"Princess, the East Gate is indeed completely blocked. It seems like the Wang and Yang families are trying to take root here," said Green Ivy, lowering the carriage curtain. She didn't understand why the princess had come to the East Gate all of a sudden.

Moreover, she seemed to have overheard something; the princess and Miss Sun Liu had apparently argued and even made a bet. Unfortunately, she only heard the line, "So bet it is! Do you think I, Sun Yun, am afraid of you, Zhao Shu?"

Miss Sun Liu is quite presumptuous, actually calling the princess by her maiden name. Who in the capital doesn't know that their princess's title is "Jun," a most prestigious title bestowed by the emperor himself? No other princess has such an honor.

I had long heard that Miss Sun was aloof, but I never expected her to be so arrogant. But then again, the princess already had a bad relationship with the noble ladies, so why did she have to go against Miss Sun? Finally, a noble lady was willing to come to the mansion as a guest. You should know that even members of the imperial family were unwilling to come to the prince's mansion to talk to the princess.

As Green Ivy spoke, she was already deeply worried about her princess.

Zhao Shu nodded, "Let's go to the palace first."

As the carriage was turning around, a unified shout came from outside: "Your Majesty, please grant justice for my grandfather!"

"Your Majesty, please restore justice to the Yang family."

The two families were very united, and their slogans were chanted with great rhythm.

Upon entering the palace, Zhao Shu first went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Seeing Zhao Shu approach, the Empress Dowager hurriedly beckoned, "You mischievous monkey, how long has it been since you last visited me? Have you run into something amusing again and forgotten about me?"

Zhao Shu went straight over, but before she could even bow, the Empress Dowager grabbed her. "Why have you lost so much weight? Are you ill?" she said, her eyes searching for Xiao Guozi and the others like sharp knives, as if she wanted to scrape flesh off them. "How have those servants been serving me? They've made my precious grandson so thin. I will punish them severely!"

However, Xiao Guozi and the others were not qualified to enter the Empress Dowager's presence. They were waiting outside the door. Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Ji Yun and the others immediately made it appear as if they were about to go out and punish Xiao Guozi and the others.

Zhao Shu hurriedly comforted her, "Grandmother, I'm on a diet. You don't know, all the concubines in the mansion are so beautiful. I feel my waist is a bit thick, so I've been dieting lately."

The Empress Dowager tapped her forehead and said, “Don’t talk nonsense. You are a princess, a member of the royal family. How can you compare yourself to a concubine? Don’t say such things again in the future, lest you become a laughing stock. You are still young and growing. You must not be careless. Go and have Jinxi make some pastries for the princess.”

After giving the order, a palace maid went to convey the Empress Dowager's command.

Zhao Shu took over from Hongxia, who was fanning the Empress Dowager, and picked up a feather fan to gently fan herself. The Empress Dowager glared at her and said, "Is there something you want from me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu immediately put on a hurt expression and said coquettishly, "Grandmother, why do you say such things about A-Jun? A-Jun has always been very filial. If you don't believe me, ask Lady Zhang, right, Lady Zhang?" After saying that, she desperately winked at Zhang Chu, her eyes almost blinking until she was dizzy.

The Empress Dowager was amused by her little attempt to please her. "Yes, you're so filial. The wind is so strong, are you trying to blow me away?"

Zhao Shu stopped, pursed her lips, glared, and looked embarrassed. With a forced smile, she handed the feather fan to Hongxia, then moved closer to the Empress Dowager and said, "Grandmother, as you know, everyone has their own expertise, and your precious granddaughter is not good at this."

"Which dish are you good at?" the Empress Dowager asked, amused.

Zhao Shu immediately stood up, pointing one finger to the sky and holding her heart in the other, "My granddaughter is skilled in seeking immortality and inquiring about the Dao."

"Seeking immortality and enlightenment, I think you're about to become an immortal yourself." The Empress Dowager poked her forehead again.

Touching her brow, she said, "Grandmother, Ah Jun wants to visit the Biyou Palace..."

"Stop talking nonsense." The Empress Dowager stopped her from continuing.

Zhao Shu entered the palace today not only to see the Empress Dowager, but also to obtain permission to enter Biyou Palace to find someone, who was also a general from a humble background.

“Grandmother, I only want to take a look. I heard there are statues of the Three Pure Ones in Biyou Palace, and I just want to see them. Besides, the Imperial Concubines have lived in Biyou Palace for many years, so it’s only right that a member of the imperial family with status goes to visit them. Don’t you think so? I am your dearest granddaughter, so it is most appropriate for me to visit the Imperial Concubines. Moreover, the Wang and Yang families are currently forcing the palace at the East Gate. I think we should show more concern for the Imperial Concubines to show your compassion, so that the noble families in the world will say less against our Imperial Uncle. What do you think?”

After speaking, she obsequiously pounded the Empress Dowager's leg, but the Empress Dowager brushed her hand away, saying, "This is just sophistry."

"Grandmother~" Zhao Shu pulled the Empress Dowager's hand back and began to act coquettishly, pouting with a look of expectation and grievance on her face. These two different styles of emotions were expressed on her tender face. She had lost weight again, which made the Empress Dowager feel very sorry for her.

"Tell me, is going to Biyou Palace really just for a look?" Going to Biyou Palace wasn't out of the question, but she was a little worried about her precious grandson. Most of the people living in Biyou Palace were the late emperor's concubines who had no children, and some of them had a deep grudge against her.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager seemed less resistant, Zhao Shu immediately pressed her advantage, "It really is, more real than pearls. I'll just take a look and come out. Don't worry, Grandmother, I'll take twenty soldiers with me and make sure I come out completely intact."

"If I don't allow it, will you throw a tantrum?" The Empress Dowager glanced at her and asked.

Zhao Shu nodded, giving a firm nod, "Yes!"

"Given your status, it's an honor for you to visit the Dowager Consorts. Since you're going to visit, draft an imperial edict and send some gifts with you." Zhao Shu's words touched her. Being kind to the Dowager Consorts would also keep those noble families from saying too much. Although it might not have much effect, it was better than nothing.

Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager had agreed, Zhao Shu gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and said with a grin, "Grandmother is the kindest of all. How about we allow the imperial concubines to go home to visit their families?"

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