Chapter 2: Eunuch Shun's Sudden Visit

“I am fine!” Tang Wanqiu waved her hand, saying urgently, “Quick, send someone out to investigate and see if something has happened at the Duke of State's Manor!”

Right now, the only thing on her mind was her maternal family, the Duke of State's Manor. For some reason, she felt that tonight's palpitations were closely related to the manor.

She hoped her intuition was wrong!

“Huh?” Yu Niang was stunned, completely failing to understand what was going on. Why would her mistress think of the Duke of State's Manor just because she had a nightmare?

How could something happen to the Duke of State's Manor?

Having grown up in the manor since childhood, Yu Niang naturally understood the status the Duke of State held in the imperial court. Aside from the Emperor, who else could touch the Duke of State's Manor? Could it be that the Emperor...

Yu Niang did not dare to think further. After casting a complex glance at her mistress, she asked nothing and turned to go about her duties.

At the same time, amidst the thunder and lightning, an old eunuch braved the wind and rain, crawling and stumbling his way to the entrance of Kunning Palace. The gatekeeper eunuch recognized the newcomer and was struck with astonishment.

“Eunuch Shun! Why have you come in such heavy rain? You aren't even wearing a straw raincoat; what if you catch a cold?” Yu Niang, who had just stepped out of the palace gates, saw Eunuch Shun in such a wretched state and asked in surprise.

“Quick, I have urgent matters to discuss with Her Majesty the Empress.” Eunuch Shun's face was currently filled with intense panic. Eunuch Shun was a close attendant to the Emperor, and Yu Niang had never seen him look so disheveled.

His frantic manner today immediately gave Yu Niang a bad premonition.

Yu Niang did not dare to delay and hurriedly said, “Please wait a moment, Eunuch. This servant will go and announce you immediately.”

“There is no time, move aside!”

Eunuch Shun did not say much to Yu Niang; he simply pushed the palace gates open with force and charged straight into the inner palace. As soon as he entered, he let out a loud cry with a voice that was hoarse yet piercing.

“Your Majesty! Empress!”

Yu Niang jogged to keep up with Eunuch Shun's pace, not daring to pause for a single moment as she hurried back. Perhaps, something really had happened.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Shun has arrived!” Yu Niang hurriedly entered the room to report to Tang Wanqiu.

Inside the room, Tang Wanqiu's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. As expected, something had happened!

Eunuch Shun was one of the Emperor's men, but he was also the only person in this palace loyal to her.

Years ago, she had saved Eunuch Shun's life. Moreover, she hadn't just saved him, but also his younger brother and his brother's family, preventing his lineage from being extinguished. For this, Eunuch Shun was deeply grateful to her, willing to give his life for her.

However, to avoid suspicion, they kept these matters between themselves and never made them known to the outside world. Even the Emperor did not know about the layer of relationship between them.

But now, Eunuch Shun had rushed into Kunning Palace so recklessly. That could only mean that something truly major had occurred.

Tang Wanqiu suppressed the trembling in her heart, struggling to maintain her composure. “Quickly, summon him in.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Tang Wanqiu felt it wasn't fast enough. “No, I will go out myself.” Then, she rushed out wearing nothing but her inner garments.

“Your Majesty!”

Yu Niang had not seen her mistress this agitated in many years. In her momentary shock, she forgot to stop her.

By the time she thought to intervene, the Empress had already gone out. She had no choice but to grab a cloak and chase after her.

“Your Majesty, the wind is strong outside, please put this on quickly.”

Tang Wanqiu could not care about her appearance at this moment. She brushed Yu Niang's hand aside and asked loudly, “Where is Fu Shun?”

“Your Majesty, this old servant is here!”