The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

That night, the Jiaofang Palace, shrouded in darkness, was even more silent than usual.

The light from the palace lanterns shone through the window screens, illuminating two figures sitting opposite each other inside the hall.

Wu Lanyun was dressed in casual clothes, her face showing anxiety.

Shen Yinian sat opposite her, his brows furrowed.

Wu Lanyun spoke, her voice somewhat hoarse, "Zhou Mingxuan went to the border. His Majesty sent him to pacify Wei Zheng."

Shen Yinian nodded, his voice low: "Your subject has also received the news."

"If this succeeds, Wei Zheng's surrender will give Shen Qingruo her greatest support in the previous dynasty."

"At that time, she will be even more confident in confronting the Empress Dowager and her son."

Ulan Yun said resolutely, "We absolutely cannot let him succeed! We must find a way to sabotage this offer of amnesty."

Shen Yinian sighed: "How easy is that? Father's mind is made up, and Zhou Mingxuan is an eloquent and persuasive person."

"Wei Zheng and Grand Tutor Yun would not have met with him if they hadn't been interested."

Wulan Yun took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind: "We can't interfere with the affairs of the previous dynasty. But we must not let her continue to dominate the inner palace."

She looked at Shen Yinian, "We must make arrangements for Liu Rusi as soon as possible; we can't wait any longer."

Shen Yinian pondered and said, "Father rarely comes to the Jiaofang Palace these days, so it's difficult for us to find a suitable opportunity."

A resolute glint flashed in Wulan Yun's eyes: "In a few days, it will be the anniversary of the death of my father and brothers."

Shen Yinian was taken aback, then immediately understood her plan: "Mother Empress intends to do this on that day..."

Wulan Yun interrupted him, her tone resolute, "On that day, the anniversary of His Majesty's death, His Majesty will come to Jiaofang Palace, both out of courtesy and reason."

"This is the best, and only, opportunity."

Shen Yinian frowned even more: "Is it inappropriate to hold a ceremony on the anniversary of the emperor's death? I'm afraid it will anger the emperor."

Ulan Yun gave a bitter laugh, filled with endless sorrow: "Offend him? He's now completely consumed by that vile woman from Yilan Palace. Does he even remember the blood the Ulan clan shed for him back then?"

"Yi Nian, we have nowhere to retreat."

"Liu Rusi must be favored on that day. Only by breaking Shen Qingruo's exclusive favor and making her lose favor, so that her father knows that His Majesty is not indispensable to her, can Wei Zheng harbor resentment and the matter of surrendering may change."

She looked at her son, her eyes filled with determination: "This is the fastest and most effective method; we can't worry about anything else."

Shen Yinian felt heavy-hearted as he looked at the desperate look in his mother's eyes.

He knew this was a risky move, but as his mother had said, they seemed to have no better option.

Shen Yinian finally nodded heavily, "Your subject understands."

Wulan Yun breathed a sigh of relief, relaxed slightly, leaned back in her chair, and murmured, "Okay, okay, on the anniversary of his death."

-

A few days later, it would be the anniversary of the death of Wulan Yun's father and brothers.

Inside the Jiaofang Hall, a small incense table was set up to enshrine the memorial tablets of the sacrificed sons of the Ulan clan.

As Wulan Yun had predicted, Shen Wangxi entered Jiaofang Palace at dusk.

"Your Majesty." Wulan Yun stepped forward, dressed in simple clothes, without makeup, her eyes slightly red.

Shen Wangxi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the incense table, and said in a steady voice, "I've come to offer incense."

He stepped forward, took the burning incense from Wulanyun's hand, and placed it in the incense burner.

After the worship ceremony, the hall fell silent for a moment.

A palace maid served tea, and just as Shen Wangxi took it, the maid serving her seemed to lose her footing and stumbled, spilling the entire cup of tea onto Shen Wangxi's robe.

"This servant deserves to die! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" The palace maid was so frightened that she immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

Wu Lanyun's expression changed, and she scolded, "You clumsy thing, get out of here!"

She turned to Shen Wangxi, her tone apologetic, "Your Majesty, your clothes are wet. Why don't you go to the inner palace to change? I still have a few of your everyday clothes that you used to wear occasionally."

Shen Wangxi frowned slightly as she looked at the water stains on her clothes, but finally nodded and said, "Mm."

He followed the palace attendants toward the inner palace.

After watching his figure disappear, Wulan Yun finally couldn't hold back her tears and they fell again.

She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand, her heart filled with sorrow.

Unexpectedly, Wu Lanyun would one day resort to such despicable means, personally sending women to her husband's bed.