After being reborn, I locked up all the scumbags and bitches in one nest.

Qin Yue and the others said that Qin Jiu's second uncle had been keeping an eye on Linglong Pavilion for a long time. So when did they start keeping an eye on it?

Is it recently?

Or was she already planning something from the very first time she met Qin Jiu?

Was the attack on Linglong Pavilion related to his second uncle?

Although Qin Jiu disguised his appearance, those who knew him well could still recognize his true face.

Qin Wanyou didn't say any of this, fearing that Qin Jiu might alert the enemy in a fit of anger.

Qin Wanyou didn't stay at Linglong Pavilion for long before returning to the Prince's Mansion.

Not long after returning to the Prince's residence, Qin Wanyou received a message from the palace that the Empress had summoned her to the palace.

The next morning, Qin Wanyou and Granny Wang arrived at the door and saw Murong Xiao already waiting.

It seems he was waiting specifically for Qin Wanyou.

Yesterday, it was a palace maid from the Empress's side who came to summon her, only saying that Qin Wanyou was to enter the palace, without mentioning that she should be with Murong Xiao.

So once they got into the carriage, Qin Wanyou asked, "Is Your Highness also going to the palace?"

Murong Xiao nodded, noticing the doubt in Qin Wanyou's eyes. "His Majesty summoned me to the palace to discuss matters."

Qin Wanyou blinked, indicating that she understood.

Murong Xiao then asked with concern, "Are your injuries any better?"

Qin Wanyou replied calmly, "Much better, thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Perhaps sensing Qin Wanyou's slight nervousness, Murong Xiao comforted her, "Don't worry, Her Majesty the Empress is a very kind person in private, and she won't make things difficult for you; if you encounter any ignorant people, don't be afraid, just protect yourself, and if anything happens, have someone come to the Imperial Study to inform me, I'll take care of it."

Qin Wanyou nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Hearing Qin Wanyou's distant tone, Murong Xiao sighed helplessly. What exactly did the Right Prime Minister's Mansion do to her that made her so wary of everyone?

The two then closed their eyes to rest.

After entering the palace gates, the two went their separate ways.

Led by palace servants, Qin Wanyou and Granny Wang soon arrived at the Empress's Xianning Palace.

The Empress had been extremely busy with the Crown Prince's marriage before.

He was reclining in a rocking chair, dozing off under the gentle massage of Granny Zhou.

Suddenly, a palace maid came to report, "Your Highness, Princess An has arrived. Shall we summon her now?"

Empress Shangguan Ruxue slowly opened her eyes, unhurriedly, and raised her hand to signal Zhou Mama to stop.

Zhou Mama immediately stopped pressing her hand on the Empress's temple, bent down and stretched one arm in front of the Empress, while the other hand gently supported the Empress's arm.

The Empress helped Zhou Mama sit up, saying, "Let her in quickly."

Qin Wanyou hadn't been standing at the door for long when a palace maid from the Empress's side came to announce, "Greetings, Princess Consort An, please come in."

When Qin Wanyou arrived at Xianning Palace, she saw the Empress dressed casually, sitting in the main seat, with a palace maid gently fanning her beside her.

Qin Wanyou stepped forward and knelt down, "Qin Wanyou greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and good health."

When the Empress saw Qin Wanyou dressed in a simple yet elegant and noble outfit, she nodded slightly and thought to herself, "Not bad, youth is wonderful!"

"Get up quickly, no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Queen."

As soon as Qin Wanyou got up, the Empress glanced at Granny Zhou and then said to Qin Wanyou, "Sit down first."

Granny Zhou stepped forward and gestured for support.

After Qin Wanyou sat down, the palace maid immediately served tea.

The Empress looked at Qin Wanyou with a kind smile, "I didn't expect it to be so hot even though it's already late autumn. You must be tired from your journey. Have some tea to warm yourself up."

Qin Wanyou bowed her head respectfully and replied, "It's no trouble at all. May I ask what business Your Majesty has summoned Wanyou to the palace?"

The Empress shook her head. "No need to be nervous. It's nothing serious. It's just that we haven't seen each other for a long time. I've been busy with the Crown Prince's wedding these days, and I couldn't help but miss you and Prince An. I just wanted to talk to you. Are you both doing well?"

Qin Wanyou was surprised that the Empress would care about her and Prince An's affairs. "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Empress."

The Empress continued, “Although we are sisters-in-law, Prince An and the Crown Prince are not much different in age. I have always treated Prince An like my own son. Your marriage was indeed rushed because of Xiao’er’s health condition. I hope you will not hold a grudge against Xiao’er.”

Qin Wanyou looked apprehensive and immediately stood up, bowing her head and saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. I dare not."

The Empress waved her hand downwards, "Don't be nervous, sit down. I'm not saying anything to you, I'm just worried. I'm glad you're all alright."

After Qin Wanyou sat down, the Empress asked again, "How is Prince An's health being treated?"

Qin Wanyou thought of Murong Xiao's appearance and concluded that he must be recovering well. "With Doctor Luo here, he's being treated very well!"

The Queen nodded. "So, do you have any good news?"

Qin Wanyou was taken aback. What good news?

He looked at the Empress with some confusion.

The empress glanced at her stomach.

Qin Wanyou immediately understood, her face flushed slightly, she lightly touched her nose with a handkerchief, and lowered her head shyly, "Not yet."

The Empress saw Qin Wanyou's reaction and shook her head inwardly. It seemed that Xiao'er's health was still not good. She should inform the Emperor to send more "good" medicine to Prince An's residence.

However, he still comforted Qin Wanyou, saying, "Don't worry, you're still young and have plenty of time. You'll have it in the future."

Qin Wanyou lowered her head and did not respond.

If she and Murong Xiao were to have a relationship, Murong Xiao would be the one in a hurry.

Just as the Empress was about to ask something, she heard the eunuch outside shout loudly, "The Noble Consort Xian has arrived!"

The Empress immediately stopped talking and straightened her posture.

As soon as Consort Xian entered the palace, she went straight to the Empress and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I wish you a joyous occasion."

After bowing, she noticed Qin Wanyou was also there. "Princess An is here too."

Qin Wanyou rose and curtsied, "Greetings, Noble Consort Xian."

The Empress raised her hand. "No need for formalities, please sit down. What brings Consort Xian here?"

Qin Wanyou slowly sat down.

Consort Xian then spoke up, "Isn't the Empress's wedding the day after tomorrow? I've come to see if there's anything the Empress can help with?"

The Empress replied, "There's no need for that trouble. The Crown Prince's wedding is being handled by the Ministry of Rites, and preparations are almost complete. However, the First Prince still doesn't have a principal wife. I've heard that a new lady has recently entered his household, causing unrest in the inner court. Although many children bring many blessings, the First Prince's principal wife is still undecided, and his actions are somewhat damaging to his reputation. Consort Xian should keep a closer eye on the First Prince's affairs."

Speaking of this, Consort Xian felt a little angry. Seeing Qin Wanyou's dignified and virtuous appearance, she really regretted what she had done.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will warn you."

Then the group chatted about some trivial matters.

And the Imperial Study

When Murong Xiao arrived, he saw that Ye Junyang was already there. He was a little surprised. What had happened?

"I see you, Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities, get up and take a look at this."

The Emperor handed Murong Xiao a note.

Murong Xiao took a look, his pupils dilated, utterly shocked.

Is this... real?