Shi An shook his head, indicating that it was nothing.
The two chatted for a while. Shi An calculated the time and thought that the meal sent by Wan'er might be arriving soon. Yao Yao also planned to return to the mansion for dinner. Otherwise, Lady Yao would be worried if she couldn't find her.
The two stood up and saluted. For the sake of avoiding suspicion, Shi An asked Yao Yao to leave first and then he would go out. Yao Yao was eager to go back and naturally didn't stand on ceremony with him. She flung her sleeves behind her and was about to stride away when suddenly she was grabbed by Shi An.
"General Shi, do you still have something to say?"
Shi An took a deep breath. After thinking for a while, he finally said, "Actually, you would look even more alike without the beard."
Heaven and earth could testify that he was giving advice to Miss Yao in a kind - hearted manner, hoping that she would be more careful next time and wouldn't be recognized by him at a glance like today.
Yao Yao blushed deeply. He had just given her a way out, and she really thought her makeup skills were good. She was secretly happy, thinking that she was just not very proficient and almost got recognized. As it turned out, he had known all along but just didn't point it out, watching her make a fool of herself for so long.
She puffed up her cheeks angrily. One corner of the beard lifted up. She stomped on Shi An's black boots, leaving a small footprint, then turned around and quickly walked away.
Shi An was suddenly attacked and got a solid stomp. He hopped on one foot, covering the other foot that he pulled up to his chest with a pained look on his face. He gently turned his head and watched her departing back from the corner of his eye.
He thought to himself that he didn't want to have too much contact with this Miss Yao from the Yao family anymore. It was really a pain!
In the Shoukang Palace, not long after Shi An left, Lady Yao came to pay a visit. Shi Muwan naturally knew what she was up to. She glanced at the silly Yao Kun beside her and ordered someone to bring Lady Yao in.
Remembering what her husband had said yesterday, Lady Yao rushed to the palace with a glimmer of hope, wanting to take her daughter back earlier.
After entering, she bowed properly. After receiving Shi Muwan's response, she said, "Empress Dowager, I came today because I'm afraid Kun'er's illness might cause you trouble. I want to take her back for treatment."
She looked at Yao Kun standing behind the Empress Dowager. Her own daughter had even taken the position that should have been occupied by the Empress Dowager's personal senior maid. She lowered her head and wiped off a false sweat.
This little ancestor really knew how to cause trouble!
Shi Muwan tried to look as amiable as possible. "It's okay. Kun'er is very cute. I like this little girl quite a lot. But since Lady Yao has said so, I can't refuse. After all, getting treatment is more important."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager. You are so magnanimous."
Shi Muwan waved her hand. It was such a small matter. She wasn't unreasonable. Well, the original her seemed to be.
Unexpectedly, Yao Kun, who had been standing obediently behind Shi Muwan, suddenly sprang into action. She rushed to the middle of the hall in a few steps, stamped her feet angrily to show her dissatisfaction, then quickly rushed out of the hall door and disappeared without a trace.
Everyone in the inner hall was stunned.
Lady Yao was okay. She had already guessed that Kun'er might not be willing to go back, but she didn't expect her reaction to be so strong.
Before, when following the national teacher, she just followed with a persistent spirit. Had her illness worsened?
Shi Muwan rubbed her forehead. She had also thought of this situation, but it was just more intense than she had expected.
Looking at Lady Yao in the middle of the hall, Shi Muwan comforted her, "Maybe Miss Yao hasn't had enough fun yet. Lady Yao, please rest assured. I will surely have someone protect Miss Yao. Why don't you go back first? I'll persuade her for you."
Lady Yao had no choice. In this situation, this was the only thing she could do.
Yao Kun ran so fast that she disappeared in a flash. Shi Muwan was worried about her. After seeing Lady Yao off, she took Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze out to look for her.
Looking at the several forked paths in front of her, Shi Muwan scratched her head and made a decision, "Let's search separately. Whether you find her or not, come back at lunchtime."
She didn't want to make too much of a commotion. In case she scared the girl away again, all their efforts would be in vain. So she only took Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze out to look for her. If they really couldn't find her, they would call in others.
"Yes." Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze received the order and then turned into a forked path.
Shi Muwan took the middle path.
As she walked further, there were fewer trees and vegetation on both sides. Slowly, stone - jade steps appeared in front of her, and a magnificent palace loomed. There were majestic stone lions on both sides.
Shi Muwan recognized this place. It was Ji Heng's imperial study. He should be studying inside at this time.
She didn't want to disturb him at first, but she saw a clear line of footprints on the snow leading straight into the hall.
Judging from the size, it should be Yao Kun for sure. So she lifted her skirt and followed the footprints forward. As she walked, she saw another string of footprints appearing from another direction. They were obviously much larger.
Just when Shi Muwan was looking down, thinking that she might have made a mistake, when she looked up, she saw Yao Kun, Huo Qizhou and Ji Heng all staring straight at her.
Shi Muwan gasped and retracted her hand that had unconsciously reached for the door. Just now, she was thinking that the footprints disappeared at the threshold. Without much thought, she had reached out to push open the door in front of her. Only now did she react.
The several people stared at each other. Finally, Ji Heng put down his pen and obediently called her Imperial Grandmother.
"I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."
Shi Muwan nodded, "There's no need to bow." She saw Yao Kun standing beside Huo Qizhou, staring at the man. Remembering the footprints outside, she understood. She must have run here, seen him and then followed him.
This little flirt, Yao Kun. Did she think she was going to send her back and planned to follow Huo Qizhou instead? Shi Muwan thought with a smile in her heart.
"Imperial Grandmother, why did you come here?" Ji Heng led her in from the door and closed out the cold air. Shi Muwan felt much warmer immediately.
"Lady Yao entrusted her daughter to me. She disappeared just now, so I came out to look for her. I didn't expect to find her here with you." Shi Muwan sat down unceremoniously.
Yao Kun looked at Huo Qizhou and then at Shi Muwan. A rare smile appeared on her lips. But considering Huo Qizhou's personality, she resolutely chose to run to Shi Muwan's side and stay there.
Huo Qizhou was wearing a long ice - blue silk robe today. There were silver - threaded bamboo leaf patterns on the hem of the robe. Half of his black hair was tied up. His handsome face was still cold and expressionless.
Shi Muwan stroked Ji Heng's little face, "Then I'll take Miss Yao away first. I won't disturb your study."
"Imperial Grandmother, what are you saying? There's no such thing as disturbing."
Shi Muwan smiled and was about to take Yao Kun away. But unexpectedly, this girl caused trouble again. She stood still on the spot and pulled Shi Muwan so that she couldn't leave.
Both the beautiful sister and the beautiful brother were here. She wanted them to stay in the same place so that she could look at them together. How nice.
This was Yao Kun's real thought in her heart.