Of all the people present, only the little eunuch didn't understand. Li mama and Eunuch Gu were both old men who'd served the empress dowager for decades. No matter how stupid they were, they'd seen their share of things after years in the palace. Both of them could figure out something fishy.
In the past, no one suspected Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru because Murong Wanru had been invited into the palace by the empress. Moreover, she hadn't been conferred a title, so no one had investigated.
But now the results of the investigation were enough to raise the empress dowager's suspicions. Since Murong Wanru was favored by Grand Concubine Yi, she should've gone to the Murong family. Even if Murong Wanru distanced herself from the Murong family because of her birth, the Murong family should've taken the initiative to come knocking on her door. Based on this relationship alone, the local officials should've provided for them well.
How did the Murong family end up without a single person?
Grand Concubine Yi doted on Murong Wanru so much and treated her like her own. Besides fate, was there any other reason?
As soon as the Daily Records of the Imperial Harem was delivered, the empress dowager flipped to the records of Grand Concubine Yi's birth. It recorded in detail the time Grand Concubine Yi had attended to her bed, the time of her wedding, the time of her birth, and the people who attended on the day of the birth.
The empress dowager read line by line until Li mama couldn't help but murmur, "Mistress, the Duke of Qin is older than Murong Wanru by a year."
The empress dowager didn't even raise her head as she said Coldly, "She only entered the palace when she was six. Who knows if she was really six then?"
At these words, Li mama and Eunuch Gu exchanged glances. It looked like they'd thought of the same thing as the empress dowager.
"Cuiping, Shuangxi, Imperial Physician Lin, Gui mama, Nanny Chen, Mama Su, …"
The Empress Dowager used her long finger to point out the names recorded on it one by one, not missing a single one. "Eunuch Gu, go and find all these people for me. I want to interrogate them personally. Remember, no one is allowed to know about this!"
Eunuch Gu glanced at it and silently committed it to memory. "Mistress, don't worry. Your servant knows what to do."
The empress dowager was very satisfied. She even gave the Daily Records of the Imperial Harem to Eunuch Gu. Her eyes flashed with a sharp light.
Grand Concubine Yi, Duke of Qin, you better pray for the protection of the heavens. Don't let me find out anything, or else … I'll make your Duke of Qin's estate disappear from Tianning!
Danger was unknowingly taking root and sprouting.
He didn't know if Long Fei Ye had found Mother Su. Han Yunxi had been very busy this month, and she didn't care too much about his background, so she didn't ask much.
She kept her promise to settle Murong Wanru down at Marquis Pingbei's estate, while Grand Concubine Yi kept her promise to no longer get involved in the affairs of the estate. Aside from the occasional visit to Marquis Pingbei's estate to see Murong Wanru, she spent most of her time in the Peony Courtyard.
With the help of Steward Xia and Zhao mama, Han Yunxi carried out bold and decisive reforms. She directly removed all of Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru's trusted aides and arranged for two reliable servant girls to serve in the Peony Courtyard.
She also dismissed most of the idle staff, leaving only a few servant girls for Zhao mama and a few pageboys for Steward Xia. As for the defense, that was Chu Xifeng's responsibility.
In the blink of an eye, the enormous organization had been reduced to ten or so people. It was a refreshing change that increased efficiency and reduced the need for cliques and factions. It also helped to unify the hearts of the people.
After taking care of these matters, Han Yunxi had one more important thing to do, and that was to move out of the Hibiscus Courtyard.
It was Long Fei Ye's territory, so no one was allowed to enter without his permission. In the past, Han Yunxi had lingered in the courtyard because she feared Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru would cause trouble for her. Now that the trouble was gone, she couldn't keep loitering.
After all, that fellow was not only obsessed with cleanliness, but his privacy as well.
Han Yunxi stood by the window of her little loft and stared at Long Fei Ye's pitch-black sleeping quarters. She thought and hesitated for an entire night.
She admitted that she was reluctant to leave, but she was clear that it was futile. There wouldn't be any results.
The next morning, she moved decisively to a large, empty courtyard not far from Grand Concubine Yi. It was called the Narcissus Residence.
After a busy day, she was so tired that she sprawled on the bed. She didn't want to move, but her head was still spinning.
Most of the matters at the estate had come to an end, but her detox system still hadn't finished upgrading and regained its functions.
Her mental state had recovered, but why hadn't the detox system recovered? Just how long would it take to upgrade? Could they give her a timetable?
Fortunately, there hadn't been any major incidents that required her to use the detox system, or else she'd be crying.
"Esteemed wangfei, this old servant still doesn't think it's appropriate. For better or worse … you should at least greet His Highness, right?" Zhao mama was still nagging. She really didn't want esteemed wangfei to move out.
Han Yunxi's ears were about to grow calluses. She waved a hand and said, "Zhao mama, it's getting late. You should go to sleep."
Alright, even Zhao mama was tired of coaxing herself. She shook her head helplessly and silently withdrew.
Han Yunxi opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Long Fei Ye should be happy for her to move out, right? Why would he blame her for moving out without saying a word?
Moreover, that busy man probably didn't have time to pay attention to such trifles. Heaven knows if he'd come back or not.
Han Yunxi lazily rose to her feet and prepared to sleep, but it was then that Zhao mama suddenly returned. Her face was full of mystery as she chuckled at Han Yunxi.
Han Yunxi felt her hairs stand on end under her gaze and said unhappily, "If you have something to say, then say it!"
Zhao mama's smile grew even happier. "Esteemed wangfei, His Highness just sent someone with a message. His original words were …"
As Zhao mama spoke, she cleared her throat and imitated Long Fei Ye's cold and domineering tone. She said, "The things that were moved out of Hibiscus Courtyard today, within half an hour, move them all back to their original places for this prince!"
When these words came out, Han Yunxi was stunned. Zhao mama's voice wasn't loud, but she felt her ears hurt from the vibrations.
"Esteemed wangfei, His Highness has given his orders. Please forgive me."
Zhao mama wasn't apologetic at all. She was grinning from ear to ear. With a wave of her hand, the people waiting outside the door all swarmed in. Other than the servant girls, there were also Steward Xia and the manservants. There were more than ten people, all of whom were personally selected by Han Yunxi. Their movements were very nimble. They swarmed in like a swarm of bees and swarmed out like a swarm of bees. After a few trips, the large courtyard looked like it had been ransacked and emptied.
Han Yunxi had always hated overbearing and unreasonable people, but when she looked at the empty room, she didn't know why, but she didn't feel disgusted at all. Instead, she felt an indescribable feeling.
At this time, Zhao mama came over again. "Esteemed wangfei, His Highness has sent another message."
Han Yunxi found that she was a little nervous. She anxiously asked, "What message?"
However, Zhao mama kept her in suspense. "Esteemed wangfei, guess."
"Are you going to say it or not?" Han Yunxi was about to get angry.
Zhao mama wasn't afraid of her. She smiled happily. "Esteemed wangfei, His Highness said that everyone who came out has to go back!"
When these words came out, Han Yunxi's heartbeat suddenly sped up.
He wanted her to move back. He was very domineering and forceful in ordering her to go back. So, she wasn't just hanging around before? So …
Han Yunxi stared blankly at Zhao mama, not speaking for a long time.
"Esteemed wangfei, this old servant is going back. What about you?" Zhao mama asked sneakily.
Han Yunxi didn't answer. Instead, she turned around and ran straight to Hibiscus Courtyard. Zhao mama was dumbstruck. She didn't react for a long time. What was wrong with her mistress? What kind of reaction was this?
Han Yunxi ran to Long Fei Ye's sleeping quarters without stopping. When she saw that the lights in the palace were lit, she rushed in without thinking. Last night, she stood in front of the window sill and hesitated all night. If she was being impulsive today, then let her be impulsive for once.
She only wanted to ask why!
Why did he want her to move back?
She admitted that the throbbing in her heart was looking forward to a reason.
But who knew that when she rushed in, she would see Long Fei Ye stripping off his clothes and about to step into the hot spring pool.
Every part of his slender body was refined to perfection, the cold, hard lines of his body as perfect as a knife. The strong visual impact caused Han Yunxi to stop in her tracks and stiffen in place. She only felt blood rush to her head as she narrowly avoided having her heart and soul shatter.
Even though her heart was on the verge of shattering, Han Yunxi's line of sight was still beyond her control. She couldn't look away no matter what. That unruly back, that sexy butt, those slender legs. Every part of it seemed to contain limitless power that made one's imagination run wild.
At this moment, Han Yunxi only had one feeling. She was hopeless.
Perhaps Han Yunxi didn't notice how hot her gaze was, but Long Fei Ye felt it. He always hated this kind of delusion and peeping. But this time, he didn't reject it at all. Instead, he wanted to see the expression of the woman behind him.
He reached out and grabbed a long robe from the side, casually wrapping it around his body.
At this moment, Han Yunxi regained her senses. Long Fei Ye had already turned around and looked at her. She was like a thief who had been caught red-handed. Her little face immediately turned red and she subconsciously turned to run.
But Long Fei Ye's figure flashed and blocked her way.
He was really bad. He raised his eyebrows and sized her up, but didn't say a word.
She lowered her head, her chin almost touching her neck. Her scalp was numb. She wished she could find a hole to hide in and return to the modern world.
"Who let you in?" Finally, he spoke.
The eloquent Han Yunxi stuttered, "I … I, you … didn't you say you wanted me to come back?"
"This prince asked you to return to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. I didn't ask you to come in," he retorted mercilessly.
She panicked and blurted out, "Why did you ask me to return to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion?"
She only came to her senses after she spoke. That's right, she came to ask him for a reason!
Why?
Long Fei Ye didn't expect her to ask this. But he was still very strong, "This is an order. There's no reason."
Han Yunxi secretly took a deep breath. She gathered her courage and looked up at him, "If there's no reason, I refuse to come back!"
Her cheeks and ears were still bright red, as if they were on fire. But her eyes were shining, serious and stubborn, staring straight into his eyes.
The two of them looked at each other. The room was silent, and the world seemed to be quiet. Long Fei Ye didn't answer for a long time, but Han Yunxi waited very seriously.
Long Feiye, I think I like you just a little bit. Just a little bit.
Give me an answer. Maybe my heart will die … or maybe, my heart will be moved.
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