Zhao Shu returned to the palace under Mo Qin's escort. By the time they reached the palace gate, it was already midnight, and the gate was locked. Fortunately, Bi Qiao had been waiting at the gate and, upon seeing them approach, quickly ordered the Pengcheng army to open it.

"Princess, are you hurt?" She had already learned about Zhao Shu's assassination attempt from Xiao Guozi and asked with concern.

Zhao Shu smiled and said, "It's nothing, I'm just really sleepy. You should go and rest too. It's New Year's Eve, and we'll be staying up all night to welcome the new year."

Bi Qiao glared at Mo Qin, blaming him for not bringing the princess back sooner. Mo Qin was completely bewildered, and then received a glare from Bi Qiao. He felt even more wronged, but he could only endure it. Was he supposed to shift the blame onto the princess?

Zhao Shu watched the interaction between the two and smiled slightly. She loved seeing the people around her being affectionate. Bi Qiao caught a glimpse of Zhao Shu smiling at the two of them out of the corner of her eye, and immediately looked away, curtsied and said, "This servant is not sleepy. The Prince and the Empress Dowager are worried about the Princess and are waiting in Jinlan Palace. If the Princess is sleepy, this servant will carry you there."

When Zhao Shu was still young and naive, she often carried her on her back to comfort her. Later, when the princess became old enough to remember things, she was no longer willing to let the servants carry her on her back. As soon as she said it, she felt annoyed and regretful. Although the princess had become much better and more sensible, servants were still servants after all, and the princess's dislike was still her dislike.

Feeling a little disappointed, Zhao Shu nodded lazily, "Okay, but I'm quite heavy right now, don't you have a carriage?"

"Princess, you've forgotten that the founding emperor decreed that no descendant of the Zhao family could use a carriage on New Year's Eve."

Zhao Shu suddenly remembered that her ancestor was also an oddball, with many rules, such as not being able to use a palanquin on New Year's Eve, as palanquins were a means of transportation in the palace and residence.

Furthermore, on New Year's Eve, everyone is required to cook the New Year's Eve dinner themselves, with at least three dishes and a soup. When Emperor Taizu was still alive, everyone did an excellent job. After Emperor Gaozu, everyone just went through the motions. During Emperor Mingde's reign, most of Emperor Taizu's regulations were merely formalities, and many times they were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. Now, in Zhao Shu's generation, some people don't even remember what ancestral rules Emperor Taizu set, especially those that differ from those of the aristocratic families.

Emperor Taizu came from humble beginnings, a peasant as the common saying goes. He was not from a noble family and had no renowned teachers to guide him. Therefore, many of his behaviors and habits were criticized as not conforming to the standards of an emperor. Over the years, some of his good rules were gradually diluted due to the intentional misinterpretation and disapproval of the noble families. Even the descendants of the Zhao family accepted the way the noble families talked.

"It's kind of you to still remember. Many of the Zhao family's descendants have forgotten. Well then, tell me about any other ancestral rules you have." Bi Qiao squatted down, and Zhao Shu lay on her back, letting her carry her slowly towards Jinlan Palace.

The road wasn't long, but Bi Qiao felt incredibly content. She was a head maid, not seeking to rise to a high position, but only to live with dignity. The dignity she pursued was simply to be needed, to be needed by her master. Zhao Shu was heavier, much heavier than before, but she felt extremely light. The stone that had been hanging in her heart for so many years could finally be put down.

"Emperor Taizu decreed that all descendants of the Zhao family must at least know how to do laundry, cook, chop firewood, carry water, and farm. They must not forget their roots. There are many other things, but they have little to do with New Year's Eve. When the Princess has some free time, I will tell her about them one by one." Whenever she thought of Emperor Taizu, people of her background felt that there was hope in life. Emperor Taizu was a good emperor. She had never seen any emperor who often talked about ordinary people. Many legends might have been forgotten by the aristocratic families, or they might have remembered them but scoffed at them, but she had never forgotten them.

As they spoke, they arrived outside the gate of Jinlan Palace. Green Luo stood timidly at the gate. When she saw Zhao Shu and the others return, tears streamed down her face. "Princess, you're finally back! I was so scared!"

She went to find Xiao Guozi and Xiao Zhuzi. After finding them, the three of them went to the government office together. However, on the way, they saw a large group of men in black trying to surround the princess's carriage. She was so frightened that she couldn't speak. Fortunately, Xiao Guozi shoved her into a corner, thus saving her from danger. Later, she was taken to the gate of the imperial palace by a man in gray.

She spent the whole night in fear and trepidation, wishing she had three heads and six arms to relieve the princess's worries.

Zhao Shu climbed off Bi Qiao's back and reached out to wipe away the tears on her face. "Alright, aren't you fine now? Why are you crying? Don't cry anymore, it's noisy."

Green Ivy's eyes were red, she shut her mouth, silently weeping and sobbing, unable to speak. Zhao Shu gave her a reassuring smile, "Bi Qiao, take Green Ivy downstairs, I'm going to see my father and grandmother."

"Yes." Bi Qiao held Green Ivy's hand and watched Zhao Shu enter Jinlan Palace. As Zhao Shu's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, she turned her head and glared at Mo Qin several times, making Mo Qin feel bitter.

Without saying a word, he took Han Ying and went to find Physician Peng. As soon as he left, Granny Zhong came out from the side hall and looked at Chu Chun and the others from a distance. Chu Chun and the others exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and followed Granny Zhong to the side hall.

Zhao Shu slowly walked to the front hall. The door to the front hall was open, and the inside was brightly lit. Through the door, one could see the Empress Dowager sitting in the main seat, her face normal, neither happy nor angry, revealing nothing about her.

She stepped inside and immediately bowed, saying, "A-Jun greets the Empress Dowager and Father. On this day of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, I wish the Empress Dowager good health and the Father continuous good fortune."

The Empress Dowager chuckled and said to Prince Yong below her, "Look, look, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter, especially after you've been naughty." Her tone was teasing, not at all like she was angry.

Prince Yong smiled and nodded, "Mother is right, your granddaughter takes after you."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager glanced at Zhao Shu as if scrutinizing her, but still did not let Zhao Shu get up. She continued to speak with Prince Yong, saying, "You should not plead for her. I do not have her courage. I have been assassinated one after another, and I have not received such treatment."

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!