Mu Nanyan gathered up the hem of her dress, which trailed along the ground, and climbed into the carriage waiting at the gate.

The Cold Palace lay within the grounds of the Demon Imperial Palace, but it was still some distance from the Demon Emperor’s bedchambers.

When Mu Nanyan and Liya brought medicine to the Demon Emperor earlier that day, she’d gotten a clear sense of just how absurdly vast the Demon Imperial Palace was.

Or maybe it was the Cold Palace she’d been banished to that was absurdly remote.

The carriage set off. Only then did Mu Nanyan notice the many fully armed guards following alongside it.

The roads throughout the Demon Imperial Palace were mostly under lockdown. Many of the lights along the way had been extinguished, and there could be a fully armed Demon Clan guard lurking in every patch of shadow.

Mu Nanyan lowered the carriage curtain, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes to rest.

She had no idea who all this security was meant to protect against.

Or was the Demon Emperor showing her just how tightly guarded the Demon Imperial Palace was? Or how much the Demon Emperor valued her?

But this was the Demon Imperial Palace. If they needed a fully armed escort for even this short stretch, then the Demon Emperor must have very little faith in the security of their own inner sanctum.

“Maybe this is a warning. A way of telling me that as long as I behave in the Demon Clan and do as I’m told, nothing will happen to me. But if I have any other ideas…”

Mu Nanyan didn’t want to think any further. Dwelling on it wouldn’t do her any good.

There was nothing she could do right now. She was just a pretty ornament the Demon Emperor could summon and dismiss at will. Just look at her—wearing the most embarrassing outfit she could imagine, hurrying through the night to attend the Demon Emperor’s bed.

And she was a transmigrator, too. What kind of transmigrator had so little dignity? This was rock-bottom humiliating.

Just as Mu Nanyan’s thoughts were about to drift off into outer space, a commotion outside caught her attention.

A white steed galloped past Mu Nanyan’s carriage, carrying a woman with delicate, elegant features.

The woman wore only a light touch of makeup. Mu Nanyan had seen her for just a moment, yet she was deeply struck by the woman’s spirited, capable air.

The woman seemed to notice Mu Nanyan, too. Perhaps she’d only been passing by, but her gaze lingered on Mu Nanyan’s face for several long seconds.

In the blink of an eye, the white horse vanished into the darkness.

This was the Demon Imperial Palace. Anyone who could ride at full gallop through its grounds had to be someone important—at the very least.

Mu Nanyan searched her memories, trying to recall who had the authority to ride a horse inside the palace.

But no matter how long she thought about it, she couldn’t come up with anyone important enough to have that kind of privilege.

This was a street near the Demon Emperor’s bedchambers. The woman had been riding a warhorse, and she seemed to have a sword at her side, too.

With that kind of setup, Mu Nanyan would believe it if someone told her the woman was the Demon Emperor’s own sister. Then again, even being the Demon Emperor’s sister wouldn’t necessarily earn her privileges like these.

“Forget it. Someone that important is beyond my understanding.”

Mu Nanyan gave up thinking about it. She didn’t know how long it took, but eventually the carriage began to slow.

They’d arrived at the Demon Emperor’s bedchambers. Alisha respectfully helped Mu Nanyan down from the carriage and escorted her to the entrance, then stopped there.

“I’m not permitted to enter the Demon Emperor’s bedchambers at night. Just follow the corridor straight ahead. The Demon Emperor is waiting for you.”

“I’ll leave you here for now. Good night, Mother Empress.”

Alisha left with her attendants, leaving Mu Nanyan standing there, unsure what to do.

She looked down the dim corridor and couldn’t help swallowing nervously.

Mu Nanyan had no idea what would happen next. She was so nervous that sweat had already begun to bead on her forehead.

Following her instincts, she took one step at a time down the corridor, then pushed open the somewhat familiar door in front of her.

The first thing she saw was a translucent, deep-red gauze curtain, lending the room a festive air.

Through layer upon layer of red gauze, Mu Nanyan could make out a slender figure leaning against the headboard, holding a thick book.

At the sound of Mu Nanyan closing the door, the figure merely glanced up.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the figure said, “You’re here?”

The voice was as sweet and clear as a silver bell.