Out of the Cold Palace

The following day, Jin Minzhi hosted Xu Ce, who had been granted an official position and was about to leave the capital to take up his post.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Ce took out a few books and handed them to Jin Minzhi, saying, "Minzhi, I don't have anything of value to offer, so I'm giving you these books as a token of my appreciation."

Jin Minzhi accepted it with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Brother Xu."

"Minzhi, is Xiaoxiao at home?"

Jin Minzhi sighed, "Xiaoxiao hasn't left the house for a month."

Is Xiaoxiao unwell?

Jin Minzhi shook her head. "Xiaoxiao is in good health. It's just that Xiaoxiao wants to make some kind of chute, but she hasn't been able to, and she's been struggling with it."

Xu Ce was relieved and smiled with satisfaction: "Xiaoxiao is so young, but she is very patient. Minzhi, I am about to leave the capital to take up my post. I would like to meet with Xiaoxiao. Is that alright?"

Jin Minzhi stood up and led the way for him, "Of course, Brother Xu, please follow me."

On the other side, Jin Xiaoxiao took the shuttle out of the loom that was stuck and rubbed her throbbing temples.

"Xiaoxiao, Brother Xu has come to see you."

Jin Xiaoxiao turned around and saw Xu Ce, her mood immediately improved, "Sir, you've arrived."

"I've come to see you."

Xu Ce walked up to her, looked down at the chute on the loom, and asked, "Minzhi said you're making a chute, is this it?"

Jin Xiaoxiao looked distressed and held up the shuttle in her hand. "I want to make a chute to put it in so that the shuttle can go back and forth very quickly, which will increase the weaving speed."

Xu Ce circled the loom twice, then carefully examined the shuttle with small wheels in Jin Xiaoxiao's hand. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I know what Xiaoxiao is going to do. Xiaoxiao, wait for me for one day. Tomorrow I will definitely be able to help Xiaoxiao solve this problem."

Jin Xiaoxiao opened her eyes wide and praised him generously, "Sir, you are so kind!"

Xu Ce chuckled, “Xiaoxiao calls me ‘sir,’ and a sir can’t take advantage of you for nothing.” He paused, then his expression turned solemn, “Besides, if Xiaoxiao successfully improves the loom, it will benefit all people and the country.”

Upon hearing such harsh words, Jin Minzhi said nervously, "Brother Xu, Xiaoxiao is still young..."

Xu Ce held up two fingers. "Xu Ce swears to heaven that if I reveal even half a word about what happened today, may I die a horrible death."

Seeing her brother sweating, Jin Xiaoxiao quickly explained on his behalf, "Sir, you've misunderstood my brother."

Xu Ce patted Jin Minzhi on the shoulder, "I know you trust me, Minzhi. I swear I'm not putting on an act for you and your siblings, but rather to restrain my own words and actions."

Jin Xiaoxiao looked at him with admiration. As expected of Jin Da Tui (a powerful figure in the entertainment industry), his awareness was indeed high.

The imperial palace, the cold palace.

Wan Niang hung up the last piece of clothing and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Zhao Cainu, slacking off here means no food. If you can't finish washing the remaining three basins of clothes within an hour, you won't get lunch today!"

Wan Niang ignored the eunuch who was glancing at her sideways, and continued working despite her back pain.

The more silent Wan Niang became, the more the eunuch mocked her, "You've offended the Imperial Concubine, your life is over. Tsk tsk, it's such a pity for such a beautiful face."

After the eunuch finished speaking, he stared at her face for a long time. Unconsciously, he squatted down in front of Wan Niang and reached out to touch her face.

Wan Niang was startled and quickly stood up to avoid his hand. "What do you want to do?"

The eunuch approached her step by step, "This cold palace is lonely. Doesn't Lady Zhao want to find someone to keep warm?"

Wan Niang's eyes turned cold. Just as she was about to raise the washing mallet in her hand, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from outside the palace gate. Could it be that another new concubine had arrived? No, there were no cries or complaints.

Wan Niang listened intently; the footsteps were neat and powerful, indicating that the person approaching was neither a eunuch nor a palace servant.

Wan Niang loosened her grip, and the mallet fell to the ground. She retreated to the palace gate, pressing herself tightly against it. "Since you know I am a concubine, one of His Majesty's people, how dare you bully me?"

The eunuch stared at her infatuatedly. "There's nothing wrong with Your Majesty. You're mine. My darling, don't hide anymore." He opened his arms, wanting to hug her.

Hearing the footsteps that had stopped at the door, Wan Niang cried out, "Get out of the way!"

“Sweetheart, I’m coming.”

Squeak—

The heavy wooden door was pulled open from the outside, and without any support, Wan Niang's body fell backward.

She closed her eyes tightly, and before she fell, someone wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into an embrace that smelled of ambergris.

Wan Niang opened her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttered uneasily twice, and a single tear, like a pearl, fell.

Ouch!

Wan Niang was awakened by the eunuch's screams. She looked up timidly at the person holding her and said, "I'm sorry, I bumped into you." After saying that, Wan Niang moved her body, trying to break free from his embrace.

The emperor didn't let go. "You've already left this door. Do you want to go back?"

Wan Niang lowered her eyes and said softly, "Unless His Majesty grants me a pardon, I will not leave the Cold Palace without permission."

"The emperor locked you in the cold palace, don't you hate him?"

Wan Niang shook her head, "My entry into the Cold Palace has nothing to do with His Majesty. It was my foolishness that offended the Imperial Concubine."

The emperor gazed intently into her clear, watery eyes, and after a long while, he picked her up in his arms.

"Now that you have left the Cold Palace, I will pardon you."

Wan Niang gently embraced the emperor's neck, her cheeks flushed with two rosy clouds, making her incredibly beautiful.

That evening, a eunuch was missing from the neglected Cold Palace. Meanwhile, a new concubine, Zhao Cairen, was promoted three ranks.

Jin Xiaoxiao didn't learn until the afternoon of the second day that her senior sister had not only been released from the Cold Palace but had also been promoted three levels.

"Senior Sister's rank has advanced three levels?"

Bai Guo was even more surprised than Jin Xiaoxiao, "From a concubine to a talented woman, that's a promotion of three ranks."

Jin Xiaoxiao was happy for her; her senior sister's career was finally taking off. But a harem that devours people can't be without helpers, so her senior sister needed to train some people.

Jin Xiaoxiao opened the money box and counted out two thousand taels of silver notes. "Sister Baiguo, have someone deliver these to Senior Sister to celebrate her promotion."

Bai Guo took the silver note and went out when he met Ji Yun, who was walking towards him with big strides, and Jin Minzhi and Xu Ce, who were several steps behind him.

Bai Guo stopped. "Ji Jun."

Ji Jun didn't stop, giving her a barely perceptible nod before stepping into the room.

Jin Minzhi and Xu Ce stopped. "Miss Baiguo."

"Greetings, gentlemen."

After Bai Guo said goodbye, she left. Xu Ce's gaze followed her back until she was out of sight.

Jin Minzhi waited quietly until Xu Ce withdrew his gaze, and then the two walked towards the room in unison.

Jin Xiaoxiao had been waiting for him for a long time. As soon as he entered the door, she immediately pulled him to the loom.

Xu Ce installed the modified chute and shuttle, and Jin Xiaoxiao tried operating them, which went very smoothly.

Jin Xiaoxiao was in a great mood. "Sir, you are really amazing."

Xu Ce seemed a little distracted. "Xiaoxiao has mostly finished it. I just made some adjustments based on what you made."

Jin Xiaoxiao noticed his expression was off and turned to ask, "Is something troubling you, sir?"

Xu Ce smiled, his eyes gentle, as if he had eaten honey. "Xiaoxiao, sir, if I may be so bold, I would like to ask you about a young lady."

The only unmarried girl beside her was Bai Guo, besides her aunt. Jin Xiaoxiao looked at Jin Minzhi and asked with her eyes: Is the girl you asked about Bai Guo?

Jin Minzhi didn't understand, so Ji Yun answered her, "Ginkgo."

Jin Xiaoxiao turned to look at Xu Ce again and immediately disliked him. He wanted to seduce Bai Guo? She wouldn't allow it!

"Sir, Sister Baiguo's monthly salary here is one hundred taels. If you can't earn two thousand taels a year, I advise you to give up and honestly go back to being an official."

Ignoring Jin Xiaoxiao's subtle attempts to belittle him, Xu Ce's eyes brightened even more. "Miss Baiguo is truly extraordinary."

Jin Xiaoxiao glanced at the hopeless Xu Ce, then turned and happily pulled Ji Jun out the door, "Come on, let's go find the young master."

Three-quarters of an hour later, the two arrived at the main gate of Prince Yi's mansion. Jin Xiaoxiao was about to go up and ask the gatekeeper Yue Jia if he was there.

Suddenly, a group of people approached from afar, and all the gatekeepers ran out of their doors, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the group.

Jin Xiaoxiao stepped aside and looked up to see Yue Xiao in the center of the group.

Jin Xiaoxiao thought to herself that she was in trouble, and tried to leave by grabbing Ji Jun.

Yue Xiao also saw her, turned his horse around to block her way, "Kid, stop!"

Ji Yun shielded Jin Xiaoxiao behind her, her whole body tense.

"I'm asking you, is Yuanyuan alright?"

Jin Xiaoxiao peeked out from behind Ji Yun, "Don't you know whether your aunt is good or not?"

Jin Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and was about to turn her head away when she suddenly noticed a girl wearing a veil behind Yue Xiao.

A gust of wind rose, lifting the veil of her hat, and Jin Xiaoxiao saw the corners of her lips curving upwards.

Jin Xiaoxiao looked up and met her deep eyes.

In an instant, Jin Xiaoxiao's hair stood on end, as if she were being stared at by a venomous snake.

"Kid, I'm only letting you off the hook for Yuanyuan's sake. I'm warning you, don't push your luck."

This person is so strange. Jin Xiaoxiao shifted her gaze and carefully examined Yue Xiao's group, noticing that their boots and the corners of their clothes were stained with dark red dots.

Jin Xiaoxiao was startled; Yue Xiao had returned with his men to commit evil deeds!

Jin Xiaoxiao tugged at Ji Jun's sleeve, "Let's go home."

Seeing that she was about to leave, Yue Xiao waved his hand, and several people came out and surrounded the two of them.

"Boy, what are you doing at the Prince's mansion?"

In broad daylight, Jin Xiaoxiao wasn't afraid of him at all, and said confidently, "I think the Prince's Mansion is magnificent. Is it wrong for me to come closer and take a look?"

Yue Xiao choked, glanced at her, and ordered the obsequious gatekeeper beside him, "Don't let this brat get near the gate of the Prince's Mansion."

After giving his instructions, he dismounted and entered the palace first.

After respectfully seeing Yue Xiao off, one of the gatekeepers, who had triangular eyes, turned around and waved impatiently at Jin Xiaoxiao, "Kid, get out of the way! Didn't you hear what the Second Young Master said? Get out, get out!"

Ji Jun raised her eyes and stared at the arrogant, triangular-eyed doorman.

The triangular-eyed doorman was so frightened by Ji Jun's gaze that he took two steps back and fell to the ground.

Jin Xiaoxiao didn't want to waste her breath on such a person, so she pulled Ji Jun around to another entrance of the Prince's Mansion.

"Excuse me, gentlemen..."

Jin Xiao was interrupted before he could finish telling his joke.

"Sure enough, I knew it. You wouldn't give up. You wanted to climb up to our Prince's Mansion." The speaker was leaning against the door, panting heavily. It was the triangular-eyed doorman who had chased Jin Xiaoxiao and the other man earlier.

He pointed at Jin Xiaoxiao, then turned and ordered the two guards at the gate, "The Second Young Master said not to let them come near the Prince's Mansion. You two, go and drive them away quickly."