For a moment, Zhao Zhang Wei almost felt that Zhao Wang Lei knew everything. He lowered his head and looked around the room from the corner of his eyes.

One of his hands was inside his sleeve on the dagger that was hidden inside.

He sighed in relief when he didn't feel anyone's presence. The next moment, he heard Zhao Wang Lei asking him

"Zhang Wei, Zhen is asking you something."

It was only at that moment, Zhao Zhang Wei realized that Zhao Wang Lei was genuinely curious. In fact, he could even see the panic lingering in his eyes.

He was panicked because Xi Ying met Empress Dowager.

What did it mean?

Zhao Zhang Wei didn't know but to test the water, he said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty had indeed said something to Prime Minister Xi. However, this one doesn't know what it was."

"How can you not know?"

Zhao Wang Lei shouted and threw away the book in his lap.

All the composure he had before was thrown out of the window. Before he had just gotten the news from Eunuch Wang that his mother had exited her chambers and even met Zhao Zhang Wei on her way to the Imperial Garden.

Zhao Wang Lei had actually been happy that his mother was finally stepping out and going to other parts of the Imperial Palace. However, his happiness was no longer there because a few moments later, he remembered that Xi Ying was also with Zhao Zhang Wei.

Eunuch Wang had told him this also.

The remembrance of this fact brought so much panic to Zhao Wang Lei. He knew that his mother was very angry at him but could she do something to harm him also?

He was sure that she would not do that but an emotional woman could do anything, right? He knew that Xi Ying was a man of principles so the fear of what could happen was constantly hovering over his mind.

He tried to assure himself again and again that his mother would have never met Xi Ying and even if she did she would not say anything to him..after all, she didn't know anything about Xi Ying or did she know.

Zhao Wang Lei knew very well how powerful his mother could be if she wanted. That's why he was so afraid.

historical

On the other hand, Zhao Zhang Wei enjoyed the current state of Zhao Wang Lei.

But it was not long before Zhao Wang Lei realized how suspicious his behavior must be in Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes.

He composed himself immediately and looked at Zhao Zhang Wei. However, Zhao Zhang Wei was faster than Zhao Wang Lei. When Zhao Wang Lei looked at him he saw that Zhao Zhang Wei's head was lowered like a servant.

Zhao Wang Lei's lips twitched and he thought that he was getting nervous because of no reason. Regardless of how well Zhao Zhang Wei was leaving, he would always feel like a servant in this Imperial Palace.

After all, some memories don't leave a person's mind so easily.

"You can leave."

Zhao Wang Lei said just these few words. He now knew that Zhao Zhang Wei could not tell him anything related to this matter.

"Did something happen, Your Majesty? If this one can help Your Majesty in any way then.."

"No!"

Zhao Wang Lei interrupted Zhao Zhang Wei amidst his words and waved his hand as if signing him to leave the room.

"Leave now. Zhen has many works to do. The convoy from other Empire is taking Zhen's so much time."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This one will not disturb Your Majesty anymore."

Zhao Zhang Wei bowed his head and said humbly. He then turned around to leave. He was just at the door when he heard Zhao Wang Lei speaking to him.

"Zhang Wei"

Zhao Zhang Wei sighed and turned around again with a pair of respect-filled eyes.

"Don't get too close with Prime Minister Xi if you want the throne. That man is very clever ..someone whom you can't manage."

Zhao Zhang Wei had to control the scoff that was about to escape from his mouth in sarcasm.

He seemed to see that it was in fact the opposite. It was Zhao Wang Lei who could never manage Xi Ying but he thought that he was too clever.

However, he didn't know that his pride was to end one day.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This one is grateful for Your Majesty's guidance."

Zhao Wang Lei nodded his head and then waved his hand again and Zhao Zhang Wei left the Imperial Study room.

.

.

.

"An Su, find out everything about the Empress Dowager."

Xi Ying said to An Su as soon as he stepped inside the Xi Manor.

"Yes, My Lord."

The shadow guard accepted his master's order.

Xi Ying's face was cold and indifferent as he walked towards the Plum Courtyard. However, a moment later, he spoke suddenly.

"Where is that old physician?"

"Inside Plum Courtyard, My Lord. He is learning from Madam how to tend those special plants inside the Plum Courtyard."

Xi Ying nodded his head and his pace quickened.

An Su said the truth. The old physician was really learning from Li Rui how to take care of those special plants.

He didn't know what Li Rui said to him but he saw a shocked expression on the old physician's face.

"Girl"

He called out Li Rui.

"How did you come up with this idea?"

Li Rui stayed silent and didn't say anything in response. Xi Ying understood that she didn't want to say anything so he stepped inside the garden to save her.

By now, he knew very well just how persistent the old physician could be when he wanted to know something.

"From what this Lord remember, you were just asked to do your work silently."

The old physician froze completely when he heard Xi Ying's cold voice.

He shut his mouth and started to do what Li Rui had taught him. However, he had just forwarded his hand when he heard Xi Ying asking him coldly

"Old man, do you anything about Empress Dowager?"