The uncle borrowed some merits, and the princess drew the talisman fiercely

Do you want to stay in the palace?

When Shui Xin heard Zhou Shiyue's question, she had already shouted in her heart: Yes! I want to stay by your side!

However, she subconsciously looked at Lu Zhaoling and met Lu Zhaoling's half-smile.

She just paused.

After thinking for a moment, she answered cautiously, "I heard that after Miss Lu married into the palace, she would select four second-class maids to accompany her. It's not safe for me to return to the village. I'm afraid of bringing danger and trouble to my parents, so I want to stay with Miss Lu as a second-class maid."

She didn't lie either.

She really thought so. Lu Zhaoling had saved her, and she was very grateful, so she also wanted to serve Lu Zhaoling well.

Then he stayed with the prince.

Serving the prince in the future is actually a luxury for her now, but after all, only by staying can she have a chance, right?

If Miss Lu becomes pregnant in the future and really needs someone else to serve the prince, it shouldn't be wrong for her to try to get someone else to come, right?

She really didn't want to argue with Lu Zhaoling, and she knew it wouldn't be good.

She was thinking of competing with other maids in the future.

But if the prince never has anyone else, then she will... accept her fate. As long as she can be by his side, even if it's just to make tea or soup for him, put on clothes for him, or massage his shoulders, that will be enough.

She really didn't think much about it and definitely didn't have any bad intentions.

"Xinxin, the prince has already agreed that you don't need to be a maid anymore!" Aunt Yao lowered her voice, her tone very serious. "You don't have to worry about danger. I heard that the princess is in poor health and hasn't had any contact with women for a long time."

In addition, the Dali Temple and Jingzhao Prefecture have been acting decisively and forcefully recently, and many powerful people have been acting much more low-key for fear of being caught.

Aunt Yao also thought that since they had been staying at Prince Jin's Mansion these days, the news must have spread. Others might think that they had Prince Jin's support and would be more cautious in the future.

She felt that it would be fine if Shui Xin went back now.

"You are old enough now. When you return to the village, your parents will find a good marriage for you. You will also have a husband to protect you, so you will be fine!"

Aunt Yao lowered her voice, her tone a little firm, she could tell that something was wrong with her daughter.

She was a little panicked, but didn't dare to think too deeply. Shui Xin was not that kind of person before, she always wanted to marry a good man and become a wife.

"Ms. Lu, please keep Shui Xin."

Shui Xin cruelly ignored her mother's words and kowtowed to Lu Zhaoling again.

A dark look appeared in Zhou Shiyue's eyes.

"You are not qualified even to be a second-class maid." He began.

Shui Xin was shocked and looked at him in disbelief.

Is she so bad in the prince's eyes? She's not even qualified to be a second-class maid?

She was about to speak, but Zhou Shiyue said, "If you still want to be a maid, then go back to the Royal Courtyard. There's still room for you there."

Aunt Yao was panicked.

"Your Highness, please don't argue with Shui Xin. She's still young and doesn't understand anything. I will take her back. Until the matter is investigated, our family will find a place to stay in the city temporarily."

Seeing Shui Xin like this, how could she dare to live in Prince Jin's Mansion anymore?

The emperor's expression softened a little.

"Xiaoyao is quite clear-headed."

"Mom!" Shui Xin's face changed slightly.

She turned her head and met her mother's stern gaze, bit her lower lip, and dared not say anything more.

But why didn't Miss Lu say anything?

As long as Miss Lu nodded, she believed that the matter would be a done deal.

Is Miss Lu still worried that she will do something wrong?

Shui Xin was helpless. Maybe Miss Lu still didn't believe her. During these days in the capital, she tried to find a way to make Miss Lu believe her. There should still be a chance. After all, they hadn't gotten married yet.

Shui Xin thought so and agreed.

Yun Bo freed them from slavery through the government.

They packed up, said goodbye to Zhou Shiyue, and left the palace.

After all, he had stayed in the royal villa for several years before and had some understanding of the capital.

When Lu Zhaoling and the others finished their lunch, the servant who was sent to follow them came back to report.

"Your Majesty, Bai Hui and his family are staying at the Xu Family Inn in Wuye Alley. As you instructed, we gave them fifty taels of silver. They rented two rooms and paid for half a month's rent."

The location of Wuye Lane is not very good, and Xu's Inn is also a low-cost and cost-effective inn. Generally, some families in the surrounding area or relatives from other places stay there when they come, and some traveling merchants who want to save money will look for such small inns.

The people living around here are also ordinary people.

It’s quite practical that Aunt Yao and her family chose to live there.

"Got it. Let's get someone to keep an eye on them." Zhou Shiyue waved his hand and asked them to leave.

Lu Zhaoling looked at him.

"Why do you want to investigate Bai Hui?"

"I suspect the thing he lost was a token from the Barbarian High Priest," Zhou Shiyue said. "I heard that every High Priest must submit a token before officially taking over. Otherwise, it would be somewhat unjustified."

"Besides, there might be something else inside the token. I sent someone to investigate the place where Bai Hui lost the item. Over the years, someone has been haunting that area."

Lu Zhaoling understood, "Do you suspect the high priest has been sending people to look for that thing?"

"Yes."

So he also had to send someone to look for it.

They had become enemies with the barbarian high priest, and Zhou Shiyue certainly didn't want the high priest to find the things.

And this time, the high priest was behind this. How could he swallow this anger? It was just right. Send people to guard that area. If the barbarians come, kill them one by one, or two by two.

It also annoys the high priest.

"I suspect Bai Hui's grandfather was the candidate for the high priest, but he was framed and fled."

Zhou Shiyue added, "Not everyone can be the Barbarian High Priest. They have to undergo a bloodline and talent test to see if they are the chosen High Priest. It seems they also have to participate in some kind of training and gain the approval of the tribe's spirits."

Hearing him say this, Lu Zhaoling thought for a moment, "Bai Hui doesn't have much bloodline talent."

Zhou Shiyue nodded. "So this might be the reason why the barbarians have found him but haven't taken action yet. They probably think that even if Bai Hui knew his past and returned to the barbarians, he wouldn't be able to become the high priest. Therefore, he wouldn't pose a threat to the current high priest."

That being said...

Lu Zhaoling said, "But Bai Shuixin has it. She is very talented."

Zhou Shiyue was a little surprised when these words were spoken.

He looked at Lu Zhaoling, as if wanting to confirm something.

Lu Zhaoling nodded, "I'm not mistaken."

"Then I'll have someone inquire whether there has ever been a woman serving as a high priestess among the barbarians."

If a woman can do it, Bai Shuixin will probably be targeted.

"Send two more people to provide secret protection." Lu Zhaoling said, "Maybe Bai Shuixin will be useful in the future."

Until the truth is revealed, people still need to be protected.

"You still want to protect her?" Zhou Shiyue's expression was a little off, even a little aggrieved. "A Ling, aren't you jealous?"

Not being jealous means not caring.