"Your memory is quite good, young prince." Nanny Li praised, walked up to Xia Miaoyuan, and carefully stuffed the beads into her outer robe.

"That's right. If it was any other jewelry, it would be fine, but this bead, this princess must treasure it." Xia Miaoyuan said proudly.

After that, she walked to the window, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and murmured, "My dear Zhuzi, today is a dangerous day. You must bless everyone to have everything go well and keep this princess safe!"

After Xia Miaoyuan and his group were ready, they got on the carriage and drove to the palace.

Today, Xia Miaoyuan also brought Maomao with him.

As usual, as soon as he arrived at the palace gate, Xia Miaoyuan got off the carriage and rode Maomao into the palace.

Just after walking about seven or eight feet inside, Xia Miaoyuan saw a thin and dark old man walking towards him from another palace path.

The thin and dark old man was wearing a red official uniform and was followed by three followers.

Dai Viet respected the color red, and only ministers of the second rank and above would wear red official uniforms.

Xia Miaoyuan secretly wondered in his heart, "Who is this skinny old man?"

The Second Prince whispered in Dai Viet's ear, "This is Lord Lin, the Right Prime Minister of Dai Viet."

Xia Miaoyuan suddenly realized, "It turns out to be the famous Lin Xiang."

She once again looked at the three followers around Lin Xiang. [These followers are so strange.]

For high-ranking officials like Prime Minister Lin, their personal attendants are all carefully selected. For the sake of appearance, they are deliberately chosen to be young and of similar height.

In addition, there is another requirement, that is, the height of a personal attendant is generally not much different from that of the master.

If the height difference is too big, it will give people a sense of disharmony.

The close attendants selected according to this set of standards give people a very harmonious and comfortable visual experience when walking with the master.

But today, Prime Minister Lin and his three followers gave people a strange feeling.

However, the appearances of these three followers are very inconsistent.

There was a very tall attendant and a slightly shorter one. Both of them looked to be in their twenties or early thirties.

The other attendant was much fatter than the other two, with a round, protruding belly. Moreover, although he looked young, his physique resembled that of an old man.

Lin Tong and his three followers walked over from a distance, looking very inconsistent.

[Is Prime Minister Lin so unrefined? His followers are all so mixed up?!] Xia Miaoyuan muttered to himself.

The second prince couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth as he listened to his sister's thoughts.

People came into the hall one after another, sat in their seats, and chatted restrainedly.

In the middle of the hall, musicians were playing music seriously and dancers were dancing gracefully.

The Empress Dowager and the young Emperor are of the most honorable status, so they will enter after all the guests have arrived.

…

Sukiyomizu Palace.

Zhu Ling sat in front of the dressing table, and the palace maids diligently dressed her up. Liang Chaozong, who had changed his appearance, stood beside her and served her.

"Hey! Sir..." Zhu Ling sighed exaggeratedly.

"It's Double Ninth Festival today. What a shame! I wanted to celebrate it with you. But I didn't expect this to happen."

Mei'er advised gently, "Empress Dowager, there have been rumors lately. To be on the safe side, it's better not to let Mr. Liang attend the palace banquet today."

Zhu Ling curled her lips.

Liang Chaozong said respectfully, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Although today is a pity, we still have many more Double Ninth Festivals to spend together."

"Besides, I am waiting for Your Majesty at Shouxi Palace tonight. When you return from the palace banquet, we can have some fun together."

Zhu Ling smiled sweetly at Liang Chaozong, "Sir, you are really good at talking. Your words have soothed my heart."

Liang Chaozong attentively brought a cup of tea to Zhu Ling and said, "Your Majesty, you must be tired from dressing up. Have some tea to moisten your lips."

Zhu Ling took the teacup and took a sip. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked Mei'er, "Have Minister Lin and the other ministers arrived? Are they showing any signs of abnormality?"

Mei'er whispered, "The servants just came back to report that they've all arrived. They all seem respectful and polite, and there's nothing unusual."

Zhu Ling nodded with satisfaction.

Liang Chaozong said modestly, "Your Majesty, to be on the safe side, you should bring more of your own people with you today. After all, Han Lie has ulterior motives."

Zhu Ling rolled her eyes in disdain. "That old man is under house arrest now. He won't be alive for long. Why should we be afraid of him?"

…

Xia Miaoyuan, the second prince and his entourage ate cakes and fruits while watching the singing and dancing.

It was at this time that the Queen Mother Zhu Ling of Dai Viet and the little emperor arrived.

The eunuch with a shrill voice shouted loudly: "The Emperor has arrived, the Empress Dowager has arrived..."

All the princes and ministers in the hall stood up and saluted the two men.

After Zhu Ling and the little emperor were seated, the little emperor waved his hand and said, "Today is the Double Ninth Festival. There's no need to be formal. Sit down and enjoy your drink!"

The sound of drums and music resumed in the hall.

…

At the same time, the city gate.

Three carriages entered the city in the evening glow.

In the leading carriage, Queen Xiao Ruoyu of Daxia was wearing the clothes of an ordinary woman, and beside her was Yingxue, who was dressed as a maid.

"Madam, we are so lucky. We entered the city before the city gates were locked." Yingxue said.

Xiao Ruoyu lifted the car curtain and looked out. There was a constant stream of people walking on the street, and the sounds of hawking were endless. It seemed very lively.

"Today is the Double Ninth Festival. I don't know if Chengnian, Miao'er and others will go to the palace banquet." Xiao Ruoyu sighed.

Yingxue asked hurriedly, "Then where are we going first?"

Xiao Ruoyu lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then whispered, "Send the housekeeper to the inn to reserve a room, and the rest of you go to the secret guard's base first."

Yingxue responded, moved to the carriage door, and said to the driver, "Let's go to the Su Mansion in Liutiao Lane."

Soon, the convoy arrived at the gate of Su Mansion in Liutiao Lane.

Yingxue knocked on the copper ring on the door and called out, "Madam has returned home, come and open the door!"

Soon someone opened the door.

Yingxue handed a gold and jade token to the person who opened the door. The person immediately opened the door wide and invited Xiao Ruoyu and his group in.

They came to the largest stronghold of the Great Xia Secret Guards in the capital of Dayue.

The person who opened the door recognized the token as belonging to the Queen of Daxia at a glance, and was surprised and delighted.

Wang Meng, the captain of the secret guards, hurried over to greet him, "Here's the little one..."

Wang Meng was about to bow to Xiao Ruoyu when Xiao Ruoyu stopped him with her hand. "When we're out, just call me Madam."

Wang Meng immediately changed his posture to a fist-clasping salute and said, "I pay my respects to the Madam!"