In the nick of time, an announcement suddenly rang out from outside the hall—
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The female official froze, instinctively turning to look outside.
The Emperor strode in, silhouetted by the sun. Behind him followed a retinue of palace maids and eunuchs, an imposing sight.
The female official hastily put down her disciplinary ruler and knelt with the others to pay respects.
"This servant greets Your Majesty!"
The moment the Empress saw the Emperor, her heart sank.
She slowly stood and curtsied to the Emperor.
"I greet Your Majesty. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Do you have any instructions?"
The reason the Emperor came to Fengyi Palace was because Si Yun had just used the token to request an audience with him. She claimed that Hua Jieyu and Lady Hua might be in danger and pleaded for him to rescue them.
Normally, the Emperor wouldn't need to personally attend to such a minor issue. He could have simply sent someone to investigate.
