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Even though Huangfu Zhaohong was resentful, he pretended to be drowsy from the wine, relying on the palace maids to hastily leave the place.

Unbeknownst to him, as he left, a white thread flowed from Ying Zhao's pinky, subtly merging into his body and disappearing.

Once Huangfu Zhaohong left, the Empress turned to Ying Zhao and Lu San with a warm smile, asking, "Are you both alright?"

Ying Zhao quickly nodded, expressing gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Without your help, resolving this matter might have taken much longer."

The Empress nodded, her gaze scanning Lu San. Her eyes briefly lingered on the crescent mark on his wrist but quickly moved away.

After some casual conversation, noticing the late hour, Ying Zhao excused himself, mentioning his fatigue and desire to rest.

The Empress graciously agreed. Watching the two depart, she seemed lost in thought. Wang Mama, seeing her expression, asked, "Your Majesty, who do you think this Huo Yi is? Could he be the Crown Prince?"

The Empress hesitated, replying, "I'm not sure, but his features and birthmark resemble Ao'er's. Despite Huo Yi's notorious reputation, I know my child; I cannot believe he would turn into such a ruffian."

The Empress then recalled her discreet observation of Lu San, being from a military background herself and trained in martial arts.

Lu San's posture and gait were sturdy, clearly someone skilled in martial arts. Throughout their conversation, Lu San's eyes were transparent and lucid.

Though Lu San was reticent, the Empress found him to be quite grounded. She noticed that Ying Zhao was particularly protective of this so-called Huo Yi.

Given Ying Zhao's discerning nature, he wouldn't have sided with a wicked person. Moreover, this marriage was forced upon them.

Pondering these thoughts, the Empress said to Wang Mama, "Send someone from the general's mansion to discreetly investigate this Huo Yi. If possible, bring me a portrait to examine."

Wang Mama nodded promptly in agreement.

Through Xiao Bai, Ying Zhao learned of the Queen's actions and felt quite reassured. Indeed, the Queen was thorough in her endeavors, seeking the root cause of the discrepancies with Lu San. This was far more insightful than the arrogant Princess Chang.

Seeing that Ying Zhao was in good spirits, Xiao Bai felt happy as well. Thinking of the energy Ying Zhao secretly infused into the Second Prince, he swished his tail and asked, "Host, what was the energy you embedded into Huangfu Zhaohong's body?"

Ying Zhao smirked upon hearing this, answering with a hint of sarcasm, "He's always obsessing over that unsavory affair, so I thought I'd give him a taste of his own medicine!"

Xiao Bai shivered involuntarily, sensing the coldness in Ying Zhao's words.

Only when he observed through the system that Huangfu Zhaohong had returned to his mansion and went on a wild spree for three days and nights, did Xiao Bai understand the implications of Ying Zhao's previous words. By the end of it, Huangfu Zhaohong was completely wrecked.

As for Huangfu Zhaohong's frantic search for treatment after realizing his own incapacitation and becoming the laughing stock of the capital, that's a story for another time.

All Ying Zhao had to do was monitor the happenings within the palace and reap the rewards of his actions. The visit to the palace had been fruitful, leaving him quite satisfied.

However, from the moment they left the palace to when they reached the residence of the Duke of Anping, Lu San remained eerily silent.

Ying Zhao had never seen Lu San like this before. He inquired with concern, but Lu San just shook his head with shadowed eyes, refusing to respond. Ying Zhao frowned but decided not to press further.

But as soon as they reached the privacy of their chamber, Ying Zhao was suddenly pinned against the door by Lu San.

A passionate and urgent kiss landed. Ying Zhao, dazed, watched as Lu San bit his lips with an intensity he had never seen since his arrival in this world.

The usually obedient and gentle Lu San in this world was now acting completely out of character. Ying Zhao wondered what had happened.

While Ying Zhao didn't know what had transpired with Lu San, it didn't stop him from instinctively comforting his beloved.

He yielded, wrapping his arms around Lu San, caressing his back, hoping to soothe him.

After what felt like an eternity, Lu San finally released him. Their foreheads pressed together, Lu San's eyes revealed a stark hint of red.

His lips pressed into a thin line, he took a deep breath, pausing for a moment before stating, "The Master is mine. Only mine!"

Ying Zhao, taken aback momentarily, soon nodded in understanding. With a gentle smile, he softly said, "Yours. Lu San, what happened?"

Reflecting on their day in the palace, Ying Zhao speculated that perhaps the evening's events with Huangfu Zhaohong had upset Lu San. He tentatively asked, "Was it because of what the Second Prince said? He's inconsequential; you shouldn't take him to heart."

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