The capital city, the imperial palace.
"What on earth is Wen Ruyi up to? Why does she go to Jingci Palace every day, and the Empress Dowager just lets her?" Guo Yuzhen said, resting her chin on her hands, quite annoyed.
She had been following Wen Ruyi for many days, watching her go in and out of Jingci Palace every day, but had gained nothing.
"I don't believe her nonsense. What do you mean the Empress Dowager is so blessed that her unborn child needs the Empress Dowager's blessing? She's just a bootlicker!"
Compared to Guo Yuzhen's anxiety, Atuo Jianghua seemed much calmer.
“She goes in and out of Jingci Palace every day; she must be looking for something,” she said with certainty.
"What are you looking for?" Guo Yuzhen frowned.
“How would I know?” Atuo Jianghua shrugged.
Guo Yuzhen thought for a moment and suggested, "Aren't you on good terms with Wen Nongnong? You can go to Jingci Palace too. I believe the Empress Dowager will let you in because of Wen Nongnong. That way, you'll know what Wen Ruyi is looking for."
A-Tuo Jiang Hua was taken aback. "What you said makes some sense."
"Since you think what I said makes sense, then go to Jingci Palace tomorrow," Guo Yuzhen urged.
These past few days, she had been following Wen Ruyi, but hadn't found anything useful. Moreover, she could only follow her to the outside of Jingci Palace. As for what Wen Ruyi did inside Jingci Palace, she had no way of knowing.
She really didn't want to follow them anymore, and it would be perfect if Atuo Jianghua could take over.
"Let me think about it." Atuo Jianghua did not immediately agree.
“You absolutely must go. We must not let Wen Ruyi successfully complete the task for the Emperor and gain any benefits, otherwise it will be extremely detrimental to both of us,” Guo Yuzhen said earnestly.
Upon hearing this, A Tuo Jiang Hua couldn't help but think that Wen Ruyi's future would not affect her at all. Xiao Yan had said that he would take her away from the palace on the day of Gu Heng's wedding.
Once she leaves the palace, Gu Heng will have nothing to do with her anymore. He can dote on whomever he wants, and she, freed from all constraints, can return to her hometown and resume her free and unrestrained life.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Guo Yuzhen, who still had to continue to struggle in this palace.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but agree, "Fine, I don't have anything else to do anyway, I'll go to Jingci Palace for you tomorrow."
Guo Yuzhen felt that preventing Wen Ruyi from completing the task assigned by Gu Heng was not something that would benefit her alone, but since Atuo Jianghua had finally agreed to go and see for her, she generously did not correct her.
After parting ways with Guo Yuzhen, Atuo Jianghua returned to her palace.
She had just poured herself a glass of water when she heard a strange noise behind her. Startled, she put down the glass and turned around to look.
Sure enough, the floor tiles in front of the bed became loose and were moved away in a short while, revealing Xiao Yan's head.
"Why are you here again?" she asked, looking at him with considerable surprise.
Xiao Yan glanced at her, feeling that this girl didn't seem to welcome him at all.
Did she think she could leave this place soon, so she was impatient to see him?
This realization made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
What a heartless brat!
He jumped out of the tunnel entrance.
"Of course I have something to ask you." He brushed the dust off his clothes and said unhappily.
"What do you want from me?" Atuo Jianghua crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Is this your way of treating guests?" Xiao Yan glanced at her.
A-Tuo Jiang Hua paused for a moment, thinking that she still needed him to escape this cage, so she had no choice but to suppress her dissatisfaction and turn around to pour him a glass of water.
"After you finish drinking the water, quickly explain why you came, I need to take a bath," she urged.
Xiao Yan took the cup and slowly sipped the tea.
Atuo Jianghua frowned.
He's so slow, just drinking water. He has no manliness at all, unlike the men of Xinjiang, who are decisive and efficient in everything they do.
However, considering his "affair" with Zhou Jun, it seems understandable.
Xiao Yan had no idea what kind of person she thought of him. After a long while, he finished drinking his water, handed her the cup, and then gestured for her to bring him a chair.
Atuo Jianghua took the cup and put it down, saying with dissatisfaction, "It's just a matter of a few words, why do I have to sit down?"
"How do you know it'll only take a few words? Besides, I've walked so far, my legs are sore." Xiao Yan said deliberately, seeing her extremely reluctant look, he felt it necessary to remind her, "You'll still need me to get you out of here!"
Upon hearing this, Atuo Jianghua choked for a moment, then resignedly went to fetch a chair for him to sit on.
After Xiao Yan sat down, he looked at her and suddenly said, "My shoulders are sore."
A Tuo Jiang Hua looked gloomy. Was this guy treating her like a maid?
She gritted her teeth in anger, but unfortunately, she really needed him to leave this place, which made her feel extremely frustrated.
Reluctantly, she walked behind him and saw him leaning there, looking relaxed. Suddenly, she couldn't contain her anger, raised her fist, and punched him hard in the shoulder.
Xiao Yan was caught off guard when she suddenly hit him, and he cried out in pain.
"A-Tuo Jianghua, you..."
"Princess, what is it?" came the voice of a Uyghur maid from outside the door.
A Tuo Jiang Hua was startled and quickly said, "It's alright, you can go down now."
Upon hearing this, the maid from Xinjiang quickly walked away.
With the noise outside subsiding, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but glared at her fiercely and whispered, "Are you tired of life being too peaceful?"
Feeling guilty, Atuo Jianghua didn't argue with her this time, but instead earnestly massaged his shoulders.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com