Transmigrated into a cunning princess, she sets her sights on a celibate royal uncle.

Stepping out of the Nongyue Pavilion, Jiang Xi knew clearly that she could no longer stay in the Regent's Palace.

But Chun Tao's whereabouts are unknown. If she were to escape alone, how could she face her imperial brother?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xi stopped abruptly and turned to look at Bei Ying, who was guarding the palace gate on the left.

This guy promised me he'd bring Chun Tao back, I can't go back on my word!

"Lord Beiying!"

Jiang Xi called out softly, and before Bei Ying could react, she grabbed his sleeve to prevent him from escaping.

Her action was also seen by Huo Jingxuan and Shang Que inside the hall.

Huo Jingxuan was holding a teacup and about to drink when he saw this and paused. The lid of the teacup in his hand almost flew off and hit Jiang Xi's hand.

Bei Ying felt the icy gaze directed at her by her master behind her, and she trembled uncontrollably.

"Um... just say what you want to say, but could you please let me go first..."

"no!"

Jiang Xi not only refused to let go, but instead held on even tighter.

"You promised me you'd bring Chun Tao back? It's been days and there's still no sign of her?"

Bei Ying tentatively pulled her sleeve out of Jiang Xi's hand, offering an embarrassed explanation.

"I did promise you this... but..."

Jiang Xi immediately sensed something was wrong: "But what is it?"

Beijing Film Academy had no choice but to tell her the truth in one go.

"But the caravan that was impersonating you and heading to Wuhua Mountain was attacked by bandits in the Anyang area, and Miss Chun Tao got separated from the group!"

"What?" Upon hearing the devastating news, Jiang Xi swayed and almost fainted.

What kind of bandits would dare attack a royal convoy? Perhaps someone wants to eliminate them completely?

The sound of boots came from behind; it was Huo Jingxuan and Shang Que coming out.

Huo Jingxuan waved his hand away from Jiang Xi's hand that was clutching Bei Ying's sleeve, staring at Jiang Xi's pale face with narrowed eyes.

"Wasn't she just a maid? Why are you so concerned about her?"

Jiang Xi looked at Huo Jingxuan, who was clearly suspicious, and pointed at the Beijing Film Academy to ask.

"What if the Beijing Film Academy professor who has been by your side for many years disappeared? Would Your Highness ask me the same question?"

Huo Jingxuan was slightly taken aback, and his gaze toward Jiang Xi instantly became complicated.

"Chuntao is indeed just a maid, but she is also the last old friend I have left. Her whereabouts are unknown, can't I even ask her?"

Jiang Xi seemed genuinely heartbroken, with a faint blush creeping up the corners of her eyes.

Huo Jingxuan frowned deeply, knowing full well that this woman was likely putting on an act in front of him.

But for some reason, a feeling of unease still arose in my heart.

"I have already sent people to Anyang to search for them. I will inform you immediately if there is any news!"

Jiang Xi looked up in surprise: "Didn't you want to kill me?"

Huo Jingxuan sneered: "One thing at a time. I will do what I promised. As for your life, I will take it anyway!"

As he spoke, his chilling gaze, sharp as a knife, fell intentionally or unintentionally on Jiang Xixue's white neck.

Jiang Xi felt the threatening look in Huo Jingxuan's eyes. As soon as he left, she immediately covered her neck in fear.

No, Huo Jingxuan is a deep and calculating person. He might just be saying this to appease me.

Once he finds all three medicinal herbs, he might change his attitude, so I need to quickly think of a way to escape.

Chun Tao is stranded in Anyang alone, facing numerous dangers. We need to find a way to bring her back first!

Thinking this, Jiang Xi couldn't wait a moment longer and went back to plan how to escape.

It's definitely not feasible for her to go to Anyang to find Chun Tao alone. Not to mention that Yang Xuerou would immediately send someone to kill her if she left the house.

She was a beautiful woman, and although she was strong, she had no martial arts skills, so she inevitably encountered villains along the way.

Most importantly, she had no money and was basically unable to move an inch.

Therefore, the most important thing right now is to quickly inform Lu Jian that he is trapped in the Regent's Palace, so that Lu Jian can send someone to accompany him to Anyang.

Thinking this, Jiang Xi wrote a note that very night and took out the hairpin from her sleeve.

Remove the head of the hairpin; the inside is actually hollow.

She tucked the note into the hairpin, closed it again, and the metal made a very faint cracking sound.

Bai Lu, who was sleeping next to her, was woken up. She sat up, still wrapped in her blanket, rubbed her eyes sleepily, and complained.

"What are you doing so late at night instead of sleeping?"

Jiang Xi quickly hid the hairpin in her sleeve.

"What are you hiding?" Bai Lu immediately became alert, grabbed Jiang Xi's wrist, and forced her to hand over the item.

"No, I didn't hide anything." Jiang Xi looked guilty, shook off Bai Lu's hand, put on her shoes, got out of bed, and walked into the yard.

Bai Lu immediately chased after him: "I clearly saw you hide something in your sleeve just now. Confess honestly, did you steal it?"

"I didn't!" Jiang Xi insisted that she hadn't hidden anything.

"Let me see!" Bai Lu grabbed Jiang Xi's wrist and pulled hard.

With a clatter, a pure silver hairpin carved with a peony fell out.

Jiang Xi immediately tried to pick it up, but Bai Lu was one step ahead and snatched the hairpin away, holding it in her hand.

"Still saying you didn't? What's this? Such an exquisite hairpin, you must have stolen it, right?"

Jiang Xi feigned panic, covered Bai Lu's mouth, and pinned her against the wall: "Shh, don't make a sound!"

Seeing Jiang Xi's panic, Bai Lu became even more certain of her guess.

After all, how could a newly arrived low-ranking maid have such valuable things on her?

"This hairpin was given to me by the wife of my previous master. I really didn't steal it!" Jiang Xi argued.

Bai Lu squinted and asked, "Your previous master? Who was your previous master?"

"It is... from the family of Lord Lu of the Military Command. I used to serve Lord Lu's wife, and this hairpin was a gift from her!"

"Since it was given to you by Madam Lu, why are you hiding it?" Bai Lu didn't believe it.

"I made a mistake and was kicked out of the Lu family by Madam Lu. At that time, all the rewards I received were confiscated."

"I secretly hid this hairpin. It's jewelry from the Jade Pavilion, and it's only silver, so I'm sure Madam Lu didn't notice!"

Jiang Xi gave a hesitant explanation.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lu was overcome with greed: "How dare you covet the master's reward! Be careful, or I will expose you!"

Jiang Xi feigned fear: "No, no, no, since you've discovered it, I'll give you this hairpin. As long as you don't expose me, everything is negotiable!"

After all, it was jewelry from the Jade Pavilion, and it was made of pure silver, so it was worth at least two taels of silver.

Bai Lu was immediately tempted, and put the hairpin away in her hand: "You're smart to be so understanding. If you had been this agreeable earlier, you wouldn't have suffered so much!"

Jiang Xi hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, but this hairpin shouldn't be shown to others. It would be safer to exchange it for silver!"

Bai Lu rolled her eyes: "Do you need to teach me that? Go to sleep!"

As he spoke, he gave Jiang Xi a shove on the shoulder and warned her fiercely, "Don't tell anyone!"