Shocking! The actress was dragged to the regent's bedchamber every night.

The faint calls of birds could be heard from the distant mountains.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Chen finally released her.

He stepped back slightly, but his arm was still around her waist to prevent her from sliding down.

He still held her chin, forcing Su Wuli to look up at him.

The man's chest heaved, his eyes still dark, fixed on Su Wuli's misty, tearful eyes.

He gently rubbed his thumb against the red spot on her chin where it had been pinched.

"It tastes alright." His voice was lower and hoarser than before, his breath brushing against her wet, swollen lips. "Not sour."

Su Wuli felt weak all over, leaning against him and panting. Her mind was a mess, and her lips were numb.

Suddenly, something furry brushed against my ankle.

She shuddered, and only then did she regain some consciousness from her near-fainting state.

Su Wuli hurriedly lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him again.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around his shirt, but then she realized what was happening and quickly let go.

After the rabbit finished eating the wild fruit, it licked its paw at Su Wuli's ankle.

After a moment, the hand on her waist finally loosened, and the hand that was pinching her chin also let go.

"Go in," he said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Su Wuli didn't even bother to look at the rabbit and practically fled into the tent.

The oil lamps inside the tent have already been lit.

Su Wuli lowered her head, the burning sensation still lingering on her lips.

Recalling how he tasted it, the heat in her ears lingered.

The rabbit had somehow followed us in and was now squatting on the edge of the animal skin.

Yu Chen walked straight to the low table, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it down.

His profile looked somewhat cold and hard under the light.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the tent.

"Is Your Highness inside the tent?" an anxious voice rang out from outside the tent.

Yu Chen paused in putting down his cup, then said calmly, "Come in."

The curtain was suddenly flung open, and the guards walked in.

The person who came in immediately knelt on one knee, his voice trembling.

"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty...His Majesty was attacked and injured on the north slope of the forest."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air inside the tent seemed to freeze.

Su Wuli subconsciously looked up at Yu Chen.

He remained standing beside the low table, his posture upright, without even raising an eyebrow.

The dim light fell on his face, illuminating an indifferent expression.

It was as if what I heard was just a routine report, without even the slightest hint of surprise.

The guard knelt on the ground, his head bowed even lower, not daring to breathe, waiting for the Emperor's instructions.

Faint sounds came from outside the tent, as if many people had come upon hearing the news, but they only dared to stay outside and did not dare to enter.

Yu Chen finally made a move.

He picked up the soft cloth he had just used and slowly wiped his fingers, his movements unhurried.

He then looked up at the guards on the ground.

"Speak," he said calmly.

The guard lowered his head even further, speaking rapidly with a trembling voice, still shaken.

"Yes, Your Majesty led your troops to chase a deer. When they entered the old forest on the north slope, the deer suddenly attacked from both sides of the hillside. Your Majesty's horse was startled on the spot, and you almost fell off..."

Su Wuli listened, her brows furrowing slightly.

The guard took a breath and continued.

"Fortunately, the commander of the Imperial Guards reacted quickly, but the arrow followed immediately. His Majesty was struck in the left shoulder by an arrow, that arrow..."

The guard paused, then gritted his teeth and reported, "The arrow was deeply embedded."

The only sound inside the tent was the hurried voice of the guards.

Su Wuli glanced at Yu Chen subconsciously, only to see that he was just listening silently, without even moving his eyes.

"There were five assassins in total, all dressed in ordinary civilian clothes. They fought with a reckless style and went straight for His Majesty."

The guard's voice was dry. "Three were killed on the spot, and two were captured alive. The survivor had poison in his teeth and tried to commit suicide, but his jaw was dislocated. He's being held there now, awaiting the prince's decision."

Su Wuli's mind was buzzing as she listened.

This scene felt so familiar to her...

Yu Chen remained unmoved after hearing this.

He picked up the soft cloth and wiped his hands with it, as if it were covered in invisible dust.

"What did the imperial physician say?"

"The imperial physicians are doing their best to treat His Majesty, but he remains unconscious, talking incoherently, and his forehead is burning hot..."

The guard's voice trailed off, "The imperial physician said the poison resembles one used by the northern barbarians; it takes effect quickly and is extremely dangerous..."

Yu Chen grunted in acknowledgment, tossed the cloth back onto the low table, and strode out.

He paused for a moment as he passed by Su Wuli.

Su Wuli met his gaze, and he paused for a moment before speaking, "I'm going out for a bit."

"...Oh." She nodded slightly.

Seeing him lift the curtain and go out, she subconsciously followed to the door and opened it a crack.

Outside, torches blazed brightly, and Yu Chen stood before that light, his black robes almost blending into the night.

An elderly official in his robes approached, whispering something rapidly, his face covered in sweat.

The people surrounding the area all had their eyes on Yu Chen's back.

Those gazes contained fear, but even more so, a cautious scrutiny and suspicion.

Several pairs of eyes exchanged glances before quickly looking away.

As Su Wuli watched the man's retreating figure, that strange feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

After listening to the old minister's words, Yu Chen remained silent, only raising his hand.

All the whispers around them vanished instantly.

He then mounted his horse, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd, his calm demeanor sending chills down one's spine.

Those he saw hurriedly lowered their heads.

Someone seemed to want to go up and say something.

But when Yu Chen glanced at him, the man's Adam's apple bobbed, and he ultimately swallowed his words back.

Yu Chen pulled on the reins, turned the horse around, and slowly headed north.

The guards followed, carrying torches.

The remaining people stood there, and after a while, the chatter resumed, even louder than before.

Su Wuli lowered the curtain and retreated into the tent.

The rabbit had somehow scurried up to her feet again, its head tilted back.

She squatted down and petted the rabbit.

But his mind was still replaying the guard's words and the suspicious looks from the people outside.

Every detail of the assassination was meticulously planned.

Yu Chen... didn't even raise an eyebrow when he heard about the young emperor's poisoning and assassination attempt.

It seems he... already knew.

The thought sent a chill down Su Wuli's spine.

She sat on the animal skin, hugging her knees, watching the flickering flame of the oil lamp.