An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

Ling'er was overjoyed. She thought her sister came specially to spend the New Year with her and play with her.

The next day, like birds out of a cage, the two of them wandered through the East Market and West Market with four or five maids and servants. Ling'er danced around holding a sugar figurine, while Jing Chunxi picked out several boxes of pearl and silk flowers for her, and also bought a clay doll that could do somersaults.

When they returned home in the evening, they whispered to each other for half the night, and finally fell asleep hugging each other in the brocade quilt embroidered with lotus flowers.

It was not until noon that the two sisters were awakened by the sunlight shining through the carved window lattices.

It was already three quarters past four in the afternoon when I washed up. The breakfast specially prepared by the small kitchen - crystal shrimp dumplings, shredded chicken porridge and four exquisite side dishes - became a real "brunch".

Ling'er was pinching a rose pastry and putting it into her mouth when she suddenly saw the Princess of the County rush in with three maids holding a dressing box. It was time to dress up and prepare to enter the palace.

"What is this going to do?"

Ling'er was being helped by two maids to dress up. Suddenly she raised her eyes and her eyes widened.

Suddenly, an indigo figure appeared in the bronze mirror—Jing Chunxi, who had emerged from behind the screen, had completely changed. Her slender figure was draped in cotton, her long black hair pulled into a simple bun with a wooden hairpin. But her unpainted face seemed even more translucent, like mutton-fat jade in a coarse earthenware bowl.

The golden hairpin in Ling'er's hand almost fell to the ground, "Sister, sister, what's wrong..." She stuttered and couldn't say a complete sentence, her eyes scanning back and forth between her sister's coarse cloth trouser legs and thousand-layer cloth shoes.

Jing Chunxi turned around and smiled with her eyes curved: "Silly girl, how can you sneak into the palace if you don't dress like this?" She deliberately imitated the maids' posture of saluting, but her whole body temperament made the outfit even more incongruous.

"Sister is going to enter the palace too?" Ling'er looked at her mother in surprise. Seeing the Princess nodded, she became happy again.

But she frowned and said, "Even if you want to pretend to be a servant, you should wear a plain skirt." Ling'er stamped her feet anxiously, and the hem of her lilac skirt swept over the embroidered cushion. "What maid would wear pants at a palace banquet? Sister, you are so unconventional, I'm afraid the maids in the other mansions will stare at you as a curiosity."

These words were like a basin of cold water poured down on Jing Chunxi. Her face suddenly changed and she rushed behind the screen, grabbing her trouser legs. The rustling sound of the fabric rubbing against her was mixed with her annoyed muttering.

Dressing too differently really attracts attention, so it's difficult to get things done.

When she changed her clothes, she only thought that wearing dark colors would make it easier to hide in the night, and completely forgot that in the eyes of others, she was just an ordinary maid in a wealthy family, and she was still young, and she was exactly the kind of maid who liked pink and tender skin.

When she came out again, she had changed into a light pink-grey skirt, with a peach-pink jacket over it, but the outline of the same-colored trousers could be vaguely seen under the skirt. Jing Chunxi had put on the pants underneath specifically to make it easier to climb over the wall later.

Ling'er was still satisfied with what she saw, and suddenly took out a mutton-fat jade hairpin from the bottom of her rosewood makeup box. The hairpin was carved with simple small flowers, looking delicate and very simple.

"How dare you put such a vulgar thing on my head?" She pulled out the wooden hairpin on Jing Chunxi's head with disgust. The moment the jade hairpin was inserted into her bun, Jing Chunxi was covered with a warm halo.

As the carriage rumbled toward the imperial city, Princess Hong suddenly grasped the two girls' hands. Amid the clatter of the nanmu shaft rolling over the bluestone slabs, her voice dropped to a whisper, "Once you enter the palace, Ling'er, just follow your mother. Don't ask too much about your sister."

The jade bracelet on her wrist bounced with the carriage, casting a swaying green shadow on the back of Jing Chunxi's hand. Then she added, "Xi'er, be careful."

Ling'er looked up suddenly, her almond-shaped eyes filled with surprise. Just as she was about to speak, her mother's warning eyes shot over, frightening her so much that she bit her lower lip.

I could only look at my sister, but she blinked cunningly, her thick eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. "If anyone asks, I'll have to help you cover up the lie."

"You all hid it from me!" Ling'er suddenly turned to face the car window, her cheeks puffed up as if they were stuffed with walnuts.

Ever since she learned that the tragic deaths of her two brothers and the disappearance of her third uncle were caused by the person above her, she hated the dog emperor and everyone in the palace. She also knew that her grandfather and father were holding something back and would definitely not let it go.

But she hated her own limited abilities and hated that she was not a man and could not help her grandfather and father.

But why can my sister do it?

Her fingers twisted the handkerchief so hard that the orchid embroidery on it wrinkled. She heard her sister laugh softly, and she was so angry that she pulled the brocade curtain, making it rustle.

Knowing that his face was too dazzling, Jing Chunxi was extremely cautious when getting off the car.

She kept her head down as much as possible and followed behind the Princess and Ling'er, her steps slow and low-key.

The surroundings were bustling with people, and many people were heard greeting each other, but Jing Chunxi kept her head down and followed her duties as a maid, only looking at Ling'er's heels, for fear that if she looked up, she would attract unnecessary attention.

After walking for a long time, Prince Hong in front suddenly turned around, glanced at the three of them, and whispered, "We have arrived at Yongtai Palace. Follow the princess closely and walk carefully." Although his voice was low, it carried a majesty that could not be ignored.

After he finished speaking, he and Prince Jing walked to the other side.

The men and women in the front had already parted ways. The men walked steadily towards the outer court, while the women were led into the harem by the ladies-in-waiting.

For some reason, Jing Chunxi felt that this time he came in was different from the previous two times.

Normally, a palace banquet, especially during the Lunar New Year, should have been a joyous occasion, with people chatting and laughing. However, for some reason, she felt a gloomy and depressing atmosphere.

The air around seemed to become heavy, as if some unknown secret was surging in the dark.

Seeing that the guests in front and behind were not too close, the Princess of the County whispered to Jing Chunxi, "Ling'er and I will go in to pay our respects to Concubine Hua later. You wait outside the door and don't go anywhere. Try to blend in with the other maids and keep quiet."

"Got it! Aunt, Xi'er will leave only after you go to the banquet and take a seat." Jing Chunxi lowered his voice with an imperceptible firmness.

According to the plan she had made with Prince Jing and Prince Hong the night before, she couldn't act rashly until dark. She knew in her heart that she was carrying out an important mission and had to proceed with caution.

Along the way, Jing Chunxi also memorized several palaces in detail. After Yikun Palace, it was Jingren Palace where Concubine Hua lived.

The Yikun Palace was now without a queen, so the palace gates were tightly closed, making it seem particularly deserted. The Cining Palace, which she was about to enter again, was located directly behind the Yikun Palace and was also the highest point in the harem.

Later, she would use the excuse of going to the restroom and go around the back of Jingren Palace to get close to the wall of Cining Palace. She silently planned her route in her mind, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.