However, since they were so obedient, the two were naturally happy to see it. They counted the days, and in just half a month, it passed quickly.
Now it was Ning Yue's turn to be impatient.
Her martial arts were very high, and coupled with the fact that everyone around Xing Yuan knew of her master's special affection for their mistress, she was given a clear path. Guards discreetly pointed the way for Ning Yue and cleared obstacles. Ning Yue smoothly entered Xing Yuan's imperial chambers.
As soon as Ning Yue stepped into the chambers, her brow furrowed slightly. The smell was wrong!
With a few swift movements, Ning Yue pulled out a little girl hiding under the bed.
Ning Yue's face visibly darkened.
She gritted her teeth lightly, already thinking about how to question A Yuan.
She was truly something! She hadn't even settled the score with her about the dancer incident, and now she'd pulled this stunt. Was this keeping a mistress hidden away?
Heh! Angry!! ٩(╬ఠдఠ)و
As for how she knew about the dancer incident, who didn't have a couple of people in the palace? Did she really think covering her ears and stealing a bell would make her unable to discover it? Was she that stupid?
On the other side, Xing Yuan, who was rarely doing actual work in the imperial study, sneezed violently. She gently rubbed her head and continued to stare at the obscure memorials in front of her.
The next time she held court, she would definitely make those ministers write more plainly. Having to rack her brain to translate their words while reading a memorial, who did they think they were looking down on!
However, thinking of Ning Yue, Xing Yuan's mood improved again.
Sister was coming to the palace to accompany her! So happy!
In the imperial chambers, Ning Yue was staring intently at the little girl she had caught.
The little girl looked about ten years old, not yet of age, and a bit immature. Her eyes, as she looked at Ning Yue, were full of timidity.
Ning Yue sighed and softened her tone, asking in a low voice, "Where are you from? How did you get here?"
The little girl's body trembled, and she instinctively shrank back. At this moment, her sleeve was torn by something sharp at the corner of the bed, revealing pale purple skin.
Ning Yue pulled up the little one's sleeve and clearly saw the marks on her skin.
She sighed slightly, recognizing the marks left by the seasoned wet nurses in the palace.
She had spent time in the palace when she was young and had personally witnessed how the palace wet nurses could pinch someone lightly, yet it would be very painful. However, they were usually very skilled.
Even though they might leave a slight mark on others at the time, as long as a special medicinal paste was applied or a day passed, the mark would disappear completely.
This was a method used to deal with errant palace maids or unfavored concubines, but this person in front of her...
Ning Yue was a bit conflicted. Her memory was very good, and after Xing Yuan ascended the throne, she had never recruited anyone from outside the palace. So where did this little girl come from?
Although Xing Yuan might not be upright, she would never have any other intentions towards such a child.
But the little girl seemed terrified. No matter how Ning Yue asked, she wouldn't say a word, her expression showing a hint of stubbornness.
Helpless, Ning Yue had no choice but to walk out openly and summon the palace guards.
"Do you recognize her?"
The guards shook their heads and knelt down in fear. They had failed in their duty by allowing a strange girl into His Majesty's chambers. Knowing His Majesty's temperament, they were surely doomed.
"Forget it! You call the palace wet nurses here and have them identify her." Ning Yue said helplessly.
The commotion in the palace gave Xing Yuan, who was already unmotivated to review memorials, a good excuse to slack off.
However, she still asked with a serious expression, "What is happening outside?"
The head eunuch lowered his gaze and replied respectfully, "It seems to be a matter concerning the Imperial Household Department. Does Your Majesty wish to take a look?"
Xing Yuan gave the observant eunuch a look of approval, then nodded with great authority, her steps extremely cheerful.
Ning Yue led the little girl to identify people one by one. Finally, when they reached a wet nurse, the little girl trembled all over, her eyes full of fear.
"Come out yourself!" Ning Yue said coldly.