<h4>CHAPTER 71 (2): TRANSFERRED INTO THE BEAUTY PALACE</h4>


    Pei Yaran shot her a cold nce. “How can this Empress Dowager be afraid of Prince Hao! Do not hesitate in going there. Return to the Laundry Service Bureau to pack your things immediately.” She then flung her sleeves and swiftly left.


    Su Xi-er narrowed her eyes slightly. She’s the Empress Dowager after all. With Prince Hao gone, Pei Yaran has the highest status in the imperial pce. However, the Beauty Pce won’t keep me for long; I’ll just have to sneak out to the teahouse to inquire about some news.


    However, I can’t leave Beimin’s imperial pce. I must maintain a distance with Pei Qianhao before approaching Beimin’s little emperor. Only bying into contact with Beimin’s imperial pce and imperial household can Ie into contact with Nanzhao’s imperial pce.


    ~~~


    When Su Xi-er returned to the Laundry Service Bureau, Old Maidservant Liu happened to be talking to Old Maidservant Li.


    After Old Maidservant Li spotted her, she immediately pointed. “Look, the pce maid under you has returned safely.”


    “This servant pays her respects to Old Maidservant Liu and Old Maidservant Li.”


    Old Maidservant Li immediately waved her hand. “Rise quickly. I can’t ept such an borate greeting from you. Old Maidservant Liu, you entered the Laundry Service Bureau because you wanted to check on how she’s doing. You can see that she’s perfectly fine now.”


    Old Maidservant Liu’s face was wreathed in smiles. “Old Maidservant Li, you have a sharp tongue but are actually kind on the inside. You treat the pce maids under you very well. I feel assured knowing that she’s with you. However, the Pce Side Quarterscks manpower and the Imperial Household Department is unable to send sufficient people over. I heard the pce maids say that Su Xi-er has nothing to do in the Laundry Service Bureau. It would be better if she returns to the Pce Side Quarters and helps out.”


    Old Maidservant Li felt that she was extremely fortunate as soon as she heard those words. Go back to the Pce Side Quarters quickly! She immediately agreed. “What are you saying? Since the Pce Side Quarterscks manpower, Su Xi-er, quickly go back.”


    Yet, before anyone could respond, two pce maids from the Compassionate Peace pce walked into the Laundry Service Bureau.


    “This servant is obeying the Empress Dowager’s instructions. Miss Su, quickly pack your luggage and prepare to enter the Beauty Pce.”


    She was no longer addressed as ‘Su Xi-er,’ but ‘Miss Su’. It’s the Beauty Pce again. These few words shocked Old Maidservant Li.


    Old Maidservant Liu on the other hand, was bewildered. “Prince Hao is the one in charge of the Beauty Pce. Why is the Empress Dowager interfering? If Prince Hao finds out, he will definitely be displeased after hees back from Nanzhao.”


    The two pce maids bowed at Old Maidservant Liu. “Old Maidservant, this servant is only listening to instructions. The horse carriage is waiting right outside the side gate of the imperial pce.”


    Old Maidservant Liu still wanted to say something, but Su Xi-er immediately cast a meaningful nce at her in secret. “The Empress Dowager has already given the order, so this servant can only go. However, don’t call this servant ‘Miss Su’. I am unable to bear it.”


    Su Xi-er then entered her room for a short period before returning with her belongings packed in a cloth bundle. She had brought some clothing, the bottle of medicinal powder, and the red Chinese bodice with the pearl inside of it.


    She originally hadn’t wanted to bring the red Chinese bodice and pearl. However, if someone enters the room and came upon the two items, she wouldn’t be able to exin it clearly and absolve herself.


    Upon leaving the room, Su Xi-er realised that only Old Maidservant Liu had remained. Only after thetter spoke did Su Xi-er find out that she had sent the two pce maids back to the Compassionate Peace Pce.


    “Let Hong Li and Ruo Yuan apany you there. The Empress Dowager only wants you to go, so the need for two pce maids to serve you can be considered an excuse. As for the Empress Dowager’s side, I naturally have a way to deal with it.”


    Su Xi-er nodded, then asked, “How are Ruo Yuan’s injuries?”


    “Thisss has coarse skin, thick flesh, and a robust body. Even if she runs a fever, she will recover after drinking medicine for a few days. If Ruo Yuan hadn’t informed me that the Empress Dowager had taken you away, I still wouldn’t have known about this matter.”


    Hm? Even Old Maidservant Liu didn’t know, so how did Ruo Yuan know? Did she secretly slip into the Laundry Service Bureau to visit me that night?


    “Come with me. I will send you to the side gate of the imperial pce after we have gone to the Pce Side Quarters first. The Empress Dowager is mad with Prince Hao and acting out of spite. Your stay in the Beauty Pce is only temporary. Since you have never had the chance to leave the pce since you were young, why don’t you take advantage of this opportunity to go out to y and have some breaths of fresh air?”


    Su Xi-er understood what Old Maidservant Liu was implying. She wants me to secretly sneak out of the Beauty Pce and stroll around the streets. However, I am not going to simply stroll, but inquire about news instead.


    Many merchants travel in and out of teahouses and restaurants. They have the quickest ess to information if I want to obtain news about Nanzhao’s recent developments.