A few days later.
Zhao Zhilan had an indescribable feeling upon returning to the capital.
Past events drift away like smoke and clouds; a light boat floats in the sunset, a dream within.
Should we return to the palace? Or go find Elder Ye?
He Xiao left the decision to Zhao Zhilan herself.
The information seized a few days ago is of paramount importance; it could affect the entire landscape of Great Xia and even determine Lin Mo's life or death.
"He killed my mother, I should hate him!"
But at this moment, Zhao Zhilan could no longer bring herself to hate him.
"To the palace!" She finally made her choice. "Not for Lin Mo, but for the people of my Great Xia!"
If something happens to Lin Mo, millions of people in the Great Xia Dynasty will suffer!
The princess was neither kidnapped nor left the palace, so there was no welcoming ceremony.
Under Yao Guangxiao's arrangement, Zhao Zhilan secretly entered the palace at night.
The next morning, she saw the new dress that Jiang Wan'er had made for her.
Next, the palace maids filled the bathtub with steaming hot water and scrubbed her all over until her skin turned red.
She hadn't bathed since leaving the palace, and was surprised to find how dirty the water had become. The palace maids washed the dirt off her face and brushed the dust off her back.
Jiang Wan'er also sent her personal maid to trim her nails, cut her hair and wash her hair, and style her black hair into a soft shape to drape over her back.
The palace maid also brought about ten kinds of rouge and face powder that Jiang Wan'er liked the most, and Zhao Zhilan chose a bottle of sweet and strong ones from them.
The palace maid applied the perfume powder to her fingertips and lightly touched her ears, chin, and forehead.
Subsequently, the new emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty sent a female tailor to personally evaluate Zhao Zhilan's attire.
“You are so beautiful, Your Highness!” the seamstress commented.
"Really? Really?" Zhao Zhilan couldn't help but giggle. "When is Madam Lin arriving?"
She remembered her mission: she needed to inform Jiang Wan'er and Yao Guangxiao of the intelligence.
"Your Highness, the Madam has arranged a banquet, and Lord Yao, Lord Huo, and the Regent's three consorts will all be in attendance!" the maid told her.
"Three princesses?" Zhao Zhilan asked in surprise. "Which one is the new wife?"
"She is the daughter of the royal family of Xiliang, and is now the prince's principal wife!"
This news surprised Zhao Zhilan even more.
"Huo Minggao's daughter?" she thought to herself. "How could Lin Mo be married to this man? He's a wolf in sheep's clothing!"
After getting dressed, she sat back in her room and transformed back into the Great Xia princess.
Breakfast consisted of my favorite white fungus porridge, jujube cake, and spring rolls.
Familiar food, familiar room, familiar feeling.
She closed her eyes, trying hard to recall the past.
Ji Dong's life felt like a dream.
By the time Yao Guangxiao sent someone to find her, it was already dusk.
Zhao Zhilan spent the entire day in her room without realizing it.
The visitor was Sun Yang, the eldest son of Sun Mian. According to Lin Mo's arrangement, he was transferred back to the capital to command the newly formed Imperial Guard.
This man was tall, handsome, and very polite.
"Hello, General Sun!" Zhao Zhilan greeted him politely.
Sun Yang smiled, puzzled. "Your Highness, greetings! Come, my sister has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
"I'm just as eagerly anticipating it."
Sun Yang smiled again, then gestured for Zhao Zhilan to leave the room.
Walking through the familiar palace, Zhao Zhilan noticed that there were twice as many guards as usual.
"Is Lin Mo wary of Huo Minggao's men?" she couldn't help but wonder. "If it were me, I would definitely do the same!"
The King of Xiliang has 20,000 troops stationed in the capital, and no one can guarantee that these people will be completely loyal to Lin Mo.
Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Sun Yang waved, and the guards opened the doors.
Hearing the commotion, Sun Ruoxi quickly stepped forward and went out to greet them.
“Your Highness,” she exclaimed, “it is such a pleasure to see you.”
Then, Sun Ruoxi bowed to her according to etiquette, but the latter quickly stopped her. "No need for that, Your Highness!"
Why don't you call me Ruoxi?
"Then you can call me Zhilan."
"Haha!" Sun Ruoxi laughed, "How about I call you Sister Zhilan? You're a few months older than me!"
"Sister Ruoxi!" Zhao Zhilan said in a very friendly manner.
Upon hearing this, Sun Ruoxi took Zhao Zhilan's arm and said, "Come on, everyone is waiting for you!"
Inside the hall, everyone stood up and bowed when they saw Zhao Zhilan stand up.
She returned the gifts one by one.
When she sat down in her seat, she saw Lin Mo's other two princesses, as well as her birth mother, Jiang Wan'er.
Of the three princesses, Huo Minggao's daughter was the most beautiful.
They had never met before, but the moment Zhao Zhilan saw her, she had an indescribable feeling.
"She...is just like my younger self!" Zhao Zhilan thought to herself.
"How have you been lately, Your Highness?" Jiang Wan'er spoke first, pulling Zhao Zhilan's wrist as she spoke. "My son has indeed done some things that were not quite right!"
“It’s all in the past!” Zhao Zhilan said calmly. “Madam, there’s something I want to tell you.”
Jiang Wan'er stopped her, "Tonight's banquet is for Your Highness, we can discuss other matters later!"
"This matter is of great importance!" Zhao Zhilan insisted.
"Your Highness, you must not be impatient," Jiang Wan'er reminded her. "Lord He has been to the palace, so please be patient."
"Patience..." Zhao Zhilan also remembered He Xiao's teachings.
Yes, I need to be patient; I can't alert them now!
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