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The Empress Dowager issued her decree: “Very well, then proceed as planned.”
Lady Cui dared not argue and could only nod in agreement.
After all, Miss Mu Shengsheng was terminally ill—she would live only a couple more days. Once she passed, they could retrieve her body; it wasn’t impossible. It was just unfortunate that they wouldn’t be buried together.
Far away at the Regency Prince’s mansion, Mu Shengsheng suddenly covered her mouth and nose, sneezing.
Xuanji quickly stepped forward. “Miss, are you alright?”
Mu Shengsheng shook her head.
Watching her drag her frail body, bustling about in the kitchen, Xuanji asked curiously, “Miss Mu, there are plenty of cooks in the Regency Prince’s mansion. Whatever you wish to eat, just order it—you don’t need to cook yourself.”
Mu Shengsheng said eagerly, “This is for the Regency Prince.”
“…” Xuanji smiled wryly, reluctant to discourage her. “His Highness is staying in the palace tonight. He won’t return.”
The ladle in her hand fell immediately. Mu Shengsheng’s eyes widened in shock. “What? He’s not coming back?”
Then all her efforts today—cooking all those dishes—were for whom?
More importantly, if she didn’t see Lan Xun, how could she extend her life?
Tomorrow was the Mid-Year Festival, also her sixteenth birthday.
Not only had her parents not returned, but now even Lan Xun wouldn’t come. How could she survive?
In the imperial palace, the ancestral ceremony ended early due to a disturbance.
When Lan Xun emerged from the hall, there were traces of blood on his clothes.
The emperor anxiously asked, “Royal Uncle, are you injured?”
Lan Xun brushed his sleeve. “It’s nothing—a mere scratch.”
The emperor’s face was full of indignation. “These assassins are outrageously daring! In the heavily guarded palace, they dare attempt to strike at me! Luckily, Royal Uncle intercepted them—otherwise, it would have been me who got hurt today!”
Lan Xun sneered inwardly. These assassins weren’t targeting the emperor at all—their aim had been him from the start!
Taking advantage of the crowd at the ceremony, the assassins had mingled with the imperial guards, hidden arrows ready. The first arrow was aimed at the emperor but missed. The second arrow flew straight for Lan Xun’s heart—but he reacted swiftly, pinpointed the attacker, and dodged, suffering only a minor arm scrape.
Lan Xun’s position and power were high, but so were his enemies—countless people wanted him dead.
What surprised him most was that they dared act so boldly, even during a palace ceremony.
For the assassins to enter the palace, they must have had exceptional backing.
Unfortunately, once the assassination failed, the attacker immediately took his own life, leaving no chance for Lan Xun to interrogate him.
Lan Xun fixed his gaze on the emperor. “Your Majesty, rest assured—I will personally uncover the mastermind behind this and deliver justice to you.”
Though polite, everyone’s thoughts differed.
Lan Xun knew very well this matter was connected to the young emperor before him.
The emperor was growing, wings becoming stronger; Lan Xun did not believe the emperor had no ambition to seize power.
On the surface, the court appeared harmonious, but in reality, it was deeply divided. One faction supported the Regency Prince maintaining power, led by Lan Xun’s allies. The other faction wanted the Regency Prince to relinquish power so the emperor could personally rule, led by the Empress Dowager and the Duke of Zhen’guo.
There were also neutral parties, like the rebellious Duke of Xuanwu, Mu Pingchuan, who disapproved of the Regency Prince’s autocracy but also felt the emperor was too young to handle affairs alone. He offended both sides.
Later, Lan Xun returned to his temporary residence in the palace, where the imperial physician bandaged his wound.
“It’s only a superficial scratch, with some blood,” the physician said. “Your Highness should rest; you will recover soon.”
“Thank you.”
After sending the physician away, Tianshu hesitated and asked, “Your Highness, with your injury… will you visit the mansion tomorrow?”
Lan Xun raised his eyes, showing slight impatience. “Has Miss Mu Shengsheng sent another message?”
Tianshu replied truthfully, “Miss Mu said tomorrow is her birthday and requests Your Highness to visit the mansion.”
That Mu Shengsheng—she had sent several messages already: one moment about the food she had cooked, another about her health, now about her birthday.
He had made himself clear; why did she still not understand? Did she truly intend to push him to expel her before accepting reality?
Meanwhile, in the Regency Prince’s mansion, Lingxi Courtyard, as dusk approached, Mu Shengsheng had been anxiously waiting but still had no news of Lan Xun visiting.
Leaning her head on her hand on the soft couch, she looked listless and sorrowful.
It seemed Lan Xun truly disliked her; he didn’t even visit his own residence to avoid her.
Xuanji urged, “Miss, the food will get cold. Eat something first. His Highness has given no news; it seems he won’t come tomorrow either.”
Mu Shengsheng had no appetite and sighed. “I won’t eat. You all can share it so nothing goes to waste.”
Yesterday, she had forced herself to cook, hoping to please Lan Xun. Today, she didn’t even have the strength to eat.
Xuanji was frightened; the Regency Prince had only been gone two days, yet Mu Shengsheng’s condition worsened by the hour—pale and motionless, like a living corpse.
Xuanji crouched beside her, full of pity. “Miss, should I fetch a doctor?”
Earlier, she had suggested this, but Mu Shengsheng had refused.
She knew her condition well; aside from Lan Xun, no doctor could save her.
Shaking her head, she said, “I’m fine. Go check if the Regency Prince has arrived.”
Xuanji’s heart ached. Even now, Mu Shengsheng thought only of Lan Xun!
She reluctantly got up to check.
Just as she reached the door, a chilling aura swept over her. Looking up, she saw a man in royal prince robes, standing with hands behind his back, radiating nobility.
Xuanji quickly stepped aside, bowing. “Your servant greets the Regency Prince.”
Lan Xun entered expressionless.
Hearing that Lan Xun had arrived, Mu Shengsheng’s face lit up. Shaky and weak, she propped herself up with trembling arms.
Looking up at him, it was as if she saw a lifesaving deity, her eyes glittering. “Your Highness… you finally came…”
Her longing was mingled with slight grievance.
Two days had passed, yet it felt like an eternity to her.
Lan Xun remained indifferent. “I agreed to three days’ time. Pack your things; tomorrow you leave the Regency Prince’s mansion.”
Mu Shengsheng’s smile froze. She had thought he had softened and come to see her—but he was sending her away?
He truly was cold and heartless.