun’s daughter was well protected, and Zhang Huiji had no way to take the nominal Crown Princess back to his country.

The court faced an awkward situation. Both the Empress Dowager and the Regent had left, and the validity of the marriage was now in question.

Xiao Heng had been missing for three days and had a pile of matters to handle. He hurried to the morning court to announce the annulment of the marriage, without even having sorted out what had happened during his absence.

Following the Empress Dowager’s departure, Chu Zhaoyou watched as Xiao Hei left without a hint of nostalgia, and his heart sank to the bottom.

“Regent, please wait,” Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t help but speak. “I heard that you have not been feeling well recently. I wonder if you are doing better now?”

Xiao Heng turned to look at Chu Zhaoyou with a puzzled expression. Upon hearing the latter part of his question, his face darkened abruptly, and he strode out of the Hall of Governmental Affairs.

“No need for Your Majesty to worry,” he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm, and his gaze completely unfamiliar.

Chu Zhaoyou smiled to himself. He felt that he knew Xiao Hei’s decision.

The old man had said, “It’s not that easy to forget. If he truly forgets everything, it’s because he doesn’t want to remember.”

Since the Regent didn’t want to be a supportive brother, Chu Zhaoyou could only retreat from the position of an irreconcilable ruler and subject.

“If you have no intention, then I will retire,” he thought to himself.

Chu Zhaoyou remained composed as he sat on the dragon throne, while the courtiers below began to stir, seemingly eager to return home. The Emperor, however, showed no signs of hurrying to dismiss the court.

The ordinary courtiers had nothing to say to the Emperor. With the Regent acting as the Chief Secretary, a position that was originally just a nominal role, all matters of the six ministries were reported to the Regent.

What could the courtiers discuss with the Emperor? Were they supposed to discuss the latest developments at the Spring Opera House this month?

There had been attempts by the neutral faction to report on state affairs to the Emperor, but they were always cut off. The Emperor would start yawning and ask about trivial matters related to opera.

Chu Zhaoyou took note of their reactions and smiled, “Would anyone care to explain to me what this marriage alliance is all about?”

The courtiers hesitated for a moment before selecting someone to provide a detailed account.

Chu Zhaoyou assessed that this person was aligned with the Regent, as their words leaned towards annulment. He didn’t want to rely solely on one-sided information and glanced at Eunuch Xue.

Eunuch Xue objectively summarized the Empress Dowager’s recent decisions over the past two days. He had to remain impartial, as no matter which side the Emperor stood on, he would offend the other.

“Your Majesty, as you are feeling unwell, why not have a royal physician come and take a look?” Eunuch Xue could only hint to the Emperor not to interfere, as it wouldn’t end well.

Chu Zhaoyou made a decision, “Inform the Crown Prince to stay for two more days. When I left the palace, I encountered a reclusive physician who gave me a prescription. Once the hospital prepares the medicine, bring it back to the Yuexu empire and deliver it to the ruler on my behalf.”

The courtiers’ expressions varied. Was the Emperor deliberately opposing the Regent? Was he intentionally bestowing a title upon Xie Chaoyun’s daughter to represent the imperial family in the marriage alliance? But why did he stop General Lu Huai from taking the imperial Dragon guards from the Regent earlier?

As they met Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes, they suddenly realized that after three days, they no longer understood the Emperor.

“General Lu, since you have made a rare appearance, please stay in the palace for a few days before returning to the military,” Chu Zhaoyou said with a smile. “The court is dismissed.”

The forced smile lasted for less than three seconds. After the courtiers left, Chu Zhaoyou stood up from the dragon throne and limped down the steps.

His slender figure was wrapped in a bright yellow dragon robe, exuding a youthful aura. As he walked out of the hall, he saw the blue sky enclosed by the brick-red palace walls. In a corner of the palace wall, there was a hundred-year-old gingko tree, its golden leaves resembling a cluster of burning flames. As the breeze blew, the leaves shimmered like flickering golden light.

Chu Zhaoyou blinked hard, raised his hands, and looked up at the top of the gingko tree.

“Please, Eunuch, I need some time alone,” Chu Zhaoyou said.

Eunuch Xue stopped trying to persuade Chu Zhaoyou to see the royal physician and watched the Emperor’s retreating figure with a touch of concern.

Chu Zhaoyou remained silent. He dared not see the physician. There were too many prying eyes in the palace, and if any unfavorable news were to spread, his position as Emperor would be at risk.

“I’m feeling better,” Chu Zhaoyou declared.

Chu Zhaoyou was both bold and protective of himself. He had never been fond of drama, but his beloved grandfather had wanted him to learn it, so he had devoted himself to studying it for over a decade. After crossing over to this world, with his grandfather no longer around, Chu Zhaoyou had readily given up drama without any attachment.

When he arrived here, Xiao Hei had been the first to treat him well. He had considered Xiao Hei as one of his own, and he was willing to make sacrifices for him. However, if Xiao Hei no longer acknowledged their interactions over the past three days, then Chu Zhaoyou would simply pretend that he had never met Xiao Hei and get to know the Regent anew.

A gust of wind blew, causing the green-stemmed gingko leaves to fall. The golden leaves fluttered down like rain, and the tender grass that had just sprouted in the cracks of the bricks was instantly bent and overturned.

Chu Zhaoyou wandered aimlessly in the palace, intending to find Lu Huai to ask for help. Suddenly, he ran into Xiao Heng at the western gate.

This was the first time Chu Zhaoyou had escaped from the palace through this gate, and now he was back. With the Regent watching him like a hawk, Chu Zhaoyou turned to leave.

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Heng called out to him.