Gu Qianying naturally understood Duan Xifeng's meaning and knew that young Yi Hao was worried about her safety. She turned her head and whispered to the two of them.
"You know my martial arts. It's not that easy to trap me. What I fear most is these people using a diversion. It's most important for you to stay here and take good care of young Yi Hao."
The Grand Tutor had arrived with great fanfare, which must have alerted those outside. If something happened to her after she left, the palace officials would not need to investigate too much before suspecting this Grand Tutor Su.
Seeing that Gu Qianying's analysis was sound, he could only agree to stay and look after young Yi Hao.
"Then you must be very careful. Keep the signal flares with you. If anything unexpected really happens, remember to send me a signal."
Before entering the palace, Duan Xifeng had given two signal bamboo tubes to Gu Qianying and young Yi Hao respectively. The imperial palace was so vast that if someone intended to cause trouble, they would inevitably get separated. At that time, this item would come in handy.
Gu Qianying felt it was unnecessary, but at his insistent request, she agreed to go back to her room to get the signal bamboo tubes.
"Grand Tutor, you have been working hard all day, and your clothes are a bit wrinkled. If you agree, may I change into a different set of clothes in my room before leaving with you?"
Indeed, this set of clothes already had some black smudges on it. Thinking that she would look even more charming in a different outfit, the Grand Tutor nodded, signaling her to do as she pleased.
Watching Gu Qianying leave her seat, Duan Xifeng remained where he was.
However, he noticed that Grand Tutor Su's eyes had been following his sister's figure without leaving for a moment, and his heart was filled with sudden suspicion.
It seemed that while taking care of young Yi Hao tonight, he would also have to keep an eye on the sky for any rescue signals.
Changing into a light goose-yellow dress, Gu Qianying left the resting place with Grand Tutor Su.
As they stepped out, two red palanquins appeared before Gu Qianying.
Strange, did this person always travel by sedan chair? As expected, she was a favored minister of the Empress, enjoying a treatment that even palace officials rarely had.
Su Qingqing beckoned her to sit in the sedan chair next to her.
Fine, just moments ago she was marveling at others, and now she herself had to enjoy such luxury.
Gu Qianying bowed her head to show her gratitude.
With a creaking sound, the entourage began to move towards the palace gates.
The sky had already darkened, but illuminated by the streetlights, the path they were taking was still wide. Gu Qianying watched herself exit the imperial palace, but as time passed, she found that the road ahead was getting darker and darker.
"Where are we going?"
Sensing something was wrong, she quickly pulled open the sedan curtain and asked the person outside.
"Where else could we be going? Of course, to Grand Tutor Su's mansion." The person outside smiled at her. Gu Qianying glanced at the expressions of the people around her, and they seemed normal.
Fortunately, this dark stretch of road was not long. Soon, a faint light shone through the curtain ahead.
Gu Qianying lifted the curtain beside her again, and the scene outside truly startled her.
The luxurious appearance, the shining palace lanterns, the towering roof tiles, and by the time the sedan chair stopped, she had seen the entire picture.
This was simply a miniature palace.
Su Qingqing, who was in the sedan chair ahead, stepped down from the palanquin with the help of a male servant. Immediately, a male servant appeared before Gu Qianying.
She was not accustomed to such a disregard for human dignity, so she refused the male servant and got down from the sedan chair herself.
"Miss Gu, please come this way." Grand Tutor Su had already entered the open gate first, while Gu Qianying was led in through another large gate by a suddenly appearing female official.
Once inside, she confirmed that this was indeed a palace.
Gilded decorations covered the entire wall, and a massive dragon-carved chair appeared in the center of the main hall. She did not linger there but was led to another entrance.
However, the decorations below were still magnificent.
Along the path forward, there were purple gold flower carvings everywhere, and even the tops of the corridor pillars were inlaid with night-blooming pearls the size of goose eggs.
If this Su Qingqing did not have rebellious thoughts, then she would certainly be an extremely corrupt official.
Guided by the female official, Gu Qianying arrived at a dining hall with a plaque.
At this moment, Su Qingqing, dressed in casual clothes, was sitting inside. Upon seeing her, she waved her over repeatedly.
"Miss Gu, I have disturbed your dinner tonight. Of course, I have not had dinner myself either. How about you come and sit here, and we can enjoy it together?"
This person's expression had been very strange since she saw her. Gu Qianying could not figure out what she intended to do. Since she had already come, there was no need to refuse this official at every turn.
She cupped her hands in greeting, and a servant led her to sit beside Grand Tutor Su.
The servants served the dishes, and the two enjoyed their meal peacefully, without speaking a word until they were finished.
The dishes on the table were cleared. After a long while, Gu Qianying finally broke the silence.
"Now that I have finished dinner with you, Your Excellency, you can tell me what you brought me here for."
Seeing that she had finally spoken, Grand Tutor Su waved her hand, ordering all the servants in the room to withdraw. When the guards reached the door, she instructed them to close it.
Such actions immediately put Gu Qianying on guard.
Seeing her tense up, Su Qingqing calmly picked up two wine cups, filled them, and pushed one towards Gu Qianying.
"Miss Gu, there's no need to be anxious. Dinner was a bit bland. How about we first have a drink of this wine?"
With such enthusiasm from this person, Gu Qianying felt a sense of foreboding. Could it be that Su Qingqing had poisoned the wine and intended to take her life here?
She pursed her lips and did not pick up the wine cup in front of her.
Seeing that the beautiful woman before her was so wary of her, Su Qingqing actually grabbed her hand.
"Miss Gu, you are beautiful, and you know my status and have seen my strength. Why don't you stay here today and not go back? Would you like to stay as my inner attendant?"
Her words were clear, but Gu Qianying was greatly surprised.
This woman, so she had such preferences, she actually liked women to accompany her.
She did not have such inclinations, and she truly could not accept this Grand Tutor's request.
"I'm sorry, Grand Tutor Su. Your request exceeds my bottom line of acceptance. I cannot stay here."
Her words were resolute, and she stood up, preparing to leave.
This was the first time Su Qingqing had been rejected. Seeing that the person she fancied was about to leave, she suddenly slammed the table and placed a long sword in front of Gu Qianying.
"Since you are here today, if you do not comply with me, you will absolutely not be able to leave."
With that, her sword was drawn.