Chapter 40 - 38: Need to Find an Opportunity...

Yun Ran clutched the medicine bottle and chose a tranquil and secluded cobblestone path to walk forward. Her mind was filled with fluctuating thoughts. Although the Crown Prince didn’t appear to be a treacherous person, one cannot judge a person by their appearance. Moreover, given the entangled grudges between his mother and Nangong Mo, who could guarantee that there wasn’t some hidden agenda behind this so-called good intention? Earlier, she had indeed carefully checked these two bottles of medicine; there was no poison. But even if it were a good medicine, it wasn’t suitable for all ailments. Sometimes a well-used poison can save a life, while a mistakenly used good medicine can also chase one’s life to the grave. The injury to Nangong Mo’s leg, what exactly caused it, and to what extent was it injured? Was it poison? Bone fracture? Or something else? All these need to be clarified before prescribing the right treatment. Carelessly using medicine might backfire unexpectedly. She needed to find an opportunity to see his leg for herself. Unknowingly, Yun Ran snapped back to reality and found herself standing in front of an abandoned palace. It seemed this place had been deserted for a long time; the palace gates were covered in dust, the corners of the walls had thick cobwebs, and the yard was overgrown with wild grass, withered by the winter, showing a scene of disrepair. Even the three characters on the palace name plaque, "Lanruo Palace," had faded over the years under the wind and rain. However, the courtyard was filled with blooming plum blossoms. The red plums were charming, the white plums were icy-cold, and among them were a few trees of dark blue and light purple plum blossoms. Yun Ran thought that the former master of this palace must have loved plum blossoms dearly. But judging by the nearly person-high withered grass, this courtyard seemed to have been uninhabited for years. Yun Ran lingered amidst the plum forest, unconsciously walking towards the depths of the palace courtyard. Ascending the steps, wandering through the corridors. Suddenly, a voice emanated from the ancient and desolate palace, causing Yun Ran to pause and listen intently. The voice was somewhat distant, seemingly intentionally lowered, and not very clear. Cautiously, Yun Ran moved a few steps closer to the palace, vaguely hearing a woman’s voice. "Jue’er has already returned to the capital. If he can preside over the year-end grand sacrificial ceremony, it will greatly enhance his prestige." Then there was a man’s voice. "Rest assured about this matter; I will handle the court affairs." "I naturally trust you. However, although King Qin has now been stripped of his military power and confined to the capital, the tigers and wolves under his command are all rampant and unruly, always obeying only King Qin." "The troops in Jue’er’s hands, except for those in the three counties of the southwest, are the people from the Ministry of Justice and the Third Prince and the Jade Consort who are watching closely and pressing hard. I am truly uneasy." The man fell silent for a moment, then softly said: "Although King Qin’s troops are loyal to him, they are scattered on the borders, and in his current state, making a comeback is not so easy. As for the Third Prince, I will find a way, do not worry." The woman gently responded with an ’mm,’ and then said, "If Jue’er can bring the Yun Family of Liangzhou under his command, then there would be no more worries." "King of Liangzhou? Yun Cang?" The man’s voice raised slightly, with a clear hint of surprise. "That old stubborn person has long guarded the Northern Border and always avoided political struggles, keeping a distance from court affairs, and his sons are each more difficult to deal with than the last; trying to subdue him won’t be easy!" "Indeed, once the Yun Family Army is brought under command, Jue’er can be at ease, and no one would be able to shake his throne." Under the eaves, Yun Ran frowned, trying hard to digest the eavesdropped conversation. Jue’er? That should be the Crown Prince. That woman must be the Empress. So, who was that man? A relative from her family? A loyal retainer? A spy from an enemy country? Or... Yun Ran was deeply pondering when she suddenly heard a strange sound coming from inside. Soft moans, labored breaths. Yun Ran widened her eyes, rolling them in incredulity: This sound? Could it be? "Wanrou!" "Mu Lang..." The sound sent shivers down Yun Ran’s spine, making her feel quite unsettled! In her agitation, she kicked over an old flower pot beside her. "Who!" The man’s voice was cold and fierce, and Yun Ran could feel the gloomy murderous aura even through the wall. Where to hide? Or should she brace herself and kill both inside the room? Speaking of which, would murdering the Empress lead to a nationwide manhunt? Yun Ran’s mind was spinning quickly when suddenly a hand reached out from behind her, pulling her into an embrace with force, covering her mouth before she could scream.