The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

Seeing that Prime Minister Zou had left, the young eunuch came in to report that the Emperor Emeritus had sent someone.

The Emperor was somewhat surprised by Eunuch Xi's request. "Why did Father suddenly decide to go to the Third Prince's residence?"

"Your Majesty, this old servant does not know either, and dares not make any guesses!" Eunuch Xi replied.

The Emperor glared at Eunuch Xi, thinking to himself, "How could you not know? You've been with the Retired Emperor since you were a child. The two of you have spent more time together than anyone else, you just don't say it."

"The capital is not entirely peaceful these days, and I am still worried about my father's safety!" the emperor said, putting down the memorial in his hand.

"The Emperor Emeritus said he will go with the Golden Armor Guards, Your Majesty, please rest assured!"

The Emperor looked at Eunuch Xi, who had his eyes lowered, and said, "Father, have you discovered something good in the Third Prince's residence again? The other day when I went to Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager received a little thing that can sing, saying it was given to me by the Third Prince's wife. Eunuch Xi, go to the Prince of Zhan's residence and ask him for one for me too!"

Grandpa Xi: Is my face that big?

"Your Majesty, you know that Princess Zhan is no ordinary person. This old servant can convey Your Majesty's message: whether or not to give it to her is up to Princess Zhan! If Princess Zhan refuses to give it to her, please don't blame this old servant!"

"Go back and tell your father that if you get anything good, remember to save a share for me!" The emperor knew this man was a cunning old fox who was very discreet, so he had to put some pressure on him.

"Yes!"

"Alright! Go back now! Take good care of Father Emperor, and tell him that I agree!" The Emperor waved his hand.

Eunuch Xi acknowledged and left the Hall of Diligent Governance. As he walked, he thought to himself, "This emperor is indeed the eldest son of the retired emperor. He has learned the retired emperor's tricks of extortion perfectly."

This guy's really going all out to fleece this sheep! Who knows when he'll push Princess Zhan too far, and then things will get interesting.

Upon returning to Yue'an Palace, Eunuch Xi reported the Emperor's words to the Retired Emperor.

The Emperor Emeritus rolled his eyes. "If he wants something, he should go ask for it himself. Do you think that brat is so easy to talk to? I'm not going to bother with him!"

Then the old man said, "Xiao Xi, do you think we should go during the day or at night?"

Grandpa Xi: Isn't it customary to visit someone's home at night? You thief, aren't you?

However, Eunuch Xi had grown accustomed to the Emperor Emeritus's words and actions over the years, and said gently, "Your Majesty, let's go during the day! It would be best to inform the Prince of Zhan's residence in advance so that they can prepare!"

"Give me a break! What are you preparing? Are you planning to hide all the good stuff? Let's go today and catch them off guard!"

Grandpa Xi: "..."

"Your Majesty, I must allow this old servant to make arrangements. We must bring everything that needs to be brought!"

The Emperor Emeritus rolled his eyes at Eunuch Xi and said loudly, "Then hurry up and go! What a nuisance! I should go by myself and not take you dawdling fools with me."

"Yes! This servant will arrange it immediately, please wait a moment!"

As soon as the Emperor Emeritus left the palace, a young eunuch went ahead to the Prince of Zhan's residence to deliver the news.

When the butler jogged to Jingning Garden, Jingxue was looking at the seafood that Qin Jing had sent to her, including dried scallops, dried abalone, dried razor clams, dried shrimp, and dried salted fish.

Each item was in a large box, with the dried scallops and dried abalone being the most valuable.

Seeing the butler being chased by a dog, Jingxue asked helplessly, "What's wrong?"

The steward clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor Emeritus has arrived!"

"Who?" Jingxue asked incredulously.

"Your Highness, the Emperor Emeritus is coming to our Zhanwang Mansion. He will arrive shortly. Please prepare to welcome him!" the steward said anxiously.

"Oh my god! Why is this big Buddha here? This is so presumptuous!" Jingxue still felt it was unreal. Wasn't that old man supposed to stay in the palace and never come out?

Wait, they were out at night just a few days ago! What, are they switching to daytime operations now?

"Xiaoman, hurry up and have someone carry these into the warehouse!" Jingxue ordered.

Seeing the steward standing there dumbfounded, Jingxue sighed and said, "Come on, come on! If you come at this hour, you probably won't be back until after dinner. I'll have someone prepare the meal right away. Go to Mingyuan Pavilion and make the arrangements! Take the Emperor Emeritus there."

"Yes, yes, this servant will go right away! Your Highness, please go to the gate to greet her!"

Jingxue rolled her eyes. "Okay, go ahead!"

The butler responded and then jogged away.

By the time Jingxue hurriedly changed her clothes and headed to the mansion gate, the Emperor Emeritus's guards had already knocked on the gate of Jingning Garden.

Jingxue thought to herself, "What is this old man doing here at Jingning Garden? And the steward, after arranging for people to clean up Mingyuan Pavilion, why didn't you wait at the gate?"

There's no point in saying anything more, let's hurry up and receive the emperor!

Upon entering the courtyard, they saw the Emperor Emeritus stride in.

Wow! This old man's look is something else!

The Emperor Emeritus was dressed in a black mink cloak, his white hair was blown back by the wind, a black binoculars bag hung around his neck, and the tip of his nose was red from the cold.

Behind them were two eunuchs, one carrying a small brown wooden box and the other carrying what appeared to be a birdcage.

Holding a whisk, Eunuch Xi followed beside the Emperor Emeritus. His face had two more patches of red from the high altitude than the Emperor Emeritus's, showing that Eunuch Xi's skin was more delicate.

Jingxue quickly knelt down and bowed, "Father, it is an honor to have you here! Please do not blame your daughter-in-law."

With a whoosh, the servants behind him also knelt down, shouting, "Long live the Emperor Emeritus!"

The Emperor Emeritus stood in the center of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, and glared at Jingxue. "Hmph! Such a large palace, how come you live in such a remote courtyard? Get up, all of you!"

Jingxue and her entourage stood up. "Father, please come inside and warm up. Xiaoman, have someone bring you hot tea!"

The Emperor Emeritus strode into the house first. Jingxue gave Eunuch Xi a questioning look, and Eunuch Xi shook his head helplessly.

In the main hall of Jingning Garden, Eunuch Xi helped the Emperor Emeritus remove his cloak, and the old man sat down in the main seat.

Xiaoman brought over tea and a plate of nuts. The Emperor Emeritus glanced at them and said, "You've prepared all these shelled things; they're already too much trouble to eat. If you don't want me to eat them, just say so! Humph!"

As soon as the Emperor Emeritus finished speaking, Xiaoman, who was taking a step back, was so frightened that she almost twisted her ankle.

Jingxue was displeased; this old man was here to cause trouble. "Xiaoman, wasn't the Emperor Emeritus talking about you?"

Xiaoman's face was flushed. "This servant is fine!"

"Father, didn't you see the small metal piece in the plate? That's a special tool for opening things up. Don't scare my maid!"

The retired emperor glared at Jingxue.

A young eunuch lifted the black cloth covering the birdcage, and the little myna bird inside, seeing Jingxue, excitedly hopped around.

"Boss, boss, it's me, Xiao Hei! It's me, Xiao Hei!"

Jingxue walked up to the birdcage, reached out and opened the small door. The little myna flew out and landed on Jingxue's hand.

The little myna bird shook its head and began to sing, "They say heaven is close, but heaven isn't really close at all!..."

"Shut up!" the retired emperor shouted.

The little myna bird was so scared that it really stopped singing.

Jingxue stroked the little myna's feathers and said, "Little Black, that's great! You've even learned to sing! Come on, I'll take you to see your good friend!" With that, she walked outside.

"Let me tell you! If Black Melon gets away, I'll never forgive you!"

"Don't worry! It won't run away no matter who tries!"