"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is resting in the palace. Please keep your voices down and don't disturb her," the palace maid whispered to the guards beside her.
Xu Yuehuai's heart skipped a beat; she knew this was a perfect opportunity to sneak into the palace. She put down her broom and quietly walked into the palace.
The guards didn't even glance at her, as if she didn't exist.
Her footsteps were light and silent, like a nimble cat, clinging tightly to the wall to avoid the palace maids' sight.
Xu Yuehuai's heart was filled with tension and anticipation. She knew she was taking a risk, but she also knew she had to do it. She took a deep breath and gently pushed open the palace door.
A rich fragrance wafted over, and Xu Yuehuai's heart raced again. She quickly looked around and saw that the palace was decorated luxuriously and elegantly. The Empress Dowager's bed was covered with soft brocade quilts, and exquisite vases and jade objects were placed at the head of the bed.
Xu Yuehuai knew she couldn't stay long, so she began searching for clues throughout the hall.
Her gaze fell on the Empress Dowager's dressing table, where various jewels and cosmetics were displayed.
Xu Yuehua carefully examined each item, trying to find clues related to the murder of the dancer.
Suddenly, her gaze settled on an exquisite jade box, its surface adorned with intricate patterns that made it exceptionally eye-catching.
Xu Yuehuai's heart stirred, and she quickly walked to the jade box and carefully opened it.
Inside the box was a light pink powder that emitted a faint fragrance.
A sudden realization dawned on Xu Yuehuai; she knew this might be the drug that had caused the dancers to fall unconscious.
She took a deep breath, knowing she had to expose the secret and seek justice for the innocent dancers.
Xu Yuehuai's hands trembled slightly, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world. She carefully put the jade box into her bosom, her eyes revealing deep worry and unease.
The air inside the palace seemed to freeze, so quiet that only her own heartbeat could be heard.
Just as she was about to leave quietly, the Empress Dowager's long, drawn-out voice suddenly echoed in the empty palace: "Lian'er, I am thirsty."
Xu Yuehuai's steps froze instantly, her body seemingly bound tightly by invisible ropes, unable to move. She looked around, but saw no palace maids or servants appearing. The Empress Dowager's calls echoed clearly in the empty hall.
Left with no other choice, Xu Yuehuai could only steel herself and approach the Empress Dowager. Her heart was filled with trepidation and unease, as if each step she took was on thin ice. She tried her best to make her movements appear natural as she handed the Empress Dowager the tea that had been prepared beforehand.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were closed, her face pale, as if she were immersed in a deep dream. She gently sipped water, then fell asleep again.
Xu Yuehuai stood to the side, carefully observing the Empress Dowager's expression. She was relieved to find that the Empress Dowager hadn't noticed anything unusual about her.
However, as she turned to leave, she found a group of guards suddenly rushing in from outside the palace.
They stood outside the palace, dressed in uniform armor, holding spears, and expressionless, like an impregnable fortress.
Xu Yuehuai's heart sank to the bottom; she knew she couldn't leave for the time being. She stood there, her mind racing, trying to come up with a solution.
The guards did not enter the palace, but patrolled outside.
Xu Yuehuai took the opportunity to observe their patterns of movement, looking for a chance to escape.
Finally, just as the last guard turned to leave, Xu Yuehua seized the opportunity and quickly walked out of the palace.
She walked along the backyard of the palace. The backyard of Anshou Palace was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Xu Yuehuai arrived at the palace maids' quarters. She chose a room that looked empty and gently pushed open the door.
The room was simply and neatly furnished, with a wooden bed, a table, and a chair making up all the furniture.
Xu Yuehuai walked to the bedside, gently lay down, and wrapped herself in the thin quilt.
She lay there, her mind in turmoil. She kept replaying her every move in her mind, fearing that any oversight might cause the plan to fail.
However, excessive tension and exhaustion gradually caused her to fall into a deep sleep.
In her dream, she seemed to see herself successfully leading Qi Guze away from Dongsang Kingdom and returning to the free sky.
She laughed and ran, enjoying that long-lost freedom and joy.
...
Xu Yuehuai slowly awoke from her hazy dream, her eyes gradually adjusting to the dim light in the palace.
The unfamiliar environment made her uneasy. The anxiety rising in her heart was like weeds crushed under a boulder, stubborn yet unable to break free. She knew she had to find an opportunity, quickly find clues, and escape this dangerous place, or the consequences would be unimaginable.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. The cool air entered her lungs, bringing a sense of clarity. Xu Yuehuai forced herself to calm down and think of a solution. She got up, quickly washed up, and then left the room.
A solemn and mysterious atmosphere permeated the palace corridors. Palace maids bustled between the rooms, their dresses fluttering gently, and the beads in their hair jingling softly.
Xu Yuehua tried her best to remain calm and not let herself show any abnormality.
However, her actions did not escape the eyes of the palace maids. A young maid stepped forward and said in a slightly commanding tone, "You, come with me."
Xu Yuehuai's heart tightened, but she could only obediently follow the little palace maid.
They arrived at a spacious courtyard, where many wooden basins were placed, filled with dirty clothes.
The young palace maid pointed to the clothes and said, "These clothes need to be washed. Go ahead and do it."
Xu Yuehuai looked at the clothes, then at the serious expression on the little palace maid's face, and knew that she had no choice.
The water was bone-chillingly cold in winter, and Xu Yuehuai's hands turned bright red from the cold. She rubbed the clothes vigorously, trying to wash away her unease and anxiety with the washing motions.
However, those emotions are like stubborn stains, difficult to completely remove.
After washing the clothes, Xu Yuehuai was then assigned to clean the front yard.
She took a broom and dustpan and silently swept away the fallen leaves and dust.
Her eyes scanned every corner with extra care, trying to find clues that might be helpful to her.
Throughout the day, Xu Yuehuai barely rested for a moment. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was exceptionally clear.
As night fell, the lights in the palace gradually went out, like stars disappearing into the deep night sky.
Xu Yuehuai lay on the simple bed, her eyes closed, but her thoughts churned like a surging tide. She tried to organize what she had seen and heard that day, hoping to find clues related to Qi Guze's arrest.
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