The Empress Dowager now cares a little about Xiao Yanzi, while Ziwei has aroused her deep suspicion.

The Empress Dowager held Qing'er's hand and gave her some instructions.

Ziwei truly worries her.

“Qing’er, Niannian, you’re too naive. We must investigate Ziwei’s threat thoroughly. If necessary, we can… we can’t let her cause any harm to Niannian.”

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, then continued.

"Yes, Your Majesty, don't worry, I will observe Ziwei even if you don't say anything."

Qing'er echoed.

She understood what the Empress Dowager hadn't finished saying.

She couldn't possibly ignore anything that posed a danger to Niannian, and Ziwei also left a "deep impression" on her.

Ziwei, Ziwei, I just hope I don't catch you red-handed. I still remember the time you made Niannian have a relapse.

"Qing'er, there's one more thing you need to keep in mind. This is a good opportunity, and it would be best to settle things here so I can speak to the Emperor."

The Empress Dowager said meaningfully that her Qing'er should be matched with the best.

"Your Majesty, I will."

Knowing that the Empress Dowager meant well, Qing'er nodded helplessly.

At the palace gate.

"Go back to Cining Palace and rest well. Is there anything you particularly want to eat? I'll cook something special for you and bring it with me."

Ertai looked at the person sitting in the carriage, who was sticking her head out, and reached out to rub the fluffy head. As it was getting late, he could no longer go into the palace, nor could he send her back to the palace.

"Well, you can decide what to bring. I don't know either."

After thinking it over, Shen Nian finally gave the choice to Ertai. She didn't know what she wanted to eat, but whatever he brought wouldn't be bad. She could just sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor; making a choice was too difficult for her.

"Then I'll make sure you bring it?"

The girl in front of me is a bit lazy; she doesn't even want to use her brain.

"Um."

Chen Nian nodded obediently.

"Chen Nian, Er Tai, are you finished speaking? We should go."

After a while, Little Swallow also poked her head out.

"Alright, alright, go home and get some rest."

Chen Nian patted the hand on his head, then tucked his head into the carriage.

"Ziwei, you should get some rest when you return to Shufangzhai."

On the other side, Erkang was also giving Ziwei some instructions.

"I understand, Erkang. When you return to the manor, you should rest well and not overwork yourself."

...

The time for the inspection tour arrived quickly.

During this time, Chen Nian didn't go looking for Xiao Yanzi, but stayed in Cining Palace and clung to the Empress Dowager.

However, during this time, Qing'er took her to Shufangzhai to greet Xiao Yanzi and reconnect with her.

This made Shen Nian feel even worse about Jin Suo, and she even wanted her and Qing'er to tell the Empress Dowager that she should go with her. When that didn't work, she even urged Xiao Yanzi to go to the Emperor.

None of the three of them agreed. Jin Suo stood to the side, pouting, looking unhappy, as if someone owed her something.

Apart from the incident with Jin Suo, the trip to Shufangzhai went well. Ziwei probably didn't dare to say anything when Erkang was around, and the three of them talked the whole time.

As for Jin Suo, she was completely ignored throughout the entire story.

...

"Your Majesty, Niannian and I are leaving now. Please take good care of yourself. Remember to drink the ginseng soup in the morning. Don't forget to wear more clothes at night when it gets chilly, and be careful not to catch a cold."

Qing'er looked at the old lady in front of her with reluctance, reached out and hugged her, and said with lingering reluctance.

...