Chapter 534: Sudden Departure from the Palace and City
Ye Qianning ate the last bite of her pastry, and Noble Princess Consort Zhan poured her a cup of water.
She held the cup and drank slowly. ’Looks like there’s no need to make a trip to Consort Yuan’s residence. Her reach is really quite long.’
The poison had just been infused into the pastry. She covertly observed the palace maid who had served it. The girl was pretty and demure, standing to Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s left with her head bowed.
"What are you looking at?" Noble Princess Consort Zhan noticed her gaze and turned to look.
"She looks a little familiar," Ye Qianning said, raising her small hand to point at the maid.
The maid’s lowered face stiffened slightly. Though it was just for a moment, Ye Qianning caught it. ’Just as I thought. Something’s wrong with her.’
"How could she be familiar to you? Hong Cui has been in the Snow Garden ever since I entered the palace. She’s never left." Noble Princess Consort Zhan smiled and turned back.
"No, I’m sure I’ve seen her." Ye Qianning pretended to think hard, then her little face lit up with realization. "I remember now! The last time I was in the palace, I saw her around the corner from Consort Yuan’s palace. She was arguing with someone from Consort Yuan’s residence."
The palace maid trembled all over.
Noble Princess Consort Zhan turned to look at her again, her eyes filled with scrutiny. "Hong Cui, were you arguing with one of Consort Yuan’s people?"
"No, Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare." Hong Cui dropped to her knees abruptly.
Ye Qianning hopped off her chair, displeased. "Are you saying that I’m lying?"
Hong Cui looked up at Ye Qianning. "Miss Xiang, I... I have never been to Consort Yuan’s palace."
Ye Qianning’s little brow furrowed. She turned around in a huff. "Your Highness, it was her! She’s so mean, saying I’m telling lies. Pangtuan never lies! I definitely saw her."
"I know. Pangtuan doesn’t lie."
"Of course I’m not lying. What a horrid maid," Ye Qianning said indignantly.
Hong Cui was terrified. "Your Highness..."
"Enough. If Miss Xiang says she saw you, then she saw you. Hongzhu, take Hong Cui back to her room. Don’t let her embarrass herself here," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said with a cold glance.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hongzhu pulled Hong Cui to her feet. The latter started crying, a look of innocence on her face.
"Hmph." Ye Qianning snorted haughtily at her retreating back.
"Alright, it’s not worth getting angry over a maid." Noble Princess Consort Zhan patted her head. ’I understand now.’
Ye Qianning looked up, met Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s gaze, and smiled. ’It’s good that she understands.’
’Otherwise, the child in her belly won’t make it to birth!’
The Beili Emperor only glanced over, unconcerned. He simply felt the child lacked etiquette.
"Little girl," he said, "We hear you’ve stopped attending Lou Mountain Academy. Why is that?"
"I can study just as well at home. Lou Mountain is too far," Ye Qianning replied.
"No matter how far, it’s not like you have to walk. We hear that even at home you must be carried, and you still need someone to feed you. At your age, it’s the perfect time for formal education. Such laziness will not do."
"Your Majesty, she’s a bit chubby, so she’s somewhat clumsy. With her little steps, it would probably take her a whole day just to walk around the General’s estate," Noble Princess Consort Zhan chimed in.
"That’s precisely why she needs the exercise. General Xiang’s household has no one in charge, and her personality is already so boisterous. She cannot go on without proper supervision and teaching. Today, you will send two capable matrons to the General’s estate." The Beili Emperor disliked her fierce and uncompromising nature.
’Matrons?’
’No way!’
"I don’t want them," Ye Qianning retorted.
"Your Majesty, it seems the palace matrons are stretched thin. In a few days, I will select some capable maids to send over to look after her." Noble Princess Consort Zhan had heard from her mother about the little girl’s preferences.
She liked her peace and quiet and didn’t like being disturbed, not even letting people enter or leave her courtyard freely.
"Very well. In any case, pick some clever ones and teach her properly. It will save her from causing trouble later." The Beili Emperor did not reject the Noble Consort’s suggestion.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Noble Princess Consort Zhan agreed with a smile.
Although Ye Qianning was very unhappy about it, she didn’t want to confront the ruler of a nation over such a small matter.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Yintang requests an urgent audience!" a brocade-robed guard reported hurriedly.
"Send him in."
"As you command."
The guard withdrew.
Ye Qianning knew of Yuan Yintang. This man had been wandering around the Capital City for days. Every time he appeared near the General’s estate, the Gu worms in her pocket dimension would stir in their pupal forms, even though they were sedated by medicine.
His aura was deeply imprinted in the Gu worms’ memory. If not for her pocket dimension, she truly wouldn’t have been able to evade his pursuit.
Dressed in a black cloak, Yuan Yintang hurried in. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"You may rise."
Yuan Yintang rose to his feet. His gaze lingered for a moment on the little girl in the hall before quickly shifting to the Beili Emperor. "Your Majesty, I have something of great importance that I wish to discuss with you in private."
The Beili Emperor was suspicious. "Have you found the person who stole the Gu worms?"
"No, it is about the Eighth Prince." As Yuan Yintang mentioned the Eighth Prince, a hint of excitement and exhilaration flickered in his eyes.
Hearing Sang Zhi’s name, Ye Qianning was instantly on alert. Her gaze fell on Yuan Yintang’s expression, and her eyes narrowed. ’What about Sang Zhi’s current situation could possibly make him this excited?’
"The Eighth Prince?" The Beili Emperor showed little interest at the mention of Sang Zhi.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This matter is extremely important. I implore you to grant me a private audience."
The Beili Emperor was silent for a few moments before standing up. "Beloved Consort, We will not be able to accompany you for lunch."
"If Your Majesty has matters to attend to, please do so. I will have Pangtuan to keep me company," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, also rising.
The Beili Emperor nodded and headed for the door.
Yuan Yintang bowed to the Noble Consort, exited the room, and followed the Emperor out of the Snow Garden.
Watching them leave, Ye Qianning had a vague sense of foreboding. She had long since investigated Yuan Yintang and knew exactly what kind of person he was.
’Whatever could make him so excited and serious must be a huge deal.’
"Come, Pangtuan. I’ll have someone serve lunch," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, beckoning to her.
"Your Highness, I have something to attend to. I’ll come visit you another day." Before Noble Princess Consort Zhan could respond, Ye Qianning was already heading for the door.
Just as her foot crossed the threshold, she saw a honeyeater land on the gate of the Snow Garden’s courtyard, chirping away.
"Pangtuan, what is it?" Noble Princess Consort Zhan followed her out, afraid she would run amok in the Imperial Palace.
Ye Qianning didn’t speak. Her eyes were fixed on the honeyeater on the wall. Suddenly, her brow tightened, and her expression darkened.
"Pangtuan, you mustn’t run around in the palace. If something is wrong, tell me, and I will help..."
"I need to leave the palace," Ye Qianning said, turning to interrupt her.
Noble Princess Consort Zhan was taken aback.
"Your Highness, I need to leave the palace. Immediately."
Noble Princess Consort Zhan snapped out of it. "Alright. I will have someone escort you out right away."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"We’re family, there’s no need for thanks." The consort turned and ordered the eunuch beside her, "Xiao Quanzi, escort Miss Xiang out of the palace at once."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xiao Quanzi bowed, but before he could even address Ye Qianning, she was already rushing toward the courtyard gate.
Xiao Quanzi hurried to keep up.
Watching her anxious state, Noble Princess Consort Zhan didn’t know what had happened. Worried, she called out, "Pangtuan."
Ye Qianning stopped and turned back.
"If you run into trouble that you can’t handle, send someone to find me. No matter what it is, I will be on your side," Noble Princess Consort Zhan said, taking a few steps forward.
Ye Qianning’s small face was stern and resolute. Without a word, she nodded and left.
Xiao Quanzi could barely keep up even at a fast pace. He wondered why the young lady of the Xiang family was in such a hurry to leave the palace.
Ye Qianning moved quickly. In deserted areas, she didn’t bother to hide her speed, making a beeline for the palace gates. On the way, she ran into Du Yi, who was rushing toward her.
Du Yi was in his guard’s armor, his expression urgent. "Young Miss."
"What’s going on?" Ye Qianning asked coldly.
"I’m not sure either. When I returned to West Splendor Garden after my morning duty, the Eighth Prince was already gone. And I found this on his desk." Du Yi handed Ye Qianning a slip of paper from his sleeve.
Ye Qianning took it. A line of characters met her eyes, which turned dark and profound.
’Who used my name to lure Sang Zhi out of the palace?’
"Young Miss, what should we do now?"
"You stay in the Imperial Palace and keep an eye on Yuan Yintang. Report any movements to me immediately."
"Yes, Young Miss."
Xiao Quanzi finally caught up to the stopped Ye Qianning after a long chase. "Miss Xiang, please slow down."
"You need to be faster. I’m in a hurry. If you delay me, I’ll have your head," Ye Qianning said coldly before striding away.
Hearing this, Xiao Quanzi quickened his pace.
As Ye Qianning neared the palace gates, a honeyeater landed on her shoulder, pecking with its head as if telling her something.
"He’s left the city?"
The honeyeater bobbed its little head, then flew up to perch on top of her head.
"Are our birds following him?"
The honeyeater chirped a few times, then flapped its wings and flew up into the sky.
Ye Qianning’s face was grim. ’Someone used me to lure Sang Zhi out of the city. And considering how Yuan Yintang acted when he mentioned Sang Zhi... could this be a coincidence?’
She made her way out of the Imperial Palace.
Luo Wen, who was waiting at the palace gates, saw his young miss emerge and drove the carriage forward.
"Young Miss, why are you out of the palace so early?"
"Unhitch the horse," Ye Qianning commanded coldly.
Luo Wen was taken aback, but he turned and began to unhitch the horse from the carriage.
Ye Qianning leaped onto the horse, spurred it on, and galloped away.
"Young Miss!" Luo Wen cried out in alarm. Not knowing what had happened, he used his Qinggong and gave chase.
Ye Qianning’s figure was tiny. Her small hands gripped the reins as the horse galloped at a frantic pace.
"Whoa, whose horse is that? It’s spooked!"
"And there’s a child on it! Heavens..."
"The child is in danger! The spooked horse is running too fast."
To onlookers, it was a terrifying sight. They thought an out-of-control horse was running wild with a little girl on its back, and they were all scared witless.
Gu Shuo and Zhan Chi were sitting in a private room of a teahouse when they heard the commotion. They both looked toward the noisy crowd, and what they saw made them jump to their feet.
Their eyes filled with shock. Wasn’t that their little girl teetering on the horse’s back?
Without a second thought, they leaped directly from the upper floor.
The horse was galloping so fast that they couldn’t catch it on foot, even with Qinggong. After giving chase for a moment, they spotted horses tied up by the side of the street. With no time to spare, they grabbed the reins and vaulted onto their backs.
Ye Qianning’s body was too small to reach the stirrups. Her entire person swayed on the horse’s back, and it took her a while to adapt and find her balance.
"Faster! I need to get out of the city!" Ye Qianning lay flat against the horse’s back, her small arms wrapped around its neck.
"NEIGH!"
The horse seemed excited, rearing up on its hind legs before speeding up even more.
It was noon, and the weather was hot. Aside from the occasional passing carriage, there weren’t many pedestrians on the street, so the horse galloped unimpeded.
Everywhere it passed, people gasped in astonishment to see a small child lying on the horse’s back.
A guard from the Qian family watched, wide-eyed, as the horse galloped past. It took him a long moment to recover his senses before he called out in alarm to the person inside the carriage, "Young Master, that looked like Miss Xiang on the horse’s back."