Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Qingzhu, go to Babaozhai." Zhou Lin ordered expressionlessly.

"Young Master, Babaozhai and entering the palace are two completely opposite directions! Didn't you say before that there was an urgent matter that required you to go to the palace to meet the emperor? What if you are delayed?" Qingzhu reminded cautiously.

She knew very well that her young master was always decisive and resolute in his actions, and his behavior today was really abnormal.

"Just go where I tell you to go. Why are you talking so much nonsense?" Zhou Lin frowned slightly and scolded impatiently.

A hint of displeasure flashed across his eyes, as deep as a pool of water, which frightened Qingzhu so much that he trembled all over and quickly fell silent.

Seeing this, Qingzhu dared not say anything more. He had to bite the bullet and order the coachman to turn the carriage around and rush towards Babaozhai.

The wheels rolled, raising a cloud of dust.

Soon, the carriage stopped steadily in front of Babaozhai.

Zhou Lin jumped off the carriage swiftly and walked straight into Babaozhai.

When the shop assistants saw this distinguished guest coming, they all came forward to entertain him warmly.

Zhou Lin walked straight to the counter where the cakes were placed without looking around. He pointed at a plate of cakes that were as white as snow and as thin as a cicada's wing and said, "Pack me two kilograms of the freshest cloud cakes."

Upon hearing this, the waiter quickly agreed and skillfully packaged the cloud cake and handed it to Zhou Lin.

After paying the money, Zhou Lin turned and walked out of the store, then handed the package in his hand to Qingzhu who was waiting outside.

"This is the freshly made cloud cake. You must immediately send it to Jinan Prefecture through the secret guard's channel. Remember to be quick and don't delay, otherwise the taste of the cake will change over time." Zhou Lin warned with a serious face.

Qingzhu couldn't help but roll his eyes after hearing this, muttering to himself, "I've never heard of someone using the secret guard passage just to deliver a small portion of food. I wonder if the old general would be furious if he knew about this..."

But despite her thoughts, she still acted respectful on the surface. She took the cloud cake with both hands and nodded in response, "Yes, Master, I will definitely deliver it as soon as possible. But... Master, there is also the letter from the young lady."

Zhou Lin frowned slightly, gently squeezed the letter in his hand, his eyes flickering.

After a moment's silence, he suddenly asked, "Do you have a younger sister at home? How old is she this year?"

Qingzhu was a little confused by this sudden question and was completely at a loss.

He muttered to himself, wondering why the topic of conversation with his young master changed so quickly today.

However, despite the doubts in his heart, he still answered honestly: "In reply to the young master, my sister is exactly six years old this year."

Zhou Lin nodded thoughtfully, then slowly said, "Well, at six years old, it's time to learn some skills. How about this, when you go back, have your sister start learning needlework and embroider a ten-square handkerchief for her first."

After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling the coachman to drive the carriage away quickly.

Only Qingzhu was left standing there blankly, with a look of helplessness and confusion on his face.

Although he was full of confusion, he dared not forget the task Zhou Lin had given him. So, he hugged the cloud cake tightly in his arms, turned around and hurried to find the secret guard.

When Zhou Lin's carriage arrived at the palace, it was already dusk.

At this time, Emperor Jing was still sitting in the imperial study, concentrating on reviewing the mountains of memorials.

Since Emperor Jing had high hopes for Zhou Antai and hoped that he could go to the battlefield again, he did not deliberately make things difficult for Zhou Lin when he entered the palace this time.

Zhou Lin waited outside the door for a while before he heard the eunuch's shrill voice from inside: "His Majesty has ordered Zhou Lin to appear before the emperor!"

Upon hearing the summons, Zhou Lin quickly straightened his robes, walked respectfully into the hall, then knelt on both knees and performed a standard salute.

Emperor Jing put down his red brush and looked up from behind the desk piled high with memorials. He stared at Zhou Lin, who was kneeling below, with a sharp gaze and asked in a deep voice, "Have you seen your grandfather today?"

Zhou Lin nodded slightly and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have met your grandfather."

Emperor Jing nodded gently, then asked, "Have you chosen your destination? Where do you want to go? Tell me about it."

Zhou Lin straightened up, staring straight ahead with a determined gaze, and answered without hesitation, "Northland."

The sound was clear and loud, like a huge bell, echoing throughout the imperial study.

Upon hearing this answer, Emperor Jing's face instantly turned gloomy, as depressing as a dark cloud.

He stared at Zhou Lin and asked in a low voice, "Did your grandfather agree?"

Zhou Lin shook his head and reported truthfully: "Your Majesty, this matter has not yet been informed to Grandfather. I have come to the palace to report it to Your Majesty first."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing suppressed his rising anger and said coldly, "Go home and discuss this with your grandfather first. Once your grandfather agrees, come see me again."

Obviously, Emperor Jing's words were an order to expel the guests.

However, Zhou Lin seemed not to understand Emperor Jing's meaning, and continued to kneel straight on the ground, motionless.

He spoke again, his words sincere, "I have made up my mind to leave, and I hope Your Majesty can grant my wish."

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jing could no longer suppress his anger and slammed his palm on the desk, causing the pens, ink, paper and inkstone on the table to jump up.

He just shouted angrily, "Do you Zhou family want to rebel?"