Wen Yuesheng paid no attention to Xiao Jin’s expression and walked straight through the long corridor into the side hall.

The palace banquet had lasted a long time, and the hall had been reserved for the womenfolk to rest.

Fewer people came to the side hall, mostly concubines with low status or those not favored at home, and they were all young women.

Xiao Jin had not married for a long time.

The Empress had been hosting successive banquets with the intention of selecting a concubine from these women.

Now that Xiao Jin had left, many felt a sense of disappointment.

The lively atmosphere in the hall faded, and the women in the side hall, most of whom were of low birth, would usually avoid crossing paths with Wen Yuesheng when they saw her. Seeing her enter, they did not dare to speak.

Wen Yuesheng’s expression was calm. After sitting down, she ordered someone to bring some sandalwood, lit a stick, and leaned back on the bench in the hall, closing her eyes.

She always felt particularly tired after copying Buddhist scriptures.

When Zhao Mama turned around, she saw that Wen Yuesheng had already fallen asleep, which left her momentarily stunned.

Gu Yu gently covered her with a blanket and waited by her side.

“I always feel like since the confinement was lifted, the princess has changed,” Zhao Mama murmured.

“I think the princess is doing quite well now,” Gu Yu replied, tucking the blanket around her without turning her head.

Zhao Mama thought for a moment and realized that their lives had indeed improved considerably recently, so she dismissed the thought and no longer dwelled on it.

The two quietly stayed by Wen Yuesheng’s side, but unexpectedly, Wen Yuesheng slept for a long time.

By the time the sun began to set and the heat of the day had waned, the palace seemed somewhat chilly.

At this moment, a palace servant came in to report that everyone was to move back to the main palace.

Gu Yu was still hesitating whether to wake Wen Yuesheng when a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

Zhao Mama returned from outside and whispered, “The heir to the Marquis of Zhongyong is here.”

Gu Yu froze for a moment.

The Zhongyong Marquis’ family had been noble for generations, and the current Marquis was an important minister in the court, highly favored by the Emperor.

Unfortunately, the Marquis had only one son, who was mentally impaired.

Because he was the only heir, the Zhongyong Marquis’ family treated the young heir with utmost care, especially the old lady of the family, who cherished him as her own life.

She provided him with the best food and drink, and over time, the heir, though mentally impaired, grew very strong and was like a small mountain in terms of physical power.

His strength often led him to clash with nobles.

The Zhongyong Marquis’ family valued him above all else. During regular banquets, the noblewomen would avoid him.

The Marquis’ family rarely allowed him into the palace, but for some reason, they had brought him today.

“You should wake the princess quickly; it’s cold here, and she might catch a chill,” Zhao Mama said.

Gu Yu hurriedly nodded, about to wake Wen Yuesheng, when a sharp voice from outside rang out—”The Emperor has arrived!”

Everyone in the side hall was startled.

Gu Yu looked up and saw the Emperor, accompanied by a group of ministers, walking down the dark corridor towards the hall.

Yan Ling, whom they had seen earlier in the morning, was also among them.

Several princes and the Wei siblings, even Wen Yurou, followed closely behind.

The Emperor’s presence signified that something unusual was going on, especially since it was a day of rest.

“…The Kingdom of Haoxiu has grown stronger over the years. Every year, they cause disturbances at the border, and the people there have suffered greatly. But today, they suddenly sent a letter asking for peace and even requested to marry Princess Dahui…”

Several senior ministers were both surprised and pleased.

The Emperor smiled, casting a glance at Yan Ling.

Having been away from the capital for three months, it was clear that there was more to it than just prayers and offerings.

The ministers, having served in the court for many years, could easily understand the Emperor’s hint.

They were immediately astonished, exclaiming, “It turns out this is thanks to Master Yan!”

“Master Yan has quietly accomplished such great merit, making us all feel ashamed.”

“The Kingdom of Haoxiu had been so arrogant. I wonder how Master Yan managed to…?”

Yan Ling’s expression remained calm, and his tone was as indifferent as ever.

The people here were used to his demeanor, yet still, they were eager to show their respect.

At his age and with his accomplishments, he was truly a rare talent not only in the capital but across the entire country.

Several ministers with unmarried daughters were particularly moved.

The princes were even more unsettled.

If not for the fact that Yan Guifei had not yet produced an heir, the position of Crown Prince would likely have already been settled by now.

Thinking of this, the desire to win Yan Ling’s favor grew stronger.

The Emperor led the group as they continued talking and walking. Upon entering the corridor, they saw many people gathered near the lakeside palace.

The Emperor paused and asked, “Is there a palace banquet today?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, it is a private banquet hosted by the Empress.”

The Emperor nodded, planning to lead everyone to another palace.

Just then, a sudden change occurred.

The once lively palace was suddenly filled with people, mostly womenfolk.

A sudden, piercing scream echoed through the palace, its sharpness unsettling.

Xiao Jin’s face darkened, and he ordered that the people trying to flee be stopped. He then asked in a deep voice, “What happened?”

The woman who had been stopped was pale with fear.

She trembled as she replied, “The heir of the Marquis’s residence suddenly went mad and bit several people in the palace.”

Standing behind the emperor, the Marquis’s expression changed drastically.

The news of Prince Haozhou seeking peace had spread to the capital, prompting the emperor to summon them to the palace for an audience.

In recent days, the marquis’s wife and mother had arranged a marriage for their mentally unstable son, and they had gone to Tian Ci Temple to meet the prospective bride.

Worrying about his son, the marquis decided to bring the heir to the palace with him, thinking it would only take a moment, and ordered his staff to take good care of him.

But within that short time, such an incident had occurred.

The windows of the palace hall around the lake were all open, and from their vantage point, they could clearly see what was happening inside.

The Marquis immediately spotted his frenzied son, and his face turned deathly pale.

“Someone! Quickly go and stop the heir!” Xiao Jin shouted loudly.

There were many palace guards, but the long corridor was narrow, and with the emperor and his entourage blocking the way, they were delayed.

Meanwhile, the heir, Zhang Yulin of the Marquis’s residence, had already broken into a side hall.

He was in a violent frenzy, his eyes bloodshot and his strength overwhelming. In just two blows, he smashed a table into pieces.

The women inside the side hall were terrified and screamed, desperately trying to avoid him.

One woman, dressed in an apricot yellow gown, was knocked down by a maid while fleeing.

“Ah!” She fell to the ground, and Zhang Yulin pounced on her, biting her arm.

Blood dripped from her arm, staining her gown and pooling on the floor.

Her face turned pale, and she trembled uncontrollably, unable to even struggle due to the intense pain.

Pinned to the ground by Zhang Yulin, she was about to be bitten on the chest.

Zhou Manniang, on the verge of collapse, could not evade him.

At that moment, a flash of white caught her eye.

A white skirt corner passed by, and Zhang Yulin was forcefully pulled off her.

Zhou Manniang stood frozen in place, unable to react in time, as she saw Zhang Yulin, with eyes red and veins bulging, charging toward them with all his strength.

The palace guards had already entered the hall but were still some distance from the side hall.

The person standing before her was even thinner than herself.

In despair, Zhou Manniang closed her eyes.

Then, she heard a loud crash and quickly opened her eyes.

What she saw in that instant would haunt her for life.

Wen Yuesheng stood at the side door of the side hall, and Zhang Yulin, mad with rage, charged at her.

Zhang Yulin’s bulky body made the palace, which was built over the lake, shake with each step.

He lunged towards Wen Yuesheng with a loud roar.

But Wen Yuesheng merely sidestepped, avoiding his attack.

Zhou Manniang couldn’t even see her movement clearly, but she watched as Wen Yuesheng, under the gaze of everyone, with countless astonished exclamations, kicked Zhang Yulin straight into the lake.

Bang!

A loud splash.

Everyone froze, stunned in place.

The entire corridor went silent.

Wen Xun was completely frozen.

What had he just seen?

Wen Yuesheng kicked Zhang Yulin into the lake?

Even the emperor was dumbfounded.

Wen Yuesheng had her back to them, and everyone had assumed that she would be knocked into the lake when Zhang Yulin charged at her.

But she avoided him.

After that, the guards who had rushed in were almost there and would have subdued Zhang Yulin with little effort.

Even the Marquis, who was behind the emperor, let out a sigh of relief.

But instead, Wen Yuesheng raised her foot and directly kicked him into the lake.

The emperor: …

“Why are you standing there in a daze? Save him! Quickly, save my son!” Marquis cried out.

His shout woke many from their stupor, and the palace guards, like fish jumping into water, dove into the lake, quickly finding Zhang Yulin.

However, the guards who jumped in first could not drag his body out.

After great effort, five guards finally managed to lift him from the lake.

When Zhang Yulin was brought up, his eyes were tightly shut, and his face was pale.

Wen Xun’s expression turned dark.

If Zhang Yulin had died in the lake today, it was likely that the next day, they would see him exiled three thousand miles away.

The emperor regained his senses and furiously shouted, “Call the Imperial Physician!”

He took two steps forward, then abruptly stopped and turned back to angrily say, “Bring Princess Sining here!”

The people beside him exchanged complex glances.

Inside the hall, Zhao Momo’s face was full of shock, while Gu Yu, trying to suppress her fear, helped Zhou Manniang, who had fallen, back on her feet.

Zhou Manniang’s eyes were red, and her gaze landed on Wen Yuesheng.

As for Wen Yuesheng…

She was washing her hands.

Her movements were slow and gentle, her gaze lowered, making her emotions impossible to read.

The white jade Buddha head on her neck had fallen out from her collar and now rested outside.

She seemed to carefully clean her fingers before raising her head.

Gu Yu handed her a silk handkerchief.

As she wiped her hands dry, Gu Yu still hadn’t recovered from the shock. Just moments ago, she had felt a chill run through her body, her skin crawling with fear.

But now, upon thinking back, it didn’t seem to be because of Zhang Yulin.

It was only a very brief moment.

Gu Yu lightly patted her chest, thinking that she must have been startled by the sudden change, which caused her to feel uneasy.

Wen Yuesheng wiped the water off her hands, then raised her eyes, which now appeared clear and calm.

“Princess, the emperor has summoned you for questioning.”

“I understand.” Wen Yuesheng discarded the handkerchief and walked forward.

She was led to another palace, and before long, she heard Wen Xun’s voice.

“… She’s become more and more uncontrollable, daring to do anything!”

“… Even so, she should not have kicked the heir into the lake. If something were to happen to him…”

Wen Yuesheng gently twirled the Buddhist beads in her hand, her expression unchanged.

It indeed shouldn’t have been done.

If she hadn’t been transcribing the Buddhist scriptures today, Zhang Yulin might have already been dead.

Suddenly, a box appeared before her.

Wen Yuesheng looked up, meeting a pair of eyes obscured in mist.

Yan Ling spoke softly, “The white jade Buddha beads offered at Daping Mountain Temple.”

Seeing that she didn’t respond, he added, “No one has used them yet.”

The box opened before her, revealing the white jade Buddha beads, which shimmered with a soft glow.