As Ye Wan watched the person leave, she quickly exited the restroom and, following the route in her mind, headed straight for the Treasure Pavilion. She didn't know if it would be guarded or if she could get in smoothly.
Just as she was lost in thought, someone called out to her, "Who are you? Why are you running around everywhere? This is a forbidden area!"
Ye Wan's body stiffened. She slowly turned back to look at the person who had stopped her. Just as she was about to find an excuse, she heard a familiar yet childish voice say, "She's with this young master. Is it your place to question her?"
Hui Hui walked out from a nearby path, his hands behind his back, looking displeasantly at the speaker. Upon seeing him, the person immediately lowered their head, "My apologies, it is my fault, but this is a forbidden area, and outsiders are not allowed to enter."
Although the person apologized to Hui Hui, they still insisted on their duty.
"Alright, alright, I was just exploring. Who knew I'd get lost? Wanwan, let's go." Hui Hui said sternly, his hands still behind his back.
Ye Wan knew she had to go. Despite her anxiety, she moved behind Hui Hui and followed him out of the forbidden area.
Seeing them both leave, the person turned and departed.
Walking to a secluded spot, Hui Hui immediately pulled Ye Wan into the shadows. Ye Wan looked at the little fellow nervously. Hui Hui asked, "You want to enter the Treasure Pavilion?"
"Yes! I need to go in to find a life-saving medicine." Ye Wan had no other options now, and she didn't want to lie to Hui Hui.
"I'll take you in," Hui Hui immediately declared, patting his chest.
Ye Wan: "..."
"This is a forbidden area, and you were just escorted out with me."
"I know the secret passage!" Hui Hui said with a confident expression.
"Really? You really know?" A sliver of hope ignited in Ye Wan's heart.
"Follow me, I guarantee you'll get in." Hui Hui took her hand and walked ahead. They pretended to be strolling casually, and no one said anything when they saw them.
Ye Wan looked at the confident Hui Hui, unable to figure out his true identity. How did everyone in the palace know him? She had known his background was not simple before, but she hadn't expected it to be more complicated than she imagined.
Hui Hui pretended to lead Ye Wan on a stroll, stopping at a bamboo grove. He looked around to ensure no one was watching, then pulled Ye Wan into the grove.
Ye Wan chose to trust Hui Hui and didn't ask him anything, simply following behind. Hui Hui was still young and didn't have many hidden motives. When he brought Ye Wan to the center of the bamboo grove, he squatted down and looked at a manhole cover on the ground.
Ye Wan squatted down with him and asked, "What are you looking at it for?"
"We go in from here," Hui Hui said, reaching out to move the manhole cover.
"Don't! Let me," Ye Wan thought the thing must be heavy and a child wouldn't be able to move it, so she should do it herself.
Hui Hui arrogantly tilted his head back and said, "Underestimating me! Don't worry about it, I'll do it!"
As the little fellow spoke, he made a gesture as if to roll up his sleeves. Although Ye Wan worried he couldn't lift it, she stood by and watched his performance.
After a few exaggerated movements, Hui Hui tapped the manhole cover lightly three times with his small hands, and then it opened automatically.
Ye Wan: "..."
Hui Hui gave an awkward smile. "Let's go, I'll take you to steal, oh wait, to get the medicine."
Ye Wan's gaze at Hui Hui deepened. What was Hui Hui's background? He even knew the mechanisms within the imperial palace; his identity was definitely not simple.