After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

[The Emperor seems to glance at Prince Jing every now and then. Ah! No way! The Emperor is in love with Prince Jing's birth mother, Consort Xi.]

Ye Yaoyao was shocked by the revelation the system had made.

Ye Li'an looked at Ye Yaoyao. In the past, she only attended palace banquets to enjoy the performances. This time, however, she learned a lot of secrets that no one else knew.

No wonder Prince Jing wears a mask; he looks too much like Consort Xi. He probably knows the Emperor favors his mother, so he wears a mask to protect himself from the Emperor!

Ye Yaoyao pondered to herself, her gaze shifting back and forth between Prince Jing and the Emperor.

The Emperor smiled and seemed to be saying something to Prince Jing, while Prince Jing maintained an aloof and distant demeanor.

The emperor had killed or imprisoned the first seven princes, but the Ninth Prince relied on Consort Xi's beauty to win the emperor's favor.

I wonder if the Emperor has any particular hobbies?

Ye Yaoyao had already imagined a grand drama unfolding before her eyes. Little did she know how stiff Prince Jing's body was at this moment, as he could hear her thoughts.

"Madam Ye is truly a good teacher; both of her daughters are so outstanding."

Consort Mei looked at Liu Yunshu with admiration.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. My daughter is merely a little clever; it's too early to talk about being outstanding."

"Madam Ye is too modest. I have just returned to the capital and have heard that the Ye brothers are exceptional individuals."

Looking at the two daughters now, they are clearly no ordinary people; Madam Ye has raised them well.

"Your Majesty, once the eldest son of the Ye family passes the imperial examination, how about bestowing upon Lady Ye an imperial title?"

When Prince Jing spoke, the emperor naturally agreed.

“It is truly rare for the children to all be so outstanding. Once the top three sons of the Ye family rank in the top three, I will issue an imperial decree to bestow titles upon them all.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Your Highness."

At this moment, Liu Yunshu felt as if she were walking on clouds, dizzy and confused, unable to understand why Prince Jing would mention her title.

The crowd below was also puzzled. Prince Jing was usually very taciturn, but he became very talkative when the Ye family girls were mentioned. Could it be that he had taken a fancy to one of them?

However, the four children of the Ye family are indeed quite outstanding, and several prominent families have begun to plan marriage alliances with the Ye family.

Ye Mian showed no joy. When it came to raising his children, Prince Jing mentioned Liu Yunshu, but Ye Mian, as the father, didn't say a word. It seemed that the previous events had finally affected his reputation.

Ye Li'an looked at Ye Yaoyao, who was in a good mood, and thought that Prince Jing might be doing this because of his little sister.

When did they meet, and why did Prince Jing speak up for his younger sister tonight?

Ye Yaoyao was delighted that Liu Yunshu was granted the title of Imperial Noblewoman, and she was even more grateful to Prince Jing.

Ye Xiyao came down. The banquet was already halfway through, and many people had left the main hall.

"It's so boring! Should we go out for a walk?" Xin Chuli couldn't sit still, and Ye Yaoyao nodded first.

"Okay!"

"I'll go out with you." Since it was their first time entering the palace, Ye Li'an followed them out, worried about them.

The summer evening breeze gently brushed against their cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness, and the group felt much more refreshed.

"Xiyao, why did it have to end in tragedy?"

"Where are there so many good things? One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. How many people have sacrificed themselves behind the success, fame, and promotions we see?"

Ye Xiyao shook her head slightly. Although she had never witnessed the brutality of the battlefield, there was plenty of gunpowder smoke in the imperial city, and the real swords and spears were even more cruel.

"How could someone as sheltered as you know so much?"

“My aunt was a female general; I’ve heard her mention it.”

"I wish I could be a female general."

Female generals were rare in Tianlin Kingdom. Liu Wangshu was able to go to the battlefield because of her husband's special family.

"How much longer until the palace banquet?"

"We'll go back in a bit, we'll be back soon."

"Sigh! Sitting there, one lady after another asked me questions, and my face was almost frozen from smiling. I was afraid they would ask me to go up and perform, but I don't have any talent."

"Sister Xin, I think you're just lazy, but you could at least practice sword dancing!"

"I don't want to be made a fool of, except for the two of you who were called up. In my opinion, no one can beat you two tonight."

If you ask me, Yaoyao, you're amazing! You scolded that arrogant princess and even elevated the status of a pig. Hahaha…”

Xin Chuli laughed heartily and patted her on the shoulder.

"I was lucky, otherwise I would have been dragged out." Ye Yaoyao gestured with her hand to her neck.

"Little sister, we were on tenterhooks watching this."

"Brother, don't worry, I did my homework before entering the palace."

Two eunuchs hurriedly passed by, supporting a drunken man who had fallen into a deep sleep. After walking a short distance, their complaints could still be heard.

"Young Master Wei, if you can't drink, then don't drink. What kind of behavior is it to get so drunk in the palace?"

"Stop talking, quickly take him away to sober up."

"Shaohan? How could he have gotten drunk at the palace banquet?"

They could all smell the strong aroma of alcohol, and upon hearing it was Wei Shaohan, they took a few more glances.

"Big brother, let's send some medicine to Brother Shaohan."

"That you……"

"Big brother, I will take little sister and A-Li back with me, don't worry."

Ye Li'an looked at the three of them and thought for a moment before saying, "Then you should go back the way you came."

Watching Ye Lian leave, Xin Chuli asked, "Is it convenient for you to go?"

"Okay!" Ye Yaoyao nodded.

"I'll take you there."

After a short while, Ye Yaoyao and Xin Chuli came out, but Ye Xiyao was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's my sister?"

Xin Chuli shook her head in confusion, "I haven't seen her since I came out."

The two exchanged a glance, realizing something was wrong. They searched the vicinity, but passersby said they hadn't seen anyone.

I'm so angry! They not only tampered with the food, but they also tried to harm my sister.

System, investigate everyone here, especially the palace servants.

[Ok, host. 】

"Sister Yaoyao, let's go ask someone to help us look for her."

Xin Chuli realized something was wrong and wanted to find Ye Xiyao as soon as possible, but the two of them were not familiar with the palace and would probably not find her by searching like this.

As Ye Yaoyao looked at the information about the palace servants provided by the system, she said:

“Sister Xin, I’m afraid it will be too late to go back and find someone. There are three roads here. One is the road back to the palace banquet, and we can each take one of the other two roads.”

"Okay, Yaoyao, be careful."

Just as the two were about to take action, Ye Yaoyao noticed a palace maid walking hurriedly with her head down, which aroused her suspicion.

[System, investigate her!]

[Host, she recognizes you. She lowered her head when she saw you. Your sister was taken away; she's involved. She's going to see the master behind her.]

Ye Yaoyao rushed forward and blocked the palace maid's path.

"Miss, I'm lost. Can you tell me which way to go?"

"Miss, the Jiaotai Palace is that way."

The palace maid recognized Ye Yaoyao and quickly gave her directions.

"Oh! So you came from the direction of the Imperial Kitchen?"

"No, that's a palace that's been empty for many years. It's a forbidden area within the palace, and we can't go there."

[Host, that's the Yuexin Palace, the palace of King Jing's mother.]

I have a pretty good idea what they're going to do.

"Okay, thank you, Miss."

Ye Yaoyao memorized the palace maid's appearance and smiled at her.

"No, you're welcome."

After the palace maid left, Ye Yaoyao pulled Xin Chuli away.

"Sister Xin, this way."