Xin Zizhao changed his clothes and came out of the room. When passing by the main hall, he saw Wei Shuxuan lying listlessly on the table in the main hall. He walked in and asked, "What are you doing?"
Hearing Xin Zizhao's voice, Wei Shuxuan turned her head, glanced at Xin Zizhao standing behind, then turned back and replied listlessly, "It's... nothing."
"Don't say it's nothing. It's obvious at a glance that there's something wrong with you. Is it because of the case that you're so troubled?" Xin Zizhao could tell at a glance what Wei Shuxuan was troubled about.
"If you already know, why do you still ask me? Is that interesting?" Wei Shuxuan pouted unhappily. She turned her head again and saw the clothes Xin Zizhao had changed into. "Where are you going dressed like this?"
"To fast and take a bath to prepare for tomorrow's coming - of - age ceremony."
"Really? You have to fast and take a bath before the coming - of - age ceremony. You ancient people are really so troublesome..." Wei Shuxuan couldn't help but complain in a low voice.
"What did you say?" Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan.
She shook her head. "I didn't say anything. You misheard."
Wei Shuxuan sized up Xin Zizhao again. He was wearing a light - blue robe embroidered with gold trim. He already had a very good - looking face, and this robe made him look even more handsome and imposing. Wei Shuxuan, seeing him for the second time, couldn't help but be stunned.
"Your Highness, the Fifth Prince, it's time for you to go to the Meditation Palace to fast and take a bath. Otherwise, it will be bad if you miss the auspicious time!" Seeing that Xin Zizhao hadn't come out for so long, Chief Eunuch Li couldn't help but urge him to leave the Wind - Harmony Palace and go to the Meditation Palace quickly. The maids outside were already waiting.
"Got it," Xin Zizhao glanced at Chief Eunuch Li, then turned to look at Wei Shuxuan. "I'm going out first. You stay here and think it over. If you want to go out for investigation, tell Xin Shang. I'll ask him to help you secretly."
"Okay, thank you. Hurry up and go. Otherwise, it will be bad if you miss the auspicious time."
Before leaving, Xin Zizhao gave Wei Shuxuan a deep look and then quickly left.
In the Meditation Palace, a large circular bath was placed in the center of the palace. There was a circular dome hanging above it. The light - yellow thin gauze fluttered in the wind. The water in the bath was shrouded in white mist. Three incense burners were placed around it, and the sandalwood in the burners was slowly rising, making it look like a dreamy fairyland.
Actually, Xin Zizhao also thought this fasting and bathing was too exaggerated, but since his father - the emperor asked him to do so, he had no choice but to follow the order.
Soon, the day of the coming - of - age ceremony arrived. Wei Shuxuan watched as Xin Zizhao put on the gorgeous robe that had been prepared long ago. Her heart couldn't help but pound.
He was really so handsome.
"Hey, what are you still looking at? Hurry up and change your clothes and come with me to the coming - of - age ceremony."
Wei Shuxuan was stunned for a moment. "What? Can I go too?"
"Of course. You'll attend the ceremony as my page boy. Moreover, Father - the emperor has already allowed it."
"But... why didn't you mention it to me at all before?" Wei Shuxuan still couldn't react.
"Come on, stop asking. Hurry up and change your clothes. I've already had someone put the clothes in your room."
Forced by Xin Zizhao to go back to her room to change clothes, Wei Shuxuan quickly changed and was then taken out by Xin Zizhao to attend the coming - of - age ceremony.
In the main hall, Emperor Jinzheng and the queen were sitting on the main seats. The court officials were standing on both sides. Xin Zizhao walked in from outside the main hall, followed by a row of maids and page boys. Wei Shuxuan was also among them. She kept her head down and didn't dare to look around, for fear of making eye contact with some official and causing trouble.
"The Fifth Prince is here!" The eunuch standing on the high platform shouted loudly. After Xin Zizhao stood still, he began to read the imperial edict. "The Fifth Prince, Xin Yelin, styled Zizhao, was born on the 29th day of the seventh lunar month in the Yulong Calendar. He comes of age today. Now, I hereby announce that the coming - of - age ceremony officially begins! Now, let's invite the Son of Heaven of our Yulong Kingdom to put the jade crown of the prince on the Fifth Prince!"
Just as Emperor Jinzheng was walking down from his seat, there was a commotion outside the main hall. Emperor Jinzheng was distracted for a moment and looked outside. He saw a group of black - clothed guards pushing and shoving outside, as if they were trying to stop someone from coming in.
"What's going on outside?" Emperor Jinzheng asked impatiently.
"Let me go out and have a look!" Ge Zian volunteered.
At this moment, a woman rushed out of the encirclement of the guards. She flew into the main hall, holding a long sword and charging straight towards Emperor Jinzheng. "You dog emperor! I, Wei Shuxuan, will kill you today to avenge all my family members!"
Just as the woman was about to reach Emperor Jinzheng, Xin Zizhao reacted very quickly. He took out several silver needles from his sleeve and threw them at the woman. The woman who was hit fell from the air but still got up from the ground and stabbed at Emperor Jinzheng with the long sword.
Wei Shuxuan was quick - witted. She spun around and kicked the woman's long sword away. Seeing Wei Shuxuan, the woman roared angrily, "You little eunuch, don't come and stop me!"
Saying that, she attacked Wei Shuxuan. Wei Shuxuan caught the woman's sweeping leg, bent down and punched her. The woman's martial arts were not bad either. Although she was punched by Wei Shuxuan, she still kicked out very powerfully. The wind of the kick made the hairpin in Wei Shuxuan's hair fall off, and her long hair scattered.
"Oops!" Wei Shuxuan exclaimed, but she didn't care anymore and still neatly parried the woman's moves.
Seeing that Wei Shuxuan and the woman were evenly matched, Xin Zizhao stepped forward to help. He took out several more silver needles from his lapel and accurately threw them at the woman. The woman was hit by the paralyzing needles developed by Xin Zizhao and immediately fell to the ground.
"Come on, quickly arrest this woman!"
With the help of Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan, the woman who attempted to harm Emperor Jinzheng was quickly subdued.
"So what if you arrest me, Wei Shuxuan! I will surely kill this dog emperor to avenge my family!" The woman still shouted brazenly.
"Who on earth are you? Why do you pretend to be Wei Shuxuan?" Xin Zizhao looked at the ferocious - looking woman who was already tied up tightly with dissatisfaction.
"I'm the real Wei Shuxuan. Your Highness, the Prince, what evidence do you have to prove that I'm a fake Wei Shuxuan?" The woman tried to defend herself.
Xin Zizhao just smiled. "I didn't say I'm the Prince. How did you know I'm the Prince?"
The woman was speechless for a moment. She rolled her eyes, seemingly still wanting to defend herself.