The song ended.
The banquet gradually drew to a close amid a strange atmosphere.
The Emperor slowly rose, adjusting his cuffs.
His gaze swept over Li Jingran below, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"If there are no other matters, let the banquet conclude."
It was clearly a banquet hosted by Prince Jing.
Yet now, with a single word from the Emperor commanding it to end, it was rushed to a conclusion... the meaning was self-evident.
Li Jingran gritted his teeth, yet dared not flare up. He could only force himself to say, "Since Imperial Brother is tired, your subject will respectfully see you off..."
The Emperor raised a hand, interrupting him.
He turned around, his gaze falling upon the light purple figure beside him.
The chill in his eyes instantly melted away, transforming into a gentleness that others couldn't comprehend.
"Inspector Jiang."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
"Your subject is here."
"Follow me into the Palace. I have some things I wish to speak with you about privately."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The already silent banquet hall became so quiet that even breathing sounds couldn't be heard.
Everyone's expressions became extremely fascinating in that instant.
Enter the Palace?
Now?
One must know, it was already the third quarter of the Hai hour.
Deep in the night, a lone man and a lone woman.
Even if one was the Supreme Sovereign and the other an Imperial Official.
But the implication... truly forced people to think of something intimate.
Many people secretly exchanged glances.
They clicked their tongues inwardly.
Although Inspector Jiang was ruthless in her actions, her appearance was truly rare in the world.
Even His Majesty, who usually paid no mind to women, was moved.
It seemed he was going to take her straight back to the Palace to fill the harem.
Li Jingran stood nearby, his eye twitching wildly.
Imperial Brother, oh Imperial Brother.
If you had taken a fancy to this woman, you should have just said so earlier.
Why must you humiliate me publicly at my Liushang Banquet?
Acting so impatiently, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the world?!
Meanwhile, among the crowd.
Wei Qing's eyes were wide, her small mouth slightly parted, a look of panic on her face.
How could this happen?!
Although that was the Emperor... but... but this was too fast, wasn't it?!
Without even a proper status, taking her back late at night like this—if news spread tomorrow, what would happen to Nickname's reputation?
Wei Qing's eyes were red with anxiety.
She subconsciously wanted to step forward and stop them.
But she was quickly pulled back by Gu Changge, who was standing beside her.
"Are you crazy?!"
"That is an Imperial Decree! Do you dare block the Imperial Carriage? Do you think the Wei Family has too many heads?"
"But..."
Wei Qing bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
She could only watch helplessly.
Jiang Yuechu's expression remained unchanged.
She seemed completely oblivious to the strange looks around her.
She merely squinted slightly, sizing up the young Emperor before her.
The Emperor's behavior today, ever since he entered the door, had been strange.
First, he showed concern for her well-being, and then he publicly defended her.
Now, he was taking her back to the Palace in the middle of the night.
If he only valued her talent and merit, then this courtesy was far too excessive.
Could it be... that the Emperor was a lustful man, plotting ill intentions against her?
A hint of coldness flashed in Jiang Yuechu's eyes, and her lowered fingers twitched slightly.
If the Emperor really dared to harbor wicked thoughts... if he truly pushed her, she wouldn't mind replacing the Son of Heaven of Great Tang.
At worst, they would both suffer, or she would flee to the ends of the earth.
In this world, no one could force her to do something she didn't want to.
However.
Jiang Yuechu took a deep breath.
Although the Emperor looked young, his eyes were clear, and he didn't seem like an idiot dominated by his lower half.
Perhaps he truly had something important to say.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
Hearing this, the Emperor visibly sighed in relief.
A genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Good, good."
"Prepare the Imperial Carriage for return to the Palace!"
The Old Eunuch proclaimed loudly.
The Emperor took the lead, stepping toward the door.
Jiang Yuechu was not in a hurry to follow.
She turned her head and gave Wei Qing a reassuring look.
Following that.
Under the complex gazes of the hall full of nobles.
The figure in light purple, wrapped in the chilling silver-scaled cloak,
strode quickly.
Stepping into the deep darkness of the night... The carriage was spacious and extremely luxurious.
Even though the cold wind outside was biting, the carriage interior was warm like springtime.
Jiang Yuechu sat boldly on one side of the soft couch, wearing the Silver-Scaled Cloak, arms crossed, staring expressionlessly at the curling smoke rising from the incense burner before her.
Beside her, the young Emperor leaned forward slightly.
His hands rested on his knees, and his eyes stared straight at her without blinking.
In the corner.
The Old Eunuch was huddled up, wishing he could squeeze himself into the gaps of the carriage floorboards.
Usually, His Majesty was never fond of women; why would he make such an extraordinary move today?
Bringing a woman back to the Palace in the middle of the night.
If this news got out... The Old Eunuch swallowed.
He truly couldn't stand the suffocating silence.
He cautiously lifted himself up, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Your... Your Majesty."
"This carriage ride is a bit bumpy. The coachman outside is inexperienced, perhaps disturbing the Imperial Presence. How about... your servant goes out and drives for him?"
As he spoke.
One foot was already stealthily moving toward the carriage curtain.
As long as he got out that door, he could pretend to be blind and deaf.
However.
Before his heel could touch the floor.
"Come back."
The Old Eunuch's body stiffened, his outstretched foot suspended in mid-air, unable to be retracted or put down.
Finally.
He could only pull back his foot with a mournful old face, silently shrinking back into the corner.
"Your servant... obeys the decree."
Jiang Yuechu felt a little unnerved by the staring.
She frowned, finally unable to resist speaking.
"Your Majesty."
"Staring at your subject like this, does your subject have flowers on her face?"
The Emperor was not angry.
Instead, the smile in his eyes deepened because of her slightly annoyed question.
"I merely feel... that Inspector Jiang's features are excellent, bearing a striking resemblance to an old friend of mine."
Jiang Yuechu's mouth twitched slightly.
Damn it, she hadn't expected this Emperor to be so sleazy in private.
"Your Majesty overpraises me."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head away, looking at the swaying curtain outside the window.
"The world is vast; how many people share similar appearances?"
"Perhaps it is merely a coincidence."
The Emperor was not discouraged.
He slightly shifted his seat closer to Jiang Yuechu.
Although the movement was small, it was particularly noticeable in the confined carriage.
Jiang Yuechu instinctively shrank back.
The hand hidden beneath her cloak was already clenched.
If the Emperor really dared to pounce... regardless of whether he was the Supreme Sovereign or whatever, she would hit him first and talk later.
"Cough."
Seeming to notice the vigilance in the young woman's eyes.
The Emperor coughed dryly, quickly sat up straight, and assumed the posture of a virtuous gentleman.
However, his tone still carried an inexplicable eagerness.
"Esteemed Minister Jiang."
"...Your subject is here."
"Do you... still remember anything from your childhood?"
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
"Childhood?"
"Yes, when you were very young."
The Emperor gestured, indicating a size roughly equivalent to that of a swaddled infant.
His eyes were full of anticipation.
"For instance... do you have any deeply impressed images? Or... do you remember anyone?"
Jiang Yuechu looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Your Majesty, who can remember things from before the age of one?"
The Emperor was choked up.
That's true.
Even if someone was naturally precocious, it was impossible to remember things from that early.
But he didn't give up.
He asked again, "Then... what about dreams? Have you had any strange dreams? Like dreaming of scenes within the Palace?"
"Replying to Your Majesty."
Jiang Yuechu took a deep breath and patiently replied, "Your subject grew up in the Jiang Manor and has not had any strange dreams."
The Old Eunuch in the corner kept his gaze fixed on his nose, but his heart was experiencing a storm of shock.
This series of questions from His Majesty... if one thought carefully, sounded exactly like... searching for a relative?!