"You mean Bai Musheng gave her a bead?"
Inside the Hibiscus Palace, a young girl in a magnificent and elaborate long dress leaned against a chaise longue, asking seemingly casually.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xiao Qingrong nodded in agreement.
"The two of them were standing under the same umbrella, very close together, and they were even pulling and tugging at each other."
"What kind of beads?"
"Uh... I was a bit far away, so I couldn't see it very clearly. It seems to be something like agate."
Is that so?
Situ Yue gave the maid on her left a look, and the maid immediately brought over a piece of paper.
There were seven or eight beads drawn on the paper, some long, some square, some flat, some round, all different colors, but all with white patterns.
"That's right, these are the beads!"
Xiao Qingrong said excitedly.
A shadow crossed Situ Yue's eyes.
"I understand. You may go back now."
"This humble woman takes her leave."
Xiao Qingrong obediently followed the maid away.
Before even leaving the Hibiscus Palace, the sound of porcelain shattering could be heard coming from inside.
My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
She knew that the Third Princess would absolutely not tolerate any woman other than herself getting close to Bai Musheng.
Xiao Qingyin has really stepped on a hornet's nest this time.
Thinking that her thorn in the side was about to be removed, Xiao Qingrong watched the autumn rain with a newfound interest.
...
The next day, just as Xiao Qingyin was about to leave, Chunhua led a eunuch into the courtyard.
"Miss Xiao, Her Highness the Imperial Concubine requests your presence in the palace."
The eunuch delivered an imperial edict.
Imperial Concubine?
Isn't that the birth mother of the Third Prince and the Third Princess?
Why summon her to the palace?
Could it be that he knows about Ning's affairs and is asking her for beauty secrets?
Xiao Qingyin followed the eunuch into the palace, her mind filled with doubt.
The eunuch did not lead her to the palace, but to a place that resembled the imperial garden, a pavilion surrounded by artificial hills.
"Please wait here for a moment, I will go and invite the Imperial Concubine over."
Xiao Qingyin immediately became alert.
This plot point is too much like a setup scene.
“Father-in-law, let me go with you.”
Xiao Qingyin swiftly grabbed the eunuch's sleeve.
"I'm timid and don't dare to stay alone in unfamiliar places."
The eunuch raised his hand and, with lightning speed, tapped Xiao Qingyin's tiger's mouth.
Xiao Qingyin felt a numbness in her hand and let go.
The eunuch then pressed several acupoints on her, immobilizing her in that spot.
Then she smiled and said, "Don't worry, no one comes here. We'll be back soon."
Damn, he's actually a top-tier imperial guard!
Xiao Qingyin was unable to speak or move, and could only watch helplessly as the eunuch disappeared behind the artificial hill.
Who on earth is targeting her and setting up such a huge scheme?
She stood in the pavilion like a wooden statue, her mind replaying several palace dramas, but no one appeared.
One can't help but wonder: Could it be that the person who set this up was just trying to put some psychological pressure on her?
Just then, two voices came from inside the artificial hill.
"Rou'er, have you missed me?"
I dream about it.
"Then why did it take so long to enter the palace?"
"Your Majesty, how dare you ask? Last time you left me covered in marks, which almost aroused the prince's suspicion."
"..."
The cave was filled with sounds of pleasure that made one's ears burn and heart pound.
Xiao Qingyin felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
What sins did she commit to be forced to eavesdrop on the unspeakable secrets of the emperor and the princess?
Is this something a living person could hear?!
Xiao Qingyin began to pray to all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens, asking them to bless her so that she could safely pass through this calamity.
If it comes true, she is willing...
Before she could figure out how to repay Buddha, the affair inside had already ended.
"Your Majesty, I must take my leave."
"I can't bear to part with you, please stay with me a little longer, okay?"
"The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is approaching, and Your Majesty will soon be able to see me again."
"Okay, see you next time."
Footsteps sounded.
Xiao Qingyin was horrified to discover that the other person was coming out of the artificial hill!
My life is over!
At the critical moment, a figure in black swept into the pavilion, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and carried her away from where she stood, leaping onto a tree.
The familiar, crisp scent of pine wafted over, and Xiao Qingyin suddenly turned around, her voice almost uttering "Yi Jiu".
What came into view was a hideous bronze mask.
Heir apparent to the Marquis of Yong'an?
Xiao Qingyin was taken aback for a moment, and a doubt arose in her heart: why did Yi Jiu and the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an have such similar auras?
Could it be that they are using the same type of incense?
Or is it because we worked together and got the same scent?
Yi Shuihan raised his index finger, signaling her to be quiet.
Xiao Qingyin nodded.
Only one woman in palace attire emerged from the artificial hill. After looking around, she leisurely walked away along the garden path.
"Thank you."
After the acupoints were released, Xiao Qingyin said softly.
If it weren't for the timely help from the person behind her, she would have been caught red-handed by this princess.
In order to cover up their scandal, the emperor would surely silence her.
"You are welcome."
A hoarse, weathered voice rang in Xiao Qingyin's ears.
That immediately dispelled any doubt she might have had.
This person has a smoky voice, completely different from Yi Jiu's jade-like voice.
This difference cannot be created by voice-changing pills.
Who brought you here?
“A eunuch, he may or may not be from the Imperial Concubine’s side.”
"What do you look like?"
Xiao Qingyin described the eunuch's appearance, and then heard the person behind her reply, "He is indeed the Consort's man."
"I have no connection with the Imperial Concubine, why would she want to harm me?"
"It's probably because you offended her daughter."
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