Nangong Xiaodie lay on the chaise lounge, holding a list in one hand and a brush in the other, idly scribbling on the paper.
After a long while, she handed the paper to Wanrong, her chief palace maid, and said, "Tomorrow, for Chen'er's banquet, these dishes should not be served. They are all ordinary dishes with no character. How can they highlight my Chen'er's status as a dragon heir? Order the kitchen to reconsider and provide a new menu this afternoon."
"Yes!" Wanrong took the paper and turned to leave.
"Your Ladyship! Your Ladyship, oh no..." A young eunuch rushed in. Not paying attention to Wanrong who was walking out, they collided and fell to the ground in a mess.
"Xiao Chazi, what are you doing?" Wanrong pushed herself up and glared at the clumsy young eunuch who had just been assigned, reprimanding him angrily.
Xiao Chazi froze. He looked up and saw Nangong Xiaodie not far away. Seeing her glance indifferently this way before silently looking out the window, he then said to Wanrong, "I apologize, Miss Wanrong. I wasn't paying attention. Please forgive me."
Wanrong shot him a glare and said impatiently, "Say it, what is it?"
Xiao Chazi glanced at Nangong Xiaodie again before focusing on Wanrong and said, "Miss Wanrong, someone outside is asking to see Your Ladyship."
"Who? Is it Your Ladyship's brother again? Didn't Your Ladyship say that she..."
"It's not Your Ladyship's brother, it's Lord Zhong," Xiao Chazi quickly interrupted Wanrong and explained.
"Zhong Li?" Wanrong frowned and looked towards the door, saying, "It's almost noon. You can tell her to..."
"Wait, let her in," Nangong Xiaodie's voice came from inside.
Wanrong glanced at the door and nodded, signaling Xiao Chazi to announce her.
When Zhong Li entered the hall, Nangong Xiaodie had already risen from the chaise lounge and was sitting at the table, sipping clear tea.
"Your Ladyship," Zhong Li bowed and paid her respects.
Nangong Xiaodie tilted her chin, motioning for her to sit.
Zhong Li shook her head, a polite refusal.
Nangong Xiaodie put down her teacup and frowned, "What does Assistant Minister Zhong mean by this?"
Zhong Li pondered for a moment, took out an invitation from her怀 and pushed it towards Nangong Xiaodie, saying, "I request Your Ladyship to order the cessation of the little prince's birthday banquet tomorrow."
Nangong Xiaodie, who had been in a good mood, her expression fell upon hearing what the other person said. Just as she was about to ask for the reason, Wanrong, who had been watching the entire scene, stepped forward and picked up the invitation Zhong Li had placed on the table, saying, "What does Assistant Minister Zhong mean by this? Do you know that Your Ladyship has been personally attending to the arrangements for the little prince's birthday banquet for several days without rest? It's one thing to come and withdraw the invitation without giving face, but how can you command Your Ladyship on matters?"
Zhong Li looked up at Wanrong and said, "Miss Wanrong, I am not targeting anyone. There must be a reason for doing this. I implore Your Ladyship to stop the little prince's birthday banquet tomorrow."
After speaking, she knelt on one knee. Her resolute posture allowed no room for negotiation.
"Why?" Nangong Xiaodie stared intently at Zhong Li and asked.
Zhong Li said, "I fear that there are still remnants of the case of Consort Shu, and they may threaten the little prince..."
"Remnants?" Wanrong interrupted Zhong Li and said, "Assistant Minister Zhong, don't be ungrateful. A few days ago, Your Ladyship extended an olive branch, and you politely refused. Now you come to Your Ladyship's palace to say these irrelevant things? Whose side are you on?"
Zhong Li heard this and looked at Wanrong, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Assistant Minister Zhong, although Your Ladyship resides in the palace, it does not mean she is unaware of outside affairs. The culprits in the cases of Princess Xian's consort and Consort Shu have been apprehended, and the mute who colluded with her is also dead. Are you referring to the master in Changting Palace when you speak of remnants?" Wanrong asked.
Zhong Li frowned and remained silent.
"See! You have nothing to say? Consort Rong is not foolish. Something happened to the people in her palace. Although the Emperor did not say much, it does not mean he is unaware. No matter what, she would not cause any trouble," Wanrong added.
Nangong Xiaodie looked at Zhong Li, who remained kneeling on the ground, and asked, "Assistant Minister Zhong, do you have any evidence for this?"
Zhong Li thought for a moment and said, "Does Your Ladyship remember the little palace maid beside Consort Rong during the Spring Banquet?"
Nangong Xiaodie nodded.
"She is dead," Zhong Li said. "And a piece of flesh is missing from her body."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Xiaodie's fingertips holding the teacup trembled slightly, "Is that so."
"Therefore, Your Ladyship, please stop the little prince's birthday banquet tomorrow," Zhong Li said.
"Impossible!" As soon as she spoke, Nangong Xiaodie shook her head and said, "Chen'er was weak when he was born. The imperial physicians said he would not live past six. This year is his sixth year. I had someone calculate that Chen'er needs to ward off evil spirits. According to the traditions of the Southern Yue Kingdom, this birthday banquet is especially important for Chen'er, and it cannot be stopped."
"But Your Ladyship..."
"Enough!" Nangong Xiaodie impatiently interrupted Zhong Li and said, "Wanrong is right. Since Assistant Minister Zhong has been vague in your response to my overtures, do not come to my chambers repeatedly. As for Chen'er's matter, I will report it to His Majesty and ask him to increase the guard."
After speaking, Nangong Xiaodie gave Wanrong a look.
Wanrong understood and walked to Zhong Li's side, saying, "Assistant Minister Zhong, please!"
Zhong Li stood up, gave Nangong Xiaodie a deep look, took out a small pouch from her怀 and placed it on the table, saying, "If Your Ladyship insists, this may help the little prince at a crucial moment. Please tie it to the little prince."
As Zhong Li's figure slowly disappeared from Nangong Xiaodie's sight, Wanrong unfolded the list in her hand and said, "Your Ladyship, this menu..."
"Didn't you hear what I said just now? As usual!"
"Yes!"
When Zhong Li walked out of the imperial palace, it was already past noon. Apart from the passersby at the palace gates, the carriage that had brought her was also gone.
She sighed, tightened the medicine box on her back, and walked alone on Wenchang Street.
There were many vendors along the street, most of whom she knew. Seeing her, they greeted her with smiles and asked if she wanted to have dinner.
Zhong Li shook her head and refused them one by one. How could she be in the mood to eat now? Someone might die in the palace tomorrow, and she was powerless.
"Li'er." Just as she passed a few small shops, a familiar voice sounded from across the street.
Zhong Li looked up. Lu Wuxie appeared before her, riding a horse.
"How did you..."
"Get up!" As Zhong Li was about to ask, Lu Wuxie had already reached her side and pulled her onto the horse's back.
Zhong Li looked at the endless Wenchang Avenue ahead and felt a sudden wave of fatigue. She leaned limply against the man's chest behind her.
"Why didn't you ask me why I wasn't waiting at the palace gate?" Lu Wuxie asked softly, encircling the woman's slender waist.
Zhong Li shook her head and said, "Others may not know Mo Cang's temperament, but how can I not understand? He must have gone to do something else."
Lu Wuxie nodded, "After sending you into the palace, Lin Jin delivered a message that Hua Yao had an accident in the black market, so I sent Ah Wu with the carriage to handle it and pick her up. As for myself, I quickly returned to the manor, took out a horse, and just as I returned, I saw you had already left the palace."
"Yao'er had an accident in the black market? Is she injured?" Zhong Li asked, her fatigue momentarily forgotten upon hearing about Hua Yao.
Lu Wuxie shook his head and said, "No, she wasn't. It's just that her personality is a bit ostentatious in the black market, and she provoked a few black market bosses. However, Ah Wu has already sorted it out."
"It's my fault. I asked Hua Yao to investigate matters in the black market, but I forgot her personality and almost caused an accident," Zhong Li said.
"It's alright. Hua Yao just doesn't understand the rules of the black market. But since she wants to walk the path of investigation, she will eventually understand these things," Lu Wuxie comforted her softly.
Zhong Li nodded and said, "Then where is she now?"
"Ah Wu has already sent her back to the Dali Temple."
"Then I..." Zhong Li said, preparing to dismount. Lu Wuxie stopped her and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Going back, of course," Zhong Li said.
Lu Wuxie sighed and said, "I think you're exhausted. Your pace is no match for a horse."
Zhong Li's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes, no longer speaking.
Lu Wuxie frowned, looking at the dark circles under her eyes, and said, "Sleep for a while. I'll take you to the Dali Temple."