Seeing that Yun Xi didn't blame her and was so kind, the maid immediately felt closer and gave a grateful smile.
However, the next moment, after hearing Yun Xi's words, she waved her hands repeatedly, nervously looking around like a thief. After making sure no one was around, she said:
"It's much bigger. The palace next door is Jianjia Palace. It was the residence of Concubine Qing, the most beloved concubine of the late emperor. It's much larger than Ruanxiao Palace."
Grateful for Yun Xi's kindness, the maid kindly reminded her:
"Miss, you must never say such words to anyone else. After Concubine Qing of Jianjia Palace died of the plague, the late emperor was heart - broken and sealed up the palace. Except for the maids who clean it every day, no outsiders are allowed to enter."
"Although the late emperor has passed away, His Majesty is extremely filial. He inherited the late emperor's will and sent people to clean it every day. No one is allowed to enter or leave, and those who violate the rule will be severely punished."
Leaning in mysteriously towards Yun Xi, the maid lowered her voice and said:
"Once there was a curious little eunuch. Relying on his martial arts skills before entering the palace, he thought that since no one lived in Jianjia Palace, he sneaked in at the time when the cleaning was just finished. As a result... he died mysteriously in the palace on the spot!"
Saying this, she shivered in fright, couldn't help rubbing her arms, and half - warningly, half - admonishingly said:
"That palace is not peaceful. There is... " Pausing for a moment, the maid didn't dare to say it out, just saying, "Anyway, miss, you must never say such words again. If His Majesty knows, you will definitely be punished. And if... hears it and comes after you, it will be troublesome."
Pretending to be frightened, Yun Xi also rubbed her arms and thanked the maid:
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
"I've found my things. Could you please show me the way out?"
"Sure, okay."
The maid nodded eagerly:
"This way, miss."
By the time Yun Xi reached the palace gate, most of the people who had gone to find gifts had already come out.
Yi Yuan's eyes were heavy as he stared intently inside. The moment he saw Yun Xi, his tense body relaxed.
Yun Xi gave him a reassuring look, then walked up to Yi Zhen with the gift in hand, bowing with a forced smile.
Yi Zhen raised her hand slightly as if to support Yun Xi, also smiling insincerely and saying a couple of polite but false words.
Yun Xi curtsied and then tried to step back.
But she deliberately stumbled, exclaiming "Ah" and pretending to fall to the ground. The red - silk wooden box in her hand immediately fell to the ground with a "pop".
"Miss, be careful!"
Just as Saixing shouted out, Yi Yuan flashed like a ghost, grabbing Yun Xi's slender waist and pulling her into his arms.
Giving Yi Yuan an appreciative look in a flash, Yun Xi stood up with a look of guilt and uneasiness on her face:
"Oh my gift! Saixing, quickly, quickly check it for me. Please don't let it be broken."
The sudden situation caught everyone off guard.
Only Yi Zhen's face immediately darkened, but then she quickly adjusted her expression.
Although it was only for a moment, Yun Xi still noticed it keenly.
Pretending not to see, Yun Xi directly took the wooden box from Saixing and opened it in front of everyone.
Inside was a lotus - shaped gold hairpin. The Dongzhu pearls that were made to look like dewdrops on the hairpin had fallen off and were scattered in the box. They were in a mess, which was a pity.
But it didn't seem to be really broken from the fall. Instead, it seemed as if someone had done it deliberately.
Yun Xi thought to herself. So that's Yi Zhen's plan.
Although she had chosen the gift herself, it must have been wrapped and placed by the servants. If something went wrong, they could just pick a servant to take the blame.
But she had personally found the box and brought it out without asking others for help.
Damaging the gift personally selected and bestowed by the princess could, firstly, give her the crime of disrespect. Secondly, since everyone knew about the feud between them, if she found the damage after she got back, people would surely think she had done it deliberately, and it would be criticized.
By then, although she might not be severely punished, it could still vent Yi Zhen's anger. If Yi Zhen blew some wind and acted coquettishly in front of Emperor Zhaohuan, it was not impossible for her to be beaten with a board or whipped.
And with Yi Zhen's means, it would be easy to do something during the punishment. She could kill her and still stay out of trouble.
Sure enough, Yu An, who was beside Yi Zhen, immediately stepped forward with a righteous look on her face and said:
"Bold! Damaging what the princess has bestowed..."
"It's really broken!"
Yun Xi directly interrupted Yu An's scolding, covering her mouth exaggeratedly and squeezing out a few tears. She took out the gold hairpin and looked around like a frightened little rabbit, tearfully saying:
"What should I do? Can it be repaired?"
Yu An was very dissatisfied that her words had been interrupted. She was about to say something else when Yi Yuan's icy gaze fell on her. She felt a sudden shiver in her heart and swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
There were already whispers around, and everyone was waiting to watch the show.
Yi Yuan gave a warning look around, intimidating the people who were whispering and waiting to watch the show. Then he took the gold hairpin and examined it carefully while saying:
"It's not your fault. You've just recovered from a serious injury and your body is still weak. You shouldn't have tired yourself out by going in to find things for so long. It's normal to have an accident."
Saying this, he glanced at Yi Zhen out of the corner of his eye and then continued:
"Brother Emperor is the most magnanimous. I'm sure he won't blame you for this unintentional mistake. As Brother Emperor's daughter, Princess Four always follows Brother Emperor's example, so she surely won't blame you either."
"Right, Brother Emperor?"
After saying this, Yi Yuan respectfully presented the hairpin in his hand to Emperor Zhaohuan.
With just a few casual words, Yi Yuan immediately cleared Yun Xi of blame and made it impossible for Yi Zhen to use this incident to punish Yun Xi.
Emperor Zhaohuan's eyes flashed when his gaze fell on the hairpin.
He glanced at Yi Zhen, who was silent, without showing any emotion. Suddenly, he let out a chuckle and pointed at Yi Yuan helplessly, saying:
"You! You've said it all. What else can I say?"
"It's just a hairpin. It's not something important. There's no need to repair it. Zhang Shiping..."
He waved to Eunuch Zhang beside him and said:
"Go and get the jade and gold exquisite pomegranate hairpin that the Treasure Department made a few days ago and give it to Miss Yun Er."
"Yes."
Eunuch Zhang responded and immediately went to do it.
Since Emperor Zhaohuan had spoken, no one dared to have any other opinions.
Everyone exchanged a few words of greeting, and this incident was considered over.
Yun Xi wiped away her tears and thanked them. She quietly glanced at the dark and silent Jianjia Palace beside her and was about to leave with the others.
However, the moment she withdrew her gaze, a snow - white figure flashed past the corner on the second floor of the attic in Jianjia Palace.
Yun Xi's breath caught in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat. She tightened her grip on Yi Yuan's arm beside her and gritted her teeth, trying hard not to scream.
Yi Yuan looked down and saw Yun Xi's pale face. He turned his hand and held her slender hand, pulling her closer to his chest. He patted Yun Xi's back soothingly and asked:
"What's wrong?"