This was the first time Zhao Yi had ever seen such a bold and unrestrained mistress. A hint of disdain flashed in the depths of his eyes, but he still respectfully bowed his hands and said, "By the grace of the Empress Dowager, Consort Yin will be holding a birthday banquet in the palace the day after tomorrow. She has specially sent this servant to invite the Ninth Prince's wife and the Ninth Prince's concubine to the palace to celebrate. I hope that the Princess will attend the banquet on time."

"Understood," Ji Fengyao said without even glancing at Zhao Yi, and then dismissed Lin Shuang to see Zhao Yi out.

Following Ji Fengyao's instructions, Lin Shuang only escorted the person to the outer gate of Hui Nuan Pavilion before returning.

Zhao Yi stood outside the gate of Hui Nuan Pavilion, staring dumbfounded at Lin Shuang's decisive turn.

Consort Yin was the most favored concubine in the palace, and he was the most favored eunuch by her side. Wherever he went to deliver messages, he would always receive a lot of benefits.

This time, when he came to Prince Su's residence to deliver a message, he received several silver coins as a reward from Consort Jia and Consort Jin. However, this dignified Princess Consort of Prince Su refused to give a single penny. Can you believe this unconventional behavior of someone who is desperate for money?

When Lin Shuang returned, she said with some concern, "Your Highness, it's common for people from the palace to give you a reward when they deliver messages. When Eunuch Zhao left just now, he looked very unhappy."

"He's just a eunuch, yet our young lady has to put up with his attitude. Is his status more important than our young lady's and her husband's?" Xique didn't care at all. In her mind, there was nothing that a good beating couldn't solve. If one beating wasn't enough, she would beat him twice. If that didn't work, she would whip him or slash him with a knife until he submitted.

"Young lady, in this deep palace, the most inconspicuous little people are often the hardest to guard against," Lin Shuang patiently advised.

The magpie still looked confused and didn't quite understand.

Ji Fengyao stopped abruptly, somewhat impatient with these petty intrigues: "Can I not go?"

"Eunuch Zhao deliberately invoked the Empress Dowager's favor, which suggests that even the Empress will have to give Consort Yin face this time."

"Then we have to go."

"Miss, I want to go too! I've never been to the palace before. Take me with you this time, and I promise I won't say anything out of line!" When Xique heard that she was going to the palace again, her eyes lit up and she jumped up to volunteer.

Ji Fengyao thought that this trip to the palace would probably be a tough battle, so it would be good to bring Xique along: "Okay, you can go with Linshuang and Bailu. Tell Granny Cui to find someone else to take Bailu's night watch tonight."

After saying this, she got up and went back to her room. She then instructed the three maids to pack the things they needed to take the next day. Ji Fengyao then used the excuse of taking a nap to go to the secret room in the underground courtyard through the secret passage.

In the dark room, Bai Rumei's skin wounds had scabbed over, but she was still unconscious, with her acupoints sealed with silver needles.

Ji Fengyao checked the wound and found no signs of infection, which relieved her somewhat.

She picked some medicinal herbs from the closet shelf and was fiddling with them when Black Owl walked in with a roguish charm.

Ji Fengyao glanced up at him. To be able to make a hideous guard's uniform look dashing, this man's looks were truly outstanding: "Uncle Hei, the sun hasn't even set yet, and you're already up?"

"Tsk, heartless." Hei Xiao flicked his high-tied hair and squatted down in front of Ji Fengyao, who was grinding medicine. He took something out of his pocket and handed it to her: "Here you go. I can't go to the palace with you tomorrow. With this, you might be able to save your life."

Ji Fengyao: "...Did you eat arsenic this morning?"

How can you be so sure that she will die a tragic death in the palace?

“That thing doesn’t taste good. If you pair it with something less pungent and sweeter, I can eat it.” Black Owl grinned and brought the thing in his hand closer to her eyes: “Put it on. It took a lot of effort to make.”