What to do if you receive the wrong package?

That same day, Yu Zechuan wrote down the matter in a letter and sent it to the Chu King's residence.

Gu Yan: Why does this scene seem a little familiar?

Shen Mujin: Back then, because of the Qiqi incident, didn't Jiang Si also write a personal letter to the young master?

Gu Yan: Yes, yes, look how good the young master's relationship with us is now. Maybe His Highness the Prince of Chu will join us in the future.

Su Huaiqi rolled her eyes. "What are you thinking? Wake up, it's still daylight."

In less than a day, they received a reply from the King of Chu. Gu Yan and the others were very satisfied with his reply time, which was at least better than Yu Zechuan's back then.

After opening the envelope, Yu Zechuan discovered that the King of Chu had agreed to their request to meet, but warned them to be careful and avoid attracting attention.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Yan and his two companions became even more excited. To ensure they were in good spirits when meeting Zhou Yueran the next day, the three of them immediately separated, refusing to linger together. That evening, they returned to their respective rooms early to avoid a repeat of their boisterous conversation from the previous night.

Going to bed early really does make you wake up early.

The next day, just as dawn broke, the three girls were already dressed and sitting in the dining room, waiting for breakfast.

Jiang Si and Yu Zechuan, who arrived later, couldn't help but smile as they looked at Gu Yan and the others, who were completely different from yesterday morning.

After a brief discussion, the group split into two. Yu Zechuan and Su Huaiqi entered through the front door as usual, while Jiang Si led Gu Yan and Shen Mujin through the back door.

The two teams successfully met at the Chu King's residence, and the Chu King even sent someone to take the three girls directly to Zhou Yuran's residence.

Zhou Yuran stood at the courtyard gate early, anxiously peering out. Soon she saw Su Huaiqi leading two unfamiliar but strangely familiar people quickly towards her.

"Moon Girl!"

"Ayan, Mumu!"

The four girls instantly hugged each other tightly, and Zhou Yuran's tears rolled down her cheeks as she embraced Su Huaiqi and the other two. At that moment, she felt incredibly warm and at peace.

Su Huaiqi smiled and patted Zhou Yuran's shoulder gently, saying, "Yuran, don't cry, we've finally found each other."

Zhou Yuran raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes, and smiled as she said, "Yes, Ayan, Mumu, I really miss you both."

Gu Yan and Shen Mujin wiped away their tears and looked at Zhou Yuran with bright smiles. Shen Mujin said softly, "Yuran, we've been missing you all this time. It's so wonderful to finally see you again."

Gu Yan continued, "Yes, Yueya, we will never be separated again. We will always be by your side."

"That's right, that's right. Once we bring Hua Bao out of the girls' academy again, the five of us will be all together, and no one will leave anyone else." Su Huaiqi said with a lot of pride, clenching his fist and shaking it by his ear.

The courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter as the four girls talked and shared snippets of their lives. Zhou Yuran felt an unprecedented happiness, which gradually calmed her previously anxious heart.

"Yueya, Qiqi also told us a bit about your situation. His Highness the Prince of Chu... he sounds like he has the potential to be a leading man. You're not going to be involved in something..."

Gu Yan was interrupted by Zhou Yuran before he could finish speaking.

"Stop! Stop your unrealistic fantasies. Since I moved into the palace, I've only seen the King of Chu three times, and twice of those were just glimpses from afar, only getting a general outline."

“Poor child, who would believe that someone living in the Chu Prince’s mansion doesn’t recognize the Chu Prince? No wonder you don’t know why you were brought to the mansion.” Shen Mujin reached out and touched Zhou Yuran’s little head, her eyes filled with pity.

"I know, I know, I know now!" Zhou Yuran quickly raised her hand to refute, while protecting her head.

"Stop touching it, or you really won't grow taller."

"Hahahaha!" Hearing Zhou Yuran's aggrieved self-talk, the other three burst into laughter without any restraint.

In comparison, Zhou Yuran's original height was indeed half a head shorter than Shen Mujin's.

"It's okay. You're not tall in modern times anyway. Just continue with the cute little girl route you're familiar with."

"..." That was a good way to comfort you, but don't try that next time.

"Yesterday, the King of Chu suddenly summoned me and told me the reason. But what Mu Mu said makes sense; it really was the first time I had met the King of Chu face to face yesterday." By the end, Zhou Yuran felt a little pathetic herself.

"So, so, why did the King of Chu bring you back?"

"Yes, yes, is the King of Chu handsome?"

"..." Zhou Yuran was momentarily at a loss as to whose question to answer first.

"You can see what Ayan's problem is for yourself later. I wouldn't dare comment on someone else's turf. If someone is monitoring me, I'm finished."

Gu Yan felt that Zhou Yuran's words made a lot of sense. The Chu Prince's mansion was such an important place, and given the Chu Prince's status as a prince, it was normal for him to have a few secret guards or shadow guards.

Thinking of this, Gu Yan immediately stood up, put his hands together above his head, and whispered to the four corners of the room, "Brother Shadow Guard, I was just curious for a moment. I hope you will listen carefully and forget what I just said."

The shadow guard on the roof beam felt somewhat helpless, but he couldn't say anything and could only continue to keep watch silently.

Su Huaiqi pulled Gu Yan back, "The shadow guards are working hard, don't disturb them. Just in case, let's be careful when we chat later."

"Qiqi, are you stupid? Don't you think your instructions will be heard by the Shadow Guards?" Gu Yan sat back down, looking at Su Huaiqi with disdain.

"I think this handsome, skilled, and capable shadow guard will certainly not mind my little bit of advice."

"..." As expected, Qiqi is still the best at flattery.

Seeing that the topic was about to veer off course again, Shen Mujin said directly, "Alright, you two, listen to what Yueya has to say."

"Moon Girl, what did the King of Chu say to you yesterday?"

Zhou Yuran cleared her throat and said in a slightly solemn voice, "The reason why the Prince of Chu kept me in the palace is actually to protect me."

"Protect you?" Gu Yan asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I understand. You must have found out about the fake Su Huaiqi and wanted to prevent the Su family from silencing you, so the King of Chu protected you. After all, the Su family wouldn't dare to confront the King of Chu directly." Su Huaiqi seemed to understand the King of Chu's actions.

“Qiqi is right, but not entirely right.” Zhou Yuran nodded, then shook her head.

Su Yuanming is a member of the Su family, but Su Huaiqi is not, so she was unaware that the Su family was affiliated with the Empress. This is why the Su family was able to so brazenly send Su Yuwei into the brothel to replace Su Huaiqi. The Wanfeng Chaohuang Tower was originally under the Empress's control, and this small matter was only able to proceed so smoothly because the Empress turned a blind eye.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this is the power of capital." Su Huaiqi stroked his chin and couldn't help but sigh.

Although the Wanfeng Chaohuang Tower was under the Empress's supervision, she harbored great ambitions. She used the tower's name to select women from prominent families connected to her, and then married them off to powerful and influential families or sects that would benefit her.

Over time, the Empress's sphere of influence grew larger and larger.

It is said that power is a den of greed. The Empress actually harbored treacherous intentions, wanting to seize the throne and install her own son, the Second Prince, as the heir. In return, she could truly become the Empress Dowager, second only to the Emperor.

"Wait, Yueya, did His Highness the Prince of Chu tell you all this?" Gu Yan was somewhat shocked. These were all royal secrets. How could the Prince of Chu so easily tell a strange woman?

"No, that's not it." Zhou Yuran blinked her innocent big eyes. "His Highness Prince Chu only said that I am very unsafe right now. Not only the Su family and the Fang family, but even the people around the Empress want my life. He told me to stay in the Prince's residence."

"Then where did you get all that information from? You didn't... make it all up, did you?"

"Oh dear, you underestimate my intelligence capabilities! I came from a women's college. Who's most prone to gossip? Women, of course. So the women's college is practically a paradise for all sorts of gossip. And I even know some gossip about the King of Chu. Want to hear it?"

"Isn't it inappropriate to gossip about other people's turf?" Although Gu Yan said it was inappropriate, his eyes revealed curiosity.

"It's alright, our handsome, skilled, and capable shadow guard in the house certainly wouldn't talk nonsense."

"..." The shadow guard, perched on the roof beam, silently and righteously declared to himself: He couldn't be fooled by these sweet words. Even if what these girls said was true, he still had to fulfill his duty. Of course, he could choose not to report some "unworthy" information; the girls' unintentional remarks were not worth mentioning.