It was Gu Ruxue who stood right in front of Junyi.


    He hadn''t expected to encounter Gu Ruxue under such circumstances.


    Gu Ruxue had been divorced by the previous Crown Prince after her true identity as an ordinary woman was revealed. She had been behaving erratically, causing disturbances at the previous Crown Prince''s Mansion. The Gu Family was subsequently removed by Gu Chaoyan, leaving them in a precarious situation. Gu Ruxue''s mental state seemed to have deteriorated as she resorted to beating and cursing servants at home, as well as loudly shouting outside the mansion.


    At one point, she even went to curse at the previous Crown Prince''s mansion, refusing to stop until the servants intervened and beat her.


    Junyi was aware of all these events, not because he had any personal concern for Gu Ruxue, but because he feared she might jeopardize the future of the previous Crown Prince. After all, she had once been his consort, and her situation needed to be closely monitored.


    In his eyes, Gu Ruxue was a mentally unstable woman destined to live a life of turmoil, much like those confined to the Cold Pce at court.


    Yet, there she stood, right in front of him.


    Contrary to his expectations, she appeared remarkablyposed, exhibiting no signs of her usual instability.


    What had caused this change in her behavior?


    Furthermore, she was addressing him as Officer Junyi, a title she had never used before. Previously, she treated him as a low-ss servant, constantly shouting at him.


    Given his current predicament, stripped of his position as the Crown Prince''s strategist, it felt odd to hear such a title. This only heightened his caution when encountering Gu Ruxue.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    He and Gu Ruxue shared amon experience of being discarded.


    This was a woman he had never held in high regard, and he suspected she must be secretly mocking him.


    Junyi''s expression remained devoid of any hint of a smile. He observed Gu Ruxue as if she were aplete stranger, disregarding her previous status altogether. His responsecked politeness. "What is your purpose here?"


    "…"


    "If you have nothing else to say, I will take my leave. Second Lady, it would be best for you to return home. Your presence here is inappropriate, and if The Queen''s servants were to see you, they might seek retribution for past grievances," Junyi remarked sarcastically. He saw no reason to be courteous to a woman who was no longer the Crown Prince Consort.


    Both he and Gu Ruxue found themselves in disarray.


    A flicker of anger crossed Gu Ruxue''s face as she mentioned The Queen and their unresolved conflict, but she quickly restrained herself.


    "Officer Junyi, do not fret. I have a few matters to discuss with you. I can tell from your reaction that you must have failed in your endeavors. Officer Junyi, you are a man of ambition, and it would be a waste to see your talents go to waste. Why not join us?"


    "…"


    "Yes, the Jin King may be on the throne now, but remember, the previous King also fell after ruling for many years. The Jin King could face a simr fate, couldn''t he?"