Hearing this, Ye Yue nodded firmly. "Since it was personally assigned by the Empress Dowager, I naturally dare not be negligent." However, if given a choice, he would rather not be tasked with such things.
Seeing that Yi Ran had stopped crying, Tang Youyou looked at Ye Yue and asked, "Do you know where else there's a black market in the Great Ming Kingdom?"
Hearing Tang Youyou's inquiry about the black market, Ye Yue immediately became vigilant. "What does the Empress Dowager intend to do?"
Tang Youyou naturally knew that this man was worried about her safety. After all, he served beside Rong Xun. If anything happened to her, he would be the one to take the blame.
So she didn't conceal anything and explained, "There are some special medicinal herbs that can't be bought on the market. I'm sure you, Guard Ye, are aware of this. So I need to go there myself. If you're worried about explaining this to the Emperor, you can come with me."
She knew that the black market was a place full of all kinds of people, and there would surely be many unexpected things. If Ye Yue was by her side, he could protect her. It was hardly possible to rely on Rong Xun.
The endless documents on his desk would keep him busy for three days and three nights. Asking him at this time would only add fuel to the fire.
When Ye Yue heard that Tang Youyou was willing to let him accompany her, he felt much more at ease. But he couldn't make this decision on his own. So he raised his head, clasped his fists and said, "Empress Dowager, I need to report this to His Majesty. Only after His Majesty gives his consent and I obtain the token for leaving the palace can the Empress Dowager leave."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou fell silent. It was true. The management of the palace was no longer the same as before. Since Su Minhuai launched a rebellion, the security had become much stricter.
Thinking of this, Tang Youyou calmly said, "Thank you for being so considerate. You go and report to the Emperor. If necessary, I can go myself."
Actually, she could have gone by herself. But when she thought of what had happened between her and Rong Xun last night, she felt a bit resistant. She was afraid that this lecher would do something improper again.
She returned to the Qingliang Palace and sat there quietly, waiting for Ye Yue to come back.
Meanwhile, in the Administrative Hall, Rong Xun was sitting on the main seat. Looking at Ye Yue below, he asked, "Ye Yue, the Empress Dowager wants to go to the black market. Do you think I should give my consent?"
Hearing this, the brush in Rong Xun's hand stopped suddenly. He looked at Ye Yue with a hint of amusement and smiled. "Why does she want to go?"
Ye Yue explained, "The Empress Dowager is planning to buy some medicinal herbs that are not easy to obtain."
Rong Xun smiled faintly. "Medicinal herbs that are not easy to obtain? Isn't there any medicinal herb she needs in the palace?"
Hearing Rong Xun's words, Ye Yue was slightly stunned. He silently waited for Rong Xun's reply.
Then he heard the man above slowly say, "I give my consent. You can go. Take a few dead soldiers with you to accompany You'er."
Hearing this, Ye Yue nodded and then turned around to leave.
After he had arranged everything, it was already getting dark when he came to the Qingliang Palace again.
When he saw Tang Youyou, Ye Yue bowed slightly. It seemed that the person in front of him had just woken up.
"Empress Dowager, His Majesty has given his consent. I've arranged everything. We can set off now."
After his words fell, Tang Youyou slowly walked down from the upper seat. She glanced at Ye Yue who was kneeling on the ground.
"I thought you weren't coming or you had forgotten what I told you."
Tang Youyou's sarcastic words made Ye Yue, who already felt guilty, instantly deflate.
He said helplessly, "I've prepared the carriage and the men's casual clothes for the Empress Dowager. It took so long because I was incompetent. I hope the Empress Dowager won't be angry."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou's face looked a bit better. She had been waiting for this man from dawn till dusk.
But knowing that Rong Xun had given his consent, she felt really happy.
"Since that's the case, then arrange for us to set off."
Although Tang Youyou seemed reluctant, she was actually overjoyed. She had long heard that there was nothing you couldn't buy in the black market, only things you couldn't think of.
In this case, it was not impossible to come across some rare things.
Thinking of this, Tang Youyou quickly went out and got on the carriage in the distance. She simply changed into the clothes and casually coiled up her hair, instantly transforming into a handsome young master.
Even Yi Ran, who was standing beside her, was mesmerized.
"Your Majesty, you look so handsome in these clothes."
Seeing the little girl infatuated, Tang Youyou also got interested. Walking on the street, she bought a Chinese ink fan. She lifted Yi Ran's chin with the fan, almost making her soul fly away.
Seeing this, Ye Yue beside them shook his head and couldn't help but whisper, "Empress Dowager, you're here to handle business. If we miss the time, it will be difficult to deal with later."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou nodded. But she didn't notice that Ye Yue beside her was now looking at Yi Ran with a hint of ambiguousness in his eyes.
After walking for a while, they finally arrived at the entrance of the black market. It was an underground casino where people placed bets on various things.
At first, Tang Youyou didn't understand.
But seeing the intoxicated smiles on those people's faces, she was afraid that they were already addicted.
She fixed her eyes on the man shaking the dice. She noticed that there was something strange about his movements when he was shaking the dice. He clenched his fists, and there seemed to be some secrets in it.
Tang Youyou stood still and quietly watched the man for a moment, and then she knew his tricks.
She walked into the crowd and smiled. "Sir, I wonder if you still accept new players. Can I join and have some fun with you all?"
Hearing this, the man looked at Tang Youyou. His face was full of pockmarks, and when he looked at Tang Youyou, there was full of disdain in his eyes.
"Just look at how you're dressed. You still want to play with us. Do you have anything to bet with?"
After his words fell, Tang Youyou said again, "That's not a big deal. If you seniors can let me join, I'm willing to bet all my belongings."
Saying this, she took out a gold ingot from her clothes. When she put it on the table, everyone around gasped.
Everyone was instantly stunned. Even the man who had just laughed at her changed his expression at this moment.