"If the national master has nothing else to do, please go back quickly. If you stay here for too long and are discovered by others, it may cause trouble."
Cui Qizhou thought it was about time. He nodded slightly and then turned to leave.
...
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the day for Prince Lian to leave.
After all, he was a member of the royal family. If they just let him leave like this, it might give others a chance to gossip. So, the young emperor and the empress dowager decided to see him off in person.
The huge procession appeared on the bustling street. Although the common people rarely saw such carriages, they recognized the identities of the people inside from the tassels and jade pendants on the carriages.
All the common people knelt down on both sides of the street in unison and said, "May the empress dowager and the emperor enjoy good health."
Shi Muyuan still wasn't used to being knelt down to like this. She always felt as if she was very old.
However, it was only for a moment, and then she came to her senses.
The charming and melodious voice of the young girl slowly flowed into the ears of the common people. "Get up. Today, I and the emperor are here to see off Prince Lian. Everyone, go back to your own business."
Hearing the purpose of the empress dowager's visit, the common people immediately lost their other thoughts. Didn't they all know that Prince Lian was leaving the capital?
Something wasn't right. The prince's family had lived in the capital for so long. Why did they suddenly decide to leave? Was there some inside story?
But they didn't seem to have heard any rumors at all.
Some curious common people began to quietly inquire with the maids.
"Hey, beautiful sister, what on earth happened? Why did Prince Lian suddenly decide to leave the capital?"
The maid had always been by Shi Muyuan's side. She knew that her mistress hated people with big mouths the most. After hearing this, she immediately took two steps back and distanced herself from the person who asked the question.
"Matters in the court are beyond my knowledge as a low - ranking maid. If you have nothing else to do, please disperse. The empress dowager doesn't like so many people gathered together."
Xiao Xiao happened to be not far from the maid. She looked back, slightly hooked the corner of her mouth, and took the initiative to talk to her mistress.
"This Ziyi seems quite good. She never gossips outside, and she is just to your liking."
Shi Muyuan never really cared about such things. Hearing this, there was a look of confusion in her eyes.
"Who is Ziyi?"
Xiao Xiao shook her head helplessly. Her mistress really had a bad memory.
"Don't you remember the maid you saved at the flower - viewing banquet before?"
"Oh, it's her. She doesn't seem to serve you closely, does she?"
"Yeah. You brought her back before but didn't make any specific arrangements. So, I let her follow other people."
Shi Muyuan lazily raised her eyes and her gaze fell on the little maid not far away. Although her status was low, the little maid didn't give up on herself. Her temperament was more pleasing to the eye than other maids. She must have had a hard life. Since Xiao Xiao praised her, maybe she could be promoted.
She was always a doer. Thinking this way, she took action.
"Bring her by your side. Anyway, there aren't many people you think highly of these days. If you like her, teach her personally."
Xiao Xiao was stunned. "Mistress, isn't this against the rules?"
In the harem, it was almost unheard of for a maid to personally train someone. Only her mistress would give such a special privilege.
The main reason was that the little maid just now really seemed good. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had the nerve to talk to her mistress about it.
Shi Muyuan didn't think there was anything wrong. She was a person who liked to live in the moment and did whatever she wanted.
"People only live once. If we can't even get what we like, is it still worth living this life?"
Xiao Xiao never thought that her mistress would one day say something so philosophical.
She was deeply touched. She quickly curtsied to show her gratitude. "I will surely not fail your expectations, mistress."
"It doesn't matter. If you like her, keep her by your side. If you don't, find a good place for that girl. Don't let her down."
"I will follow your instructions."
When Ziyi received this news, she was still in a daze. She blinked her eyes and looked into the eyes of the person in front of her.
"Aunt just said that you will take me by your side to teach me?"
Xiao Xiao pretended to be serious. "Do you think I'm not worthy as your aunt? Or do you think I can't catch your eye?"
Ziyi quickly explained. "I don't mean that. It's just that I've never encountered such a thing in the harem."
Seeing that the little maid seemed a bit afraid of her, Xiao Xiao thought that maybe her tone was too serious. She softened a bit.
"Don't worry. I can understand your feelings. This is the grace of the mistress. There has indeed never been such a precedent in the harem. But fortunately, you've followed the right person. Such a precedent isn't that rare anymore."
Ziyi immediately understood what she meant. It turned out that someone was helping behind the scenes. She thought that Xiao Xiao, as an aunt, definitely didn't have the courage to do this on her own.
She suddenly felt a strange feeling in her heart. No one had ever been so kind to her.
Just as her eyes were filled with gratitude, Xiao Xiao gently flicked her head with her finger.
"What's wrong? Are you so happy that you're stupid just because of this news?"
Ziyi coughed lightly and came to her senses. Her face turned slightly red.
"Thank you, aunt and the empress dowager."
"If you want to thank someone, go and thank the mistress in person. Alright, quickly stand well at the back. Prince Lian should be leaving the city gate soon."
"Yes."
...
Shi Muyuan was already impatient waiting in the carriage. "How much longer? He's being so slow. I don't know when he'll be able to reach Daruolin."
The young emperor comforted his mother. "It should be soon, mother. Please be patient and wait a little longer. He's been here for so long. He must be a bit reluctant."
"Okay."
At this moment, Prince Lian could hardly sit still. He looked at his wife impatiently.
"Why hasn't the person you were supposed to find come yet? If this goes on, our whole family will have to leave."
The princess was also extremely anxious, sweating all over her head. She sat in the carriage, not daring to meet her husband's gaze.
"Husband, please wait a little longer. They should be here soon."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a commotion outside. The two of them breathed a sigh of relief slightly, quickly lifted the curtain of the carriage, and looked outside.
A large crowd was gathered and agitated. Some of them were holding hoes and other tools. At first glance, they were farmers from nearby. He couldn't help but show a look of disgust.