Daqi, Imperial Study Emperor Qixuan looked at the list and account book on the table and remained silent for a long time.

"Father."

The sound interrupted his thoughts.

“Here I come.”

He looked up and then handed the thing to the prince.

"Look at these. They were found by the Li family in the underground secret room of Lanyue Pavilion."

After taking it and flipping through it roughly, the prince looked solemn.

"Is this a list of ministers who are in collusion with the Murong family, and also a ledger of bribes to ministers?!"

After the shock, he was confused and murmured.

"But why would such an important thing be lost in Shadow Tower?"

Yes, from Yaoyao's voice in the past few days, they already knew that the power behind Lanyue Pavilion was Shadow Tower.

The Shadow Building seems to have cooperative dealings with the Murong family.

"They say that this Shadow Tower is an enemy, but it secretly protects many important officials."

"If you want to say we are friends, now we are cooperating with Murong family."

Emperor Qixuan turned the ring on his thumb twice and sighed slightly.

"Over the years, their actions have become increasingly difficult to understand."

"Moreover, according to Jing Xi, the owner of Shadow Building seems to be very good to Yaoyao."

Finally, Emperor Qixuan stood up by supporting himself on the table, looked at the flickering candlelight, and spoke slowly.

“This is indeed what confuses me the most.”

…

After breakfast, the imperial concubine took Yaoyao and got on the carriage to leave the palace.

According to convention, when the Imperial Concubine or the Princess traveled, there would be people waving flags, holding fans... and there would also be a guard of honor.

But neither the mother nor the daughter liked to show off, so they only brought their personal maids and a dozen guards.

Sitting in a spacious carriage that was low-key on the outside but exquisite and luxurious on the inside, he headed towards the Marquis Yongyi's Mansion.

After getting off the carriage, the mother and daughter did not ask the doorman to alarm anyone, but just let the servant lead them inside.

Being led by her mother, Chu Yaoyao looked around with her big eyes.

[This Yongyi Marquis Mansion is great, it's almost catching up with the Princess' Mansion. ]

She stared at the two pavilions facing each other from a distance, feeling somewhat confused.

[How strange…]

[There is a small garden over there, and there is a large flower field over here? ]

[How much I love flowers! 】

[Wouldn't it be nice to build a pond? I can go fishing, admire the lotus flowers, etc. when I have nothing to do...]

The Imperial Concubine looked at her speechlessly.

Isn't it because of you?

As soon as Chu Yaoyao looked up, she met this gaze.

A little confused.

【What's going on? 】

【I haven’t done anything yet! 】

Looking at the little kid grinning at him, the imperial concubine withdrew her gaze.

As my mother walked in and passed through the corridor, I met two men who were drinking tea.

One was dressed in blue, the other in white.

When the two men saw them, they quickly stood up and walked over quickly.

"Meet the Imperial Concubine, meet the little princess."

The Imperial Concubine nodded slightly and looked at one of them.

"Pei Daizhao and Wei Bianxiu are together, what about Shulan?"

The man in white lowered his head slightly, "Shu Lan is chatting with her mother-in-law."

"I have nothing to do, so I am here to chat with Brother Wei."

Chu Yaoyao raised her eyes and looked over.

[So this is the third place winner of the imperial examination that year. ]

[Isn't it said that all the top three winners are good-looking? ]

[This appearance is just average. ]

The Imperial Concubine tightened her grip on her hand slightly and glared at her helplessly.

Who told you this? They are all based on real talent and knowledge, okay?

You Shulan was conceived when the old lady was forty years old. She was a daughter born in middle age and was loved by the old marquis and his wife before she was born.

When she reached the age of 15, the old lady took a liking to Pei Hongshao, the top scholar in the imperial examination that year.

It's like asking someone to be her son-in-law.

But according to convention, the top three should be seen first by the women from the royal families.

The old lady was so shameless that she used the token that the late emperor had given to the old marquis to ask the emperor to grant an order to grant a marriage between her daughter and Pei Hongshao.

Seeing Yaoyao had been looking at Pei Hongshao, Wei Yuelang's eyes flashed with a hint of displeasure, but he smiled and spoke in a joking tone.

"It has to be Brother Pei. Even the little princess was stunned by his demeanor."

Hearing this, Chu Yaoyao curled her lips.

[I have seen people who are arrogant, but I have never seen people who are arrogant on behalf of others.]

After hearing what Wei Yuelang said, the Imperial Concubine frowned slightly, looking uneasy.

But the next moment, when she heard Yaoyao's voice, her pupils suddenly trembled, and she looked down at the little guy in disbelief.

Did she hear it wrong? Jealous?! Was it Yaoer's choice of words that was inappropriate, or was there something wrong with her ears?

Is that what she thought it meant?

"My queen? My queen?"

Chunshi took a step forward and called out softly a few times.

"What is it?"

The Imperial Concubine suddenly came back to her senses.

Maybe Yaoer was wrong?

After all, she has not yet learned to read and is still illiterate.

"Master Pei is talking to you."

Chunshi gave a low reminder and then stepped back.

Pei Hongshao spoke again, "Madam, are you going to look for my wife?"

Her eyes fell on him and the Imperial Concubine was slightly startled.

It feels different from previous years, but I can’t really put my finger on what’s strange about it.

Moreover, why do they always stay together? Seeing that she was also staring at Pei Hongshao in a daze, Wei Yuelang at the side could not help but speak out.

"Royal Consort, the women are all in Yunxiang Garden."

"I understand."

The Imperial Concubine secretly found it funny in her heart. She was really crazy.

She actually felt that there was something between the two of them just because of a vague voice in her heart.

She exerted a little force on her hands and squeezed the chubby little hand.

It’s all the little guy’s fault for misleading her!

"Let's go."

As she spoke, the Imperial Concubine took Yaoyao by the hand and walked towards Yunxiang Garden.

Before leaving, Chu Yaoyao raised his little fat paws and waved at the two of them.

"Don't bother, you guys!"

Hearing this, the imperial concubine almost missed a step as she stepped on the stairs.

"My queen!"

Ah Shi quickly stepped forward and gave him a hand.

"Is mother okay?"

Looking at the big eyes filled with worry, the imperial concubine reached out and touched the upturned little nose.

"fine."

Just say less! Continuing to walk forward, the Imperial Concubine began to wonder whether the matter of enlightenment should be put on the agenda earlier.

As we approached Yunxiang Garden, we suddenly heard a burst of discussion.

"Mrs. Pei doesn't take concubines, nor does he flirt with other women. Mrs. Pei is really blessed to have such a good man."

One lady's tone was full of envy.

"cut!"

"We've been married for five years and we don't have any children. If it were me, I would be too embarrassed to continue dominating my husband."

"Please keep your voice down, this is the Marquis of Yongyi's residence."

The lady who had been full of envy just now reminded her in a low voice.

"I'm not afraid. Everyone in the capital knows that the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion is weak inside and not as glorious as it used to be. If I hadn't heard that the Imperial Concubine was coming, I wouldn't have come!"

"This You Shulan is just jealous, not only that, but she can't lay eggs..."

"The Imperial Concubine has arrived—"

Sensing her queen's anger, Chunshi spoke up and interrupted the lady.

"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine, greetings to Her Royal Highness the Princess!"

The ladies in the garden knelt down and saluted.

The Imperial Concubine walked up to the woman who had just made the mocking remarks.

"If I remember correctly, you are the concubine of Sun Siye of the Imperial College?"

Madam Sun nodded hurriedly, "It is me, Your Majesty has a really good memory."

The Imperial Concubine snorted coldly, "I heard that Madam Sun has taken in a few concubines for Lord Sun. She is really generous."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the female relatives tried to hold back their laughter.

The news they heard was that Madam Sun had been making a fuss for a long time.

Madam Sun's face suddenly turned blue and white.

But the Imperial Concubine did not intend to give up.

"Gossiping behind people's backs, is this the rule of your Sun Mansion?!"

Chu Yaoyao nodded in agreement.

[That’s right! ]

[What nonsense are you talking about? How could Madam Pei give birth to a child by herself? ]

(End of this chapter)