Wu Ze was taken aback.
Ye Ningyuan said helplessly, "I only glanced at it a few times in the carriage. Do you think I have a photographic memory? I can remember the entire map after just two looks."
She hadn't intended to truly trade item for item on this trip.
As for whether the internal map of Southern Xinjiang that Lin Ze Qu had given her was genuine or not, it didn't matter. As long as he could draw the approximate locations of each place, she would eventually be able to figure it all out.
This map was a guide for her.
While a guide map might not accurately pinpoint Minyang's location, it was enough for her to use as a reference.
"Let's go, it's time to return to the manor. The old man set a daily limit for me when I go out. If I'm late, I'll definitely get scolded again."
Ye Ningyuan folded the map and tucked it into her sleeve, then started walking towards the Cloud Wing Prince's manor.
Wu Ze inwardly sighed with helplessness and continued to follow her, remaining invisible.
Meanwhile, the little dumpling was led to the woodshed by Su Siyuan.
Her eyelids twitched as she remembered their first meeting. "Third Brother? Where did you hide the sack?"
"Why do you think so much for a child?" Su Siyuan pouted and poked her cheek. "You can't hold grudges against your brother, understand?"
Su Yunmo looked up at the sky with a helpless sigh.
He was the one who got beaten that day; what grudges could she possibly hold?
"Follow me. It's dark here, but the treasure can be seen clearly." Su Siyuan led her inside, then closed the door and windows, plunging the room into darkness.
He took out a wooden box from his embrace. As soon as he opened it, a beam of light shot out.
Su Yunmo instinctively squinted, and it took a while for her vision to clear.
Inside the box was a luminous pearl, about the size of her fist.
Su Yunmo blinked in surprise. "Third Brother, where did you get this?"
"Isn't it beautiful? I went out with friends today, snuck into an old mansion, and found it there." Su Siyuan presented the item to her like a treasure. "It's for you."
Su Yunmo took the luminous pearl, looking around with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
She felt that this item didn't seem like something from an ordinary wealthy family; it was more like something from the palace.
"Which old mansion was it?"
Su Siyuan rubbed the back of his head. "I don't really know the specifics. I just heard that the place caught fire a couple of days ago, and there are soldiers guarding the entrance now."
"But don't worry, I crawled in through a dog hole in the backyard. It was quite a coincidence; I found this thing not long after I got in."
He really had struck it lucky today!
Su Yunmo frowned deeply. "Didn't you get it from near the well?"
During her previous testimony, Feng Qing'er had brought a chest containing many treasures. If any valuable item suddenly appeared in the Feng family's old mansion, it was highly likely to be stolen goods.
Su Siyuan frowned, looking confused. "The well? What well?"
He hadn't been inside for long before he heard the constables arrive, so he left quickly. He hadn't even gone inside to look, nor had he seen any well.
Su Yunmo took a deep breath and clutched the luminous pearl tightly in her palm.
If this item hadn't accidentally fallen out of the chest, it could only have one origin.
"Thank you, Third Brother. I'll take this for now."
Su Siyuan smiled foolishly. "As long as Momo likes it."
Lü Luo entered from outside. "Miss, Miss Qianxue from the Imperial Prince's manor is here. She says she has something important to tell you."
Su Yunmo pondered for a moment and started to walk out, but then stopped halfway and turned back.
Su Siyuan waved his hand, not paying much attention. "Momo, go ahead and take care of your business. When you're done, Third Brother will come find you to play."
"Okay~" Su Yunmo drew out her reply before turning and leaving.
Qianxue was waiting at the main entrance and hurried to greet Su Yunmo as she came out. "Young Mistress, His Highness sent me to report on the previous matter."
"The previous matter?" Su Yunmo frowned in confusion, then her eyes lit up with realization. "Was the beggar who'd been living in the Feng manor caught?"
"Yes, he has been caught, and he did indeed witness everything that happened." Qianxue stepped forward and whispered something in Su Yunmo's ear.
Su Yunmo's expression grew increasingly grim. "What does your master say?"
Qianxue's gaze deepened, and she took half a step back. "Master says this matter is entirely for Young Mistress to handle."
"Tell your master I understand." Su Yunmo suppressed all her emotions.
It was indeed her!
"I will convey your words truthfully." Qianxue bowed, then added, "Also, a message was sent from the palace when I was on my way. They want you to go over; Consort Liang wishes to see you."
Su Yunmo knitted her brows. "Now?"
Qianxue took a step back. "The carriage is waiting for you outside the manor gates."
Su Yunmo sighed. "Alright, let's go."
Qianxue walked ahead, leading the way.
Su Yunmo left the manor and got into the carriage, with Linlang by her side.
The carriage headed towards the imperial palace.
Qianxue had official duties to attend to, so after dropping Su Yunmo off at the palace gates, she left.
Su Yunmo entered the palace alone and headed towards the cold palace. Halfway there, Eunuch Jiao stopped her.
"Young Miss, you are here to see Consort Liang, aren't you? Consort Liang no longer resides in the cold palace. Please follow this old servant over here."
Eunuch Jiao led her towards Emperor Ye Yao's sleeping quarters.
Su Yunmo was a little surprised. "Has Consort Liang been living here recently?"
"Yes, Her Ladyship is not feeling well, and His Majesty said he wouldn't feel at ease unless he stayed by her side. Therefore, he has specially permitted her to stay in her own chambers and assigned this old servant to attend to her at all times," Eunuch Jiao said with a smile.
A subtle glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes.
There were regulations for entering the emperor's private chambers. Without permission, even the Empress could not stay overnight. The Emperor making an exception for Consort Liang indicated that he truly cared for her.
As they headed towards the sleeping quarters, they passed the front courtyard, where Ye Jingcheng was coming from the study, accompanied by Mei Yan, their hands clasped.
Su Yunmo stopped when she saw them.
Ye Jingcheng also stopped, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes almost instinctively, but it quickly vanished. "What a coincidence."
Su Yunmo tilted her head and curved her lips. "Isn't it? As they say, enemies are destined to meet."
Ye Jingcheng frowned deeply and was about to speak when he noticed Eunuch Jiao beside them and swallowed his words.
Eunuch Jiao was observant and, seeing that Ye Jingcheng was in an awkward position to speak, he stepped aside and lowered his head.
Ye Jingcheng walked a few steps forward, stopping about a meter away from the little dumpling. "You did a truly beautiful job last time. I suppose Ye Jingyu helped you quite a bit, didn't he?"
Su Yunmo's gaze fell on Mei Yan. After appraising her from head to toe, she crossed her arms. "Does Prince Lian not have someone helping him as well?"
Mei Yan smiled lightly, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Now that I am the Prince's secondary consort, I will naturally stand by his side in any matter. It is only natural. Young Mistress, are you implying something by saying that? Could it be that you and Prince Yu..."
She paused, then changed tack. "I suppose Prince Yu wouldn't make a move against you, Young Mistress, as you are still young."