When the court had major affairs or the provincial governments issued decrees, in order to ensure that all governmental departments were informed, official gazettes would be printed and distributed, delivered to officials’ hands every few days.

Previously, when Jiang Xuening sat in this side hall to calm her mind, Xie Wei would often be over there handling official documents.

But he had always been a meticulous person—whatever he brought with him, he would take away with him, never being careless enough to leave something behind like this, specifically leaving behind just this one page of the gazette…

Had he intentionally left it here for her to see?

Jiang Xuening couldn’t delve deeper into speculation.

After the young eunuch announced through the door, she read this page of the gazette carefully two more times before walking to the writing desk. She gently picked up the green jade paperweight on top and pressed this page of the gazette together with other used or unused sheets of paper beneath it.

—

The next day, they left the palace.

Although many things had happened in the palace these past days—even Grand Princess Leyang remained confined and unable to leave—the companion readers had finally made it through to their rest day to leave the palace and return home. Since they were all not very old, no matter how low their spirits had been, they inevitably lifted somewhat, rarely showing some cheerful smiles.

You Yue was especially delighted.

These past days, she had already learned quite a bit about government salt and private salt from Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, feeling there was great profit to be gained from it. Before entering the palace, she had unexpectedly obtained secret information from the bastard child born of that bitch You Fangyin, and had already instructed people to search for a person named Ren Weizhi in the capital, while also investigating whether the matter was true or false.

Ten days had now passed.

You Yue believed that once she returned home, there would most likely be astonishing good news waiting for her!

“I must bid farewell to all the elder sisters again. Who would have thought that though ten days in the palace sounds long, it passes quickly. Now that I must part with everyone temporarily, I feel somewhat reluctant.” Though she spoke these words, You Yue’s eyes and brows were full of smiles. “I only hope these two rest days pass quickly so I can return to the palace soon to accompany the Grand Princess in her studies and reunite with all the sisters.”

Almost none of them had packed any luggage.

First, it was only a temporary two-day rest. Second, after experiencing the incident where Jiang Xuening nearly got into trouble because of a piece of paper, no one dared bring anything when entering or leaving the palace, so they all traveled light.

Early in the morning, they headed toward Shunzhen Gate.

Everyone wore different expressions, and basically no one responded to You Yue’s words.

However, Yao Rongrong furrowed her drooping eyebrows and sighed worriedly, saying: “Don’t laugh at me, sisters, but I’m timid. The affairs in the palace are truly terrifying. I originally thought the lives of noble people were all as they wished, but didn’t expect it to be fraught with danger at every step. Alas, even the Grand Princess and Prince Linzi with such noble status would be punished…”

As she spoke, her voice grew softer.

As if afraid of being overheard by others.

Jiang Xuening happened to be walking not far beside her. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but glance at her, trying her best to recall. She could only remember that this timid Yao Rongrong, who didn’t know how to speak properly, had also entered the palace in her previous life.

Only she was neither favored nor bullied.

If she truly feared the “dangerous at every step” days in the palace, why enter the palace at all?

Thinking this, her gaze involuntarily turned toward Xiao Shu—

This woman who had nearly become the ultimate winner of palace struggles in the future.

As usual, she wore luxurious, deep-colored garments with a graceful bearing, appearing calm and composed, possessing the kind of imposing manner that could only be cultivated by great aristocratic families.

Jiang Xuening clearly remembered that in her previous life, she had stubbornly wanted to be above others, stubbornly wanted to become empress, so she abandoned Yan Lin, seized Jiang Xuehui’s marriage match, and through painstaking schemes married Shen Jie.

Though the entire process seemed arduous, there were no real dangers or obstacles.

In this life, her connection with Shen Jie had already grown shallow, yet she had instead encountered traps and perils she hadn’t experienced in her previous life. Was it because she had changed in this life, making the hidden schemer feel threatened and thus move to frame her? Or had there been such a trap in her previous life as well, but for some reason she didn’t know about it, or through some twist of fate the other party hadn’t managed to succeed in framing her?

Xiao Shu said coolly: “The Grand Princess and Prince Linzi are of imperial blood. It was only because the Empress Dowager and His Majesty were momentarily furious that they imposed punishment. How could they be compared with others?”

Yao Rongrong immediately fell silent.

However, Jiang Xuening’s mind turned, and she deliberately revealed a smile, adding: “Miss Xiao speaks truly. Not to mention the noble status of imperial blood—the punishment is only to make them think things through clearly and won’t be taken seriously. Even if they were truly confined and made to kneel for a few days, the Grand Princess might feel stifled, but Prince Linzi might not. With the winter solstice season approaching, it’s the perfect time to stay in one’s residence and paint pictures of winter resilience. His Highness might be quite pleased to have a few days of leisure.”

Xiao Shu had originally been walking calmly ahead, but when she heard the three words “pictures of winter resilience,” her steps suddenly halted. She couldn’t help but look back at Jiang Xuening and smile, saying: “Miss Jiang the Second certainly knows a great deal.”

Although Shen Jie was the noble Prince Linzi and was later even established as the “Imperial Prince,” he had never been very enthusiastic about state affairs. With his gentle nature, he had always preferred literature and arts. He had an extremely little-known hobby, which was painting pictures of winter resilience in the winter months. She had only learned of this after marrying Shen Jie in her previous life. Ordinary people would find it very difficult to know such details so clearly.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Shu also knew this so clearly.

One must know that at this time, Shen Jie hadn’t yet been established as Imperial Prince! Moreover, she had only heard that Xiao Shu was close with Shen Zhiyi, never that Xiao Shu was also very familiar with Shen Jie…

Thinking this, Jiang Xuening sneered coldly in her heart, but on the surface, she curved her lips warmly and gently, wearing an expression as if she didn’t quite understand Xiao Shu’s meaning.

Xiao Shu said nothing more.

Before long, the palace gate was near at hand, and the carriages and sedans from various residences waiting to receive people were all waiting outside.

Tang’er and Lian’er hadn’t seen their young miss for a full ten days.

The two of them were both waiting in front of the carriage.

When Jiang Xuening emerged from the palace gate and saw the two of them, she was taken aback: these two maids had already put on warm, thick padded jackets, their hair and accessories all tidily arranged. They looked fair-skinned with rosy complexions, their faces bearing joyful smiles. As soon as they saw her, they happily waved their hands.

“Second Miss, weren’t you tired from studying in the palace?”

“We haven’t seen you in so long, we really missed you!”

Heaven knows how comfortable these two head maids had been during the days without Jiang Xuening in the residence. Their monthly wages were paid as usual, they didn’t have to serve anyone, and they didn’t worry about their miss constantly clashing with the madam and the eldest miss. At first, they weren’t quite used to being so relaxed and leisurely, but after three days, once they got used to it, they truly felt invigorated and had excellent appetites. Their backs didn’t ache, their legs didn’t hurt, and their hair didn’t fall out in large clumps anymore.

The question was—

Was there anything more delightful in the world than serving a young miss who was going to the palace as a companion reader?

This was why Lian’er and Tang’er were so happy to see Jiang Xuening now—because they only needed to serve her for two days, and soon they would welcome another full ten days of “extended leave,” and this situation could continue for a full half year.

Simply heaven-sent!

One came forward to help her onto the carriage, while the other attentively and carefully prepared tea.

Jiang Xuening had originally been somewhat puzzled, but after sitting down and thinking carefully, she understood the key to it all. Tang’er was better, being somewhat more reserved and composed, not so obvious. But Lian’er’s eyes were nearly squinted into crescents, just short of having the word “happy” written on her face.

She couldn’t help but laugh along.

She deliberately teased them, saying: “So happy to see your young miss return? Seems you’ve missed me terribly. Perhaps I should inform the Princess that I simply won’t serve as a companion reader anymore and stay home every day, so you won’t have to miss me so much.”

Tang’er: “…”

Lian’er: “Ah? No, entering the palace as a companion reader is such a good opportunity—”

After finishing her sentence, she met Jiang Xuening’s half-smiling gaze. The back of her head immediately tingled as she realized her mistake. She quickly covered her own mouth, her face showing a pitiful expression.

Jiang Xuening leaned against the pillow cushioned in the carriage, watching their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all displayed on their faces. Only at this moment did she feel a long-absent sense of relaxation.

A breeze lifted the carriage curtain.

Following that corner with her gaze, as the coachman shook his whip and reins to turn the carriage around, the majestic Forbidden City stood in the thick, heavy morning fog, just passing by this narrow corner before her window, gradually disappearing—

This brief, peaceful time as a companion reader had finally come to an end.

—

On the way back to the Jiang residence in the carriage, Jiang Xuening asked about recent events in the residence.

These two maids, Lian’er and Tang’er, enjoyed their leisure and ease, but they had also inquired clearly about everything they should know, not missing a single matter.

When Jiang Xuening asked, they recounted each item to her.

Once she entered the palace, everyone in the residence was all smiles with joy, especially those servants who had previously suffered her oppression and difficulties—each was as happy as if celebrating the New Year.

Meng Shi also rarely had some peaceful days.

As for Jiang Xuehui, she had received some invitations from young ladies of princely and noble families. As usual, it was listening to music, appreciating flowers, composing poetry. Apart from being inquired about marriage prospects by quite a few wealthy and noble families in the capital, there was no difference from the past.

However, as Jiang Xuening listened, she lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, only to see pedestrians on the street all walking hurriedly, wishing they could bury their heads in the ground, as if afraid of provoking something.

One must know that the capital was a prosperous place—how could it be so desolate?

The Yongyi Marquis Residence was honored and built near Zhuque Gate. With pavilions, towers, and high walls extending continuously, it occupied half a street. The Jiang family’s carriage returning to the residence would also pass by the end of this street.

However, at this moment, what met her eyes were soldiers arrayed in formation, guarding both ends of the street. Each wore heavy armor, held swords and halberds, with stern faces, and pairs of hawk-like eyes scanning the passing pedestrians.

As soon as the Jiang family’s carriage passed by, someone stared at it intently.

Only after seeing the Jiang family emblem on the carriage and recognizing its origins did they withdraw their gaze and not immediately stop them.

Jiang Xuening remained silent.

Seeing her expression, Tang’er carefully lowered her voice and said: “A few days ago, heavy troops suddenly arrived and surrounded the Yongyi Marquis Residence. Our Jiang family received the news and was all startled. The master even got up in the night and sent people to inquire about the situation. However, it’s said this matter is extremely serious. Moreover, recently in the capital, there have been many vagrant troublemakers wandering about, secretly posting notices on city gates and at the doors of various shops during the night. All of them are written with treasonous words. Both the Shuntian Prefecture and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have been mobilized, arresting people everywhere. The prisons are all full, and it’s said they’re all cult members of something called the ‘Heaven Cult’…”

The Heaven Cult!

It was said this cult had existed for several decades. Initially, it was just like the Buddhist and Daoist religions, but later it unexpectedly absorbed many vagrants and wandering knights. Many idle ruffians and down-and-out people from the jianghu underworld all joined it, using “Heaven” as their banner, worshipping the cult leader, and following all the cult leader’s commands in all their actions.

Twenty years ago, Prince Pingnan had rebelled in alliance with the Heaven Cult.

But after Prince Pingnan’s defeat, this mysterious cult leader directly led his people in retreat from the capital, and the Heaven Cult’s power also diminished considerably under the court’s suppression.

However, the Heaven Cult’s influence spread widely, and there were two people beside the cult leader with divine calculation abilities.

One was older, called “Master Gongyi.”

The other appeared even less frequently, only known as “Hermit Dujun.”

Although few had seen them, they could often anticipate the enemy’s moves in advance. Though the court’s power was great and its military force strong, it was often one move behind. Moreover, the Heaven Cult’s members were mostly ordinary people, and their incense halls were concealed, so the court had never been able to completely eradicate the Heaven Cult. In recent years, as the court’s actions slowed somewhat, the Heaven Cult had begun operating again in the Jiangnan region far from the capital, developing its influence.

Were they now staging a comeback?

Jiang Xuening only knew that in her previous life, she had encountered attacks by Heaven Cult members on several occasions, and Xie Wei had later almost completely uprooted the entire Heaven Cult. However, she knew very little about this mysterious cult and was even less clear about what they wanted to do now.

She only knew that the Yongyi Marquis Residence was about to face trouble.

The sudden reappearance of the Heaven Cult’s forces in the capital was definitely not a good thing. She feared it would be used by someone with ulterior motives to make an issue of it!

Raising her hand to press against her temples, she felt a string inside tightening, tightening painfully. She asked: “Is Father in the residence?”

Tang’er carefully replied: “Yes, knowing that Miss would return from the palace today, he’s specifically waiting in the residence to speak with you.”

Jiang Xuening nodded: “When we return to the residence, I’ll first pay my respects to Father. You two go help me inquire about news from the Qingyuan Earl Residence, especially regarding You Fangyin.”