Song He'er coughed lightly twice and said calmly, "I'm going to do business in the south. In short, I'm leaving, so please rest assured, Aunt, I'm not the kind of person who would seduce the Emperor."

A Miao didn't say anything, but just stared at her for a long time before entering the main hall without looking back.

Song He'er breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at the bright sunshine outside. If she took Huan Ge'er out to play at this time, he would be overjoyed.

Moreover, people are more prone to illness if they are always kept in an environment without sunlight.

In the bedroom inside the main hall, Queen Shen feigned a loving expression and asked with a smile, "Afu, do you have someone you like?"

Jiang Huaifu knew what she was up to, so he didn't bother beating around the bush. "Mother, just ask what you want to know. Why beat around the bush with me?"

Queen Shen was speechless, and her face turned extremely pale.

"Since you put it that way, then I, your mother, will speak frankly. Do you intend to keep that girl you brought with you as a concubine or a maidservant, or are you just looking for something new and fun?"

Jiang Huaifu laughed, a very sarcastic laugh.

"Mother, do you know what your biggest flaw is?"

The Prince of Shen's face darkened with displeasure. He slammed his hand on the table. "Insolence! How dare you speak to your mother like that? You're becoming more and more unbecoming!"

"Your Majesty always judges others by your own standards, not realizing that the wealth and status you cherish as an imperial family may be utterly insignificant in the eyes of others."

"Just answer my questions, why do you always beat around the bush!"

"Your Majesty, I have already answered what you wanted to ask. The young lady has no improper intentions. Please do not pin this false accusation on her. As for my thoughts, I am not sure yet. Perhaps I will let her go in a few days, or perhaps I will marry her as my principal wife! In any case, she will not be a concubine or maidservant. Your Majesty, can you rest assured?"

Queen Shen was trying hard to control her anger. She dared not be angry or reprimand, for fear of pushing her son further away.

So, suppressing all her emotions, she slowly spoke, "Your mother will naturally not interfere with who you like, but that girl clearly has a face that is extremely similar to Qingwu's. I imagine she will cause trouble in the future. Have you forgotten how Qingwu instigated you to plot for power and frame your father?"

"Qingwu didn't!"

“I said she has it, so she has it. Afu, you are still too young. Listen to your mother’s advice. Your mother will never harm you. It’s nothing to lose this girl. There will be better ones in the future.”

Jiang Huaifu chuckled coldly, realizing there was no need for him to stay any longer, so he turned around and left.

Queen Shen watched him leave in silence, her emotions shifting from anger to sorrow.

After a long while, A Miao walked in from outside. Seeing the lonely Queen Chen, a hint of heartache appeared in her eyes.

"Your Highness, that's just how the young prince is, please don't take it to heart..."

"Don't care? He's my own son... How could I not care about him?"

A single, glistening tear escaped its eye and fell onto the long handle of the phoenix carving.

Amiao also became saddened. "Your Majesty, I have already asked for you. That girl has no ulterior motives."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm tired. Let him be."

Queen Shen lowered her head, her fingers lightly touching her brow, a wave of sorrow washing over her.

"Your Majesty, perhaps..."

"No way!"

"Your Majesty..."

"If Afu knew what I did, he would probably never forgive me. I will never repeat the mistakes of the past!"

Amiao nodded. "Yes, I understand."

After leaving Laiyin Palace, Jiang Huaifu led Song He'er toward his own bedroom.

Seeing that his expression was not good, Song He'er did not dare to speak.

Only after entering the long corridor of Yangyue Palace did Jiang Huaifu suddenly turn to Song He'er and say, "You're not on duty tonight, so you can go visit your mother. Remember! Don't wander around. If I find out you have any ulterior motives, I will not let you off the hook."

This is a rare opportunity, and Song He'er will certainly cherish it!

Thinking of this, Song He'er nodded obediently.

Time flies, and night falls quietly.

After Song He'er switched shifts with the maid on night watch and handed over all her work, she patted Yang Yuegong on the waist and swaggered out.

Song He'er first went to the post station to visit Qin Xiaoniang and the others.

When the door opened, everyone was eating. Song He'er saw that there were chicken, duck, fish, meat, bamboo shoots, radishes, spinach and other nutritious dishes on the table, and she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"He'er! You're back? Are you alright? Did that prince finally let you out?" As soon as Qin Xiaoniang saw her, she grabbed her and looked her up and down, as if she had seen some rare treasure.

"Mother, I'm fine. I just became a maidservant by the young prince's side. He didn't make things difficult for me. Apart from his somewhat strange personality, he's been quite good to me!"

Zhang Xiue impatiently pulled her aside and questioned her carefully, "Tell me the truth, did that little bastard...?"

"Oh dear, no, no, no! Third Aunt, don't always think about it that way. How can you be like that Queen, thinking I'm such a frivolous person! How can you say such things so casually!"

Upon hearing that yet another person had appeared, Qin Xiaoniang panicked and quickly continued the conversation, asking, "Did the Queen see you too? What did she say? Did she inquire about our origins?"

Song He'er shook her head and smiled sarcastically, "No, it's just that she's petty and thinks I deliberately seduced her son, so she's thinking of dealing with me!"

"Huh? Then! What do we do? Let's run!" With that, Li Qiang's wife took a pair of scissors out of the basket, intending to lead the group out!

"Madam Zhou, are you planning to charge out of those thousands of soldiers with just a small pair of scissors like this?"

Li Qiang's wife immediately deflated, put the scissors aside, and said helplessly, "It's pitiful for us all. One problem after another, when will this ever end!"

Song He'er looked around and, seeing that the doors and windows were sealed tightly, then revealed her plan in detail.

"I've discovered a secret passage, but we need to dress up as soldiers, put the child in a box, and pretend to be soldiers transporting supplies in order to get out of the palace."

"But where can we get these clothes?"

Song He'er pondered for a long time, then said, "I have a way!"