“Yes, people need to have things to do; if they’re idle, they’ll start overthinking,” Gu Yingxue chimed in.

"But Third Sister, have you told Brother Yuan about this? Does Brother Yuan approve?" Gu Si asked.

“Brother Yuanyuan will definitely agree!” Gu Xin said without hesitation. “Brother Yuanyuan said that he will approve of anything I want to do. Even if I want to pluck stars from the sky, he will build me a ladder to heaven!”

Gu Si and Gu Yingxue couldn't help but laugh.

...

The next morning, Gu Xin changed into a new set of clothes and took Gu Si with her to the palace.

Gu Yingxue didn't go; she was training the nursery's maids. Once Peng Yizhu arrived in the capital and passed her test, the Gu family's nursery could officially open. That way, Zhang and Yang wouldn't have to take care of the children every single day.

Zhang will have more time to learn how to manage a household, and Yang will be able to have a good pregnancy. After giving birth and resting for a while, she will be able to go back to running the business like Cai Xiaolian.

"Why did you two girls decide to come see this old lady today?" Great-Grandma was overjoyed to see her two great-granddaughters.

The two sisters, one on each side of the Empress Dowager, strolled through the Imperial Garden, their banter delighting her.

Gu Xin kept quiet all morning, but finally spoke up at lunchtime.

"Oh? Why did you suddenly decide to go to the government office?" The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised; she was unaware of what had happened yesterday.

"Great-Grandma, Third Sister yesterday..." Before Gu Xin could even speak, Gu Si began to tell the Empress Dowager about what had happened the day before, with Gu Xin occasionally adding a few words.

"Our Xinxin is so amazing! She truly deserves to be my daughter!" the Empress Dowager exclaimed after hearing the news.

"Hehe, I'm just like my great-grandmother, so smart!" Gu Xin said proudly.

"Hahahaha..." The Empress Dowager laughed heartily.

Since being reunited with her son's family, she has been in a good mood most of the time.

"Great-Grandma, could you please tell the Emperor to let me go to the Jingzhao Prefecture? I won't cause any trouble; I really will do my job." Gu Xin served food to the Empress Dowager.

"Well, your Emperor Uncle adores you, he treats you like his own daughter. I wonder if he'll be willing to part with you." The Empress Dowager looked hesitant.

"He'll definitely be willing to part with it. As long as you tell him, Great-Grandma, he'll be willing. I really won't cause trouble, and I won't use my princess status to bully others. I'm going to do something practical," Gu Xin assured him repeatedly.

"Then your great-grandmother will send someone to invite your emperor uncle over. You can talk to him yourself." The Empress Dowager couldn't stand the little girl's coquettishness, but she had already decided not to interfere in state affairs. If her great-granddaughter wanted to go to the government office, she would let the emperor decide for himself.

If the emperor doesn't allow it...

No, no way. That guy is going against the grain of society; he'll definitely allow it.

As a result, the emperor granted permission, but on one condition.

In the suburbs of Beijing, a family of seventeen suddenly died overnight during the first month of the lunar calendar. Half a month has passed, and the murderer has still not been found.

The emperor's condition was that Gu Xin find the real culprit and close the case within the next two weeks. In return, he would allow Gu Xin to participate in the cases she wished to be involved in at the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Justice.

Gu Xin immediately agreed. She had heard about that case from the servants at home, but half a month had passed and there was still no progress. This was clearly not on the same level as the teahouse incident, and she needed to make some preparations.