There was no one on the small path. When they were about to reach the pavilion in the middle of the lake, the mellifluous sound of traditional Chinese bamboo music entered their ears.
With the aid of the moonlight, they noticed that there was a woman donned in a white dress in the small pavilion. Although she was aware that there were three people on the path, the distance made it impossible for her to tell exactly who they were.
Hong Li was a little nervous. “Su Xi-er, I feel like she has discovered us.”
Su Xi-er reassured her softly, “Don’t be afraid. She doesn’t know who we are. Besides, even if she knows, she still won’t expose us.”
The Beauty Palace is just like the imperial harem. Anyone with little brains would know what they should and shouldn’t say.
Just as they were about to reach the Beauty Hall, Su Xi-er purposely made a detour, choosing a narrow and winding path to the side
When they had entered the Beauty Palace earlier today, she had taken note of the paths around here. She knew that there was a narrow and winding path beside the Beauty Hall that passed through the grove and led to the entrance.
Hong Li and Ruo Yuan followed Su Xi-er as she swerved left and right before they arrived at the entrance. The massive copper gates before them hid the two imperial guards that were surely behind them.
Su Xi-er pointed at the copper gates. “Ruo Yuan, you’re going to come in handy.”
Ruo Yuan widened her mouth. “Aren’t we secretly sneaking out? Why are we going by the front gate?”
“Since we’re going by the entrance, you should naturally help open the door. Ruo Yuan, you are in charge of the one on the left, while Hong Li and I will be in charge of the one on the right.” Su Xi-er pointed at the left and right copper gates as she speedily relayed the plan to them.
Ruo Yuan nodded her head, pulling her sleeves up and taking large strides forwards while Hong Li followed behind her.
Yet, before they had completely emerged from the grove, the copper gates were opened to allow several imperial guards into the Beauty Palace.
Su Xi-er observed the imperial guards. From how they’re walking straight ahead, it looks like they’re carrying out some official business under someone’s orders.
The few imperial guards had just walked into the Beauty Palace when Eunuch Sun rushed to the scene. Unfortunately, she was too far away to make out what they were saying.
Immediately after that, Eunuch Sun led the few imperial guards forward. The imperial guards who had been guarding the Beauty Palace’s entrance had been dispatched elsewhere at the last minute for unknown reasons.
At any rate, after the guards had disappeared, there was nobody guarding the copper gates.
Su XI-er immediately cast a meaningful look at Ruo Yuan and Hong Li. “How lucky that we can save our strength and it’s just nice that the coast is clear.”
The two understood her signal, and not long after, the three of them had walked out of the Beauty Palace without a hitch.
Hong Li spread out her arms and inhaled a deep breath. “The air outside is simply wonderful. It’s so fresh!”
Ruo Yuan’s eyes turned constantly as she took in her surroundings and asked in puzzlement, “Which direction is the night market in?”
“You two can express your amazement, curiosity and excitement later; for now, we’re still too close to the Beauty Palace.” Su Xi-er reminded as she hastened her footsteps.
After walking for about 15 minutes, Su Xi-er finally managed to flag down a horse carriage in the neighbouring street with her waving hand.
The coachman stopped the horse carriage, an annoyed expression overcoming his face when he saw the coarse clothes that the three women were clad in. How could girls like these, who look like they’re working odd jobs, have money for a horse carriage?
With such an impression, the coachman immediately raised his horse whip as he prepared to drive the carriage forward.
Su Xi-er swiftly reached out her hand to pull on the reins. “You’re not accepting business?”
“Look at the clothes you guys are wearing!” the coachman complained in annoyance.
Su X-er laughed. “Do you look at the clothes or look at the silvers?” Su Xi-er then took out a fragment of silver from her fragrance sachet.
The coachman’s eyes lit up. Only a few copper coins are needed to ride a horse carriage, but this is actually a tael of silver fragment.
Immediately, the coachman’s expression eased and he exclaimed jubilantly, “We can talk things through properly. Where should I drive you all to?”
An idea popped into the coachman’s mind. Now I understand! This young lady must be the daughter of a noble house who’s changed into a set of servant’s clothes and secretly sneaked out to go visit the night market!
I really lack discernment for failing to recognise her identity. The smile on his face deepened. “These three misses, sit tight. We’ll be setting off now!”
The whip landed on the horse’s buttocks, causing the carriage to speed towards the night market.
In the Beauty Palace however, a completely different scene was playing out.
~~~
Eunuch Sun raised his head to look at the man in front of him before speaking. “Imperial Bodyguard Wu, why are you suddenly looking for Su Xi-er?”
Imperial Bodyguard Wu lifted the black hat on his head. “I’m following Prince Hao’s instructions to take Su Xi-er away. Which compound is she in?”
“Prince Hao’s commands?” Eunuch Sun’s face was filled with bafflement. Why is Prince Hao concerned about a woman the Empress Dowager transferred over?
“Even someone sent here by the Empress Dowager is not allowed to stay without Prince hao’s consent. Take me to her compound.”
Hearing Wu Ling’s grave tone, Eunuch Sun immediately replied, “This old servant will take you there now. However, I reckon that she is already asleep.” He then headed towards the compound Su Xi-er was staying in.
The two of them soon arrived at Su Xi-er’s compound, passing by the pavilion in the lake in the process. The woman in white that had been in the pavilion was sitting in a boat that was being rowed by her maidservant. The boat slowly sailed towards the lakeside before it gently stopped at the shore. Looking up, the woman immediately recognised Wu Ling.
“Young Miss, what’s wrong?”
The woman’s expression remained distracted, only snapping out of her stupor when the maidservant waved her hand in front of her eyes. “The imperial guard that just walked past was Imperial Bodyguard Wu.”
The maidservant immediately shrieked. “Imperial Bodyguard Wu?! He’s Prince Hao’s personal bodyguard. Could Prince Hao have entered the Beauty Palace? Heavens, which beauty’s compound did he go to? Young Miss, let us go and take a look.”
The woman immediately pulled the maidservant back. “How can we stop Prince Hao from entering a beauty’s compound? We just have to wait and observe how it develops.”
“Young Miss, you are a daughter from an eminent family, and the official eldest daughter at that. You mustn’t forget Senior Master’s words! Exactly for what purpose did you enter the Beauty Palace?”
“I haven’t forgotten. It’s just that I haven’t even caught a glimpse of Prince Hao since I entered the Beauty Palace. Even if He Xiangyu was favoured in the past, it was always imperial guards bestowing hairpins to her under Prince Hao’s orders…”
“Young Miss, Prince Hao is simply sounding He Xiangyu out. Didn’t we hear that…”
The woman immediately covered the maidservant’s mouth. “Don’t randomly make careless remarks. We are going back to our compound.”
The maidservant could only nod. Although Young Miss is very cautious in handling matters, she doesn’t have enough courage. If this goes on, how is she going to be able to meet Prince Hao?
Now that Imperial Bodyguard Wu has come, Prince Hao should also be coming soon right? We must make use of this opportunity!
But Young Miss is set on returning to the compound. Sigh.
~~~
When Wu Ling arrived at Su Xi-er’s compound, the candle in the room had already been extinguished.
“Imperial Bodyguard Wu, please hold on. This old servant will go and call her.” Eunuch Sun then walked forward and shouted for Su Xi-er from outside the room door.
However, no one responded even after he had tried several times.
Hence, Wu Ling stepped forward. “Su Xi-er.”
Even after calling for a few times, there was still no response. She’s in such a deep slumber?
Wu Ling was bewildered, but due to Prince Hao’s orders, he could only kick the door open and enter the room.
Clang! The room door was kicked open, causing Eunuch Sun to jump in fright.
“Imperial Bodyguard Wu, you are a full-grown man. It’s unacceptable for you to enter a woman’s room!”
Eunuch Sun’s call reminded Wu Ling. What if Su Xi-er is really sleeping so deeply? At the moment, Prince Hao’s attitude towards Su Xi-er is very ambiguous. Although he is currently oppressing her with his might, it feels as if he has some other intention as well.
