Late in the night, the wind was cold and chilling. Moonlight poured down on the arched eaves of the Nine Palaces, casting numerous shadows down below upon the grounds of the Imperial Garden.

  Ji Feng Li leisurely proceeded along the path through the garden along with Na Lan Xue and his maidservant, heading towards Huangfu Wu Shuang’s palace.

  “Audacious! Who dares to come cause trouble here!" a group of

  imperial guards had surrounded them, their swords glinting in the cold moonlight.

  Next to Ji Feng Li, the maidservant held up a token and said in a delicate voice, "The Emperor is wounded. Our prince came to bring him a detoxification antidote. This is the token that the Emperor gave our prince, quickly let our prince through. Our prince is not one with patience!"

  The leader of the group of guards glanced at the token and recognized the mask Ji Feng Li was wearing. He then motioned for the guards to collect their swords and said, "So it turns out to be prince Na Lan. I’ve made an offense. However, why didn’t a eunuch take you there?"

  The maidservant angrily replied, “Just now, a

  was leading the way but Imperial Consort Wan called him away. It seemed like there was something urgent he had to handle so he told us to find our own way there. However, we’ve been walking and can’t seem to find the way. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to meet you elder brother. May I ask, which direction is the Emperor’s palace?"

  “Go along this road, turn left and then you’ll arrive,” the head of the guard said and waved his hand.

  "Many thanks!" The maidservant threw him a wink then continued to follow Ji Feng Li as they walked away.

  Moments later, they arrived at the gate of the Huangfu Wu Shuang’s palace. Red lanterns were decorated throughout the place, illuminating the great palace hall in a red glow.

  Ji Feng Li slowly walked up the steps where Jixiang and several eunuchs on night duty arrived to greet him with a smile. "Prince Na Lan, it is the middle of the night, for what matters have you arrived?"

  Ji Feng Li faintly smiled and replied, “The Emperor was poisoned. This prince was worried so this prince came to bring him a special detoxification antidote made from our Yue Zhi nation. This prince came to deliver this antidote. I hope

  can go inside and announce my arrival."

  Jixiang raised his horsetail whisk and slowly said in a sharp voice, "”Many thanks to prince’s good intentions. But the Emperor’s poison has been resolved and he’s retired for the night. Moreover tonight is the Emperor and Empress’ wedding night. How about prince Na Lan leave the antidote here with this servant and tomorrow this servant shall present it to the Emperor?"

  Upon hearing those words, Ji Feng Li’s fingers grew cold. In that moment, he felt as though he was struck by lightning. His heart seemed empty and his mind momentarily blanked. It took him a moment before he understood the meaning behind "wedding night." Anguish rushed through his heart, making it hard for him to breathe as if he was on the verge of death. It appears she was far more important to him that he had imagined.

  “Wedding night? Is the Empress not Northern Kingdom’s princess? Obviously the Empress is still in Kang Ning Hall with the Northern Emperor. So how can she share a wedding night with the Emperor?" the maidservant behind Ji Feng Li inquired.

  Jixiang narrowed his eyes and said, ” You must be unaware. Princess Zhuo Ya was merely jesting. She’s not the true Empress." He paused for a moment and continued, "In short, tomorrow the Emperor will make a decree to clarify everything. Everyone will understand then. It is late, prince Na Lan should quickly retire. The banquet has ended and the Imperial Palace gates will be closed soon. “


  The corners of Ji Feng Li’s lips lifted in a smile that reached his eyes. It was a majestic smile but there was a hidden fury within the depths of those eyes. However, due to the graceful manner in which he carried himself, it was difficult for others to notice his anger.

  "Jixiang

  is right. Since it’s the Emperor’s wedding night, this prince shall not disturb. I have to bother Jixiang

  to give this to the Emperor tomorrow. " Ji Feng Li slowly said then nodded slightly towards Na Lan Xue and his maidservant.

  Na Lan Xue’s expression changed slightly and he looked towards the sky in the northwest for a moment. He looked at Ji Feng Li again and secretly sighed before taking a bottle out from his sleeve. "Please take this .

  "

  A little eunuch stepped forward to retrieve it and suddenly Na Lan Xue lifted his hand and a mist of white powder clouded everyone’s eyes. Jixiang and several eunuchs widened their eyes in shock but all they saw were several silhouettes striding past them to enter the palace. Their minds gradually became blurry and they remained standing there in a daze with a silly smile on their lips.

  Na Lan Xue coldly glanced at the group of eunuchs standing their in a daze and exclaimed, " The Tang family’s drugs are truly potent!”


  Inside the palace, a faint candlelight illuminated the room. Through the red canopy above the bed, two figures lying within could faintly be seen.

  Hua Zhu Yu had just given Huangfu Wu Shuang another kick and he had fallen to the side of the bed. But when she looked over at him and saw his fervent gaze on her, she looked down and realized that her clothes had been torn, exposing her fair shoulder and delicate collarbone.

  Hua Zhu Yu quickly shielded her shoulders with her hands, but in doing so, her chest became more accentuated. She quickly reached for the red canopy and tore off a piece of cloth to wrap herself around it. She then got off the bed barefoot and intended to head towards the wardrobe. As his personal eunuch, she was very familiar with the layout of his room. She was just about to open up the wardrobe and take one of his robes to wear when a gust of wind blew in from an unknown direction, stirring her thin clothes, enveloping her body in a frosty air.

  Seemingly, the air was enshrouded in a palpable tension, taut as a pulled string.

  Hua Zhu Yu was startled and abruptly turned around to take a look.

  Outside the window, the deepness of the night could be seen. The skies were dark save for the faint sprinkles of starlight.

  Outside the door, standing amidst the vibrant red decorations of the hall and the shadows of the night, a tall, upright figure was faintly obscured.

  Startled, Hua Zhu Yu no longer intended to look through the wardrobe for a set of clothes and instead pulled off the rest of the red canopy and wrapped herself around it tightly.

  "Who’s there?" Hua Zhu Yu coldly questioned as her brows knitted. Outside Huangfu Wu Shuang’s room, there were many eunuchs and palace attendants. How could this man come in without any announcement?

  Huangfu Wu Shuang was also alert. Upon hearing her question, he instantly sat up and got off the bed.

  Entering through the window, the night wind stirred the thin silk curtains. The new arrival stood near the door and his clothes were also stirred by the wind. He slowly turned around as the candlelight illuminated his exquisite mask.

  "Ah! Here I thought it was someone else, turns out it’s actually prince Na Lan. It is the middle of the night, what have you come for?" Huangfu Wu Shuang asked calmly, a faint smile on his lips.

  Ji Feng Li chuckled softly and his eyes faintly swept across Hua Zhu Yu as his dark pupils contracted. With a raised brow he replied, "Just to steal the bride!’ His voice held a hint of teasing but his tone was nevertheless bold and resolute……