With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

There were many unfamiliar eunuchs in the corridor. The two palace servants who used to guard the small door on the west side were gone, replaced by several tall guards.

Although they wore the uniforms of the palace guards, their standing habits differed from those of ordinary guards.

Shen Nian had practiced martial arts with Shen Run for a period of time and often watched the guards of the Shen family train.

She couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but she felt that those people didn't seem to be there to protect the Empress Dowager.

It's more like they're protecting everyone in the Cining Palace.

Suddenly, a commotion arose ahead. A palace maid responsible for delivering a message was stopped at the west corner gate. "The Empress Dowager has decreed that from today onwards, no one is allowed to enter or leave Cining Palace at will."

"But this is a letter that Miss Shen sent back to the Shen family. It was sent out at this time every day for the past few days."

"We won't send it today." The guard at the gate snatched the letter away. "We'll decide when to send it after Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has read it."

Shen Nian paused. Xiao Yunli heard it too.

The two did not stop, but pretended not to know anything and continued walking towards the side hall.

Only after turning the corner of the corridor and making sure the people behind her couldn't see her did Shen Nian whisper, "The palace gates are sealed off."

It's not just that they can't go out.

Even the letters that were usually sent to the Shen residence could no longer get out.

"Did they find out we've seen the imperial edict?" Xiao Yunli's face turned pale.

"If they had found out, we would have been arrested by now." Shen Nian tried to calm herself down. "Something must be about to happen in the palace, which is why the Empress Dowager forbids anyone from spreading the news."

That imperial edict has been taken away.

The moment the crown prince plots his rebellion may be tonight.

They don't have much time left.

Back in the side hall, Xiao Yunli immediately summoned the young eunuch beside him, "Xiao Fuzi, could you go out of the palace for me?"

Xiao Fuzi is not very old. She was rescued from the laundry department by the Sixth Prince and has always been by his side.

Upon hearing this, he quickly shook his head. "Your Highness, we can't get out. This servant just went to the Imperial Kitchen to get some snacks, but the guards at the West Corner Gate and South Gate have been changed. Cining Palace only allows entry, not exit."

"Not even you?"

"Without the Empress Dowager's token, no one can do it."

Xiao Yunli turned to look at Shen Nian.

The last and most common route for delivering mail was also cut off.

Shen Nian gripped the jade pendant around her neck, and her palms quickly became damp with sweat.

My elder sister is outside the palace.

They had clearly agreed that as long as the jade pendant was given away, the older sister would know that she had encountered danger.

But the palace gates were tightly shut, and she couldn't even pass out a single piece of paper.

"Miss Shen." A strange eunuch suddenly walked past the door.

He held a broom in his hand, and his right foot was slightly injured when he walked, so he would drag his feet lightly across the ground with each step.

Shen Nian subconsciously looked up.

The eunuch didn't look at her, only pausing briefly as he passed the side hall door. "The red string around the young lady's neck seems to have loosened."

Shen Nian's fingers froze.

She had never seen this person before.

But Xiao Yunzhao had told her before entering the palace that he had people in the palace.

She doesn't need to search.

When things get really dangerous, those people will naturally show up.

Shen Nian's heart was pounding, but a childlike look of annoyance appeared on her face. "This is a jade pendant given to me by the Sixth Prince. It would be terrible if I lost it."

The eunuch kept his head down. "When I was young, I learned rope weaving. I can re-tie it for you, young lady."

Xiao Yunli looked at Shen Nian nervously.

Shen Nian did not immediately hand over the jade pendant.

She didn't know who the person in front of her was, nor did she know if this was yet another test from the Empress Dowager.

After waiting for a while, the eunuch suddenly whispered, "When Prince Zhao sent the young lady to the palace, he must have told her that returning home safely was more important than any other news."

These are words spoken by Xiao Yunzhao.

Apart from those who were at the Shen residence at the time, no one else would know.

Shen Nian finally took the jade pendant off her neck.

While tidying the red string, she quickly ran her hairpin across the back of the jade pendant a few times.

Jade is hard, and she used a lot of force, leaving only a few shallow marks.

She then handed the jade pendant to the eunuch, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."

"My sister recognizes this jade pendant."

The eunuch took the jade pendant without even looking up. "Don't worry, young lady, I will definitely repair it for you before tomorrow."

After saying that, he picked up the broom and slowly walked out of the side hall.

The figure quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Shen Nian gazed in the direction he left, and only slowly let go of his hand after a long while.

The wound on my palm reopened.

Blood seeped from the handkerchief, staining between her fingers.

Xiao Yunli carefully grasped her wrist. "Can the jade pendant really be given away?"

"Yes." Shen Nian's voice was soft, but without hesitation. "Since my brother-in-law's men dared to come and take it, they must have a way."

She looked towards the direction outside the palace walls.

"My sister will find out."

After nightfall, the gates of Prince Zhao's residence were tightly shut.

Although Xiao Yunzhao has ostensibly left the capital, his residence now has several times more secret guards than usual.

After taking a bath, Shen Nannan leaned against the headboard and looked at the account books for a while.

She is restless today.

She spent a long time looking at the accounts but couldn't remember a single word. The baby in her womb seemed to sense her unease and moved several times in succession.

Xiao Yunzhao sat on the edge of the bed, his palm resting on her lower abdomen. "Did you kick again?"

"It's not very serious." Shen Nannan held his hand. "He was just a little restless tonight."

Xiao Yunzhao lowered his head and gently kissed her abdomen through her nightgown.

"Be quiet."

"If you keep bothering your mother, you'll be allowed to sleep by yourself after you're born."

Shen Nannan couldn't help but look at him.

"How can such a young child sleep alone?"

"Let the wet nurse hold you."

"And what about me?"

"Sleep with me."

The man answered without hesitation.

Shen Nannan was amused by his self-righteous possessiveness. Just as the unease in her heart dissipated, a very soft sound came from outside the window.

Mo Bai quickly appeared outside the door. "Your Highness, something has been sent out from the palace."

Xiao Yunzhao's eyes suddenly turned cold.

He straightened Shen Nannan's clothes before letting Mo Bai in.

Mo Bai held a very small cloth bag in his hand.

The cloth bag was opened, revealing a jade pendant inside.

The front is engraved with the character "礼" (li, meaning etiquette).

The red silk cord had been cut, and there was still a trace of dried blood on the edge of the jade pendant.

The smile on Shen Nannan's face vanished instantly.

She recognized him at a glance.

This is a jade pendant given to Shen Nian by the Sixth Prince.

It was also the SOS token she and Shen Nian had agreed upon.

"Niannian is in trouble." Shen Nannan reached out to grab it, but her fingertips turned cold uncontrollably.

Xiao Yunzhao grasped her hand first, "A little blood doesn't mean she's seriously injured."

He didn't just brush her off with a simple "She'll be fine."

They had already made an agreement.

No matter what message you receive, you must not lose your composure before confirming it.

"The fact that she was still able to give away the jade pendant means that she was still conscious and had the opportunity to act."

Shen Nannan closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. "You're right."

She took the jade pendant and carefully examined the back.

Several crooked scratches have appeared on the originally smooth jade surface.

It doesn't look like it was accidentally bumped or knocked over.

It's more like Shen Nian wanted to leave something behind in an extremely rushed situation.

Shen Nannan brought the jade pendant close to the candlelight.

The faint marks slowly appeared under the light.

Three long marks.

Two short marks.

At the very bottom, there is a tiny circle that is almost invisible.

Xiao Yunzhao also saw it.

"This is the message she left behind."

Shen Nannan gripped the jade pendant tightly.

Shen Nian wouldn't destroy the things the Sixth Prince gave her for no reason.

She risked sending the jade pendant out of Cining Palace because she must have discovered something more important than her own safety.

The night outside the window had completely fallen.

But the blood-stained jade pendant was already telling them something.

Inside the palace gates, the long-awaited storm had begun.