Song He'er had already understood everything. Jiang Huaifu had arranged everything in advance and even let Li and her daughter go along the way.
As for why Qin Xiaoniang and the others were able to enter the secret passage so naturally, it can be seen that it was Jiang Huaifu who gave the order in advance.
But since Jiang Huaifu has already decided to let them go, why is he still trying to keep her here today?
"Your Highness..."
"I only intended to leave you here, but since you are unwilling, I will not force you. Besides, my mother and that little cousin are not easy to deal with either. Keeping you here might cause you harm. It would be better to let you go. Guards!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several women carrying trays walked in from outside, and everything on them was covered with a gauze.
Song He'er was somewhat surprised and asked, "What is this?"
"You'll need money along the way. This is a small token of my appreciation, as compensation for the two days you spent with me..."
Song He'er really couldn't understand how much Jiang Huaifu valued Qingwu. She was just a little similar to that woman, so why was he making such a sacrifice for her?
“Your Highness, we have endured all kinds of hardships along the way, so we have no need for these gifts. Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept them.”
Jiang Huaifu walked up to a maid, opened the veil covering her, and saw several gleaming silver palace waist tokens displayed on it.
"You should still keep these with you. Without them, you might encounter obstacles on your journey. The money isn't much, but it's enough for you to get out of Xizhou. I am, after all, a prince, so don't embarrass me time and time again."
Seeing that he had said so, Song He'er nodded in agreement.
Who wouldn't take money if they were offered it?
After all, they also lost their car and vegetables, so asking for some money isn't unreasonable.
Jiang Huaifu then dispatched two or three people to escort Song He'er away from the palace. Before leaving, he went to the post station to pick up Su Yu's wife and child.
But to everyone's surprise, as soon as Song He'er entered the door, she was shut down by Su Yu's wife.
"I said I'm not leaving, and that's final. There's no point in trying to persuade me anymore."
Song He'er was completely bewildered and couldn't understand why she would do such a thing.
"You are a person from the Central Plains, what are you doing here all alone?"
"It's better to stay here than to suffer mistreatment there!"
"You... yes, sometimes Madam Tian's words are unpleasant, but what kind of person is she? You've worked together in the General's Mansion for so many years, don't you know her well? Why make such a fuss?"
Su Yu's wife still showed no sign of turning back, and Song He'er felt that this was pointless.
One cannot always accommodate others, lest they misunderstand and think that one cannot live without them.
Since that's the case, let's just leave her here alone. Anyway, Jiang Huaifu already knows everything, so we're not afraid of what she might say!
Thinking of this, Song He'er asked again, "Madam Zhou, I'll ask you one last time, are you really sure?"
"I will never regret it."
"Okay, then we'll never meet again."
Without hesitation, Song He'er turned around and followed the soldier away.
The secret passage is very long; it will take two hours to walk out of the palace.
If she walked a little faster, she might have been able to keep up with Qin Xiaoniang and the others.
When the people in the palace heard that Song He'er had left overnight, they immediately ran to the Queen's palace to report the news!
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Great news!"
Queen Shen was sitting in front of the bronze mirror washing up and preparing to rest when the tranquil atmosphere was broken by a restless maid.
"Why are you being so rash? You're trying to scare me to death!"
The maid turned pale and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"Your Highness, I heard... I heard that His Highness has released his personal maid and is now... entering the secret passage to leave..."
Queen Shen put down the comb in her hand and turned to look at the little maid in disbelief.
Is this really true?
“It’s absolutely true. I saw them enter the secret passage with my own eyes.”
Queen Shen paused for a moment, then a relieved smile appeared on her lips.
“My son has really made something of himself; he’s learned to let go.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Jiadai ran in from outside, beaming with delight.
Upon seeing this, everyone obediently withdrew.
Queen Shen looked at her, her eyes filled with an indescribable helplessness.
"What's the rush? You have no manners at all. Your uncle dislikes women like this the most. If you don't change, you can forget about the throne of the princess!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Jiadai immediately frowned and bowed to Queen Shen with feigned composure.
"May your aunt be well."
"What is it?"
"I heard... I heard that that little slut has left the palace! Aunt, what's wrong with my cousin? Why did he suddenly change his mind?"
"You find it unbelievable, but I am just as puzzled. I'll send someone to follow her and see if she really left the palace. What if she's set me up and pulled off a clever escape? That would be really hard to handle."
Shen Jiadai smiled, leaning closer to Queen Shen, and whispered, "Aunt, why don't I go with you myself..."
Queen Shen raised her head and looked at her with a questioning expression. "You? I really don't trust you with such a rash attitude. Let A Miao go instead."
"Then I'll go with Aunt Miao!"
"Go, go, all of you go. I need to rest. You should go back too."
When Shen Jiadai saw that she had agreed, she immediately ran out happily.
The next morning.
Qin Xiaoniang and the others had safely left the secret passage and arrived at a grove of trees outside the palace.
"Little Mother, are we going to keep walking like this? Aren't we going to wait for He'er?" Zhang Xiu'e took the children out of the box, intending to rest on the spot.
“I believe in my daughter and that she will come out safely. Let’s wait here for one day. If she doesn’t come out by tomorrow, we’ll leave on our own.”
Zhang Xiue nodded, "Alright then, I still have a few steamed buns in my bundle, let's share them."
The children didn't cry or fuss, but their faces were flushed from the heat. Fortunately, the forest was well-ventilated and the air was fresh. After eating something, the children had some energy again.
After a moment, Song He'er came out from the path they had come from.
Zhang Xiue spotted her figure from afar and excitedly stood up from the ground, exclaiming, "Look! He'er is out! She's out!"
Qin Xiaoniang looked up in disbelief, and the moment she saw her daughter again, she immediately ran up to her with tears in her eyes and hugged her tightly.
"He'er, you're out safe and sound! Your mother was so worried!"
“Mother, I’m fine, it’s just that… Madam Zhou doesn’t want to leave with us and insists on staying. I have no choice.”
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