Chapter 183: Palace Storm Rises Again

The scene before her made her eyes slightly moist. This was her office, with a white coat hanging quietly on the coat rack.

She slowly moved to the desk, pulled open the drawer, and the small snacks inside were still lying there quietly, exactly as they had been when she left after work that day.

Beside it was her rest room; pushing the door open, the familiar arrangement came into view, everything unchanged.

She remembered there was a box of brain-refreshing tablets in the drawer. She flipped through it slightly, and sure enough, it was exactly as in her memory. Without hesitation, she placed one in her mouth; it still carried that faint cool sensation, unchanged.

"What on earth is going on?"

Jun Jun Zijin murmured to herself, her voice full of confusion and shock.

These rooms were indeed identical to her past life, yet in her past life, the laboratory was within the military medical school campus, while the operating room and her office were in the military hospital district.

Aside from herself, there was no other living person here; clearly, the rift of time and space had not opened again.

Suddenly, her mind cleared sharply. It was the phoenix phantom image; it was this phoenix ring on her hand that had brought her here!

Immediately, joy rose in her heart. Heaven had not been unkind to her.

Although it was merely an empty shell, and she would have to brew the potions herself, not truly a cheat, at least it gave her the capital to display her abilities.

Jun Jun Zijin gently stroked the phoenix ring on her hand. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.

She had previously stabbed this phoenix ring into her own flesh; she vaguely remembered the phoenix ring had been stained with her blood, and then a miracle occurred, bringing her into this place.

Phoenix ring, phoenix blood? Could it be...?

As she pondered, sounds seemed to come from outside, interrupting her thoughts.

She concentrated and listened carefully; it seemed there were footsteps and the sound of searching.

Just then, the footsteps searching outside grew closer and suddenly stopped beside her.

A warm, gentle voice sounded softly:

"Girl, where exactly are you?"

Jun Jun Zijin was startled in her heart. This was Quan Quan Tianchen's voice; why had he come?

She then remembered the poison she had taken was so fierce that recovering her strength would likely take several days.

Worry inevitably rose in her heart. How anxious her grandmother must be; if Fei Ying and the others could not find her, how anxious they would be.

But she was still on the second floor; even if she succeeded in getting out, where would she land?

While she was dazed, the person outside seemed to start moving again.

Jun Jun Zijin worried he would walk far away; in her current weak state, she feared she could not last long.

In her panic, disregarding everything else, she decided to gamble everything. Following the method in novels, she closed her eyes, cleared her mind of distractions, and tried to focus her thoughts. Sure enough, she successfully exited the space.

A smell of smoke and soot hit her nose. She lay amidst blackened ruins; lifting her head, she saw a figure in moon-white clothing walking ahead.

Jun Jun Zijin called out hoarsely and weakly:

"Fourth Brother!"

Her voice was extremely faint, so faint that the person ahead could barely hear it.

Quan Quan Tianchen stopped his steps suspiciously, and when he turned around, seeing the person who had suddenly appeared, his eyes were filled with surprise.

"Girl, Fourth Brother has finally found you."

He could not afford to think too much; he reached out, scooped her up, and let her limp body lean against his arm.

She was so weak that a gust of wind seemed capable of scattering her; her pale face was devoid of color, yet the moment she saw him, a faint, weak smile appeared on her lips.

"I never thought I would still be alive to see you all."

Before she could finish speaking, she closed her eyes and fainted once more.

"Girl!"

Quan Quan Tianchen's heart felt as if struck hard by a heavy hammer, a sharp pang of pain.

When had he ever seen her, usually as tough as iron, in such a wretched state?

"Girl, do not fear."

He spoke softly, and without hesitation, he carried her horizontally in his arms. With wind beneath his feet, he rushed swiftly toward the palace.

——————

Meanwhile, in the palace, a major incident was unfolding.

At the palace banquet celebrating the triumphant return of the warriors who had campaigned in the northern frontier, the palace halls were decorated with lanterns and silk, presenting a scene of great festivity.

Court officials and female relatives entered in pairs and groups, smiling and laughing.

The Noble Consort Gao, who had been low-profile during this period, was in high spirits these past two days. Having held back for so long, her pride made her lose her composure.

Every time she looked at the plaque of the Phoenix Ren Palace, the shadows of past power seemed to float before her eyes; back then, she and Prime Minister Gao held sway over the court, and no one dared to challenge them.

But now, everything had changed. It was all because that damned girl Jun Jun Zijin had meddled. That wretched girl deserved to end up in such a state.

In high spirits and with graceful bearing, she glided into the hall with lotus-like steps, casting a glance at the high platform above.

That was where she used to sit; although there was an empty seat pressing above hers, it was, after all, just an empty seat.

Now the Empress sat in the upper position, elegant and dignified. The Noble Consort Gao found that face particularly offensive, wishing to rush forward and tear it off.

Seeing the Noble Consort Gao's venomous gaze and silent provocation, a complex emotion flashed in the Empress's eyes, which then returned to calmness, maintaining her dignified bearing.

Not long after the banquet began, everyone sensed the extremely strange atmosphere in the hall.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng sat at the table with a blank expression, as if the laughter and joy around him had nothing to do with him.

Quan Quan Aoyu wore an expression that warned strangers to keep their distance, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like an ice-cold blade.

The Empress's expression was indifferent, revealing nothing.

The Emperor's face shifted between gloom and brightness, taking in everyone's expressions.

The ministers and their families either remained silent, cautiously raised their cups, or whispered to one another.

They feared that one careless mistake would anger those ancestors on the main seats and bring disaster upon their families.

At this moment, the Noble Consort Gao, who had been silent for several months, could no longer hold back her pride.

She slowly rose, the wine cup in her hand gently swaying, causing ripples to form in the wine within.

She deliberately raised her voice; her tone seemed concerned, yet it concealed mockery:

"I heard the Jun family suffered such a disaster; it is truly sigh-worthy. No one knows where Lady Lady Qingping is now, whether she is safe or in peril. But then again, two days of searching have passed; I fear she has been burned to nothing. It is pitiful to think of it."

The Empress's face instantly darkened. She gripped the silk handkerchief in her hand tightly, her knuckles turning white, her eyes filled with anger and majesty.

"Consort Gao, speak cautiously! Lady Lady Qingping is a virtuous person blessed by Heaven; she will surely be unharmed."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Quan Quan Aoyu glared in anger, clenching his fists tightly. A chilling aura radiated from him, and a flash of murderous intent passed through his eyes.

Third Imperial Prince Quan Quan Tianyi held his fingers slightly curled in an orchid pose, sipping wine in small sips from his cup, a faint, barely perceptible cold smile hanging on the corner of his lips.

That boy from the Jun family was clever this time; he handled the task quite well.

Even if he is crippled, what does it matter? It does not affect his ambition to become Emperor at all.

Quan Quan Tianyi was seen gently swaying his wine cup and speaking carelessly:

"It is merely a change in my family's affairs. Matters within the palace are inherently unpredictable. If a person is gone, then they are gone; why make such a great effort?"