"Greetings, Princess Ling," Chu Qianli said, hurrying to Princess Ling's side.
Princess Ling seemed surprised to see her there. "You went out early this morning, girl?"
Her direction indicated she was returning from outside.
Chu Qianli smiled. "It's better to go out in the morning than at night, especially for a woman, wouldn't you agree, Princess?"
The person she had seen last night at the Lingjiu Hall must have been Princess Ling; there was no mistake.
Even though she had been wearing a hooded cloak and had half her face covered.
But she likely hadn't noticed someone observing from a high vantage point behind her. Before she turned to cover her face, Chu Qianli had clearly seen her face.
She could enter and leave the Lingjiu Hall, a place even the Prince couldn't access.
This meant she either had an unspeakable relationship or secret with the Grand Tutor, or the Grand Tutor had something incriminating on her.
Regardless of the reason, this Princess Ling was not to be underestimated.
She was nothing like the pure and harmless facade she presented.
Princess Ling seemed to find no issue with her words, maintaining her smile. "You are right, girl. Especially with the constant external threats in the past two years, the roads in the imperial city are not safe at night. It's best not to go out after dark."
"If you need anything, girl, just send your servant to find me. If you wish to see the sights of the imperial city, I can accompany you."
"I've just arrived and am a bit tired. I'll need a few more days before I have the energy to see the imperial city's grand scenery."
"By the way, Princess, do you happen to know the Grand Tutor?"
"The Grand Tutor?" Princess Ling looked surprised, meeting her gaze. "You know our Grand Tutor?"
"How could I possibly know such a distinguished figure?"
Chu Qianli's smile was insincere, a chilling glint in her eyes.
"But you, Princess, are different. You are of noble status and from the Southern Ming Kingdom. Perhaps you know him. I was hoping you could introduce me, so I could meet the legendary, all-powerful Grand Tutor."
Princess Ling's smile remained unchanged upon hearing this, her demeanor consistently calm and gentle.
"You flatter me, girl. I might be able to help with other matters, but this... I truly cannot, I apologize."
"Why can't you?" Chu Qianli tilted her head, looking at her. "You are the esteemed Princess Ling, can you not even take me to see the Grand Tutor?"
"You may not know, girl, but our Grand Tutor..."
She paused, appearing somewhat hesitant.
But in the end, she revealed the truth: "The Grand Tutor lives a reclusive life. He only wishes to see the Emperor. He turns away everyone else, even our Prince."
"Princess, is there truly no way?" Chu Qianli blinked her eyes. "Could you perhaps think of another way?"
"There is truly no way." Princess Ling's expression was gentle throughout, with no hint of suspicion in her eyes.
Chu Qianli could discern nothing from her face.
Not far away, Fu Ning hurried over. "Miss, where did you..."
Seeing Princess Ling present, Fu Ning quickly bowed before looking at Chu Qianli. "Miss, where did you go so early this morning? You had me worried!"
In truth, the girl hadn't returned all night, which had terrified her!
"I was just curious about the beautiful scenery outside and went for a walk."
Chu Qianli smiled at her. "I've finished my walk now. Let's go back."
"Miss," before Fu Ning could respond, the butler arrived with a young man, hurrying over. "Miss, this young man refuses to go anywhere else and seems to want to follow you."