However, the Emperor is truly heartless, so it's understandable that the Empress was angry.

Su Wanwan said in a calm tone, "It's not going to Xiyuan."

He Ying's eyes widened: "Where is Your Highness going?"

Su Wanwan simply said, "Ganqingmen."

He Ying followed Su Wanwan out the door, completely bewildered.

It wasn't until Su Wanwan reached the door of the guard's duty room next to the Qianqing Gate that she suddenly realized what was going on.

Because today is the Emperor's birthday, the palace guards are on much tighter alert.

Zhang Yong, the imperial eunuch in charge of military affairs, was also stationed in the guard duty room.

Logically, when the Empress arrived, Zhang Yong should have come out respectfully, knelt down, and paid his respects.

However.

Even after Su Wanwan entered the duty room, Zhang Yong remained calmly seated, picking up the teapot and pouring tea into his cup.

After slowly placing the teapot back on the red clay stove, he calmly rose and gave a slight bow.

His tone was cold and distant.

"The air in the duty room is foul; Your Majesty should not tread upon such a lowly place."

Su Wanwan smiled gently.

He gestured for Heying to place the food box in his hand on the table.

"Zhang Daban has worked hard guarding the inner palace. I have had some tea and snacks prepared for you. Please enjoy them slowly."

A glint of light flashed in Zhang Yong's eyes.

A sharp gaze seems to be able to see into people's hearts.

Su Wanwan let him look her over and had Heying bring out the still-steaming snacks from the food box.

This is a plate of jade cake.

Vibrant and fresh, it is made by kneading tender mugwort leaves and water-ground glutinous rice flour into a dough, filling it with peanuts, sesame seeds, and white sugar, and then steaming it.

However, it is now late autumn and early winter, and it is quite difficult to find tender mugwort leaves.