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

Shen Nannan looked at him for a moment, then nodded gently, "Okay."

She agreed, but still didn't close her eyes.

Xiao Yunzhao raised his hand to cover her eyes, "Don't think about it anymore."

"I'm not sleepy yet."

"Who just said I could fall asleep while I was here?"

"I was just saying maybe."

"Then let's give it a try."

His palms were warm, and after blocking the candlelight, all that remained before his eyes was a peaceful darkness.

Shen Nannan originally thought she wouldn't be able to fall asleep, but she could hear Xiao Yunzhao's steady heartbeat in her ears, and he was holding her waist tightly. After the baby in her womb calmed down, her tense mind, which had been tense all night, actually relaxed little by little, and her breathing gradually became even.

Xiao Yunzhao listened for a while before slowly removing the hand that was covering her eyes.

She wasn't sleeping soundly; her brow was still slightly furrowed.

Xiao Yunzhao lowered his head and kissed that spot.

"Go to sleep."

"When I woke up, I was still here."

Half an hour later, three urgent knocks finally came from outside the door.

Shen Nannan opened her eyes almost at the same time the sound rang out. Xiao Yunzhao's hand was still on her waist.

"Your Highness."

Mo Bai stood outside the door, his voice extremely low.

"The Crown Prince's Palace has made a move."

The last trace of sleepiness in Shen Nannan's eyes vanished instantly.

Xiao Yunzhao helped her sit up, draped her coat over her shoulders, and then let Mo Bai in.

Mo Bai carried the chill of the night.

"The Crown Prince left the Eastern Palace with nearly a hundred men, dressed as Eastern Palace guards on the outside but concealing armor underneath. The Empress's men have already opened the small gate on the east side of the palace. Two other groups went to the Imperial Guards' garrison in the city, seemingly preparing to control several key roads in the capital after the palace is taken over."

Xiao Yunzhao showed no surprise. "What about the Emperor?"

"The Imperial Guards haven't noticed yet. Once the Crown Prince's men enter, the palace gates will close again. By the time they realize what's happening, it will be too late."

After Mo Bai finished speaking, he took out a blood-stained bronze plaque from his pocket.

"This was delivered by a palace guard. He personally witnessed the Crown Prince entering the east gate of the palace. He was discovered while delivering the message and was shot in the shoulder with an arrow."

The blood on the bronze medal had not completely dried.

The Crown Prince has already led his troops into the palace!

"You can't move yet," Shen Nannan suddenly said.

Mo Bai was taken aback.

Xiao Yunzhao looked at her.

She placed the bronze plaque back on the table. "The Crown Prince has only entered the palace; he hasn't actually drawn his sword against the Emperor yet. If you appear now, he can say that he was merely entering the palace to protect the Emperor, while you have already sneaked back to the capital with the intention of rebelling."

"Wait a little longer."

Once the Crown Prince personally draws the knife, once he takes control of the Emperor's palace, and once those who followed him into the palace can no longer claim tonight was a misunderstanding.

The candlelight reflected in Xiao Yunzhao's eyes. After a moment, he took Shen Nannan's hand.

"I'll listen to you."

Mo Bai accepted the order and withdrew.

Shen Nannan lifted the covers and tried to get out of bed.

Before her toes even touched the ground, Xiao Yunzhao grabbed her ankle and shoved her back in. "What are you doing?"

"Change your clothes."

"Sit down." Xiao Yunzhao picked up her shoes, put them on for her personally, and then lifted her off the bed.

"It's not like I can't walk."

"I only slept for half an hour."

"What does whether you've had enough sleep have to do with whether you can walk?"

"If I say it exists, then it exists."

He carried Shen Nannan back to the study, and she didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.

The situation outside had reached its most critical point, yet this man still remembered not to let her walk barefoot or take more than a few steps.

Xiao Yunzhao placed her on the soft couch, then turned and walked behind the screen. When he came out again, he had changed into a black outfit that allowed him to move around easily.

There was no armor on the outside.

The armor was too conspicuous. Until he was truly needed, Prince Zhao remained far to the north tonight.

Shen Nannan fastened his wristband for him. "What's the first thing they'll do after they enter the palace?"

"Control the emperor."

"And the second one?"

"Seal off the palace gates and take control of the Imperial Guards."

"Then we'll find a way to bring you back."

Shen Nannan looked up at him. "Achao, the bodies behind Chengtian Gate are ready. No matter what distress message the palace sends out, you cannot go in from there."

"I know." Xiao Yunzhao took her fingers in his hand. "The old path has been cleared tonight."

Xiao Yunting's men are waiting for him in that abandoned library. Once the time is right, he can avoid everyone's sight and appear directly near the emperor's bedroom.

"There's one more thing." Shen Nannan took her sachet from her waist and tied it back to him. "This time, you're not allowed to take it and not return it."

Xiao Yunzhao glanced down and said, "The ones from last time are here too."

That's why I'm making you pay it back.

"No."

"Xiao Yunzhao".

"What the lady gave me is mine."

Shen Nannan looked at him, but ultimately didn't really argue with him.

"Then keep them all safe. Don't let them get stained with blood."

Xiao Yunzhao lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. "No."

The people the crown prince brought in took off their outer robes, revealing the armor hidden underneath.

One blade after another was drawn from its sheath.

The imperial guards only realized something was wrong at this moment. "Your Highness, what's going on...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a long sword pierced through his chest. Blood splattered on the palace gate.

The crown prince looked at the fallen man, his face showing no sign of retreat.

The palace gates are closed.

From that moment on, he was no longer the crown prince who would enter the palace late at night to pay his respects.

He became a rebel who led troops to storm the palace.

He didn't look back, but stepped over the blood on the ground and walked towards the emperor's bedroom.

"After tonight."

The crown prince gripped his longsword tightly, his eyes filled with a madness suppressed for many years.

"This palace is due for a new owner."