At this momentous occasion in her life, looking at the stunning beauty in the mirror, Zou Yu'er felt an unprecedented mix of apprehension and nervousness, a complex expression in her eyes.
Everyone harbors an ideal image of their perfect other half in their heart.
She, of course, had one too.
It was just a pity that her heart, Zou Yu'er's heart, was destined for regret.
She had entered the palace.
The Imperial Harem within the Imperial Palace.
From tonight onwards, she would be one of Liu Hong's Imperial Harem women.
There was no joy of impending favor, only apprehension and nervousness.
If she had a choice, she would rather not enter the palace; she had no ambition to become an Empress, nor any desire for power. She preferred a simple life.
Clearly, reality did not allow a weak woman like her to choose.
If she hadn't entered the palace, her family would likely have been ruined.
However, thinking about what the neighbors said—that Liu Hong was a lecherous and tyrannical ruler, a rare tyrant in a thousand years who levied exorbitant taxes—Zou Yu'er felt a surge of nervousness and apprehension.
"What are you spacing out for? His Majesty hasn't even arrived yet."
Just as Madam Zou was lost in thought, a familiar voice rang out.
Zou Yu'er was startled, turning her head to see Zhang Shihao, who had appeared at the door at some point, smiling at her.
"Brother Shihao, why are you here...?"
Zou Yu'er was immediately surprised and delighted.
Even though Zhang Rang and Zuo Feng told her to stay away from Zhang Shihao, Zou Yu'er knew it wasn't because Zhang Shihao was a bad person.
For Zou Yu'er, in this unfamiliar Luoyang, in this cold, deep palace, nothing made her happier than seeing Zhang Shihao.
"Why am I here? Isn't His Majesty about to arrive at Ningxiang Hall? As the Commander of the Imperial Guards, I need to inspect it beforehand and confirm its safety. However, the moment I arrived, I saw Consort Zou so happy and delighted. Well, Consort Zou is about to receive favor, so of course she should be happy and delighted."
Zou turned her head. Zhang Shihao looked at Zou, who had just finished bathing, and his eyes instantly lit up. However, what he said was the opposite of what he thought.
"Ah... Brother Shihao, you've misunderstood. It's not what you think. Yu'er truly isn't smiling for the reason you imagine."
Hearing Zhang Shihao misunderstand that she was happy because she was about to be favored, Zou Yu'er immediately grew anxious. She quickly stood up, came before Zhang Shihao, and hastily explained, as if terribly afraid that Zhang Shihao would misunderstand.
"Misunderstood? So that means you're not happy that His Majesty is about to arrive at Ningxiang Hall, Yu'er?"
Zhang Shihao asked with a slight smile.
"Unhappy. Yu'er never wanted to enter the palace at all."
Zou said, responding to Zhang Shihao's question.
Hearing this, Zhang Shihao nodded. He then took out a small pill from his clothes and handed it to Zou Yu'er, saying, "Yu'er, if you trust Brother Shihao, take this before His Majesty arrives. This can save you. You'll understand then. I'll go now."
After handing the red pill to Zou Yu'er, Zhang Shihao glanced at her, then, under Zou Yu'er's bewildered gaze, smiled and exited Ningxiang Hall.
"This! What is this? Can this thing protect me?"
Zou looked at the pill in her hand, feeling that Zhang Shihao was not on the same side as Liu Hong, and gritted her teeth before swallowing it.
Zhang Shihao quickly returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your Majesty, Consort Zou has finished bathing, and Ningxiang Hall is very safe. Iron Guards have been deployed all around."
Three hundred Imperial Guards, each implanted with the spirit of an Iron Eagle Elite Soldier, held fine iron spears, carried twenty long arrows and a tough iron bow on their backs, and had a broad-bladed fine iron short sword at their waist, along with a fine iron dagger and a cowhide shield. It could be said that, apart from their shields, everything on their person was made of iron.
These three hundred Imperial Guards were named "Iron Guards" by Zhang Shihao.
"Consort Zou has finished bathing and changing? Good, good."
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Liu Hong heard Zhang Shihao's report and repeatedly praised it enthusiastically.
Liu Hong's focus was on Consort Zou having finished bathing and changing.
Zhang Rang, standing nearby, heard Zhang Shihao say that Iron Guards had been deployed all around Ningxiang Hall, and his expression immediately turned ugly.
As the sun set and evening descended, the restless Liu Hong finally couldn't hold back any longer. He waved his hand.
"To Ningxiang Hall!"
A large group of people moved grandly towards Ningxiang Hall.
...
"His Majesty arrives! Consort Zou, receive His Majesty!"
A sharp voice echoed.
Outside Ningxiang Hall, twenty or thirty Iron Guards, holding fine iron spears, carrying tough iron bows, and standing tall and proud, simultaneously knelt on one knee.
Zou Yu'er, in a cloud-purple dress, a stunning beauty, also bowed.
However, there was a noticeable hint of panic on her exquisite, flawless face, and her beautiful eyes couldn't help but look at the group of people approaching.
In that instant, Zou Yu'er saw that familiar, reassuring figure.
"Hiss... Is this Consort Zou?"
Liu Hong, who had rushed over excitedly, looked at the meticulously dressed Madam Zou. He froze on the spot, utterly surprised and delighted.