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It was already April, and it was only a few days before the ascension of the new ruler. The tension between the military forces in the city was not yet settled, and other than the Amethyst Cape Knights and Iron Guards, the forces in the city did not dare to act rashly. This was because whoever attacked first would attract the fury of all others, and therefore suffer the most. Everyone was waiting for the Emperor's decree and the ascension of the new Emperor. Some waited for a powerful force to manage the chaos in the city, though whoever did that could instead be overwhelmed by the mess.

Xuanji's capital city was silently waiting for change.

But no one knew who would direct the change.

On the second day of the lunar month of April, there was a drizzle.

Xuanji's Empress woke up early in the morning. She looked beneath the half-opened curtains and gazed at the spring rain, as well as the luscious greenery. It was supposed to be a pleasing sight, but she somehow felt very anxious. She sat up in a daze and felt that her heart was empty. Out of the blue, she recalled that during a day in autumn many years ago, that woman was tied to a chair in that small, black room. When she accused the woman of being a vixen and seducing the Emperor, the woman struggled to look up, and she screamed a blood-curdling curse.

”Evil woman - you will die of shame one day!”

She thought of this curse and the woman from that night. Under the shine of the dim oil lamp, the woman's bones were seen, and all that was left in her eyes was extreme and never-ending pain. Those phantom-like eyes stared at her deadly, and even after she had died, they had remained wide open.

Suddenly, a chill went down the Empress' spine.

Then, she heard sounds of crying.

A bunch of people hurriedly walked into her palace. In the middle of the crowd was Noble Consort Rong, who didn't have time to wash up and put on her makeup. The Empress was slightly annoyed by the noise, and she could not help but swiftly walk down the steps and shout, ”What's the commotion about! Where's your decorum?”

”Your Highness-” Noble Consort Rong was so flustered that she did not even kneel. As she wiped away her tears and mucus, she said, ”My daughter might not make it past tonight. I have to go and save her now…”

”How can you save her?” The Empress mocked as she glanced down at Noble Consort Rong. ”Using your amazing leechcraft?”

”There's a monk who can perform a spell to help my daughter, but it requires the mother to stay by her side for one day and night.” Noble Consort Rong seemed to be oblivious to the Empress' mockery. She added in a determined tone, ”I won't be returning back to the palace tonight, and I hope to seek your permission.”

”Oh?” The Empress instinctively wanted to reject the request, but seeing how determined Noble Consort Rong suddenly became, she was afraid that Noble Consort Rong would pounce on her if she did not give her permission. Furthermore, she was also very concerned about her own daughter. If Noble Consort Rong's daughter could be healed, then her daughter could be saved as well.

As such, she agreed. About a day later, Noble Consort returned, and though she looked pale, her expression was one of joy. She said that her daughter could already sit up and consume porridge.

A few days later, there was news about the Tenth Princess - her condition was worsening.

At this point, the Empress could no longer hold herself back, and she went to find Epsilon. During that meeting, her close attendants could hear the sounds of sobbing and objects being thrown around the room, signifying a huge commotion that happened. The palace maids stole glances at each other, and the corners of their lips raised silently. The tried-and-tested routine had begun again.

A few moments later, calmness returned. The Empress washed up and covered up her tears. Then, she ordered the carriage to take off.

In a hurry, she ran to the Tenth Princess' residence. For her safety, she complied with Epsilon's advice to set aside her dignity, and sit with Epsilon in an average-looking carriage. They took a road from the back of the palace to the residence.

On the way, she could not help but feel nervous, and she continuously crumpled her dress. She wasn't sure if it was because of the possible dangers that Epsilon had described or him.

She had never sat so closely to Epsilon before. As Epsilon practiced Tongzifor visiting.

On the other hand, Epsilon looked like he was in his golden age. It was said that the Top Ten Wielders were very skilled in maintaining their appearance, especially Epsilon, who practiced Tongzi Gong since young. He practiced it until there were countless permutations, and his foundation was stable and hard to destroy. As such, his thin, long, and beautiful eyes remained glistening and lively even after many years… As she thought of this, her heart wavered.

However, it was only for a short while. Thereafter, she sat upright and kept her face straight while looking in front. As compared to romance, her status and dignity were much more important. Hence, she should practice more self-restraint.

Soon after, the carriage reached the Tenth Princess' residence. As the journey was smooth, the Empress heaved a sigh of relief, and she chided herself for being affected by Epsilon's personality. It was ridiculous of her to have felt beleaguered.

The Tenth Princess' residence was standing tall and upright in the fine rain. A yellow lamp was hung on a tall tower in the residence, which meant that someone was very ill. The Empress quickly alighted from the carriage, but she did not hear the footsteps that should have followed her.

She looked back in confusion and realized that Epsilon was still sitting in the carriage, looking at the yellow lamp with a serious gaze. After a while, Epsilon said, ”Ning, let's go back.”

The Empress was stunned, and she was enraged in an instant. She screamed, ”You're crazy! We're already at the door, and you want me to go back?”