Rings Within Rings, Schemes Within Schemes

Two days later

It's been two whole days since Butterfly Rogue's last cryptic message.

Back then, Ivy Shen was completely stunned—she knew the man opposite her couldn't possibly be Lord Shangguan. If he were, he wouldn't know her nickname!

So, the only explanation was—he had to be one of her husbands. But which one?!

What Ivy absolutely didn't expect was that the culprit turned out to be Butterfly Rogue—the one who always leaves her shocked and speechless.

At the time, he gave her a gift box, saying it was ginseng. After he left, Song Zhijue told her to throw it away, claiming the palace had much better stuff.

But she kept it anyway. The moment she saw his lips move ever so slightly, she just knew—this was something she absolutely had to hold onto!

Because only by keeping it could she figure out his true purpose—what was he really trying to do?

Sure enough, Song Zhijue couldn't win against her stubbornness, so he let her keep the box.

He even praised her for being so kind and knowing how to cherish things.

So while Song Zhijue was busy with court duties, she took the chance to open the box and search every inch. Sure enough, at the very bottom was a soft layer. The moment she tore it open, she knew exactly who it was—only he could pull off such flawless disguise-craft on the inside, no one else!

When she found that tiny note hidden in the box, Ivy's sensitive heart was once again stirred by this seemingly carefree man!

"Ivy, I can't fight, can't write poetry, but my feelings for you are real. Don't worry—no matter how dangerous the palace is, I'll always be by your side, never leaving you. Don't worry about me; I snuck in behind their backs, none of the other six know I'm here. Don't miss me, don't fret. Stay safe!" —Your Butterfly Rogue

She had to admit, her heart trembled when she read that letter. Honestly, she's never disliked Butterfly Rogue—not even when he was a notorious thief, not even when he was terrible at martial arts, not even when he was all talk and jokes. She really doesn't dislike him one bit.

He once said he'd steal the most treasures for her dowry. Even though he can't fight, he risked his life to steal jade pendants for her. He got beaten half to death but wouldn't let anyone tell her.

That fool—everyone thinks he's just a clueless, infamous thief.

Later, at the cliff and in the Endless Indulgence Kingdom, he kept surprising her, kept moving her. That's when she realized—his carefree attitude was just a front. Deep down, he's sensitive and emotional too!

Goofing off and not taking life seriously is just his outer shell—nobody stays like that forever, and he's no exception.

But remembering what he wrote in the letter, she couldn't help but worry. She was sure—Butterfly Rogue wasn't Lord Shangguan, and if he kept up the act too long, he'd definitely slip up.

So, she had to speed things up.

But the thing that really gave her a headache was that line in his message: 'None of the other six know.' Wait—none of them know?

Adrian Night said the same thing: 'Don't worry, they're all safe...'

The next second, Ivy's eyes widened—a terrifying thought popped into her head. Could it be...

Could they all be lying to each other? Did they each sneak into the palace on their own?

No, no way. Ivy shook her head—she didn't dare let that terrifying thought go any further. It can't be. Adrian Night and Butterfly Rogue must've just stumbled in by accident, that's all.

Yeah, they must've gone to the Six-Realm Martial Conference. Definitely!

Ivy kept trying to comfort herself, but her palms were starting to sweat. That kind of thought kept swirling through her mind like seaweed, making her heart race with fear.

She could ignore life and death when it came to herself, but for them—for her most important people—she just couldn't stop worrying.

But before Ivy could think things through, an unexpected guest arrived in her room!

"Your Majesty the Empress!" Gavin Wang quickly bowed to Cao Wan'er.