The drowsiness was completely gone.
Yun Shu glanced outside; they had already arrived at the palace gates, where guards were inspecting the carriages.
This was A'Cha's first time entering the palace, a scene she had never dared to imagine.
It was simply too far removed from her reality.
Outwardly, she showed no hint of nervousness.
But Yun Shu could tell A'Cha was anxious.
She reached out and held A'Cha's clasped hands under her sleeve.
"There's no need to be nervous. The palace is no different from the outside, just filled with a few more 'ghosts and monsters'," Yun Shu said with a smile, trying to comfort A'Cha.
A'Cha nodded, blaming herself for being prepared yet feeling a flicker of fear at this moment of entering the palace.
She understood clearly that her fear stemmed from the majesty and opulence of the imperial palace.
And it was a place she had never thought she would be able to step into.
"Miss, please don't worry. Your servant will adapt quickly," A'Cha whispered, reassuring Yun Shu.
She couldn't disgrace her young lady.
When entering the palace, her young lady had specially disguised her.
Now, she looked utterly unremarkable, with nothing to draw attention.
No one would recognize her.
In truth, even without the disguise, her original appearance wasn't particularly memorable, and even in front of those few people, they would surely have forgotten who she was. However, her scars were visible, and in the palace, people might become curious.
With the disguise, she had even fewer worries.
Seeing A'Cha's emotions ease, Yun Shu focused her thoughts. Zhan Ming had hidden Gu Xiao Feng, undoubtedly intending to use him again.
The two great deviants in the capital had already been dealt with, and now there were no other significant deviants for Zhan Ming to manipulate for popular support.
Then...
Oh, something came to mind. Prince Rao hadn't come to cause trouble in the palace?
No, Prince Rao wasn't one to quietly endure a loss. How could a great deviant who disregarded a child's life let this pass? It seemed she had underestimated Prince Rao.
Today's Grand Banquet of Longevity would surely be particularly lively.
Collecting her thoughts, she would see Xiao Li in the palace today.
After these few days of processing, Xiao Li should have accepted Yun Xiao Jing as his brother.
Her thoughts wandered aimlessly.
Lost in thought, the carriage stopped once more without her realizing it.
A palace servant's voice came from outside.
Reminding them that they could alight from the carriage.
As Yun Shu stepped out of the carriage, Yun Chang Feng approached and said in a low voice, "Shu'er, we need to see the Emperor first."
Yun Shu nodded.
She hadn't seen the young Emperor in a few days.
Soon, father and daughter entered the Imperial Study and met Zhan Tian Hong, who was engrossed in reviewing memorials.
Despite his young age, comparable to a middle schooler in modern times, Zhan Tian Hong was already capable of handling great responsibilities and managing state affairs.
Furthermore, Yun Shu felt that Zhan Tian Hong's handling of state affairs was quite competent.
Zhan Tian Hong looked up at Yun Shu and Yun Chang Feng.
Upon seeing Yun Shu, a bright spark quickly ignited in Zhan Tian Hong's eyes, and he spoke joyfully, "General Yun, Second Miss Yun, you have arrived!"
Yun Chang Feng bowed, then stood up and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, have you felt unwell these past few days?"
He had just heard from a servant that the Emperor had summoned imperial physicians to the palace!
Zhan Tian Hong shook his head, "I am fine. Summoning the imperial physicians was merely to let them know that my health is still weak."
If the imperial physicians weren't summoned for a few days, some people would certainly become suspicious.
Yun Chang Feng nodded repeatedly, feeling rather relieved. The Emperor could now face many matters on his own!
This put this old minister at ease.
"Let me check your pulse," Yun Shu said.
"Okay!" Zhan Tian Hong eagerly extended his hand, like an obedient model student.
She was the person he trusted the most!
For some reason, he felt he trusted her even more than General Yun or his fifth brother!
After checking his pulse, Yun Shu nodded with satisfaction, "Good, it seems you haven't been poisoned recently, and your condition has improved."
"I have been exceptionally careful lately. Will I be completely healed after some more time?" Zhan Tian Hong gazed intently at Yun Shu.
If only she could stay in the palace forever.
Then he wouldn't have to worry about people around him harming him at all times.
But he knew very well that this was just a wishful thought.
It was impossible.
Yun Shu nodded, "Yes, I will give you another bottle of pills. Take one pill each morning and evening."
"Mm!" Zhan Tian Hong nodded obediently.
He really could be free from torment very soon!
Perhaps, he would soon be able to practice archery and martial arts like others.
"Do, do I still need acupuncture?" Zhan Tian Hong's ears turned slightly red.
Yun Shu shook her head, "No need. Your Majesty's strength lies in his youth and rapid recovery. Just take the medicine on time."
This was also beyond her expectations. It seemed youth was more potent than any elixir.
Zhan Tian Hong paused for a moment, then nodded, lowering his eyes to hide a hint of disappointment, and said with a smile, "Second Miss Yun's medical skills are truly remarkable."
...
Outside the Imperial Study, Zhan Ming suddenly arrived.
He was stopped by a palace servant.
"Regent Prince, His Majesty is currently discussing matters with the General and cannot see the Regent Prince at the moment. Please wait a moment, Regent Prince."
Zhan Ming's enchanting dark eyes swept towards the closed door of the Imperial Study, "Is General Yun inside?"
"Yes, Regent Prince."
Zhan Ming narrowed his eyes. General Yun was a stumbling block in his path, and he had to find a way to eliminate him.
After several attempts to scheme against him, he still couldn't get rid of Yun Chang Feng, which was truly infuriating.
"Since His Majesty is occupied, I shall not disturb him," Zhan Ming said and turned to leave.
Suddenly.
After walking a few steps, he abruptly turned back towards the entrance of the Imperial Study.
He saw a maidservant standing in front of the Imperial Study door. She was not a palace maid.
Could it be that Yun Shu and Yun Chang Feng came to see the Emperor together?
It seemed that Yun Chang Feng had been bringing Yun Shu to see the Emperor on several recent occasions.
He hadn't thought much of it before. With Yun Shu's disguised appearance, perhaps she had made Zhan Tian Hong quite fond of her.
However, he detected a subtle, unusual clue.
After deep contemplation, Zhan Ming left.
Not long after he left, Yun Shu and Yun Chang Feng emerged from the Imperial Study.
The father and daughter headed towards the Imperial Garden.
On the way, Yun Chang Feng said in a low voice to Yun Shu, "Could the person who harmed you back then be someone from the royal family?"
Yun Shu had to admire Yun Chang Feng's perceptiveness. She also whispered, "Father, I will handle this matter. I will deal with those who harmed me myself. Please don't trouble yourself with it, okay?"
Before transmigrating, she had read several novels about transmigration. The probability of a female protagonist encountering a good father was slim, yet she hadn't expected that upon transmigrating, despite being terribly harmed by Yun Yue Yin, she would have such an exceptionally good father, rare even in a hundred novels.
It turned out that having a good father also came with its own set of troubles.
That is, it might interfere with her plans.
She felt helpless.
Yun Chang Feng, thinking Yun Shu was merely afraid, didn't expose her. He simply said in a low voice, "Shu'er, with your father here, you don't need to be afraid of anything! Father will help you. However, Father also respects you. If you want to exact revenge yourself, Father will let you do so."
As soon as he finished speaking, suddenly, a person appeared before them.
Abruptly, right in front of many people walking towards them, the person knelt down before Yun Chang Feng.