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Attendant Zhou’s every sentence had an implication, prompting him to think of the person who had been sneaking around earlier, watching Canglan Court like Beauty Zhao. Perceptive and insightful, indeed a clever man.

Having finished reporting, Hu Miaomiao stood with her head bowed, waiting for further instructions.

The Emperor closed his eyes and said nothing; his fingers tapping on the table, his expression unreadable, while the servants behind him re-tied his hair and headdress for him.

After a moment, he gave a cold appraisal, "A merchant’s daughter, adept at dancing with long sleeves."

Then, he let out a light laugh, tinged with sarcasm, "I never paid attention before, and I did not realize that my harem is indeed bursting with talent, not to be underestimated."

The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew tense.

The Young Eunuch combing the Emperor’s hair became extremely nervous, and Zhang Qing, too apprehensive to breathe, took over when he saw the Young Eunuch looked like he might mess up.

Hu Miaomiao didn’t dare to respond to that comment. Despite always being joking and smiling, he was particularly adept at judging the situation, knowing exactly what to say and what not to say—as clear as Ming Jing in his heart.

Finally, with his hair properly re-tied, Zhang Qing spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, it’s done."

The Emperor stood up and, without saying much, simply said, "Let’s go," and started walking out.

Hu Miaomiao quickly followed, as did Zhang Qing and the two Young Eunuchs who had dressed earlier; they all walked out of the hall together.

After they had walked about a dozen steps, Hu Miaomiao resumed his usual sycophantic demeanor, saying with a beaming smile, "Your Majesty, you look so handsome and dashing today, outrageously so, just like a talented and handsome son of a noble family, impossible to look away from."

The Emperor didn’t bother with him and just kept walking.

Hu Miaomiao still eagerly followed behind, continuing, "If this servant may say so, if Master Lian were to see you looking like this, she’d be absolutely mesmerized; even I, a mere eunuch, find myself dazzled—"

At the mention of Lian Hua, the Emperor paused, falling into thought.

Hu Miaomiao immediately fell silent, not sure what this meant.

Zhang Qing following beside grumbled internally about that fat, slick-tongued eunuch; always talking more than he eats rice. This time, there was no need for that fat eunuch to accompany him; instead, he should be focusing on the defenses. What was his purpose in following His Majesty?

The Emperor, after a brief contemplation, dismissed the thought as being too frivolous. There would always be a chance to see her in the future. Later, then.

With that thought, he continued walking forward.

Hu Miaomiao, however, misunderstood, thinking that the Emperor wanted to know about Lian Hua, fearing that the one who had reported back earlier hadn’t been clear. It was the perfect opportunity he had been looking for to speak up.

What an excellent opportunity this was!

He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, when I was seeing off Madam Lian, Master Lian was extremely reluctant to let go, clinging to Madam Lian’s sleeve.

It was such a pitiful sight, it tugged at the heart.

I comforted Master Lian, assuring her that there would be plenty of opportunities to see Madam Lian, and only then did she let go. Your Majesty, what do you think..."

The Emperor gave Hu Miaomiao a glance, seeing right through his intentions and ignoring him.

He had long known of his Little Concubine’s reaction and had been pained at heart. He didn’t need this servant to tell him; he had already intended to let his Little Concubine see her family more often.

This sly servant had rambled on with pointless words, and this last statement was his real goal, trying to steer things back to his own interests.

Hu Miaomiao felt a twinge of guilt and wiped his chubby face. The flesh that piled up on his smiling face was so much that his eyes were nearly invisible.

He cautiously added, "Your Majesty, Master Lian and Madam Lian are very close. If they could meet often, it would surely soothe the ache of familial longing."

He made the decision on his own, at the time it was to console Master Lian, oh dear, who knows what His Majesty is thinking. Hopefully Master Lian won’t file a complaint; it’s best to have made it through without raising suspicion.

"The pain of missing one’s family," the Emperor muttered these words as he glanced at him, "How is the investigation going in the southern region?"

That would be the real cure, able to address both the symptoms and the root cause, healing his Little Concubine’s homesickness.

Hu Miaomiao immediately broke out in a cold sweat, his smile faltering slightly, "This servant has sent another pigeon-carried message over, so a reply should arrive soon. Rest assured, Your Majesty, considering the time, we should be receiving news in these next few days."

The Emperor snorted coldly, another such answer—was he not aware of that?

Hu Miaomiao forced a laugh, His Majesty truly had a keen sight; his little schemes were all seen through clearly, but thankfully he took the proper precautions.

Passing through a palace gate, he said, "Oh, Your Majesty, please slow down, although this servant has arranged for protection along the way, I can’t help worrying.

Your safety is of utmost importance to the entire world; this servant will take his leave now to keep an eye on those lads to ensure absolute safety. "

The Emperor couldn’t be bothered to quibble and scolded with a laugh, "Scoundrel servant, off you go."

Sharper than a monkey, at a critical moment always feigning ignorance.

Hu Miaomiao, sensing he was in the clear, as if granted a great honor, beamed and called out joyously, "Dogs are known for their loyal service to their masters, this servant thanks Your Majesty for the compliment. I will take my leave now and await outside for Your Majesty’s esteemed arrival."

With that, he performed the farewell bow quickly and hurried away.

Zhang Qing cursed in his heart: this bloated fool, utterly sycophantic to the extreme, His Majesty was clearly scolding him, yet he took it as praise. Shameless!

The group headed towards the outer palace.

In the city.

Guo Neng sat in the carriage, resting with his eyes closed. He had used going out for leisure as an excuse to have Guo Shun take his mother, his wife, and his sons out of the South Gate.

He had accompanied them for a bit and had just returned from seeing them off outside the city, heading back to the Guo residence.

Guo Shun was indeed effective and meticulous; such a person had initially been assigned by him to handle matters for that old cur Xue Ping. Now, sensing danger and his life at stake, he could no longer be concerned with such tasks and had recalled the man.

He was also aware that the matter could not afford any mishaps. After confirming with Guo Shun multiple times that all preparations were in place, he finally felt at ease.

Now, only his incompetent father was left in the Guo residence, along with two brothers who were of no more use than sacks for wine and rice, his several beloved concubines, and a few daughters.

These people were not a concern; one was that they could not be sent away—the commotion would be too great, leading to suspicion.

Two was that they should not be sent away—the Guo family had to maintain its usual appearance so that outsiders wouldn’t notice anything amiss; otherwise, if that old fox Xue Ping became aware, it would be the end.

Since they had all enjoyed the wealth and glory he, Guo Neng, had worked so hard to build, it was only right for them to share the risks with him—it was what they owed him as the head of the family.

Guo Neng’s father had long been rendered a shell by indulgence in wine and women.

He himself had been personally groomed by his grandfather to take over the Guo family—a status second only to his grandfather in his youth.

After his grandfather passed away, he became the family head, with his decisions being absolute within the Guo family.

This molded him into being domineering and tyrannical, volatile and ruthless, yet also cunning and deceitful. Even his father was afraid of him.

The carriage clattered over the cobblestone road. Guo Neng, inside, kept his eyes closed, contemplating his next move.

Uncle Ma, wearing his conical hat, followed behind, driving the carriage himself. After a stretch of the road, he would switch to a different carriage; this one would change its appearance, until once again following on the next segment of the road—a method so clandestine, no one could notice.

Guo Neng’s carriage suddenly came to a sharp stop at an intersection. His body lurched, nearly hitting the carriage frame, but the servant boy by his side quickly moved to cushion him, getting heavily pressed down in the process.