The guard was stunned by her words and carefully looked at Shen Zhonglei. His expression suddenly changed. He hurriedly knelt on the ground, shouting loudly: “Long live the Emperor! Your servant deserves to die! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!” The other guards followed, kneeling en masse…
Shen Zhonglei’s innate aura and imposing presence were like an official pass. He impatiently waved his hand, not even saying “rise,” and walked past the guards. Dan Xiaoya quickly followed…
Shen Zhonglei walked through the palace, where palace maids and eunuchs knelt to greet him. Their eyes showed curiosity but none dared to ask questions. Everything was contained in their lowered gazes… Dan Xiaoya followed him, too amazed by what she saw to care about others’ reactions.
Having never seen such a magnificent, dignified, and beautiful place, she naturally wanted to take it all in.
Shen Zhonglei brought Dan Xiaoya to a courtyard guarded by imperial guards. This courtyard was different, primarily in its color – everything was yellow, even the dragons on the eaves looked more spirited and imposing than in other courtyards. The front door was inscribed with “Imperial Study” in elaborate calligraphy. Shen Zhonglei swaggered in, with the imperial guards kneeling on one knee to pay respects before standing at their posts.
Shen Zhonglei sat leisurely in the imperial study, with Dan Xiaoya standing to the side. While her eyes were on the bookshelves, her peripheral vision was fixed on Shen Zhonglei. Since seeing the man in black on the grasslands, she felt he was different, and this feeling had only grown stronger here. How could someone who had never been here be so familiar with the palace’s layout? Moreover, his demeanor had changed – previously gentle, now he seemed unreachable and distant.
Shortly after, an elderly man entered, his face full of caution and worry. He immediately knelt and began to cry: “Your Majesty, this old servant thought you… Heaven has eyes! This old servant…” He couldn’t finish, breaking down in tears.
Shen Zhonglei coldly looked at the kneeling man. “We are tired. You may rise.”
A single sentence froze the old man’s sorrow, and he awkwardly retreated.
Dan Xiaoya turned, puzzled. “Who are you, really?”
Sitting at the desk, Shen Zhonglei laughed wickedly. “Who do you think I am?”
“The man in black.”
