“Mingyan… Huanxiu…” Jixiang repeated in a low voice, then looked up: “Princess, this servant remembers that Noble Consort Shu mentioned their childhood names, and these are exactly them. It seems we’ve truly found them.”

“Indeed we have found them…” Yunyi whispered, then said: “Did anyone ask the madam of Apricot Flower Tower?”

“The people sent by Marquis Li were afraid of being detected, so they didn’t ask the madam directly. But they’ve already sent people to monitor her closely. As soon as the time comes, they can arrest her for questioning at any moment.”

Yunyi nodded slightly: “What about the Crown Prince’s side? Any movements?”

“No, everything is as usual. However, these past two days, I heard that Li Mi fellow has arrived, and the Crown Prince has arranged for him to live in the mansion next to ours.”

“I’ve heard about this matter. It’s nothing significant.” As she spoke, a maid brought in the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. After drinking it, Yunyi said: “Have someone prepare the carriage. I want to enter the palace to see Noble Consort Shu.”

Ruyi hesitated: “But Imperial Physician Li said that Princess, your pregnancy is unstable and you need to rest in bed more, avoiding fatigue.”

“It’s just a trip to the palace. With a carriage for transportation, how tiring could it be?” Seeing Ruyi still standing there without moving, she added: “Enough, I know my limits. Just go prepare.”

Ruyi reluctantly agreed. When she returned, she had already arranged for a carriage to wait at the prince’s residence gate. Yunyi signaled for Jixiang to help her up and headed outside. Just as she left the Qiluo Pavilion, she encountered Jiang Caiping coming toward her. The latter looked at her and said: “Sister, are you going out?” During this period, Jiang Caiping had been living in the Prince of Qin’s residence. Although their relationship wasn’t as close as before, it had improved considerably with Yunyi, and she was willing to address her as sister.

“Yes, I have some matters to attend to.” Saying this, Yunyi asked: “Do you have something?”

Jiang Caiping took out a butterfly-shaped sachet with fine needlework from her sleeve: “Nothing much. I just know that Sister hasn’t been sleeping well these days, so I made a sachet for calming the mind and promoting sleep, hoping it might help improve Sister’s rest.”

Jiang Caiping’s kindness moved Yunyi. She took the sachet and said: “Thank you, Sister. I’ll carry this sachet with me at all times.”

Jiang Caiping nodded: “Then I won’t disturb Sister anymore.” As she spoke, she stepped aside and watched Yunyi’s group leave. If Yunyi had turned back for a glance, she would have surely seen the struggle in Jiang Caiping’s eyes. Unfortunately, she didn’t…

Yunyi got off the carriage at the palace gate and made her way to Zhaoqing Palace. When she arrived, Lady Lin was still taking her afternoon nap, and the palace servants didn’t dare disturb her. After waiting for a while, they were finally able to meet.

Lady Lin, supported by Jichun’s hand, sat down in a chair and stroked her cheek, which still held a trace of sleepiness: “Have you been waiting long?”

Yunyi set down the goat milk in her hand and smiled: “I just arrived.”

Lady Lin smiled and took a sip of tea: “Last time I heard you were pregnant, I had someone send some things over. Did you receive them?”

Yunyi leaned forward slightly in her chair: “I received them. Thank you for Your Majesty’s thoughtful care.”

Lady Lin said warmly: “Apart from Jichun and the others, I’m closest to you. If I don’t think of you, who should I think of?” As she spoke, she changed the subject: “You came to the palace specifically today. Is it about the Apricot Flower Tower matter?”

Yunyi nodded: “Your Majesty indeed knows. What are Your Majesty’s plans? When do you intend to summon that madam for questioning?”

Lady Lin pondered for a moment: “My brother’s letter also asked the same thing. In my opinion, the sooner the better, to avoid complications from delay.”

Yunyi had the same thought. After nodding, she asked: “How is the situation in the palace recently?” Since becoming pregnant, due to her somewhat unstable condition, Yunyi had been recuperating quietly at the residence and rarely entered the palace.

Mentioning this, Lady Lin sighed: “It’s still the same as before. Those two, Yin and Zhang, have gained His Majesty’s complete favor, with no one able to match their prominence. I heard that His Majesty intends to promote their ranks again.”

Ruyi said in surprise: “Promote them again? They’ve only been in the palace for half a year. If this continues, won’t they soon be able to leave the Yeting Palace and have their own palace?”

Jichun said irritably: “Who says they won’t? No one knows what fox-like methods they used to bewitch His Majesty so completely. I heard he hasn’t visited Shangyang Palace for half a month straight, which has never happened before. I heard Shangyang Palace has been quite anxious lately.”

Jixiang sneered: “They can only be pleased for a few more days. Once we summon the madam and the girls from Apricot Flower Tower to testify, forget about imperial favor – they might not even keep their lives.”

Yunyi glanced at her: “If Your Majesty has no objections, after I return, I’ll immediately summon that madam for questioning.”

Lady Lin nodded: “Does the Prince of Qin know about this matter?”

Yunyi sighed softly and shook her head: “The Prince of Qin is honest-hearted and extremely considerate of his brotherly feelings with the Crown Prince. Without solid evidence, how could he believe it?”

“That’s true.” Lady Lin pondered for a moment: “In that case, after you question her, hand the madam over to my brother. Let him handle everything, and you shouldn’t interfere anymore.”

Yunyi hadn’t expected her to suddenly say this and asked in surprise: “Your Majesty, you’re…”

Lady Lin raised her hand to interrupt her: “I don’t distrust you, but I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. After all, you’re handling this matter behind the Prince of Qin’s back. If he asks about it afterward, how will you answer?”

Yunyi remained silent. She had naturally thought of this point, but she wasn’t someone with weak resolve. Having already decided to do this, no matter how difficult it became, she would continue and never give up halfway.

Before Yunyi could speak, Lady Lin continued: “Moreover, this matter is just about presenting the facts before His Majesty. It’s not anything difficult – there’s no need for both of us to appear before His Majesty together. It’s settled then.”

Seeing Lady Lin speak this way, Yunyi no longer declined and nodded: “Very well, everything will be as Your Majesty says.”

Lady Lin smiled slightly: “A while ago, the Imperial Food Bureau sent a box of blood bird’s nest, which is perfect for pregnant women to nourish their bodies. Liuxia, go get it for Consort Yang.”

Before Liuxia could respond, Yunyi declined: “Blood bird’s nest is so precious. Your Majesty should keep it for yourself.”

“I still have some left. Just take it.” Before Yunyi could decline again, Liuxia joked: “Consort Yang, please accept it. Otherwise, this servant fears I’ll have to make another trip to the Prince of Qin’s residence.”

Hearing her words, Jixiang blinked her bright black and white eyes curiously: “Why is that?”

Liuxia smiled: “Because if Consort Yang refuses to accept it here, Your Majesty will surely send this servant to deliver it to the Prince of Qin’s residence. Our Majesty never takes back her words once spoken.”

Lady Lin pretended to be angry: “You impudent girl, your boldness grows by the day. How dare you discuss your mistress to her face?”