Inside the princess's residence.

The palace lanterns under the eaves have been replaced with white shades. As the night wind blows, the white lanterns sway under the eaves, creating a desolate scene.

Although the lampshade did not bear the word "memorial," anyone could tell from the decorations in the courtyard and the plain clothes worn by the servants that the Princess's residence was holding a memorial service for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

In a secluded courtyard, the former Princess Song Yunzhi was dressed in a plain white dress, her long black hair held up with only a white jade hairpin.

Her once delicate face had lost its luster, lacking its former radiance, as if she had aged several years overnight.

She sat steadily in front of the small table, occasionally glancing up at the window, as if waiting for something.

"Princess, please accept my condolences. What's done is done and cannot be changed. Please go back to your room and rest!"

The maidservant who served the princess saw that she had been sitting for almost an hour and felt sorry for her and advised her to stop.

Song Yunzhi's eyes stung, and a tear slid down her cheek.

"Granny, please call me Madam from now on. The new emperor is about to ascend the throne, and I will no longer be the eldest princess."

Song Yunzhi knew in her heart that this ending was already the best possible outcome, but she still felt an indescribable emotion.

Xiao Jingzhao ordered her to send her mother and younger brother to the imperial mausoleum, and all the concubines in the harem to guard the imperial mausoleum.

Xiao Jingzhao told her that everything would remain the same, meaning that the princess's fiefdom would remain the same, which was already considered a generous treatment for her.

If it were someone else, they might have sent her out of the capital, or even taken her life.

Seeing that the princess she had watched grow up had changed overnight, the nanny couldn't help but shed tears.

The old woman stepped forward and replaced the tea on the coffee table with calming tea, then stepped back and stood silently with her hands at her sides.

"Princess, the guards request an audience."

A maid's clear voice rang out from outside the door.

"Come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, a guard dressed in black entered and knelt on one knee. "Reporting to the princess, a carriage just entered the palace."

Song Yunzhi's eyes lit up. "Did you see clearly if there was anyone in the carriage?"

"The carriage went directly into the palace gate, so I couldn't see it clearly."

"Quickly instruct the others to keep a close watch on every palace gate and make sure to find out who is in the carriages leaving the palace."

"Understood, sir." The guard stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Seeing the guard leave, the old woman gently advised, "Madam, please rest. You haven't slept for a day and a night. Your body can't take it if you continue like this. Even if you find them, you must take good care of yourself."

Following Song Yunzhi's wishes, the nanny changed her address to Madam.

Song Yunzhi shook her head. "My brother is incompetent, but he is still my half-brother. His two sons are missing, and I have a responsibility to raise them."

"Now that their fate is unknown, I need to know their whereabouts to feel at ease."

During the chaos in the harem, the little princes born to two concubines disappeared without a trace. Song Yunzhi asked the concubines and palace maids who went to the imperial mausoleum, but none of them knew the whereabouts of the little princes.

The palace maid who was serving said that the little prince was already asleep. She heard a scream outside, so she went out to check. When she returned, the little prince was gone from the bed.

The old woman sighed and said, "The lady and the young master have some connection, and this old servant doesn't think he would harm the innocent."

A cold glint flashed in Song Yunzhi's eyes, and she snorted coldly, "Things are different now. Keeping the late emperor's son alive is always a threat to him. Who knows what he'll do with him?"

...

As the carriage entered the palace, Jiang Shuyue lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside.

There was a palace lantern every certain distance along the palace corridors, and the palace corridors were also brightly lit.

Although the palace scenery was not clearly visible, the mythical beasts with upturned eaves on the rooftops in the distance were faintly visible under the soft light.

A few patrolling guards occasionally walked along the palace corridors, and everything was in perfect order.

The carriage stopped after traveling for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

"Miss, please get off the bus."

Qiuju took the bundle from Jiang Shuyue's hands and habitually helped Jiang Shuyue up.

The master and servant got off the carriage and found that the rest of the men in black had disappeared.

Xiang Song bowed and gestured for them to proceed, saying, "The Imperial Study is just ahead; please come this way, Miss."

"Miss, please go ahead. I'll wait here," Gao Mu said, standing beside the carriage.

Jiang Shuyue nodded slightly and walked forward. Qiu Ju turned back and gestured to Gao Mu, meaning that he should take the carriage and wait.

Gao Mu felt a warmth in his heart, grinned sheepishly, but his body remained completely still.

On the way here, Gao Mu had already asked Xiang Song and learned that the young master only had superficial injuries, which put his mind at ease.

When the guards outside the Imperial Study saw Xiang Song leading his men in, they quickly stepped aside to the left to make way.

Xiang Song raised his hand and pushed open the half-closed door. What came into view was a jade dragon-carved floor candlestick in the room.

There was only a desk and bookshelf made of Phoebe zhennan wood in front, and a six-panel double-sided embroidered screen stood behind it.

The screen is embroidered with peonies, symbolizing wealth and prosperity; at first glance, it appears as a riot of flowers.

Hearing footsteps, Xiangyang from the inner room came out to greet them. After exchanging greetings, he lowered his voice and said, "Master is too tired. He fell asleep without even taking off his clothes."

"Where is he injured?" Jiang Shuyue asked directly.

"I've already bandaged his arm. Miss Jiang, you've come at the perfect time. Please check if the young master needs stitches."

Jiang Shuyue looked at Xiang Song and said, "You light the lamp." Then she strode towards the inner room.

Qiuju rolled her eyes at Xiangyang and followed him.

Xiang Yang: "..." That incident hasn't passed yet?

Xiang Song hurriedly went to fetch the candlestick.

The room was indeed not bright enough.

Ignoring the luxurious decorations and furnishings in the room, Jiang Shuyue looked at the bed, where a handsome face came into view through the gauze curtains on both sides.

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