However, since her two elder brothers had already sent the things over, how could she decline? She was never good at turning down others' kindness.
So, Shi Muyuan waved her hand. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and carry these things in. Don't let outsiders see them."
Hearing this, Xiao Xiao quickly directed the maids and eunuchs to carry the things in.
As these things were extremely eye - catching, Xiao Xiao directly had them placed in a hidden chamber.
After everything was done, she took out a letter.
"Your Highness, this was sent along with those things. Oh, the second young master specifically told you to open and read it."
Shi Muyuan raised her eyebrows, finding it rather strange. Her second elder brother hadn't been so concerned about something for a long time.
Could there be a secret in his mind? Filled with curiosity and excitement, she slowly opened the envelope.
After Shi Muyuan finished reading, she felt even more puzzled.
Shi Li had clearly met her today, so why did he ask her to go out and play tomorrow? And he even specifically designated a place. Was there something special about that place?
"Xiao Xiao, do you know if there's anything special about the place mentioned in this letter?"
When Aunt Xiao's eyes fell on the letter, her face took on a rather strange expression.
"This place is just an ordinary slum. There are some people in it who will do anything for money. Your Highness, we'd better not go. This place is really dangerous. If someone tries to harm you, I won't be able to protect you alone."
Her concerns were indeed valid, but since Shi Li had specifically told her to go, Shi Muyuan felt that she still had to pay a visit.
"Second elder brother won't harm me. Let's go and have a look tomorrow."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade her mistress, Xiao Xiao had no choice but to serve her to sleep first. Then she walked out and said to the people in the dark, "If you let anything happen to Her Highness tomorrow and she gets hurt, I will never forgive you."
Several dark shadows flashed in the darkness. "Auntie, don't worry. We know what we're doing and will never leave Her Highness's side."
After arranging everything, Xiao Xiao finally felt at ease.
The next day.
Remembering her second elder brother's special instructions, rarely, Shi Muyuan didn't stay in bed today. As soon as Xiao Xiao got the carriage ready, she went out of the palace directly.
Looking at the scenery outside the carriage and the people coming and going, she felt extremely comfortable and at ease.
It seemed that she hadn't seen such a scene for a long time. Back then when she was a junior official, she used to love coming to such bustling markets. But now...
She sighed. She didn't know if she could ever go back. Although her current life was good and what everyone else dreamed of, she still missed her little nest and the familiar places from before.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Xiao thought she was feeling unwell and looked nervous.
"Your Highness, why don't we go back? We can just make up an excuse to put off the second young master. Even if you don't go, the second young master won't say anything."
Shi Muyuan pulled herself back to reality and said seriously, "It's nothing serious. I just haven't been out for a long time and I'm not quite used to it. My two elder brothers sent me so many things last night. I should at least do something. Otherwise, I'll feel bad."
Thinking of how eager she had been when she saw those gold, silver, and jewels last night, Aunt Xiao twitched the corners of her mouth.
Fortunately, the slum wasn't far from here. The carriage stopped at the deepest part of the bustling area.
"Your Ladyship, we're here. The carriage can't go in. If you want to enter, you'll have to walk. But Your Ladyship is of noble status..."
Before Ze Ze could finish his words, he was interrupted by a fit of coughing.
"I'm still a young and beautiful girl. Don't call me like that when we're outside. It makes me sound so old. Just call me Miss."
Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze glanced at each other. They were both a bit helpless but still did as she asked.
"Miss, let's walk in then."
"Okay."
The two of them guarded her on either side, and there were also several maids and guards following behind. Even though the title had changed, such a grand entourage was bound to make people feel scared.
The slum had been bustling before, but as soon as they swaggered in, everyone fell silent immediately.
However, there were also some bolder people who whispered, "This noble person must be from some mansion. We mustn't offend her. Otherwise, even if we give our lives, we won't be able to make up for it."
"I always think she's more likely to be from the palace. Look at that man. His walking posture is so strange. He seems to be a eunuch."
Shi Muyuan casually glanced at Ze Ze's walking posture. Well, he did look like a eunuch.
She had planned to have a good time today, but unexpectedly, Ze Ze had ruined her plan. She was a bit dissatisfied. "I won't take you out next time. Can't you change that? As soon as we go out, others can recognize our identities."
The little eunuch felt quite aggrieved. "Miss, I've been in the palace for so long. It's almost impossible for me to change my ways all of a sudden. Besides, I didn't expect there would be someone here who knew so much."
Yes, in a slum like this, most people had never seen much of the world. It was not easy for someone to recognize Ze Ze.
The group ignored the discussions and followed the address in the letter.
However, when they saw a whole family in front of them, Shi Muyuan was stunned for a long time.
She had thought that her second elder brother would take her to a nice restaurant to eat delicious food or to see some wonder. But unexpectedly, there was just a shabby little yard in front of them, where a whole family lived.
She was a bit confused. Did her second elder brother deliberately write the wrong address just to play a trick on her?
No, Shi Li shouldn't be that bored. So what did he mean by leading her here today?
Just as Shi Muyuan was feeling curious, a scolding voice suddenly came from behind.
"You useless people! Get out of the way quickly. Don't block our path. We're from the Prince's Mansion."
As they were speaking, several burly men walked up to the yard. When they saw a woman as beautiful as a fairy at the courtyard gate, they were completely stunned.
Could she be the woman the Prince Li had asked them to find? No wonder he was in such a hurry. If they could find such a beautiful woman as a concubine for the prince, they would surely laugh in their dreams.
The men exchanged glances and didn't plan to stay here any longer. They got straight to the point. "Hey, you must be Yao'er, right? You almost killed Prince Li last night. Today, the prince sent us here to take you back. Hurry up and come with us!"
Xiao Xiao almost couldn't hold back and was about to draw out the soft sword in her sleeve. Fortunately, Ze Ze stopped her.