With a long exhale, Qin Zhaoyue smiled with relief, "I'm done!"

Just as she was about to stroll through her back garden, the steward of the front yard announced that someone from the palace had arrived.

Before long, an old eunuch entered the hall.

Wow! Qin Zhaoyue knew at a glance that this was no small matter. This was Su Quan, the chief eunuch of the imperial court, an old minister who had served the Empress Dowager since the time when the Emperor was still a prince.

"Your Highness," Su Quan cupped his hands in greeting, "His Majesty has issued an edict summoning you to the palace."

Qin Zhaoyue sprang up from the couch and rushed over in three steps. "Eunuch Su, why do I have to make you come all the way here to deliver a royal decree?"

Uh… Su Quan was a little dumbfounded; he had never been this polite before.

Before he could reply, he saw the Sixth Princess constantly winking at someone beside her.

Tao Yao stood there stunned, blinking at her princess.

"What are you blinking for? Do you have an eye problem? Hurry up and give me the money."

Tao Yao felt wronged, as her princess's residence would never normally prepare such items, so she could only take out her own purse and offer it with both hands.

Su Quan was stunned when he saw the purse being stuffed into his hand.

He's come to the Sixth Princess's residence to deliver imperial decrees dozens of times, but when has he ever received a reward?

"Your Highness, this is unacceptable!" Su Quan admitted that he was somewhat frightened and refused without thinking.

“Hey,” Qin Zhaoyue waved her hand, “Eunuch Su, we’ve been old acquaintances for so many years, you even watched me grow up.”

"Your Highness is of noble status; this old servant is merely someone who has served His Majesty for many years."

"I know, I know." Qin Zhaoyue pushed away his hand that was refusing her, giving him a knowing look.

The old eunuch trembled, not understanding what was going on.

It's not that he was afraid of the Sixth Princess; in terms of status and position, there were three princesses and two princes above him.

The others were all very polite to him, but this one...

If he's unhappy, he won't care about his status as the chief eunuch of the imperial court; he might raise a knife or whip him.

"This... Eunuch Su, His Majesty summoned me to the palace because..."

So that's all you were asking about. "How could this old servant possibly fathom His Majesty's thoughts?"

"Dongdong, how is the Queen Mother in mood? Is she happy or sad?"

Su Quan's expression was truly indescribable. Didn't he have any idea whether he was in a good or bad mood?

He considered himself to have a pretty good memory, but he really couldn't recall the last time His Majesty summoned the Sixth Princess to the palace to praise her.

"Your Highness, you should reflect on what you did today."

Key point: Today. Qin Zhaoyue immediately understood.

Good heavens, how long has it been? The news has already reached the palace. I wonder if it was the Duke's mansion that reported it or if it was discovered by the Empress's spies.

Sigh... Qin Zhaoyue sighed. Oh well, she had to get through this sooner or later, so she might as well get through it sooner and be at peace.

She reached out, silently took the purse back, and handed it back to Tao Yao.

Su Quan, his left hand empty: ?