Xiao Ruyu grasped his thoughts tightly and sorted them out carefully.

[After Prime Minister Lu resigned from his post, he went to his hometown in Jiangnan to live in seclusion.]

[According to the time, it happened to be the period when the rainstorm in Jiangnan was the most severe! ]

Eleven also felt that what she said made sense and lifted his chin.

"Whether this matter is related to Prime Minister Lu, we have no way to investigate it now."

Xiao Ruyu's eyes lit up and she blinked at Eleven.

As expected, Eleven suddenly had a bad thought in his mind.

The next second, Xiao Ruyu's clever idea was heard.

[Why don't we sneak out now and go to Prime Minister Lu's hometown to test whether he knows about Shan Wandong's plan.]

He pinched Xiao Ruyu's cheek helplessly, unable to do anything to her.

"Never mind. It's on the way, but we have to return to the palace as soon as possible after we're done."

[I know that eleven is the best——]

Xiao Ruyu rubbed Eleven, looked at the movements outside the carriage, and looked for a suitable opportunity.

Three hours later, the carriage stopped at an inn.

The officials who returned to Beijing came to report.

"Greetings, Princess. We are exhausted from the journey. Let us rest here for a few hours before we set off again."

Xiao Ruyu said "hmm" neither lightly nor heavily.

As soon as the officials left, she lifted the curtain.

[Eleven, right now, they all went to the inn to rest.]

Eleven stuck his head out to take a look, then picked up Xiao Ruyu and used the carriage as a cover, and quickly left in another direction.

By the time the officials realized that the two had left, half an hour had passed.

The two men left the city and headed straight for Prime Minister Lu's retreat.

This place was not far from the city where they were resting, so Eleven bought a carriage and rode there at full speed.

Two hours later, they arrived in Lincheng.

Xiao Ruyu looked around this medium-sized Jiangnan town and took out a map from his pocket.

[To the southwest of the city is Lu's mansion. ]

When the two arrived at Lu's mansion, it was almost dusk.

I thought that by testing Prime Minister Lu, I could find some clues, but when Xiao Ruyu stood at the door of Lu's mansion, I was dumbfounded.

I saw that the gate of Lu's mansion was closed, and there was thick moss in front of the door, as if no one had lived there for a long time.

Eleven reluctantly went forward and pulled the door knocker, but his hands were covered in dust.

What is going on?

Xiao Ruyu looked at the entrance of Lu's mansion with a serious expression.

At this time, an old scholar carrying firewood passed by and saw the two men standing at the gate of Lu's mansion, and spoke kindly.

"Are you two here to see Master Lu from the Lu Mansion?"

Xiao Ruyu nodded and looked at him expectantly.

"Do you know where he is?"

The old scholar shook his head, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in her heart.

"This family has not returned for decades since they came to Beijing."

He looked at Xiao Ruyu curiously, "Who are you to him?"

Xiao Ruyu's mood suddenly fell to the bottom, and she made up an excuse to get rid of him.

[Where on earth did Prime Minister Lu go? ]

[He said he resigned from office and retired, but no one knew his whereabouts. ]

[No, after returning to the palace, I must tell Dad first.]

…

After three days and three nights, Eleven finally brought Xiao Ruyu back to the palace.

"The little princess is back! The little princess is back!"

The guards guarding the palace gate quickly passed the news back to the palace.

Before Xiao Ruyu arrived, the news had spread throughout the palace.

Emperor Shangwen had just finished reviewing the memorials when he stood up and staggered.

"Is it true? Yu'er is back?"

Three days ago, an official who returned to Beijing reported that Xiao Ruyu had suddenly disappeared, and Eleven also disappeared.

Although Emperor Shangwen knew that nothing would happen to the two of them easily, he was still worried.

Xiao Ruyu went straight to the Yangxin Palace. She wanted to tell Emperor Shangwen about Prime Minister Lu as soon as possible.

Halfway through the journey, a figure suddenly appeared.

"Yu'er!!!"

Queen Duan stumbled over quickly, almost losing her dignity.

【Mother, I'm back. 】

Xiao Ruyu grinned at Queen Duan and spoke seriously.

[Mother, I have something important to discuss with my father first.]

[Hey hey hey…Mother…]

Queen Duan ignored what she said, checked her from head to toe and made sure she was fine, then grabbed her by the collar.

[Mother, my neck is being strangled, my neck...]

Xiao Ruyu flapped her legs as she let Queen Duan carry her back to the palace.

She lowered her head knowing her mistake, waiting for the bloody storm to come.

“Kneel down!”

As far as she could remember, this was the first time that Queen Duan got so angry.

"It's fine if you sneaked out with Eleven, but how could you two run away when there were so many officials on the way back to Beijing?!"

"Have I been too pampering you? Do you know how worried the Emperor and I are?"

Although Queen Duan's tone was filled with anger, she still couldn't hide her worry.

[Mother, you see, I am not fine. ]

Xiao Ruyu tilted her head, trying to please.

"Nothing you say today will help!"

Queen Duan waved her hand, looking very disappointed.

"During this period of time, I will not let you step out of the bedroom!"

Seeing that she had issued a house arrest order, Xiao Ruyu felt somewhat reluctant.

[I don’t want to.]

She stood up and wanted to run away. The most important thing now was to report Prime Minister Lu's matter to her father.

"stop!"

Queen Duan stood up and reached out to grab Xiao Ruyu.

Xiao Ruyu was like a nimble loach, hiding here and there, so that Empress Duan couldn't even touch the corner of her clothes.

Seeing that she was about to lose her temper, Eleven stood up and knelt in front of the hall.

"Empress, it's all because of Eleven's pampering of the little princess. If you want to punish her, then punish Eleven."

Queen Duan stopped panting, sat down holding a handkerchief, her eyes wide open with anger.

"You deserve to be punished. I asked you to take good care of the little princess, but you indulged her willfulness..."

Before he could finish his words, Xiao Ruyu, who had just slipped away, came back.

She stood in front of Eleven and argued confidently.

[Mother can't punish Eleven. Eleven has been protecting me all the way, so he didn't indulge me.]

[On the contrary...he advised me, but I didn't listen.]

Xiao Ruyu touched his head and lowered it obediently.

Queen Duan had no idea what to do with this little princess.

She leaned back in her chair and held her forehead helplessly.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do with you?"

Seeing her expression relax, Xiao Ruyu seized the opportunity and moved closer.

[I have listened to my mother and returned safely, but I was a little late.]

She leaned on Queen Duan's lap and pouted her lips.

[Mom, please don't be angry anymore. I promise I will never make you worry again. ]

Xiao Ruyu raised four little fingers and swore.

[If there is a next time, mother will never make sweet-scented osmanthus cake for me again. ]

[Mother is kind and compassionate, and will not care whether this time is right or wrong.]

Her little mouth was as sweet as honey, and Queen Duan sighed.

"Forget it, go and see your brother."