...
Qin Qi followed the road on his right, but instead of seeing the urinal the patrolling guards had mentioned, he stopped in front of a deserted palace.
Qingqiu Palace.
Looking at this unfamiliar place, Qin Xi couldn't help but frown.
She had been in the palace with her father since she was a child and often played in the Imperial Garden, but she had never seen this place before. It seemed that either she hadn't come this way, or someone had deliberately led her away.
Qin Qi leaned closer and examined Qingqiu Palace. She noticed that the eaves were covered in cobwebs, and several mosquitoes were stuck to them, swaying gently in the breeze, as if they had dried.
In the magnificent depths of the palace, there could be such a slovenly place; there could only be…
The Cold Palace.
Qin Qi frowned; this was not a good place to go.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he stepped on a tree branch with a "crunch," and someone immediately asked, "Who's outside?"
Qin Xi pursed her lips and glanced around. The ground was covered with withered branches and fallen leaves, as if no one had ever cleaned it up.
Footsteps came from inside. She whispered to Lele and Baobao, "Go and get me a cloak. While you're at it, go and see what Lu Huai is doing. If he's alright, tell him to come find me."
Lele looked at her with concern, wanting to say something, but was silenced by her warning gaze. She sighed softly and left with her bag.
After they left, Qin Xi took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door. "Greetings, Your Majesty. I had no intention of disturbing you, but I have lost my way. Please show me the way."
She didn't feel the Cold Palace was a safe place, especially at night, when it was like a hungry wolf, devouring people without blinking an eye. She dared to stay alone only because she knew Lu Huai's men were lurking in the shadows.
However, she didn't know how many people there were, so she had to tell Lele and Baobao to leave first, so that even if Lu Huai had fewer people, he could easily take her out.
If she were to leave with them, she feared she would be mistaken for an assassin and arrested by the people in this cold palace. Although she didn't know why there were no guards protecting her, she still dared not take the risk.
It wasn't that the emperor valued the Cold Palace that much, but since it was still within the palace grounds, a place where the slightest disturbance could trigger a panic, she dared not be careless.
"Creak—" The door slowly opened, making a dull and lonely sound.
The first thing that caught my eye was a long, faded dress, unlike the attire of imperial concubines, but more like that of a palace maid. Looking up, there was a plain face, and thousands of strands of black hair were tied up with a single withered branch.
This woman appeared to be over forty, yet she retained her charm despite not wearing any makeup.
She was holding the door shut with both hands, looking Qin Xi up and down with a deep frown. "Turn around and go to the left. This is not a place for you."
Qin Qi bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed in the woman's eyes, but she still said seriously, "Who told you to call me that? I am just an old nanny who sweeps and cleans in this palace."
"I've long heard of Consort Ruan's stunning beauty and exceptional grace; I'm so glad to finally meet you today." Qin Qiyan smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of admiration and joy.
Consort Ruan was surprised, and finally showed a slightly different expression. "Who told you that?"
"No one told me; I figured it out myself," Qin Qi replied with a charming smile.
"Oh?" Consort Ruan opened the door, glanced at Qin Xi's hair in a low bun, and frowned slightly. "Whose young lady are you? How do you recognize me? I don't think I've ever seen you before."
[Author's Note] It has been more than two months since it was approved on April 11.
Qi Huai will finally be available on the 19th of this month (that is, Friday)~ This is my first time being available on the market, and I'm a little excited.
At the beginning of the month, the management planned the event and I personally selected three physical gifts, all of which can be used in the summer.
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