Disease rights policy

"This humble servant failed in his duty of protection, causing Your Majesty to be frightened. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Yao Yuze waited at the entrance of Kunning Palace for a long time, but no one came out, and he became increasingly terrified.

"General, don't worry. Didn't that palace maid just come out and say that Her Majesty is alright? She's probably just angry." Pu Jing glanced at Yao Yuze's pale face and forced an ugly smile.

Yao Yuze ignored him, but when he looked up, Qiao Ran was strolling out of the room, and his eyebrows twitched.

"Greetings, General," Qiao Ran said with a forced smile and a perfunctory bow, "Your Majesty is unharmed. Tell the General to focus on catching the thief, and make sure to catch him alive."

Yao Yuze: "Has anyone in Kunning Palace seen where that thief went?"

"It's pitch black, who can see clearly?" Qiao Ran said, "Songju said it was a man, dressed all in black. Oh... the thief must be injured, you should hurry and catch him."

Yao Yuze choked on his breath, "Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"

"The Empress said not to alarm His Majesty for the time being."

Qiao Ran smiled brightly, but seeing that Yao Yuze's expression was getting worse, she was about to turn around and go inside.

Yao Yuze's voice then rang out, "Wherever you are, there will be no peace. You mustn't harm the Empress."

Qiao Ran paused, her anger flaring instantly. She turned around and sneered, "The thief sneaked into Kunning Palace right under the General's nose. Instead of reflecting on his own incompetence, the General has time to make sarcastic remarks to a weak woman like me. Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress is unharmed. If the thief had really injured or alarmed Her Majesty the Empress, the General's head would probably be hanging in the air tonight."

Pu Jing: "How dare you!!"

"Me, me, me? What do you mean, 'me'?" Qiao Ran rolled her eyes. "If you don't catch the thief tonight, you'll be getting a beating tomorrow."

Qiao Ran has now truly broken ties with Yao Yuze. In other people's eyes, she has the Empress as her backer and is fearless.

Yao Yuze wanted to make things difficult for her, but he had to consider the reputation of Kunning Palace. This rebuke left her feeling refreshed and happy as she returned to the palace.

Yao Yuze stared intently at her retreating figure for a long while before finally saying, "Capture her alive."

“Yes.” Pu Jing said, “General, this inner palace is like an impregnable fortress; the thieves will certainly not be able to escape.”

Yao Yuze's expression darkened. "If the thief hides in the palace of some noble person and injures someone, that would be a serious offense."

Pu Jing realized what was happening and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

After Qiao Ran returned, the Empress rested again. She reported the truth. The Empress rubbed her throbbing scalp and said after a while, "Xiao Ran, go around to each palace for me and see if everyone else is alright. Then pass on my order that all the ladies in each palace stay in their rooms and not come out to join in the commotion."

Qiao Ran agreed and went out again with two maids from Kunning Palace. She thought that the Empress was still kind-hearted after all. The thief might have been after her, but she still cared about the safety of others.

With the maids carrying lanterns, Qiao Ran visited several palaces, all of which reported that everything was fine. She noted them down one by one. The Imperial Guards had increased their patrols, so it seemed the person had not yet been caught.

"Which palace is that ahead?" Qiao Ran asked.

The maid glanced at it and replied, "It is Yuxiu Palace."

As darkness fell, Qiao Ran couldn't immediately make out that it was Consort Rong's residence.

The lights in Yuxiu Palace were also turned off. Qiao Ran knocked on the door for a long time but no one answered. Just as she was wondering about this, she suddenly heard voices behind her.

What are you doing, sneaking around like that?

Qiao Ran turned around, and Pu Jing's big face came close. She hid back a little and saw that there were many Imperial Guards behind Pu Jing. They must also be patrolling the palace one by one.

She said, "You guys walk around so quietly?"

“We’ve been here for ages, and all we’ve seen is you acting suspiciously. You must have something to hide,” Pu Jing frowned.

"Her Majesty the Empress has sent me to extend my greetings to the ladies of the palace."

Pu Jing gave up and waved for someone to knock on the door. After a few knocks, there was still no response.

"Perhaps she was sleeping too soundly," Qiao Ran muttered.

Pu Jing frowned. "No, each palace has eunuchs and maids on night watch. It's impossible for them all to be asleep. Besides, Consort Rong is very strict and doesn't tolerate any wrongdoing."

That's the strange thing. With such a loud noise outside, it's impossible that no one inside could hear it, yet no one has opened the door to Yuxiu Palace for so long. Could something have happened?

As Pu Jing knocked on the door, he instructed the person beside him, "Go and call the general."

"Yes."

The Imperial Guards, having received their orders, quickly disappeared in front of Yuxiu Palace.

Yao Yuze arrived shortly after, and upon seeing Qiao Ran, he instinctively frowned. "What's going on?"

Pu Jing said gravely, "The thieves may have entered Yuxiu Palace."

Yao Yuze paused, "Climb over the wall."

Although this move is highly inappropriate, it is the most feasible solution at the moment, and Yao Yuze will take responsibility if anything goes wrong.

The Imperial Guards behind them were about to step on each other's shoulders to enter Yuxiu Palace when the palace gates suddenly opened from the inside. A palace maid came out, and upon seeing the scene at the door, she looked surprised and quickly greeted them.

"General, what has happened?"

Yao Yuze asked coldly, "Why haven't you opened the door yet?"

The maid hesitated for a moment before stammering, "General, please forgive us. We were sleeping soundly and didn't hear anything."

"Isn't anyone on duty at night? We've been knocking on the door for so long, and we haven't heard a thing!" Pu Jing was furious.

The maid trembled with fright. "Consort Rong is a light sleeper. People are not allowed to move around in Yuxiu Palace at night. She never... takes night duty."

Yao Yuze's eyes darkened. "Since Her Majesty is a light sleeper, you are not allowed to keep watch at night. What kind of rules are these!"

The maidservant knelt down with a "plop," lowered her head, and remained silent.

"Where is Consort Rong?" Yao Yuze asked again.

The maid whispered, "Her Majesty must have just fallen asleep. She specially lit calming incense tonight, so she should be asleep now."

Yao Yuze looked up at Yuxiu Palace. There were few lights on at night. He lowered his dark eyes and said, "A thief has entered the palace. We need to investigate Yuxiu Palace. Go and inform Consort Rong."

Pu Jing and Qiao Ran glanced at Yao Yuze at the same time, it seemed that he still suspected there was a problem inside Yuxiu Palace.

The maid was startled. "General, please don't! Please forgive me!"

"What?" Yao Yuze said, "Can't I even go and report this to them?"

"I have disturbed Her Majesty without cause at night; she will likely be displeased, General..."

Everyone in the harem knew of Consort Rong's cruelty. The maid trembled as soon as she heard this, and refused to report it no matter what Pu Jing said.

Yao Yuze, naturally, could not lead the Imperial Guards to charge in recklessly, and his brows furrowed even more deeply.

A moment later, he fixed his gaze on Qiao Ran, making her feel a chill run down her spine. He said rapidly, "Since Consort Rong is also alright, I will return to Kunning Palace to report back."

She gave a stiff smile and tried to slip away, but Yao Yuze grabbed her by the back of her collar and pulled her back with such force that she almost suffocated.

"You, go in and see Consort Rong."

Qiao Ran: "...What nonsense is the General talking about?"

"The Empress sent you to pay your respects to the various palaces. Isn't it your duty to see Consort Rong?" Yao Yuze raised an eyebrow. "Hurry up and go."

"Was the General deaf just now?" Qiao Ran retorted. "Consort Rong is already asleep, so it's not appropriate to disturb her."

Those with sharp ears heard the Kunning Palace people's disregard for Yao Yuze and immediately cast curious glances their way.

Yao Yuze snorted and, not giving Qiao Ran a chance to argue, picked her up as if to throw her in. Qiao Ran endured it and managed not to retaliate.

Yao Yuze: "Are you going or not?"

Qiao Ran: "I'm not going!"

The two ended up arguing right there at the entrance of Yuxiu Palace. Qiao Ran was as slippery as an eel, and Yao Yuze couldn't do anything to her for the time being. Perhaps the noise startled the people inside, because another palace maid came out.

"Your Majesty sent me to inquire what has caused this argument outside Yuxiu Palace so late at night?"

quarrel?

Pu Jing automatically distanced himself from Yao Yuze. Yao Yuze had been arguing with a maid from Kunning Palace in front of Yuxiu Palace in the middle of the night. If word got out by tomorrow morning, the Imperial Guards would probably be full of speculation.

Yao Yuze released Qiao Ran and said, "I hereby inform the Imperial Guard that they have been ordered to arrest the thief. I beg Your Highness Rongfei to grant them permission."

The maid exclaimed in alarm, "Does the General mean that a thief has broken into Yuxiu Palace? That's terrible! I'll go tell Her Highness right away!"

"Wait a minute," Yao Yuze said again, "The thief's whereabouts are unknown, and we need to confirm Your Highness's safety."

“Well…” The maidservant, who served Consort Rong personally, was quite perceptive and changed the subject, saying, “The General is right. Then I’ll trouble this sister to go and explain things to Her Highness.”

"Who?" Qiao Ran's eyes widened. "Why is it me again?"

"Please come quickly, sister. Her Majesty will be resting soon."

It was like being forced into a corner. Qiao Ran was given another hard push by Yao Yuze, and had no choice but to follow the maid into Yuxiu Palace. She asked, "Is Consort Rong awake right now?"

"Awake."

Nothing happened, Yao Yuze is just being paranoid, and he even wants to drag himself into the vanguard, he's shameless!

Qiao Ran cursed under her breath as she entered Consort Rong's palace. She had sensed something was wrong with Consort Rong the last time she came, and since she seemed to know more unpleasant secrets than others, she was unwilling to come to Yuxiu Palace unless absolutely necessary.

"Greetings to Consort Rong."

Qiao Ran greeted her, and the figure inside the curtain stirred slightly. She replied calmly, "I am fine. Go back and tell Her Majesty the Empress, and also tell Yao Yuze's people to keep quiet and not disturb me."

"Yes."

"Alright, the palace is as impregnable as a fortress, yet thieves managed to get in. Yao Yuze probably doesn't have any real skills." Consort Rong suddenly said sarcastically.

Qiao Ran listened and subconsciously replied, "Yes."

Consort Rong laughed, lifted the curtain and looked over. Qiao Ran saw that she was dressed in plain clothes and had a beautiful face.

"You may leave. I am tired."

Qiao Ran was flustered by her laughter and got up to leave. In that instant, she suddenly smelled a strong smell of blood, and her body moved slightly, her back stiffening instantly.

The thief is in Yuxiu Palace, and right inside Consort Rong's bedchamber!

Qiao Ran's throat tightened, and her body stiffened. Her gaze involuntarily darted around, and she tried to pretend she didn't know anything and leave unscathed.

...It's better to avoid trouble.