Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 64 Staying by His Side

The palace doors slowly closed, and through the crack in the door, Song Yi saw several guards standing outside.

She sighed helplessly and had no choice but to turn around and go back.

Song Yi sat on the dragon throne, casually flipping through Jiang Lanye's memorials.

Recalling what Jiang Lanye had said—that being an emperor was not easy—Song Yi took the initiative for the first time to carefully examine the memorials piled up on the table.

Sure enough, apart from a few scattered pieces of advice about Jiang Lanye's harem, the rest of the matters involved were quite extensive and complex. The scattered pieces, big and small, were laid out together, and just looking at them was enough to give one a headache.

The most frequently mentioned documents were those concerning the war in the Northwest.

Jiang Lanye usually remained silent, picking up the memorials and reading them expressionlessly. No matter what he read, he would not get angry, and his emotions would not fluctuate in the slightest.

Song Yi had read through almost all the memorials. Feeling a bit sleepy, and thinking that there was still an hour before the time Jiang Lanye had mentioned, she decided to take a short nap on the table.

Song Yi was awakened by the numbness in his arm. He opened his blurry eyes and found that the hall was completely dark and it was dark outside.

She jolted awake, unsure how long she had slept.

But strangely, Jiang Lanye has not returned yet.

Just as I was thinking this, the palace doors were opened from the outside.

Song Yi perked up and called out, "Jiang Lanye!"

Two palace maids entered to bring her dinner.

Song Yi couldn't help but ask them, "How much time has passed since I returned to the palace?"

The two palace maids looked at each other, thought carefully for a moment, and said, "Less than three hours."

"In less than three hours."

Jiang Lanye clearly said he would be back in two hours, but it's already dark, so why hasn't he returned yet?

They placed the food on the table, but although Song Yi was hungry, she had no appetite at the moment.

As the two palace maids curtsied and prepared to leave, Song Yi suddenly grabbed one of them by the shoulder.

"Please tell the guards outside that I need to go out."

"Your Highness, this..."

"You can go and tell them."

".yes."

After the two palace maids left, they closed the palace doors.

Song Yi walked quickly to the door and peered through the crack to listen to the palace maid's words.

"Her Imperial Concubine wishes to leave. Could you please open this door and let her out?"

The guard immediately said in a deep voice, "Without His Majesty's order, no one is allowed to open it and release the Imperial Concubine."

Upon hearing this, Song Yi forcefully pushed the door open.

The guards outside the door immediately stretched out their arms to block the way, and respectfully said, "Please, Your Highness, return."

Song Yi angrily said, "I am going to see His Majesty."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but His Majesty has said that you must not be allowed to leave the palace."

Song Yi took a deep breath and explained, "His Majesty said he would be back in two hours, but it has been almost three hours now and he still hasn't returned. His Majesty is currently in the side hall. I am not leaving the Golden Palace because I want to go find His Majesty."

The two guards exchanged glances and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us. This is His Majesty's order, and we dare not disobey."

If they let the Imperial Concubine pass through and it interrupts His Majesty's conversation with his ministers, His Majesty will be angry and will definitely ask who let the Imperial Concubine go first.

Song Yi became anxious.

"At worst, you can follow behind me and come with me. I really won't run away. With so many of you following me, I definitely won't be able to escape."

Seeing that the guards remained unmoved, Song Yi couldn't help but try to force his way out.

But then, with a "whoosh," the sword was drawn.

"Your Majesty, please wait. Please do not make things difficult for this humble subject."

Looking at the moon, which was faintly visible on the horizon, Song Yi felt increasingly uneasy.

"Alright then, I won't make things difficult for you. Send one of you to inform His Majesty and ask if I may go to the side hall now. Is that alright?" They were still somewhat hesitant after hearing this.

Song Yi was furious.

"If you don't go now, be careful that something happens to His Majesty, and I will hold you responsible."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go immediately!"

Seeing one of them walk towards the side hall, Song Yi let out a deep breath and anxiously looked around.

At this moment, the side halls...

The six ministers were seated on either side of the palace. Jiang Lanye sat in the main seat, his face gloomy, listening quietly to what they were saying.

The guard hesitated for a moment outside the door, then gritted his teeth and went inside.

Jiang Lanye looked at him coldly.

The guard whispered in Jiang Lanye's ear, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine insists on coming out to see you. No matter what I say, she won't listen. She wants me to come and ask Your Majesty."

Jiang Lanye was somewhat surprised, unsure of what was wrong with Song Yi, and said calmly, "Bring her over."

"Yes."

The guard hurried back, and Song Yi quickly asked, "How did it go?"

"Your Majesty, please come with me."

Song Yi quickly followed him to the outside of the side hall.

At this moment, there were many people standing inside and outside the side hall. As soon as she appeared, everyone looked at her curiously, wondering who she was.

Song Yi strode straight in.

The atmosphere inside the hall was exceptionally solemn.

Seeing this, the ministers looked at each other, and couldn't help but say:

"What kind of behavior is this?"

Song Yi ignored the group and walked straight to Jiang Lanye's side.

Jiang Lanye looked at her and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Song Yi couldn't help but say, "Didn't we agree that we'd be back in two hours? What time is it now?"

The minister below suddenly said, "So it is the Imperial Concubine. Your humble servant pays respects to the Imperial Concubine."

Song Yi turned his head and looked at the minister with displeasure.

“Your Majesty, what we were discussing with His Majesty was a matter of great national importance. It is really inappropriate for you to just walk in like this.”

Song Yi raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "National affairs? What, is it that I, the Empress, cannot hear about them?"

The minister couldn't help but say, "You are a woman confined to the palace; you shouldn't interfere in state affairs."

Song Yi did not back down at all and said directly, "A woman from the inner palace? This minister's words were full of disdain and contempt for women. Since you look down on me, a woman from the inner palace, and think that I don't know anything, why do you care whether I am here or not?"

"Could it be that you're afraid I'll overhear some secret and bring ruin to the entire dynasty?"

"you!"

Song Yi looked at him arrogantly.

The minister was so angry his mustache almost stood on end. He looked at Jiang Lanye, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is so spoiled and willful, you..."

"enough."

Jiang Lanye said coldly.

His expression was extremely displeased, and his hands were clenched into fists.

This statement not only stunned the ministers, but also Song Yi.

Jiang Lanye looked at Song Yi, took her hand, and the coldness between his brows slowly dissipated. He said softly, "I know you're bored. Today's matter is a bit troublesome. Go back and wait for me. I'll be fine in a bit."

"I do not."

Song Yi refused outright, looking at the empty seat next to him, and said, "Let me sit here and wait for you."

(End of this chapter)