"Young Master, we've found our men in the mass grave." In the dimly lit room, people were talking in hushed tones.
As the voice faded, the low, earthen-tiled houses fell into a deathly silence. Just when the man who had spoken first thought his master wouldn't answer, his master said, "The Prince Yong's mansion has surprised me once again."
"Then, what do we do?"
"Bury our brothers."
If Xiao Guozi were here, he would definitely feel that this aura was familiar.
After leaving Cining Palace, Zhao Shu saw that it was still early and wanted to go see the Empress, but seeing that her father looked listless, she gave up the idea.
The Empress is currently under house arrest, and going there rashly could potentially cause some unpleasant chain reaction, especially since the Empress Dowager hasn't mentioned it at all.
However, Zhao Shu still felt somewhat guilty that she hadn't been able to visit the Empress even once while she was confined to her quarters. So she said to Zhang Chu, who had come to deliver the order, "It's so hot in the summer. Aunt Jinxi made some double-skin milk. Please ask the lady-in-waiting to send a portion to Her Majesty the Empress for me."
A strange look flashed in Zhang Chu's eyes. In the past, although the princess did not oppose the empress, she always treated the empress with respect. He did not expect that this time she would take the initiative to care about the empress.
The double-skin milk pudding at Cining Palace was coveted by countless concubines in the harem, who could only shamelessly come to Cining Palace to try it. The Empress Dowager never bestowed this refreshing summer dessert upon anyone else.
Even the Empress didn't have this honor, but she thought that it was probably because the Empress was under house arrest and the Empress Dowager was concerned about the Emperor's reputation, otherwise the Empress would also have this honor.
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately."
After Zhao Shu left the palace, Zhang Chu reported her words to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time before saying, "A-Jun has become sensible."
Ji Yun and others also deeply agreed.
"Jin Xi, you deliver the double-skin milk pudding yourself," she said.
In the study of Fengqi Palace, the Empress was practicing calligraphy with a troubled mind. Papers were scattered all over the floor, all with the same word written on them—fate.
The doors and windows of the room were closed, and there were no servants around; they had all been driven out.
Outside the gate, Lu Fushou, the head eunuch of Fengqi Palace, along with the head palace maid Zhiliu and the female official Bai Yue, stood anxiously outside. No one spoke; they simply looked worriedly at the tightly closed gate.
Since being confined to her home, more than half a month has passed. The Empress has been locking herself in her study, writing day and night, not speaking, and ignoring everyone.
This was the first time the Empress had ever tortured herself like this, and they felt sorry for her.
It's all because of that wretched woman that Her Majesty has suffered so much. I wonder if the Emperor will forgive Her Majesty.
The group remained silent at the door. A young eunuch rushed over in a panic. The head eunuch, Lu Fushou, felt a surge of anger rising from his dantian to the top of his head. He lowered his voice, but it was still stern, and said, "What kind of behavior is this, so impetuous and rash!"
The young eunuch, beaming with joy, trembled slightly at Lu Fushou's stern face and hurriedly reported, "Aunt Jinxi brought over some refreshing sweets for our Lady."
"Is it really true?" the head palace maid, Zhi Liu, asked with a joyful expression. At least, at least the Empress Dowager still remembered their lady.
The little eunuch nodded hurriedly, like a chick pecking at rice.
As they were talking, they could see Jin Xi approaching with two maids in the distance. The maids were carrying trays with delicate covered porcelain bowls on them.
The group quickly went to greet them.
"Aunt Jinxi, why did you come in person?" Lu Fushou said in a cheerful, delicate voice.
Jin Xi saw through their forced smiles and said directly, "The princess has been thinking of Her Majesty for a long time, but His Highness Prince Yong is unwell, which is why I, her elder sister, have had this opportunity."
Upon hearing that it wasn't the Empress Dowager sending something to Fengqi Palace, the smiles on their faces immediately vanished. How could a princess possibly stand up for their mistress?
Bai Yue could see more clearly than Zhi Liu and Lu Fushou, and hurriedly took the tray from the little palace maid. "This humble official thanks the Empress Dowager for the food on behalf of Your Highness, and thanks the Princess for remembering our Your Highness."
Upon hearing this, Zhiliu and the others realized what was happening and quickly put on smiles again. "Thank you for the food, Empress Dowager. Thank you for remembering our Lady, Princess."
Jin Xi said, "The princess is young, but her heart is truly kind." After saying that, she laughed and said, "Look at me, why say so much? It's getting late, it's time to prepare dinner for the Empress Dowager, so I won't go over to pay my respects to the Empress. I'll make some refreshing desserts for you tomorrow and send them over."
Bai Yue and the others did not try to stop her. At this time, the Empress was not fit to come out and see anyone. Over the past few days, the Empress had become extremely haggard. If she were to dress up and change clothes, it would be dark by the time she finished.
Moreover, Jin Xi's words had multiple layers of meaning. After she left, the group exchanged glances, already understanding the implications.
Over the years, the three had worked together seamlessly, and Zhiliu immediately began knocking on the door.
Lu Fushou then turned around and left Fengqi Palace.
After leaving the palace, Prince Yong went to find the craftsman, while Zhao Shu returned to her residence alone. Upon arriving home, she immediately instructed Xiao Zhuzi, "Find someone to keep an eye on Yang Shixuan, a member of the collateral branch of the Yang family."
"Yes." Little Zhu hurriedly accepted the order and went to carry it out without asking why.
Zhao Shu lay on the chaise lounge and suddenly said, "Call Xiao Zhu back."
"Hey!" Xiao Guozi hurriedly chased after him, and it took him about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to catch up with him.
"Princess." Ever since Xiao Zhuzi saw Zhao Shu drop a hairpin and Yang Quan lose a tooth, he was completely convinced of Zhao Shu's skill. Especially those few touches, Yang Quan was completely immobilized. He thought about it carefully and realized that this was not the legendary acupoint striking technique. He wondered how the princess had managed to do it.
"Find someone to keep an eye on Lin Xiuxue as well. Also, find a way to bribe some people in the other households, preferably the stewards or something."
"Yes!" The princess was about to retaliate, and Xiao Zhu Zi was instantly filled with excitement.
After giving her instructions, she closed her eyes wearily; she was so tired.
She didn't sleep a wink last night, not because she was ignorant of etiquette or shame, but because she was panicked. The current situation was chaotic. She remembered what Xiao Guozi from Huguo Temple had said about someone monitoring her. If she could sneak into Huguo Temple when the Empress Dowager visited, how much more so would she be able to do so in the Yongwang Mansion?
She was afraid, afraid of never seeing her father again. She never wanted to lose her loving father again. With her rebirth, many things had changed. She dared not gamble, dared not be careless.
If you lose everything you want to protect, then what's the point of living a second life?
Therefore, she would rather watch her father stay up all night than let him out of her sight.
When Mo Qin arrived at Qionghua Courtyard, Zhao Shu was already breathing softly. Green Ivy and Xiao Guozi stood guard on either side of her, and there was also a painted plum blossom screen nearby to block the view of others.
"Is there something you need, Lord Mo?" Xiao Guozi asked in a low voice.
However, even with such a soft sound, Zhao Shu still woke up. Through the gap in the screen, she saw Mo Qin. She sat up, draped in a thin silk shawl, and simply hugged the shawl to wrap herself up.
I just woke up and it's a bit cold.
Stepping out from behind the screen and sitting in a chair, he asked, "How is it?"
Mo Qin looked at Zhao Shu with immense admiration and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, she is indeed gone."
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