Shocking! The actress was dragged to the regent's bedchamber every night.

Outside the tent, the night grew even darker.

But the noise didn't subside; instead, it grew even louder.

Just then, a deliberately hushed conversation came from afar and stopped not far from the tent.

The speaker seemed to think that no one was in the tent, or that his voice was low enough to go unnoticed.

"...I think this is pretty much a done deal."

A slightly high-pitched male voice rang out.

"Look at that setup. How could ordinary assassins get their hands on that northern poison? It's obvious there's something fishy going on."

"Shh, watch your mouth." Another voice hurriedly interrupted, filled with panic, "Are you out of your mind? How can you say something like that?"

"How did I say anything wrong?" the shrill voice protested.

But I still subconsciously lowered the volume even further.

"Who can't see what that person is thinking? Who owns this court and this empire now? It's all up to him. The young emperor... humph, he's just an eyesore after all."

"Foolish." The deep voice grew urgent. "Does that person still need to take action personally? He's the ruler just by standing there. What difference does it make whether the little emperor is here or not? Why get involved in this mess?"

"That's hard to say," a shrill voice muttered. "Title is everything. As long as that person sits on the throne, our Regent is still a subject. But once that person is gone, what will happen next..."

Before he could finish speaking, he seemed to be pulled hard by his companion.

"Shut up and get out of here. It's best to keep quiet in this dangerous place."

The sound of footsteps quickly faded into the distance, and the conversation ceased.

Inside the tent, Su Wuli stood frozen in place, even holding her breath.

They are talking about Yu Chen.

They are suspicious...

No, it was almost certain that the assassination of the young emperor was instigated by Yu Chen.

Because he wielded too much power, because the young emperor was in the way, because he wanted to... take his place?

Su Wuli's hands and feet were ice cold, and a chill ran up her spine.

Emperor murder and usurpation?

No, that's not right.

This is a dream. The people and events in the dream are all fake and should not be taken as real.

However, the bullying and drowning in her dream were real; it was just that the events had happened before and were being repeated in her dream.

Could it be... that Yu Chen's intention to kill the emperor is also true?

Su Wuli recalled those unfathomable eyes and the almost cruel calm that occasionally emanated from him.

If he really... really had those thoughts...

Or was it because his dream was repeating events from reality that he didn't show shock when he heard about the assassination attempt?

After an unknown amount of time, the noise outside the tent gradually faded away and dissipated.

Su Wuli hugged her knees, remaining motionless.

The oil in the lamp seemed to be almost burned out, and the flame was getting smaller and smaller.

The rabbit was curled up at her feet, seemingly asleep as well.

A series of footsteps approached from afar and stopped outside the tent.

Su Wuli suddenly raised her head.

The curtain was lifted, bringing in a cool breeze from the late autumn night.

Yu Chen walked in.

He was still wearing that dark riding and archery uniform, the hem and shoulders of which seemed to be damp with night dew, showing faint signs of dampness in the dim light.

His face was expressionless, even carrying a faint hint of weariness.

He pulled the curtain down with his backhand, then his gaze swept across the inside of the tent.

Su Wuli's eyes held an undisguised panic and curiosity as she met his gaze unexpectedly.

Yu Chen didn't say anything, but walked straight to the low table, picked up the kettle, and found it was empty.

He put down the kettle, turned around and went to the corner to take out a leather water bag, uncorked it, and drank a few mouthfuls.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and the sound of him swallowing was exceptionally clear in the overly quiet tent.

After finishing his water, he casually placed the water pouch on the low table before looking at her again.

Su Wuli maintained that posture, only her shoulders were slightly hunched.

"You're still awake?" Yu Chen asked.

Su Wuli's lips moved, but no sound came out; she didn't know what to say.

Ask him how the emperor is? Ask him what he's been doing all this time? Or ask him... is what those people outside are saying true?

She didn't dare ask.

Any problem at this moment seems abrupt and dangerous.

However, Yu Chen didn't seem to expect her to answer.

He walked to the low couch and began to untie the sash of his outer robe.

The movements were neither hurried nor slow.

He took off his black outer robe, revealing a close-fitting dark outfit underneath that accentuated his broad shoulders and upright back.

He casually draped his outer robe over the edge of the couch, then sat down on the outside of the low couch and began to unwrap his wrist guards.

The metal buckle made a slight clicking sound.

Su Wuli's gaze involuntarily followed his movements.

He looked...too calm.

It seems like she just went out for a walk.

"Scared?" he suddenly asked, still fiddling with his wristband while looking down.

Su Wuli trembled, her fingers unconsciously clenching the fabric at her knees.

"...It seems chaotic outside."

She heard her own dry voice and avoided his question.

Yu Chen placed the wristband he had taken off aside and finally looked up at her.

In the dim, yellowish light, his eyes appeared deep black.

"It won't be chaotic." The tone was ambiguous, neither certain nor indifferent. "They won't die."

The three words, spoken lightly, sent a chill down Su Wuli's spine.

Does he mean the emperor can't die?

Or does it mean that this turmoil won't disrupt his plans?

Looking at his calm and expressionless face, Su Wuli suddenly remembered the two people whispering outside the tent.

I recall his indifference when he heard the details of the assassination.

The thought popped into my head uncontrollably.

Did he really... arrange all of this all along?

Including the emperor being shot with an arrow, the assassin being captured or killed, and everything that might happen afterward?

The thought sent chills down her spine.

Yu Chen seemed to see the fear and doubt in her eyes.

He looked at her for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out his hand to her.

Su Wuli subconsciously shrank back a little.

His hand stopped in mid-air, not moving forward.

"Come here." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable command.

Su Wuli looked at his outstretched palm, then glanced at his expressionless face.

My heart is pounding.

She wanted to refuse, to run away, but her body felt as if it were being pulled by invisible threads.

Hesitantly, he finally loosened his arms from hugging his knees and stood up somewhat stiffly.

Her legs were numb from sitting for so long, and she staggered.

Yu Chen's hand instantly supported her arm, pulling her closer.

His palms were warm and strong.

Su Wuli was pulled in front of him, and she could smell a faint rusty smell on him.

Is it the smell of blood?

She wasn't sure, but her heart clenched even tighter.

Yu Chen didn't let go; he just held her forearm and looked down at her.

His gaze swept across her face, from her eyes to her lips.

"What did you hear?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.

Su Wuli shook her head, not daring to speak.

Yu Chen's thumb rubbed against the inside of her forearm; the skin there was soft and sensitive, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

"Not going to talk?" His tone didn't change much, but it inexplicably gave off a dangerous feeling. "Then you've heard quite a bit."

Su Wuli bit her lower lip, lowered her eyes, and avoided his gaze.

He suddenly released her hand and instead pinched her chin, forcing her to raise her head.

Su Wuli was forced to meet his gaze.

Those eyes were unfathomable, just like him—unfathomable and unpredictable.

Yu Chen stared intently at her, his fingers gripping her chin tightening slightly.

"What did you hear?" he asked again, his voice even lower and more menacing.

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Honey, please don't mention the pace of the scenes in your book reviews, or it'll really become an censored version, sob sob~~