Chapter 89 The Caged Bird
Granny Gui swiftly stepped aside and blocked Xie Sangning's path again, her face full of embarrassment. "The county princess is of noble birth, and she is a person personally summoned and rewarded by Her Majesty! How can she leave the palace wearing stained clothes?"
"If this gets out, it will not only damage the county princess's reputation, but also make it seem like my Fengzao Palace is neglecting our distinguished guests and doesn't know the rules! If Her Majesty the Empress finds out, she will surely punish this old servant severely!"
She spoke rapidly, her tone leaving no room for argument:
"This old servant dares to suggest that Your Highness move to the side hall next door! There are clean change clothes available there. Your Highness can change first and tidy yourself up. Once you are properly dressed, you can leave the palace in style, so as not to lose face and not to disappoint Her Majesty's kindness!"
"Princess, this way please—" Granny Gui stepped aside, gestured with her arm, and pointed to a half-closed side hall door not far away. Her posture was respectful, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
It's a forced demand!
Xie Sangning's inward sneer intensified.
This whole drama is so interconnected; it's definitely aimed at her!
The soiled clothes were the prelude, the appearance of Granny Gui was coercion, and changing clothes in the side hall... was probably the real trap!
If she refuses now, she will give others ammunition to criticize her, appearing ungrateful and offending the Empress.
If she goes there... what awaits her is likely a dragon's den and a tiger's lair!
In a flash, Xie Sangning's mind raced.
"I appreciate your kindness, Granny."
Xie Sangning's face showed a hint of difficulty, "But... there's really no need for such trouble. It's getting late, my grandmother is still waiting at home, and I'm eager to get back..."
"Princess!"
Granny Gui's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, tinged with urgency, "This is by no means a problem! This is the rule! This is propriety! This is also Her Majesty the Empress's care for the County Princess!"
"If the county princess insists on this, this old servant... this old servant can only dare to ask Her Majesty the Empress for a decision! Her Majesty was already slightly unwell just now, if she were to worry about such a trivial matter again, this old servant would truly... deserve to die!"
As she spoke, she made a move to turn around and go back to the main hall.
This is using the Empress as a weapon to intimidate others!
Xie Sangning's fingers tightened suddenly inside her sleeve, the sharp pain instantly calming her down.
Well, it seems I won't be able to leave the palace today. I'll just have to take it one step at a time.
How can you catch tiger cubs without venturing into the tiger's den?
Let's see what tricks they're up to!
“In that case…” Xie Sangning took a deep breath, a helpless smile on her face, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Granny.”
She nodded slightly, indicating that Granny Gui should lead the way.
A hint of triumph flashed across Granny Gui's eyes, and her smile widened: "Please follow this old servant, Princess."
She stepped aside to lead the way, her posture respectful.
The door to the side hall was pushed open.
A fragrant aroma of incense wafted over.
Xie Sangning almost laughed in anger when she saw it.
They're not even going to act anymore.
This room is hardly a side hall. What kind of side hall could be decorated so well? It must be because the Emperor is coming, and the Imperial Household Department specially arranged it.
Now she knows what the other party is planning.
They might just invite the Emperor over, or drug her and ruin her reputation!
No, they probably wouldn't have used drugs. They wouldn't allow drugs to be used anywhere the emperor might be.
Besides, in the Qing Kingdom, sleeping potions are forbidden in the harem, so even if the Empress is anxious, she won't make a mistake.
Since the emperor won't be drugged, he must do it himself. Forcing him wouldn't be good for his reputation, which means the area around the side hall will be deserted later.
"Please wait here, Your Highness, while I assist you in changing your clothes..."
As Granny Gui spoke, she was about to step forward.
"No need. I'm used to doing things myself; the nanny can wait outside."
Granny Gui seemed to be taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Yes, yes, this old servant was rash. This old servant will wait outside the door. If the county princess has any orders, just call out."
As she spoke, she respectfully withdrew, thoughtfully leaving the palace door slightly ajar.
The heavy palace doors closed, cutting off the last of the light and sound from outside.
Xie Sangning was left alone in the side hall, like prey trapped in a huge cage.
She didn't immediately touch the clothes on the tray. Instead, she held her breath and listened intently.
"Click".
A very faint sound came from the direction of the window!
Xie Sangning immediately stepped forward to check.
The window frames remained completely still!
It was indeed locked from the outside!
Almost at the same time!
"Click! Click!"
The same soft sound came from the palace gate!
The door is locked too!
It's confirmed, this is a meticulously designed trap to lure you in!
Just then.
"Princess Jianing—"
"Her Majesty the Empress just remembered that she has not yet handed over the exquisite hair ornaments and jewelry that she intended to bestow upon the County Princess. Since these are Her Majesty's cherished possessions, it is only proper that her personal maid personally checks and hands them over to ensure their safety."
"Her Majesty, mindful of the loyalty and reliability of the county princess's maid, Miss Ruchun, has specially ordered this old servant to invite Miss Ruchun to accompany Miss Yuzan, who serves Her Majesty the Empress, to the storeroom to make sure everything is accounted for, so as not to miss anything."
"Princess, rest assured, you can change your clothes here in peace. This old servant will wait outside the door and will not allow anyone to disturb you!"
Granny Gui's voice came through the palace door, clear and distinct, tinged with mockery.
In their eyes, this should be a dead end.
But Xie Sangning suddenly laughed.
The empress miscalculated.
How naive! She actually thought that if Ru Chun was taken away, Xie Sangning would be left isolated and helpless in the palace.
Having figured out her situation, Xie Sangning finally felt relieved.
As long as she isn't drugged and rendered unable to act or think independently, there's a way to break the deadlock.
No, there's no need to break the deadlock; she just needs to sit here.
After all, his subordinates were struggling to find a way to get promoted and receive a raise.
——
Inside the imperial study, the ambergris incense was burning warmly.
Emperor Pei Yan paced back and forth behind his desk, humming a little tune.
The tune was so light and airy that it didn't match his usual gloomy face at all.
Pei Yan felt smug; even the wildest horse needs someone to tame it.
Once she becomes my person, I'll lock her in this deep palace cage and see what kind of waves she can stir up.
Even if Xie Zhenting is still arrogant in the Northwest, his daughter has become his concubine and is in his hands. How dare he not submit?
If you want to secure your rule, then you can give her a contraceptive potion to prevent Xie Sangning from conceiving your child.
This country will then be as stable as Mount Tai!
"His Majesty…"
The head eunuch, Desheng, bowed and cautiously moved closer, his face plastered with a perfectly timed fawning smile: "This servant sees that you look... truly radiant and energetic today! Even the music you're playing... seems to exude a festive air! Could it be... that some incredibly joyous occasion is about to unfold?"
As he spoke, he stole glances at the emperor's expression.
Pei Yan's humming stopped abruptly.
He stopped, turned his head, and looked at Desheng's smiling old face.
Desheng's heart tightened suddenly, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out on his back. However, he dared not change the smile on his face in the slightest. Instead, he became even more obsequious and bent his waist even lower.
"Desheng, you old dog, your nose is quite sharp, isn't it? You even dare to deduce good news from my humming a little tune? What, Your Majesty, you dare to inquire about my affairs?"
"This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!"
Desheng knelt down with a "plop," "This servant just... just saw Your Majesty was happy, so this servant was happy too! This servant's mouth has no restraint, Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
He kowtowed, but his heart was pounding like a drum.
Pei Yan looked at Desheng and suddenly burst into laughter: "Alright, look how scared you are."
"I am indeed in a good mood today, and there is good news, but it cannot be spoken of!"
Especially at times like these, we need to be extra cautious!
Xie Sangning is incredibly influential; who knows if she's planted spies around him?
Today's events are related to his brilliant plan to restrain Xie Zhenting and consolidate his power, and they also fulfill his selfish desires. He cannot afford to make any mistakes!
Not a single breeze can escape until the dust settles!
"Get up. I'll let it go this time, considering how many years you've served me. Get out of my way and don't get in my way."
Desheng felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled to his feet, retreated to the shadows in the corner, and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
The more the emperor avoids discussing the matter, the more important it must be!
He needed to know that as long as he had this information and handed it over to the young lady, he would have no trouble meeting the intelligence quota set by her this month!
Yes, the people Xie Sangning placed in various mansions and even the palace all had work quotas.
There are also monthly performance reviews!
I wonder where the young lady learned such a torturous idea...
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