The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Wu Tian sighed, thinking that he had served His Majesty for decades and knew his master's temperament all too well.

Normally she is aloof and self-possessed, but once she gets involved with the body of the woman from Qingyi Palace, her self-control completely collapses, and she makes a bigger fuss each time.

He forced himself to ignore the sounds inside, calmly considering how to intimidate the servants of Qingyi Palace, whether any of the Empress's people were present, and how to silence them...

Wu Tian pondered and looked up at Granny Yan, who was standing respectfully with her hands at her sides not far away.

Granny Yan felt his gaze, looked up to meet his eyes, then lowered her head again. She felt no surprise, only an understanding that it was indeed the case.

During the past month, she had been serving Shen Qingruo closely, bathing and dressing her, and instructing her in dance, and had long since noticed something was amiss.

Her Highness the princess looked as usual, but certain aspects of her demeanor clearly indicated that she was not a virgin who had never experienced sexual relations.

In this deep palace, who else but the Supreme Being in the Taiji Hall could have the ability to defile the princess and keep it a secret?

Granny Yan took half a step forward, her voice so low that only Wu Tian could hear her:

"Chief Steward Wu, today at the Linhua Terrace, the marriage between the Eldest Princess and the Heir Apparent of the Duke of Zhenguo was just finalized. It seems that Her Majesty will be inviting the Empress to discuss the matter."

Wu Tian suddenly realized, "Oh, right! How could I have forgotten about that!"

The Empress must be overjoyed at this moment, waiting to share this joy with His Majesty.

If the people from Jiaofang Palace were to break in and discover that His Majesty was not in Taiji Palace at all, but was in Qingyi Palace favoring Princess Qingruo, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Wu Tian glanced gratefully at Granny Yan and said in a low voice, "Thank you for reminding me, Granny."

He immediately beckoned to his apprentice, a quick-witted young eunuch, and hurriedly gave the following instructions:

"Quickly go and guard outside the Taiji Hall. Take our most capable men and make sure to keep a close watch on all the entrances."

"Remember, no one is allowed to enter without His Majesty's order! Especially those from the Jiaofang Palace."

"If anyone asks, just say that His Majesty drank wine, had a headache, and went to bed early, and will not see anyone."

"Yes, Master!" The young eunuch's expression hardened, and he hurriedly left to carry out his orders.

As Wu Tian watched his apprentice's retreating figure, his heart remained filled with unease.

He turned to look at Granny Yan and said with a wry smile, "Granny, what do you think of this..."

Granny Yan remained calm and simply said:

"Steward Wu also heard the commotion inside. Although the princess is weak, His Majesty is still very busy. It will probably take some more time. Steward, you should make plans as soon as possible."

As if to confirm her words, the princess's broken sobs suddenly echoed from the inner palace, chilling to the bone.

Wu Tian felt a chill run down his spine and dared not listen any longer, hoping only that his apprentice would be quick enough.

-

As expected, Granny Yan's predictions were spot on.

Not long after Wu Tian's apprentice and his men arrived outside the Taiji Hall, Emerald, the head maid of the Jiaofang Palace, led two junior maids and gracefully approached carrying a food box.

"Miss Jade." The young eunuch hurriedly stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face, and bowed to block her way.

Emerald frowned slightly: "Is His Majesty inside? Her Majesty the Empress has ordered me to bring some pastries and requests that His Majesty visit the Jiaofang Palace when he has time to discuss the details of the Princess's marriage."

The young eunuch looked embarrassed and said cautiously, "Miss, you've come at an inopportune time. His Majesty drank a few too many cups today and had a headache earlier. He's already rested."

"He specifically instructed that no one should disturb him."

Jade glanced suspiciously at the tightly closed palace doors: "You're resting so early?"

Everyone knows that His Majesty has a good capacity for alcohol, and even when he drinks, he wouldn't normally rest this early.

The young eunuch sighed, looking worried: "Indeed, he must be exhausted from the heavy workload of court affairs these days."

"His Majesty said he was not feeling well before he went to bed, so we servants dared not disturb him."

Jade was skeptical, but seeing that there were indeed several more solemn-faced guards in front of the Taiji Hall, it didn't seem like a lie. Considering His Majesty's respect for the Empress, he wouldn't deliberately refuse, so she nodded.

"In that case, please give these pastries to your father-in-law."

"Once His Majesty awakens, please be sure to convey Her Majesty the Empress's wishes."

"Of course, of course, don't worry, Miss." The young eunuch quickly took the food box, secretly relieved.

Watching Emerald lead her entourage away, the young eunuch wiped the cold sweat from his brow, glanced back in the direction of Qingyi Palace, and silently recited in his heart:

When will this ever end?

If they were exposed, these lackeys wouldn't even have enough heads to go around.