Zhuangzi has built a large empire, but he hasn't yet recruited enough people, so he needs to bring quite a few people with him on this trip.

Song Xibai didn't trust outsiders to take care of her. She herself didn't mind, as Wei Hong was enough, but those traveling with her were either elderly or children, so there were many things she needed to pay attention to.

After finalizing the entourage that day, Song Xibai spent the next two and third days busy preparing the things to take with her when she went out.

I must say, there's quite a lot to bring.

Besides keeping an eye on his own palace, Song Xibai also had to keep an eye on Renshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager is no longer involved in affairs, and Song Xibai is worried that the palace servants will deceive her, so she goes there every day. Naturally, she has to ask about such a big matter as leaving the palace.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the actual day, after having breakfast, Song Xibai led a large group of people and left the palace.

The long convoy stretched out in a line outside the palace gates, almost as far as the eye could see.

Yuan Shen, dressed in casual clothes, accompanied them to the palace gate and watched Song Xibai board the carriage, feeling very reluctant to part with her.

"I'll be back in a few days."

Yuan Shen gave instructions.

Song Xibai smiled and said, "I can't make that decision myself; I have to listen to my grandmother."

Yuan Shen touched the faces of the two children and sighed sadly.

He couldn't go and was very unhappy.

Song Xibai took his hand and intertwined their fingers.

"How about I write to His Majesty every three days?"

Yuan Shen extended one finger.

"I have to write every day."

Song Xibai smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll write every day."

...

After bidding farewell to Yuan Shen, Song Xibai got into the carriage.

The convoy set off, heading out of the city.

With the Yan Yun Guards clearing the way, nothing happened along the way, and the group arrived safely at the foot of Longevity Hill.

The Empress Dowager was in a hurry to go up the mountain to Huangjue Temple to offer incense. She didn't even have time to rest at the estate before rushing out.

Song Xibai hurriedly advised.

"We've arrived, there's no rush. Grandmother, please rest first. I'll make the arrangements and accompany you upstairs later."

"You can stay at the estate. I'll go up first." The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "Just have someone prepare the sedan chair for me to get off."

Seeing her resolute attitude, Song Xibai had no choice but to give up.

She summoned Tan Weishi and asked him to select a team to protect the Empress Dowager. She also ordered people to arrange the sedan chair and other necessities.

Fortunately, the luggage was still in the car, so there was no need to pack it again.

The Empress Dowager set off up the mountain with only a nanny and two palace maids.

Song Xibai stayed at the estate, arranging for the entourage, packing the luggage, and setting up guards to stand watch and patrol. She even had to decide on the lunch menu, keeping her extremely busy.

After finally finishing her work, she lay down on the bamboo couch, not even wanting to eat.

Just as she closed her eyes, Dingxiang walked in from outside.

Song Xibai smelled a delicate fragrance, then opened her eyes and saw Dingxiang carrying two tender lotus pods toward her.

The tender lotus seedpods, still bearing a few yellow stamens, possess a unique beauty.

Dingxiang broke open the lotus pod to eat the lotus seeds inside, and didn't forget to feed Song Xibai one as well.

"They weren't even fully grown yet! And you picked them and ate them?"

Such a small lotus seed, gone in one bite!

However, after eating it, the aroma lingered in her mouth, and Song Xibai immediately fell in love with it.

Dingxiang could tell from her expression, chuckled, and stuffed the remaining lotus pods into her hand.

"Is it delicious? I didn't pick these myself. I don't even know which way the gate to this manor opens! Someone delivered them to me."

Song Xibai asked, somewhat puzzled, "Who delivered it?"

Dingxiang stretched out her thumb and forefinger, making an "eight" shape.

Song Xibai looked on in surprise.

"The Eighth Prince... Yuan Qian?"

He is no longer the Eighth Prince. He has joined the lineage of Prince Li, but he has no title and has become an ordinary commoner. His name has also been changed by Yuan Shen.

However, Yuan Shen did not mistreat him. He arranged a house for him and provided him with many servants, who also had the intention of keeping an eye on him.

They were restricted in their comings and goings and their pay was reduced, but at least they had enough to eat and drink.

Song Xibai felt that such a life was something ordinary people could never even dream of.

But for the Eighth Prince, who was once a member of the imperial family and almost became the crown prince, this was a huge drop in status.

I don’t know if he’s really adapted or if he’s just pretending, but he’s been behaving very well for the past few months and has never done anything out of line.

Therefore, Song Xibai didn't think of him at first.

Looking at the lotus seedpod in her hand, Song Xibai's mind started working.

"Why did he send this over? Lotus pods... lotus seeds... lotus seeds?"

Song Xibai looked enlightened.

This is a metaphor for himself using lotus seeds, which then makes people think of his mother, Shu.