84. The Virtuous Consort has disappeared.

Marquis Beiding watched his daughter skip and hop away, saying, "Although Grand Tutor Qu is young, he enjoys His Majesty's deep trust. Since he says the matter can be resolved... let's wait and see."

-

The carriage slowly entered the palace gate, and the little girl leaned against the window, watching the familiar palace get closer and closer.

Qu Zijin carried her little schoolbag in one hand and gently pressed her little shoulder with the other: "Sit still, be careful not to bump your head."

"Grand Tutor," the second elder brother suddenly asked cautiously, "I heard that there will be a test on the Analects today?"

A hint of a smile flashed in Qu Zijin's eyes: "What? Didn't you study?"

The second brother's ears immediately turned red: "No, no! I reviewed! It's just... it's just that, could the exam be postponed a little later?"

"That means you didn't study."

As the three were talking, the carriage stopped outside the Wenhua Hall.

As soon as I got off the car, I saw the little princess standing under the eaves, resting her chin on her hand. The little girl looked like she had something on her mind.

Upon seeing the Grand Tutor appear, she quickly stepped forward: "Grand Tutor, I feel that my mother has been in a bad mood lately. I would like to ask for a day off to keep her company."

Logically speaking, they are only three to five years old and cannot learn any particularly important courses.

Furthermore, out of filial piety, Qu Zijin should not refuse.

only……

Qu Zijin looked at her with mixed feelings, and finally said, "Your Highness, the morning lessons cannot be skipped."

“But Mother has been crying since last night…” The little princess’s eyes suddenly reddened, and she stubbornly raised her chin, “I don’t care! I want to go back!”

The young prince, who had followed, gently tugged at the little princess's sleeve: "Chaoyun, don't be angry, the Grand Tutor is doing this for your own good..."

The little princess shook off his hand: "You won't help me! All you do all day is go to class, what's so great about that?!"

After saying that, he turned and ran. Despite his anger, he still obediently ran towards the Wenhua Hall.

but……

After a morning class, the little dumpling realized that she couldn't find the little princess.

The little dumpling made a quick decision: "Moon, go find the little princess and come back right away!"

-

Behind the artificial hill, the little princess was hugging her knees and sobbing.

The little dumpling finally found the little princess and quickly sat down next to her, gently patting her back with his chubby little hands in an attempt to comfort her.

Unfortunately, it was completely useless.

"Princess, don't cry," the little dumpling said, changing her approach and taking out her own snacks. "Look, Yue'er brought some candy. How about I share half with you?"

The little princess took the candy, but her tears fell even harder: "Mother... I heard you mention Consort Qi. You must have been bullied by Consort Qi again... I want to go back and see her!"

The little dumpling tried to stop him: "But the Grand Tutor said..."

"Fine, you don't have to go then!" the little princess suddenly stood up. "I'll sneak back myself!"

"Wait!" The little dumpling gave up trying to stop her and grabbed her arm. "I'll go with you!"

"Really?" The little princess looked at her with teary eyes.

"Really!" The little dumpling nodded emphatically, "For a friend, I'd gladly wipe my knife twice!"

"It's like going to great lengths for someone," the little princess said, her tears turning to laughter, and she took her hand. "Come on!"

Using the artificial hill and vegetation as cover, the two little girls quietly slipped out of the Wenhua Hall.

The little princess, familiar with the place, led the little dumpling through a side gate, and after many twists and turns, they actually arrived at the palace of the Virtuous Consort.

"Mother?" The little princess pushed open the door to the bedroom, only to find the curtains drawn and the room empty.

"Huh? There's nobody here." The little dumpling peeked around, but didn't find anyone in the room.

"That can't be right. Where could Mother Consort have gone? Could something have happened to her?"

The little princess panicked even more when she finally reached the palace but saw no one there.

"Don't be afraid, there are people outside." The little dumpling tiptoed closer to the window and heard voices.

The little princess also cautiously moved closer to eavesdrop.

Sure enough, the palace maid's hushed voice came from outside the window—

"...Her Majesty went to Consort Qi's place with her entourage, and they've been there for some time now..."

"Yes, they said it's almost time, and we can't delay any longer..."

"What exactly happened? Her Majesty has been looking very troubled lately, and now so many people have come to take her away..."

"Could something have happened?"

The little princess's face turned deathly pale instantly: "Consort Qi will harm Mother!"

She grabbed the little dumpling and ran: "We have to go protect Mother!"

The little princess dragged the little dumpling along, running through winding corridors, and finally arrived outside Consort Qi's palace.

From a distance, the palace gates were surrounded by guards and palace maids, the dark mass of people blocking the entrance completely.

"Oh no, I can't get in!" The little princess stamped her feet in frustration.

The little dumpling tiptoed to look, and sure enough, it was like that: "Princess, what do we do?"

The two little girls hid behind the artificial hill, just as the guards were about to patrol over.

The little princess's eyes reddened with worry: "Mother is in danger! That wicked woman is capable of anything!"

"But we..."

"Halt! Who goes there!"

The guard's stern shouts rang out behind them, startling the little dumpling so much that she swallowed back the words she was about to say.

The little princess grabbed the little dumpling and spun around quickly, hiding in a crevice of the artificial hill.

The two little girls pressed themselves tightly against the cold stone wall, holding their breath.

"Strange, I clearly saw a shadow flit by..." The footsteps grew closer, and the clinking of sword sheaths was clearly audible.

The little girl could feel the little princess's hands trembling, and her own heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

A bead of cold sweat slid down her forehead and landed on her collar; she even heard the soft sound.

Help, system auntie!

The little dumpling screamed like a groundhog inside.

The guard suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Just at this critical moment, the little dumpling suddenly remembered the prop she had just received yesterday.

She immediately spoke to her system aunt in her mind: "Auntie, auntie, that medicine!"

The system responded very quickly.

[Host request detected. Invisibility potion (15 minutes) has appeared in the host's hands.]

The little dumpling took out the crystal-clear bottle and held it up to the little princess.

The little princess was taken aback but had no doubts. The two of them each took a sip of the medicine.

"Huh? Just now..." The guard's voice was full of confusion, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

The little princess stared wide-eyed at her wrist, which had become transparent: "Little Moon, this..."

"Shh—" The little dumpling pulled her back, and the two little bean sprouts crouched down and slipped out from behind the artificial hill. Taking advantage of their invisibility, they passed through layers of guards and sneaked into the inner palace of Consort Qi.

The hall was filled with a strong smell of medicine. Qi Xunyuan sat on the couch with her hair disheveled, her once delicate face looking haggard.

Consort Xian stood before her, her expression serious, but she appeared unusually tense.

"Why do you have to be like this..." Qi Xunyuan suddenly laughed, her voice hoarse, "You're pretending to be so calm, but your hands are shaking."