After getting up, Gan Qiongying remembered something and took the small pills she had forgotten to take the night before.

Then they continued to organize the lists and count the people in the mansion who needed to be sent out in batches.

He wrote letter after letter, instructing Yingba in Qinzhou on how to meet up with them, and telling Gu Qing and Gu Ming in Zhangzhou how to first send the Regent to Kou Ningyu to be humiliated until he was no longer human, and then send him to the "black coal mine".

Once they've reached a certain point in the illegal coal mine, they'll try to leak some information to the Kou family so that the Empress Dowager can find her beloved son and then have a good showdown with her own brother.

Of course, the Kou Ningyu mine was a gold mine and a salt production operation, secretly run behind the backs of the imperial court. It was far more corrupt than a coal mine. Once the Regent Prince entered, even if he claimed to be the reincarnation of the Heavenly King or Qin Shi Huang, no one would believe him.

We'll send the Regent out of the palace today and make him mute for a short time. We'll keep him there with all kinds of medicine.

Gan Qiongying had someone force-feed the Regent Prince the drink early in the morning. After drinking it, he would be unable to speak for one or two months, rendering him mute and unable to express his suffering.

The journey to escort the Regent to Zhangzhou must be flawless, and Gan Qiongying even specially assigned two shadow guards.

There were many things to do, but everything proceeded in an orderly manner. With Li Hua's help, the process of dispersing the people from the princess's residence went very smoothly and quietly.

Hiding it under the guise of the New Year's atmosphere can reduce a lot of trouble, but no matter how well it is done, it is impossible for the people in the mansion not to know, especially Man Yue, who is in charge of the entire princess's mansion.

Gan Qiongying never told Manyue that she was leaving. Apart from Lihua and Ganlin, Gan Qiongying did not reveal this to anyone else.

Manyue had already keenly sensed it, but having been by Gan Qiongying's side since childhood, she knew how to be a loyal and dutiful servant and never interfered too much in her master's affairs.

However, I couldn't hold back any longer today, because in just a few days, there were hardly any people left in the entire princess's residence!

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and many courtyards need to be cleaned up. We haven't even managed to gather enough people to help with the storeroom cleaning after the full moon...

"Princess, where have all the people in our palace gone?"

Manyue knew that Princess Duanrong was training soldiers underground, but those people were usually under her control. They usually disguised themselves as servants and moved around in the princess's residence. Recently, they had disappeared in batches, and Manyue didn't know where Gan Qiongying had taken them.

“Give them a long holiday. The New Year is just around the corner. They’ve been staying at the Princess’s residence for so many years, it’s time for them to go home and visit.”

Gan Qiongying answered casually, without looking into Manyue's eyes. She had spent quite a bit of time with Manyue, and Gan Qiongying was afraid that she wouldn't be able to hide it from Manyue.

She didn't plan to take Manyue with her. Their fate was uncertain, and if Manyue were to go with her and encounter any danger, Gan Qiongying really couldn't guarantee that she could protect Manyue.

She's lucky if she can even protect herself, and since she's no longer a princess, she doesn't need any servants willing to risk their lives to serve her.

Manyue deserves to have her own life. Gan Qiongying has already asked Princess Huian for help. Princess Huian will surely be able to protect Manyue and find a good place for her.

Full Moon was completely unaware of these matters. Upon hearing Gan Qiongying's words, she sighed inwardly, thinking how kind-hearted the princess truly was.

“But they’re not in the manor, and I don’t have enough staff. The princess’s manor is so big, and the Lunar New Year is just around the corner. There are still many things that haven’t been prepared…”

Gan Qiongying then turned her gaze away from the carriage and looked at Manyue, saying, "I forgot to tell you, you can just buy whatever you need for the New Year. I won't be spending the New Year at the Princess's residence this year. I will be going to the palace with my husband on New Year's Eve to spend it with His Majesty."

“You have no relatives, but you should try to go to the palace as little as possible. There is an old nanny at Princess Huian’s residence who is sick, and the household is short of reliable stewards. Why don’t you go there and help out for a few days during the New Year?”

Gan Qiongying tried her best to speak naturally, and Manyue had no doubts. She was just a little disappointed.

Every year she would spend the New Year with the princess, but this year... the princess wasn't in the palace, wouldn't take her to the palace, and was going to send her to the Grand Princess of Huian...

Manyue looked at Gan Qiongying, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. However, she would not go against Gan Qiongying's decision, and she also thought it was good for the princess to go to the palace for the New Year. It had been many years since she had gone to the palace to spend the New Year with His Majesty, and Manyue knew how important His Majesty was to the princess.

Therefore, Man Yue agreed, but still said, "After the New Year, some officials from various places have already started sending gifts to the princess's residence. Every year after the New Year, the princess has to give them some return gifts to show her favor. If I go to the residence of the Grand Princess Huian, who will take care of the gift list?"

Gan Qiongying smiled and said, "You can take care of these things after you return from the Grand Princess Hui'an's residence. Do you think those officials would dare to find fault with me?"

Man Yue laughed after hearing this and held Gan Qiongying in her arms as she spoke.

Gan Qiongying then looked out the carriage window again.

As the Little New Year approaches, the streets are bustling with activity. Long lines of vendors selling New Year's goods stretch out on the streets, and the colorful array of goods and lanterns makes Gan Qiongying feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year just by passing by.

However, Gan Qiongying didn't have time to go shopping. She was heading towards the palace to confirm with Gan Lin the final route they had decided on, as well as what time Gan Lin would leave the palace on the day before the Lunar New Year and where they would meet.

When they arrived at the palace gate, a young eunuch was already there to greet them. Manyue waited outside and did not follow Gan Qiongying inside. Gan Qiongying boarded the palanquin and soon arrived at Gan Lin's Bixi Palace.

Now no one dares to persecute Gan Lin anymore. Gan Qiongying has taken down the regent but hasn't had time to tell Gan Lin in person, let alone say anything in their correspondence.

Seeing Gan Lin in a much better spirits than before, Gan Qiongying was overjoyed and pulled him into the house.

After entering the house, Gan Lin immediately dismissed all the servants and maids, leaving only the brother and sister inside.

Gan Qiongying had a sharp eye. After everyone had left, she first touched Gan Lin's face and said, "You've gained a little weight. Have you completely kicked your drug addiction?"

"She still trembles occasionally, but don't worry, Sister. Doctor Xiao said she's fine now." Gan Lin's eyes were fixed on Gan Qiongying, her gaze filled with joy.

"Is my sister all better now? I was so scared the other day. Does your head still hurt?"

Gan Qiongying shook her head, indicating that she was alright.

Then he said, "You didn't see Eunuch Li, so you really imprisoned him? Eunuch Li didn't do anything wrong, you shouldn't have kept it from me in the first place!"

Gan Lin smiled helplessly upon hearing this, shook his head and said, "He can't keep his mouth shut. Although he says it's for my own good, after being by my side for so many years, he can't even do the most basic thing of keeping his mouth shut. What use is he to me?"

"Don't worry, sister. I didn't punish him. I just sent him to do work elsewhere."

"He has been by your side for so many years, taking care of you like his own child. Even when he makes mistakes, it's always for your sake."

Gan Qiongying looked at Gan Lin and said, "You are not such a heartless person. Even if you want to pave the way for him to leave the palace in the future and not be afraid of being implicated by you, you don't need to be so ruthless. He has his own ability to stand on his own in the palace."

"Besides, if the Empress Dowager insists on finding out about him, it won't do you any good even if you distance yourself from him now."

Gan Lin was unusually stubborn, and lowered his head without responding.

Gan Qiongying patted his hand and said, "Fine, I won't interfere too much in your affairs. You're one of my people anyway, so figure it out yourself."

"I've come today to talk to you about the Regent..."