After standing outside for a long time, her legs were about to break. Chu Chenyi still stood there in a daze, with no solution in sight.
Feng Jin's patience was also dwindling. If Chu Chenyi truly had no way to get in, they might as well go back and stop wasting time here.
"Why don't we go back first? When you think of a foolproof plan, I'll come back then."
Continuing to linger here was futile. If they were discovered again, it would lead to more trouble. The only clear decision now was to return the way they came.
As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Jin turned around and was about to walk forward when her attention was caught by a wet nurse approaching from a distance.
She recognized this wet nurse as someone close to the Empress Dowager. If she was here, it meant they had a way to get in.
"Your Highness Prince Jing, Young Madam."
"Wet nurse, can you take us inside?"
Chu Chenyi's pleading gaze fell on the wet nurse. Only wet nurse Qin could lead them in now.
"The Empress Dowager guessed that Your Highness and Young Madam would come here and specially sent this old servant to bring you two in. Please follow this old servant."
Feng Jin followed directly without any hesitation. In the palace, the only people she could trust were those around the Empress Dowager.
Wet nurse Qin led the two into a side hall. "Please Your Highness and Young Madam change your clothes and accompany this old servant inside."
Feng Jin glanced at the eunuch and palace maid outfits on the table, unable to help but admire the Empress Dowager's thoughtfulness.
She had foreseen their arrival long ago and even prepared clothes for them to change into, which was truly remarkable.
Then she looked at Emperor Xuanwen. No matter how one looked at him, he was a dignified emperor, yet he had fallen to such a state that he now had to rely on his mother's protection to save his life. It was truly pathetic.
She even doubted if Emperor Xuanwen was truly the Empress Dowager's biological son, as he hadn't inherited even a bit of the Empress Dowager's astuteness.
The empire of Dongchu was in precarious hands with Emperor Xuanwen in charge. No wonder the Empress Dowager was so eager to groom Chu Chenyi. The main account was broken, so she started nurturing the secondary account.
However, Chu Chenyi was indeed a bit stronger than Emperor Xuanwen. If the Empress Dowager had other sons, she probably wouldn't have chosen Emperor Xuanwen as emperor.
"Your Highness Prince Jing looks very suitable in these clothes. They perfectly match Your Highness's temperament and make Your Highness look full of vigor."
"Really..." Chu Chenyi expressed doubt. To hear praise from Feng Jin made him feel uneasy, and his back felt a little cold.
"Of course it's true. I never lie."
Feng Jin's sincere expression instantly made Chu Chenyi feel a little elated. He reached up and touched his cheek, thinking he did indeed look handsome. It seemed Feng Jin had some discerning taste.
Seeing his narcissistic demeanor, Feng Jin couldn't help but chuckle.
Even the usually stern wet nurse Qin understood the joke and couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Ling Mohan noticed the peculiarity of their expressions and his eyes tightened. He instantly reacted and looked at the bronze mirror beside him.
He looked at himself in the eunuch attire and the more he looked, the stranger it felt. After a moment, he realized what was happening.
They were clearly mocking him for wearing eunuch clothes. Chu Chenyi's face immediately darkened, and he glared at Feng Jin with anger, wishing he could rush up and fight her.
"Weren't you quite happy just now? Why the change of heart now..."
Feng Jin covered her mouth and giggled. This time, her mind was quick and she reacted fast, but it was already too late.
"You... You're going too far..."
"Your Highness, Young Madam, it's more important to treat His Majesty first. Let's go."
Wet nurse Qin, worried that the two would start arguing again, quickly interjected.
"Considering there's important business to attend to, this Prince will be magnanimous and not bicker with you this time. If there's a next time, don't blame this Prince for being impolite!"
Chu Chenyi said resentfully. With that, he turned and walked away.
Feng Jin let out a disdainful snort, completely disregarding Chu Chenyi's words. Only dogs that don't bite bark wildly.
"Your waist needs to be lower, lower your head!"
Feng Jin stepped forward and gestured to Chu Chenyi, then forcefully pushed his waist. His erect back immediately bent down.
"What are you doing!"
"Why are you shouting nonsense? Don't you see that all eunuchs bow their heads and bend their waists? Who is like you, holding their head high? The moment you walk out, people will surely see something is amiss."
Feng Jin scolded him angrily. She was doing this for his own good. With his current appearance, anyone with discerning eyes would see that something was wrong. Instead of being grateful, he was shouting wildly, like a dog biting its benefactor and not recognizing kindness.
"Alright, that looks more like it. When we go in later, you must keep your head down and absolutely not speak."
Feng Jin added with lingering concern, afraid that before they even entered, Chu Chenyi would reveal himself and drag her down with him, making it a loss that outweighed any gain.
"Your Highness, Young Madam is right. Your Highness, please don't lift your head later."
Wet nurse Qin also echoed Feng Jin's words. Chu Chenyi was a familiar face; if he lifted his head, his face alone wouldn't look like a eunuch's, and he would surely be exposed. It was better to keep his head down when entering.
As soon as wet nurse Qin finished speaking, the guards at the door quickly opened the door.
Feng Jin's breathing immediately became rapid. She followed in cautiously, not daring to make any sudden movements.
"Stop!"
A shout from the guards behind them made all of them tremble and freeze in place, daring not to move.
Fortunately, wet nurse Qin had seen worse. She immediately reacted and turned to look at the guards behind them.
"What is it? Is there anything amiss?"
"No, it's just that this sister's sachet has fallen."
Feng Jin then realized that the sachet hanging from her waist was indeed gone. Before Feng Jin could reach for it, wet nurse Qin had already caught it and handed it back to Feng Jin.
"If there is nothing else, you guards shall stand guard here properly. Without the Empress Dowager's command, not even a bird is allowed to enter!"
Wet nurse Qin's tone was filled with authority. Though her voice was soft, it carried immense power and deterrence. The guards quickly bowed in acknowledgment.
Only after the door behind them closed did Feng Jin slowly exhale a sigh of relief. Her heart was still pounding. She had been truly terrified just now.