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"In the carriage, Empress Qi couldn't help but ask, 'Does the child like Jiji fruit?'"

"Consort Zhu Jun mentioned that the Little Princess adores steamed buns. Today's Jiji fruit is freshly made by the Imperial Kitchen, so it should suit her taste. This old servant inquired, and the Little Princess doesn't have any allergies or picky eating habits. She also has a gentle disposition."

Granny Gui continued her tale.

Now she understood why the Empress had made this visit today.

The child was clearly unique, inheriting the Empress's eyes and eyebrows, while her nose and lips resembled Emperor Jia You's. Yet, she was different from both of them in her own way.

The corner of Empress Qi's lips curved slightly. "Did she inquire about anything else?"

Granny Gui, in the midst of her storytelling, paused for a moment upon hearing the Empress's question. When delivering the Jiji fruit, Rong Shu had simply bowed and thanked her politely, never raising her eyes. How could such a well-mannered young lady ask numerous questions?

Granny Gui chuckled. "Time was short, and the Little Princess was very well-behaved. There wasn't an opportunity for her to ask me any questions. Your Majesty, there's no need to rush. Once the Little Princess learns her true identity, she might bombard you with countless inquiries."

Empress Qi had been in charge of the Kunning Palace for over two decades, and her patience had grown with each passing day. Granny Gui hadn't seen her this restless in a long time.

Unbeknownst to her, Empress Qi was tightly clutching a jade bead that she had regained. She was also unaware of the conversation between Shiiun and herself.

Empress Qi nodded slowly, holding the precious bead even more firmly.

By the time her carriage left the city gates, news of Gu Mama's visit to the Eastern Palace had already reached the Qianqing Palace.

"Pray tell, why did Gu Mama go to the Eastern Palace?" Emperor Jia Yu put down his scrolls and asked softly.

"Wang Dehai chuckled. "She claims to have delivered six varieties of auspicious fruits prepared by the Imperial Kitchen for His Highness the Crown Prince. It's customary to eat such fruits on the ninth day of the New Year. Empress Qi has also sent a box to Your Majesty. Would you care to try them?"

Emperor Jia Yu's brow furrowed slightly.

The Empress was worried about Qingxi. To cure her illness, she had even summoned Master Fan Qing from the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but failed to bring Doctor Sun along.

Indeed, it was under Doctor Sun's care that his body thrived, but given the Empress's character and Qingxi's severe condition, she should have taken Doctor Sun with her.

"Where is the Crown Prince now?"

"The Prince left the city early this morning. As for his whereabouts, this servant... did not inquire."

Wang Dehai lowered his body even more. The Emperor had entrusted the Warrior Camp and the Imperial Guards to the Crown Prince, while Liu Yuan's Eastern Depot was also under the Crown Prince's command. Clearly, he had immense trust in his heir.

With this, who would dare to investigate the Crown Prince's whereabouts?

Moreover, with the current power of the East Palace, even if the Supervisor of Ceremonies tried to keep an eye on them, they might not achieve anything significant. It would be unwise to attempt such a move and risk earning the Crown Prince's displeasure instead.

Emperor Jia You gazed down at the memorials that had arrived the previous night. These were urgent reports sent from the East Palace to the inner court, awaiting his imperial seal.

Even with Wang Dehai and several grand chamberlains in charge of writing, it would take at least two days to properly handle these documents.

Two days...

The Empress's trip to Daci'en Temple would also take two days.

After a moment of deep thought, Emperor Jia You picked up his teacup and sipped it slowly. "Has Gui Zhong arranged for the departure?"

Wang Dehai replied, "It was Secretary Gui who dispatched someone to inform the East Palace about Matron Gui's visit."

Emperor Jia You set down his teacup without further inquiry. He picked up the memorials and the red ink brush, resuming his work.

Wang Dehai left the hall to serve tea, and upon reaching a side chamber, he summoned a young eunuch, asking, "Has the Esteemed Chief Censor's office sent any new updates?"

The young eunuch shook his head and replied, "If Lord Chief Censor had any new information, I would have already told you, Father."

Wang Dehai sighed in relief. "In times like these, no news is good news!"

Not understanding the situation, the young eunuch still knew better than to ask about matters he shouldn't. He kept quiet and obediently followed his foster father to prepare tea.

Emperor Jia Yu was only half an hour behind Gu Changjin in learning that Empress Qi had gone to the Eastern Palace.

Curious, Chang Ji asked, "Why would Empress Qi go to the Eastern Palace? Our Master is clearly at Minglu Yard."

Gu Changjin didn't respond directly but instead looked at the nearby house and inquired, "Is Liu Ping ready?"

Chang Ji nodded and said, "Among our covert guards, Liu Ping's disguise skills are the most exceptional. Unless someone gets very close, they wouldn't be able to tell she isn't Miss Rong."

As they spoke, two carriages had already stopped at Minglu Yard.

Nanny Zhu held a long-necked jade flask, her voice cold as she instructed, "If anyone inside resists, restrain them and pour the wine down their throat."

Empress Qi had ordered her to secretly drug Rong Shu and send her away without leaving any traces. How could she let such a rare opportunity slip by?

Even if the princess had not instructed her to kill that girl, she would have taken action herself.

How could the Crown Prince possibly turn against Empress Qi if that girl were left alive?

And how could Empress Qi live with regret for the rest of her life?

Nanny Zhu took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage.

The guards in Minglu Yard were already sprawled on the ground, and the entire courtyard was eerily silent. Carrying the wine flask, Nanny Zhu hurried through the snowstorm and pushed open the door with a loud clatter.

The sky was gloomy, and no lamps were lit inside the house; only one latticed window was open.

By the window, a young lady dressed in a bright red robe sat on a luxurious couch, appreciating the snowfall.

Hearing the noise, she turned her head in surprise. Her face was backlit, making it difficult to discern her expression, but her sudden upright posture betrayed her unease.

"Who are you?"

A maid trembled as she stepped in front of the young lady, attempting to appear composed as she spoke.

Mama Zhu, however, had no patience for idle talk. She smiled and said, "Miss Rong, this servant's surname is Zhu, and I am the Fengyi Lady of the Kunning Palace. Today, I have been entrusted by Her Majesty the Empress to bestow a gift of wine upon you."

"Bestow wine? Our Miss hasn't done anything wrong. Why would the Empress wish to harm her?" Another maid stepped forward, speaking with neither arrogance nor humility. "Her Majesty the Empress is known for her virtue; it must be that you bunch of cunning servants who are misrepresenting her intentions. I am Luo Yan, the captain of the guards for Dan Zhu County Princess. The County Princess and Miss Rong are close friends. If any of you dare to act recklessly, our County Princess will surely report this to the Emperor."