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At the mere thought of Rong Shu, his heart would race wildly.

Fortunately, he had grown accustomed to this peculiar sensation; even with Rong Shu standing before him, he could maintain his composure.

The Ministry of Punishments had already reported the assassination attempt on Xu Li'er to the inner court, and Emperor Jia You flew into a rage, slamming his dragon table in fury and ordering a thorough investigation.

However, Gu Changjin knew that the truth behind the incident would never be uncovered.

Since Liu Yuan dared to convey the message, he obviously wasn't afraid of the Ministry's investigation. Even if they traced it back to him, he would merely be a scapegoat. There was someone behind Liu Yuan, whose identity Gu Changjin didn't know, but he was aware that this person, like Liu Yuan, wanted Yang Xu dead.

Gu Changjin also desired Yang Xu's demise.

In times of critical need, the enemy of one's enemy could become an ally.

Thus, Gu Changjin wouldn't oppose Liu Yuan.

Moreover, by offering Xu Li'er's life to him, wasn't Liu Yuan extending a favor?

The person who fought him at the inn that day had no intention of harming him. If not for protecting Rong Shu, that knife shouldn't have pierced his arm.

Yet, he himself was brimming with deadly intentions everywhere.

Even though he knew this person shouldn't be killed and couldn't be killed, he still couldn't suppress the overwhelming urge to kill in his heart.

He shouldn't be such an impetuous person.

But the moment she was injured, his reason gave way.

Gu Changjin sat cross-legged on the couch, focusing his mind and calming his heart. When his heartbeat gradually returned to normal, he got up, drank half a pot of cold tea from the belly warmer, and then stared out the window at the sparse shadows of the parasol trees.

His brows and eyes gradually turned cold.

In the Songsi Courtyard.

Ying Que had already conveyed Chang Ji's message to Rong Shu early in the morning.

"Chang Ji said that the Empress has agreed to let Miss Xu serve her mother's spirit at the Great Mercy Temple for a hundred days, and then allow her to become a female historian at the Music Bureau!"

Who could have imagined that the girl who was panic-stricken just a couple of days ago would soon enter the palace as a court lady?

Ying Que's eyes shimmered with excitement. In the Great Yin, becoming a palace maid was no easy feat; it was even more challenging than young men vying to become scholars.

Rong Shu truly felt happy for Miss Xu, who had such fortune.

Upon hearing Ying Que mention Empress Qi, Rong Shu's eyelids twitched, involuntarily recalling her previous life and Nanny Zhu, along with the cup of poisonous wine she had delivered.

The endless pain that the wine had inflicted still haunted her to this day.

She held a deep sense of caution towards Empress Qi in the central palace.

This Empress from the Kunning Palace hailed from the Qi family, a renowned military clan. Her father, Qi Zhang, had been the Grand Commander during the Jiande era, wielding the power of tens of thousands of soldiers and controlling the court. Yet, on his deathbed, he voluntarily relinquished his military authority.

Later, when Prince Qiyuan fell under the sway of an evil cult and was poisoned by a palace attendant, feudal lords across the land invaded the capital in the name of ridding the emperor's court of malign influences.

It was Empress Qi's brother, Qi Heng, who rallied their father's former troops, assisting Emperor Jiayou in launching a rebellion from Taiyuan Prefecture, defeating the other feudal lords one by one.

In the end, Emperor Jiayou became the ruler of the Forbidden City, and the Qi family was hailed as the greatest contributor. As a result, Empress Qi enjoyed great favor from the emperor.

Empress Qi was renowned for her virtue in Taiyuan Prefecture, where she established numerous free schools and medical clinics for the impoverished populace.

In Taiyuan Prefecture, there still stands a Temple of the Empress, built by the local people in gratitude to Empress Qi, and it is incredibly bustling with incense burners.

Now, there were far more female officials in the imperial harem than during the Jiande era. It was Empress Qi, after she ascended to the throne in the Kunning Palace, who vigorously promoted the education of women and their pursuit of official positions.

In this capital city, whether it be noble ladies or ordinary girls from common households, all held great respect for the Empress within the palace.

If Rong Shu had not met her demise at her own hands, she would likely have revered and admired Ying Que with an earnest heart, just as others do.

Thankfully, in this lifetime, she and this Empress shall never again cross paths.

Rong Shu let out a gentle sigh and said to Ying Que, "When I was married, I brought along a chest of books. Go find them for me. I'll select a few to send to the Great Compassion Temple."

Being a court lady is more arduous than one might imagine outside the palace walls. The women who manage to enter the imperial court as officials are subjected to rigorous examinations, not only for their literacy and understanding of propriety but also for their grace and talent.

The Music Bureau falls under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Etiquette Bureau, overseeing the rehearsal of musicians and the arrangement of musical ensembles, as well as managing the timing of their performance and retreat.

Xu Li'er has had an innate talent for music since childhood. She learned the pipa in the Music Pavilion and her voice is as melodious as a lark's first song, truly deserving the phrase "gifted by heaven." However, her family circumstances when she was young didn't allow her to attend a private school for scholarly studies. Although she can read a few characters, she still lacks proficiency in literary matters.

Rong Shu swiftly compiled a thick stack of books, which she entrusted to Chang Ji the next day to send via the embassy to Daci'en Temple.

Chang Ji took the books and had just stepped out the door when he saw a guard galloping towards them in a hurry. Upon reaching the entrance of Gu's residence, he began pounding on the gate loudly.

He rushed forward and asked, "Who are you?"

The guard paused his knocking, his face filled with urgency. "I am Danqing, a close attendant of Duke Cheng'an. Our Lady is gravely ill, and His Grace has specially instructed me to urgently summon Miss back to the Duke's residence."

With that said, he dared not speak any further.

Chang Ji's expression turned grim as he hurried back to the Songsi Courtyard to deliver the message.

Upon hearing Chang Ji's words, Rong Shu nearly lost her balance, stumbling over the threshold and hitting her head hard against the door frame.

"Miss!"

Ying Que quickly caught her, assisting her with concern.

Rong Shu pinched her fingertips forcefully, taking a deep breath before declaring, "We must return to the Duke's residence immediately."

Only a few days prior, she had returned to the Marquis's mansion, where Lady Shen was then in perfectly good health. Even so, she steadfastly refused to allow her to spend the night at Qingheng Courtyard, insisting that Gu Changjin had not fully recovered from his illness, and thus had her escorted back to Wutong Lane.

Why would she suddenly fall ill?

The carriage sped away from Phoenix-Wood Lane, and Rong Shu pondered over the events of her past life all the while.

In her previous life, due to the assassination attempt on Changan Avenue, she did not return home. It was only after Gu Changjin's wounds had significantly improved that she eventually returned to the Marquisate. By then, Madam Shen had already suffered a severe illness. When Rong Shu came back, although she was frail, her health was gradually improving day by day.

At that time, when my mother was ill, no one came to Wutong Alley to inform us. Now, the Marquis's residence has sent someone in a hurry...

Rong Shu dared not dwell on the thought any further.

Qingheng Courtyard.

Lord Cheng'an, Rong Xun, paced anxiously outside the main chamber. The physician had been inside for half an hour and had yet to emerge. In contrast, Nurse Zhou and a few maidservants were constantly shuttling in and out, carrying basin after basin of bloody water.