“Why… why is it here?” The Empress stood up and asked the lead palace maid behind her in angry.

Obviously, this Huasheng could only be used by Empress, but now it appeared in the jewelry box of Shao Wanru.

“I… I don’t know. I’ll ask the reason!” The lead palace maid knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice.

Chu Liuchen smiled mockingly and leisurely, “The servants in your palace are really muddled. Could this kind of thing be sent to others? Why should you let these useless servants stay in your palace!”

Such an exquisite jewelry which could only be worn by the Empress, just as precious as the emperor’s imperial robe, even appeared in others’ belongings. If they did not discover it now, how could Shao Wanru explain it clearly?

“Uncle the Emperor, it seems that some people really don’t want me to recover!” After saying that, Chu Liuchen stood up and bowed deeply to the Emperor before the Empress said anything more. “Uncle the Emperor, I have to leave now!”

After saying that, he took two steps back with great respect, then turned around and strode away.

He was thin, which made him seem to be more lonely and cold now. The Emperor pitied him in his heart, and showed anger on his face.

“Your Majesty, I can explain it!” The Empress found things bad to her, so she said in panic.

“Empress, if you cannot even manage your own palace, I will ask my mother to find someone else to replace you. Do you still want to keep such a servant?” The Emperor asked with a cold expression.

“Empress Your Majesty, please forgive me! I really did not know about it. It must be someone else who put it here. I will check it out immediately,” seeing this situation, the lead palace maid cried and begged loudly.

In fact, the Empress really wanted to agree. This lead palace maid was her trusted subordinate and helped her a lot. But when she saw the expression of the Emperor, she did not dare to do so. If she blamed this on other palace maids or eunuchs, the Emperor would definitely not be satisfied.

Having stayed in the palace for so many years, the Empress knew that the Emperor was furious at this time. The best way was to obey whatever he said. Otherwise, she could not afford the consequences.

“Someone comes to take her away. If she can’t even do such a small thing, what else could she do?” The Empress didn’t dare to disobey the Emperor’s order and lowered her head.

“Empress Your Majesty, Empress Your Majesty…” The lead palace maid screamed with a pale face.

Two old maids in the palace came over. One of them skillfully covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and the other tied up her hands from the back. They dragged her out together.

She would definitely be killed. All the young ladies in the hall lowered their heads and trembled. The lead palace maid, who had stood beside them just now gently, had lost her life in the blink of an eye.

The royal family was always like this. So was the imperial palace!

The Emperor snorted and stood up to leave. On the halfway, he suddenly turned around and looked sharply at the Empress’s face. “You really should manage your palace. Things keep happening. I am afraid that you are unable to deal with so many things!”

The Empress’s face immediately turned pale. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t say anything. She could only watch the Emperor leaving angrily.

The Emperor did blame her, just as what he did after the thing of Shao Yanru. The thing just now reminded the Emperor of the thing of Shao Yanru.

The hall became deadly silent. All the young ladies lowered their heads and didn’t dare to breathe loudly for fear of annoying the Empress.

After a long while, they heard the Empress take a deep breath and say exhaustedly in a low voice, “You can leave now and stay for lunch. I’m tired now. I’ll go to take a rest!”

“Farewell, Empress Your Majesty!” They stood up together and bowed to the Empress.

The Empress nodded. She held the hand of a nanny and turned to walk inside.

“Misses, please come to the side hall and take a seat,” a eunuch came over with a smile. He reached out to lead the way to the side, and then showed them the way in front.

All the people followed him to the side hall. Compared with the solemn and dignified main hall, although the side hall was small, it was not so solemn, which made people feel relaxed.

“I was really scared just now. I wanted to help you by saying something, but… I don’t dare!” Zhang Qilan came over to hold Shao Wanru’s hands and felt that she could finally relieve.

The scenes in the main hall just now still frightened her.

“I also don’t dare to talk!” Shao Wanru smiled softly and gently.

Her words resonated with Zhang Qilan so she nodded repeatedly. She leaned over and whispered near Shao Wanru’s ear, “Does the Empress dislike you?”

Shao Wanru shook her head with a bitter smile and said, “I don’t know.”

Zhang Qilan looked around again. Seeing that no one noticed them, she moved her head closer to Shao Wanru and asked in a low voice, “Was it because of your Big Sister’s matter that she vented her anger on you?”

She did not say the Empress directly, but she meant the Empress.

“Maybe!” Shao Wanru didn’t shake her head this time. There was a trace of deep worry and coldness in her watery eyes. Shao Yanru’s matter was just one of the reasons. Another reason should be Chu Liuchen.

The Huasheng of the Empress appeared in her hands, which not only indicated her sinister intentions, but also led people to suspect Chu Liuchen. If she had Huasheng, then Chu Liuchen should be the future Emperor. The disobedience was obvious.

Even if the emperor would not do anything to Chu Liuchen, he would not dote on him as much as he used to. A small leak will sink a great ship. His affection for Chu Liuchen would finally be eliminated. After all, he was just a nephew. Maybe the Emperor did not suspect Chu Liuchen before because of his illness. But now, he got better, which meant that he would become the obstacle of someone.

The thing that happened today was just an attempt.

Fortunately, Chu Liuchen had sent the Huasheng worn by his mother before. And luckily, he came here today. Otherwise, this Huasheng would have fallen into her hands and she would be unable to explain it.

“Let’s go out for a walk!” Zhang Qilan looked around and felt that it was more convenient for them to talk in private outside. Just now, the Empress asked them to enjoy the scenery in the Phoenix Palace, so they were free to walk here.

“Okay!” Shao Wanru nodded.

“Sisters, where are you going? I’d like to go with you!” Seeing them stand up, Infanta Yuan’an also stood up and said with a smile.

“Okay, let’s go out together!” Zhang Qilan said with a smile.

The three of them went out hand in hand. Qi Rongzhi stayed in the corner and did not intend to go with them. The other Miss looked at her and the three Misses who were going out without saying anything in the end. The three Misses were all future Princesses, but she was just a concubine with a much lower status.

“Fifth Miss Shao and Prince Chen have known each other for a long time?” Infanta Yuan’an said with a smile as she walked. She looked gentle and elegant, and said that: “Speaking of this, Fifth Miss Shao and I could be considered as counsins!”

Considering the identity of the two Great Princesses, they were indeed cousins. However, the two Great Princesses had little contact with each other. Moreover, Shao Wanru was just the daughter of the Great Princess’s daughter rather than granddaughter.

“You’re welcome, Infanta!” Shao Wanru answered her politely and changed the topic, “When Prince Chen was in Jiangzhou, he lived in the mansion where I lived at that time!”

Even though they had relationship, Shao Wanru would not be so arrogant to call this infanta sister. When she saw this infanta at the first time, she was with Shao Yanru. Due to this, Shao Wanru would not trust her.

“Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion in Jiangzhou?” The voice of Infanta Yuan’an was not high with a natural mellowness, which left a good impression on people.

“Yes!” Shao Wanru nodded. She could not hide it from her. Almost everyone who had inquired about her knew it.

“I have met the Princess of Duke Yong’s Mansion before…” Infanta Yuan’an suddenly covered her mouth and laughed. “I heard…”

“Heard what?” Zhang Qilan asked curiously. She was older than Shao Wanru, but she seemed to be less mature.

“I heard that this Princess had a bad relationship with the heir of Duke Yong’s Mansion,” Infanta Yuan’an smiled and just said a little about it.

Because Prince Cheng had publicized what had happened three years ago, Qin Yuru had a bad reputation. If it weren’t for Duke Yong’s Mansion, she would have been locked up for a lifetime.

Shao Wanru smiled but said nothing.

“At that time, this Princess and the Madam of general disliked Fifth Miss Shao very much. After so many years, Fifth Miss Shao lives better,” Infanta Yuan’an said with a sigh. Then she turned to look at Shao Wanru and said, “I heard that Prince Chen has always been cold and indifferent, but he tried his best to protect you just now.”

Her words reminded Zhang Qilan of the thing before. Prince Chen seemed to really care about Shao Wanru. She felt very happy for Shao Wanru and nodded again and again, “You are so lucky!”

“Actually, when I lived in Qin’s Mansion, I also lived well. General Qin, Aunt Shui and Madam Dowager all treated me very well!” Shao Wanru shooked her head and said softly without any hatred. Let the bygones be bygones. But no other kindness could compare with their upbringing!

This was her explanation for Infanta Yuan’an’s words just now. She was not proud at all, nor did she blame Qin’s Mansion. Instead, she even felt grateful to Qin’s Mansion. Her generosity worths people’s appreciation.

Infanta Yuan’an pointed at a pavilion not far away and stopped talking about the previous topic. “Shall we go there and sit for a while? It’s still early for lunch!”

Shao Wanru and Zhang Qilan nodded to agree. They went to the pavilion together, but were stopped by a palace maid when they arrived at the pavilion.

“Misses, this pavilion hasn’t been repaired yet. It’s not convenient for you to enter into it. If you want to enjoy the scenery, the pavilion in the front would be more suitable. The scenery watched from that pavilion would be more beautiful and you can see far!” The palace maid pointed to a pavilion in the left front of them with a smile.

They took a look and felt satisfied. Then they followed the palace maid and walked forward.

After they left, a part of the palace curtain, which had been lifted, fell slowly…