"Replying to the three princesses, Sister Dongxue is truly unable to lead the way due to her health condition."
"This servant, Fang'er, will temporarily take over Sister Dongxue's duties and escort the three princesses back to the palace."
The woman first bowed, then slowly explained to the three why she had come.
They changed drivers after only a short distance?
Not only was Xiu Ning's vigilance suddenly heightened, but even the usually naive Dong E Jing Xin felt that something was amiss.
Dong E Jingxin gave the other person a strange look and muttered to herself, "We three don't know whether what you're saying is true or false, so how can we judge?"
What if it's a trap deliberately set by someone to lure her into making a mistake and disqualify her from the palace selection?
Having come this far, Dong E Jingxin didn't want to make any mistakes.
“Sister Dong’e is right,” Shu Mulu Yixuan rarely agreed with Dong’e Jingxin. She glanced at Fang’er with disdain. “Since we’re not in a hurry, let’s wait for the palace maid who led the way earlier.”
Fortunately, the one named Dongxue was from Cining Palace, but who knows where this Fang'er came from?
Xiuning did not express her opinion, but the three of them came and went as one, so they were naturally in a relationship of advancing and retreating together.
"Thank you for your hard work. We're not in a hurry; we can wait for now."
Xiu Ning smiled, and even though she was dressed simply, she still radiated a unique brilliance.
Fang'er: ...
As expected, she was a shrewd Manchu bannerwoman, unlike those brainless Mongol bannerwomen; she was not easily deceived.
Fang'er gritted her teeth inwardly, but nodded respectfully on the surface. "This servant will go and urge Sister Dongxue again. Please wait a moment, ladies."
Some things are better left unsaid; the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
When the first plan failed, Fang'er simply turned and left.
Not long after, the palace maid named Dongxue who had led the way earlier returned, but she was accompanied by a familiar-looking palace maid, none other than Fang'er from before.
Hey, I wasn't lying to them.
Aside from Xiu Ning still feeling something was off, Dong E Jing Xin and Shu Mu Lu Yi Xuan's gazes towards Fang Er became noticeably kinder.
After all, if they really were from the Cining Palace, then they couldn't afford to offend them like before.
"Please forgive me, ladies, but I have just received a last-minute notice from Shou Kang Palace."
"Please, Your Highnesses, proceed to the Imperial Garden immediately. The Empress Dowager has specially invited you to admire the flowers there."
Dongxue smiled and then calmly delivered the news.
"Hey, now?"
Dong E Jingxin looked astonished; they had just come out of Cining Palace.
Although the Empress Dowager had mentioned inviting them to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers, wasn't that supposed to be done at another time? How did it become that they were to go there right now?
Fang'er nodded and said, "The Empress Dowager said that there's no better time than today, and the weather is nice today, with the flowers in the Imperial Garden in full bloom."
Fortunately, there was still enough time, so the Empress Dowager came up with a plan on the spot.
This reason sounds a bit far-fetched, but considering the Empress Dowager's attitude towards them in Cining Palace today, it doesn't seem unacceptable.
Dong E Jingxin turned her head to look at Shu Mulu Yixuan and Xiu Ning beside her, seemingly wanting to hear their opinions.
Before the three could express their opinions, Dongxue looked up and urged them again, "Please make preparations as soon as possible, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager knows that this matter has happened suddenly."
If the princesses feel tired and wish to return to the palace to rest, that is perfectly acceptable.
Well, not forcing them to go together sounds much more genuine.
"What are you saying? It is our honor to be summoned by the Empress Dowager. Please lead the way."
Dong E Jingxin made the final decision, and Xiu Ning remained silent throughout, but was repeatedly led astray.
Turning around the long corridor in front of her and walking onto the gravel path, Xiu Ning cried out and fell down, taking Fang'er with her and pinning her down.
"What, what happened?"
Dong E Jingxin and Shu Mu Lu Yixuan reached out to help Xiu Ning up, their eyes scanning Fang'er, who was pinned down by Xiu Ning.
Fang'er lowered her head, supporting her left arm, "It was this servant who was careless and stepped on some gravel on the ground, which caused trouble for Princess Xitala."
As Fang'er finished speaking, Dong'e Jingxin also saw the small patch of gravel at Fang'er's feet.
It's placed in a very hidden location; you probably won't even notice it when you're walking by.
"Fang'er, are you alright?"
Xiuning patted her chest, belatedly showing concern for the unfortunate soul who had borne her weight.
Fang'er: ...
Fang'er shook her head, "Thank you for your concern, Gege. I'm fine."
It would be more believable if Fang'er hadn't been supporting her arm when she said this.
Xiu Ning looked relieved upon hearing this, appearing incredibly well-behaved.
Because of the delay, Dongxue had to lead the three of them to speed up.
But I don't want to make mistakes the more I rush, especially since some people want to do something malicious on purpose.
"Ouch!"
Another soft gasp came from a woman, something the group was already used to.
Shu Mulu and Yi Xuan numbly helped Xiu Ning up, their eyes fixed on Fang'er like dead fish eyes. "This is the third time already. If we keep delaying like this, what will we do if the Empress Dowager blames us?"
She was speechless. Xiu Ning was walking along perfectly fine, so why did this Fang'er deliberately bump into her?
“Yes, time is of the essence, but we keep getting delayed along the way,” Dong E Jingxin said with dissatisfaction. The other party was the one who said all the things, but they still had to bear the consequences themselves.
"I fell three times. Although I was physically fine, my clothes and makeup were ruined."
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