Li Tiao was extremely puzzled, feeling that something was amiss about the matter, something strange she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Granny... how long will we be gone?" Li Tiao asked again.

"Let's see, maybe you'll come back after going." Su Mala Gu said kindly, "Princess Li, if you don't want to go, just say so, and this old servant will go by myself. In the past, this old servant has always gone by myself. The reason I invited you this time is that since the Emperor has given you such a close relationship with this old servant, this old servant will naturally take you to see the Princess."

"It's Li Tiao's honor, and I couldn't be happier." Li Tiao curtsied to Su Mala Gu and said, "Granny, then Li Tiao will take her leave first. I'll go back and pack my things, and also tell the master. By the way, Granny, when are we leaving?"

"This old servant has nothing to pack here. Once you're all set, we can set off for Zhaoxi Mausoleum today."

Although the itinerary sounded a bit rushed, Li Tiao didn't ask any more questions.

If this matter is truly not simple, then no matter how much she asks, Sumalagu will naturally not say anything.

As soon as they left Sumalagu's side, Hongye anxiously asked, "Master, are you really going?"

"Otherwise what?"

“But this sounds suspicious,” Hongye said. “Although I had never met Sumala before, I had heard some things about her after working in the palace for a long time.”

Because of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor respected her greatly. It is said that when the Empress Dowager passed away, she instructed the Emperor to take care of the nanny.

So, although Aunt Sumala wasn't a mistress, she was still more powerful than most mistresses. She had previously guarded the Empress Dowager's tomb, but while the procession wasn't large, it was never as quiet and unnoticed as what she's described to you this time.

"Of course I know all that you're talking about."

"Then, Master..."

Li Tiao sighed softly, "Hongye, are you confused too? Since she told me this, it proves that the matter has not been resolved, and it is obvious that this matter will not be kept from the Emperor. In that case, can I just not go if I say I don't want to go?"

"No, what the old woman said just now seemed polite, but it left no room for negotiation."

“But even I can see something fishy about this, so Master will definitely do the same. What if he tells you he wouldn’t let you go? Master, you should go back and discuss it with him, otherwise, what if something goes wrong…”

"What could possibly happen?" Although the matter was strange, Li Tiao felt that nothing could go wrong. Could it be more dangerous than being in the palace?

The people in the palace who wanted to kill him were not limited to the Crown Prince; Consort De and even the Thirteenth Prince were involved. The Eighth Prince might not seem like he would kill him, but he didn't have any good intentions either.

"I can't say what might happen, but I just feel uneasy."

Li Tiao was stunned. She looked at Hongye and suddenly had an unbelievable idea. No one was with her, just herself and Su Ma La Gu. Could she take this opportunity to run away?

It's just a bit difficult to get Sumalagu to cover for me.

When Li Tiao returned to the prince's residence, the fourth prince had already returned from court. After paying her respects, Li Tiao was about to mention the matter of guarding the imperial tombs.

The Fourth Prince was the first to ask.

"You know, sir?"

“Father Emperor spoke to me after court just now.”

"Originally, Li Tiao was thinking of telling Master about this, but now that Master knows, Li Tiao will go and get ready."

"You really want to go?" the Fourth Prince asked.

Li Tiao asked in confusion, "Master, you don't want me to go?"

"Of course I'll let you go. After all, it's the Emperor's decree, and you're going with Su Ma La Gu. There's no reason for me to refuse."

That's true, but Li Tiao felt that the Fourth Prince's expression... was a bit hard to describe.

Lately, their conversations have been barbed. In the past, this man would have mocked him, but he remained calm.

"Didn't you say you were going to pack? Don't keep the nanny waiting for you, it's not appropriate."

"Oh." Li Tiao went back to her room.

The moment she turned around, the Fourth Prince's expression changed.

Although it was said to be guarding the tomb, it was still an imperial mausoleum, and the mausoleum of the Empress Dowager. It might be a bit desolate, but it would still have all the essential things.

So Li Tiao didn't pack much, just a simple bundle, and went to find Su Ma La Gu.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought something was wrong. Just an hour ago, he was talking to Li Tiao, and the next hour their carriage had already left the palace and headed towards Zhaoxi Mausoleum.

On the way, Sumalagu asked Li Tiao, "Aren't you acting strangely?"

Li Tiao wanted to say no, but considering that Su Mala Gu had asked, she decided to tell the truth: "It just feels a bit rushed."

You'll know when you get there.

It would have been better not to say anything at all, which made Li Tiao even more puzzled and uneasy. Only Emperor Kangxi could make Su Mala Gu do this.

But before that, Su Mala Gu had confidently told Li Tiao that Kangxi absolutely had no improper thoughts towards her.

However, even Li Tiao herself is unsure about this move now.

Although she had once had the absurd and outrageous thought that Master Kong might be from her hometown, Li Tiao no longer dared to think that way.

"Princess Li, don't worry. The reason I did this is to protect you."

Sumalagu's words of comfort were better left unsaid.

Because she had guessed that Emperor Kangxi must have come in disguise, Li Tiao was not surprised to see him at Zhaoxi Mausoleum.

"Li Tiao, I've heard you've been wanting to run away? And that you don't want to stay in the palace?"

Li Tiao dared to admit this in front of the Fourth Prince, but now, in front of Emperor Kangxi, and with Kangxi asking her so bluntly, Li Tiao was extremely flustered.

She naturally dared not admit it.

"Your Majesty, Li Tiao has absolutely no such thoughts. Since she has married the Fourth Prince, Li Tiao belongs to the Fourth Prince in life and in death."

"What if I could find a way to get you out of the palace, away from the Fourth Prince?"

So... was Emperor Kangxi really disrespectful to his elders?

Emperor Kangxi was too serious, and Li Tiao couldn't discern his thoughts. Su Ma La Gu's aged appearance seemed unchanged since the day Li Tiao met her, so Li Tiao couldn't get any answers from Su Ma La Gu either.

However, Kangxi's question could not be left unanswered.

Li Tiao replied, "Your Majesty, I am unwilling."

"If you don't want to, then you will die."

The authoritative, unquestionable tone made Li Tiao's legs go weak and she knelt down. She had been trembling with fear for so long, was the knife that had been held to her neck finally about to be cut down?

She thought that since she was going to die anyway, she wanted to find out why: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, what crime has I committed that I must die?"

Li Tiao felt it shouldn't be a substitute marriage. If it were, Master Kang wouldn't have needed to be so secretive; he could have just done it directly in the Qianqing Palace!