Please convey my apologies to the Empress Dowager; I should return to Chuxiu Palace.

Otherwise, if Xiuning appeared before the Empress Dowager in such a miserable state, it would be considered an offense of being improperly dressed and disrespectful to the Empress Dowager, which would be a serious crime that would allow her to return home early.

Neither Dong E Jingxin nor Shu Mu Lu Yixuan doubted Xiu Ning's request to return to the palace.

They even felt that Xiuning's suggestion came a little too late. If it were them, having been so unlucky as to fall three times in a row, they would have run away long ago.

"Sister Xiuning, be careful on your way back."

Shu Mulu Yixuan spoke with concern, but her eyes held a hint of smugness and glee. After all, she was overjoyed that Xiu Ning was in trouble.

Compared to Shu Mulu Yixuan, Dong E Jingxin seemed much more sincere.

"Go back and tell your nanny that she will ask the imperial physician to prescribe two doses of calming herbal medicine for you."

"You should go back and rest earlier today," otherwise you won't have any good opportunities to appear before the Empress Dowager.

Xiuning nodded. "You two should be careful when you go over there."

She always felt something was off, and these three falls were just something she went with the flow.

And so, the three parted ways here. Dongxue led Shumulu Yixuan and Dong'e Jingxin away, while Fang'er escorted Xiuning back to Chuxiu Palace alone, and then went back to apply medicine herself.

Fortunately, there were no problems along the way, and Xiuning arrived at Chuxiu Palace with ease.

There was no one in the courtyard, only the stern criticisms of the old women coming from inside the main hall.

She looked up and then waved to Qiu'er, who was guarding the door, "Is there anything wrong today?"

She had just been to Cining Palace, and Xiuning was afraid she might have missed something.

Qiu'er shook her head, helping Xiu Ning through the door as she said, "Everything is perfectly normal."

"By the way, I noticed the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming quite nicely. Who usually likes to go to the Imperial Garden?"

As if it were just casual conversation, Xiu Ning took advantage of the fact that no one was around to try and get information out of Qiu Er.

"Usually it's the Empress and Consort Shu, and a few concubines will occasionally go over as well."

Qiu'er didn't think anything of it and said it lightly.

"Where are the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager?" Xiuning asked the crucial question.

"These two masters rarely leave the palace, let alone go to the Imperial Garden."

Seeing Xiu Ning's confused expression, Qiu'er thought for a moment and then explained, "His Majesty likes to take walks in the Imperial Garden."

Therefore, it's normal that it was the emperor's concubines who went there, as it made it easier for them to compete for his favor.

"When does His Majesty usually go?" Xiu Ning asked, slipping a purse into Qiu'er's hand as she spoke.

After observing Qiu'er for several days, she concluded that Qiu'er was not a spy with someone behind her back, but she definitely had her own ulterior motives.

"Around this afternoon," Qiu'er muttered as she put away her purse.

Xiuning: ...

Xiu Ning suddenly realized something was wrong. Tsk, even if the palace maid really was from Cining Palace, it seems she could still be bribed.

Oh no, we're doomed!

Shu Mulu Yixuan and Dong E Jingxin are likely to be in trouble.