Chapter 370: Breaking into the Noble Consort’s Palace

Not far from the palace gates, carriages from the various manors were parked. Court officials alighted from their carriages one after another, entering the palace gates in groups of two and three.

When Xiang Minghou got out of the carriage holding Ye Qianning, he drew a great deal of attention. They stole a few glances before quickly looking away.

In the past, some might have muttered a few words of gossip, but today, seeing Xiang Minghou was like seeing the King of Hell in the flesh. No one even offered a greeting; they just hurried to get away.

Ye Qianning knew her father was being ostracized. ’For the dignified emperor of a nation to do something so despicable... it really shows the smallness of his mind.’

Xiang Minghou paid it no mind, carrying his child through the palace gates.

"General Xiang." Prince Changyang hurried to catch up.

"Prince."

"You’re bringing Pangtuan to morning court?" Prince Changyang asked in surprise.

"She has some business in the palace. She’s only going to the Imperial Garden, not the front hall."

"I see." Prince Changyang nodded. His eyes darted around before he leaned in to ask in a low voice, "About your resignation today, is there any chance you might reconsider?"

Xiang Minghou shook his head. "I’m tired. I can’t fight anymore."

"Resigning isn’t a simple matter. Let me give you some advice: don’t meet force with force. Even if you’re dead set on it, there’s no need to be so hasty," Prince Changyang said.

"Thank you for the advice, Prince. I will bear it in mind."

"Good, as long as you understand. I’ll head on first." Prince Changyang patted his shoulder, then took another long look at Ye Qianning, the corner of his mouth twitching.

’If it weren’t for her build, I really wouldn’t have recognized her.’

Ye Qianning touched her little face. ’He’s not the only one. If I didn’t have my own senses to tell me, I wouldn’t recognize myself either.’

Xiang Minghou set Ye Qianning down in the Imperial Garden, where Du Yi was already waiting.

"General." Du Yi was dressed in a guard’s armor.

"Look after the Young Miss. If anything happens, come find me immediately."

"Yes, sir."

"Consort Yuan may be in confinement, but you must still be careful. There are many Hidden Guards in the palace, so watch your every step," Xiang Minghou warned.

"Dad, I know. You should hurry to morning court."

"Alright, I’m off. I’ll come find you here after court is dismissed."

Xiang Minghou added a couple more words of caution before he left.

"Young Miss, Consort Yuan and the Sixth Princess are being punished in the East Courtyard. Right now, only Miss Yuan is in the residence," Du Yi reported.

’I remember Consort Yuan having no maternal relatives in the Capital City. Where did this Miss Yuan come from? The little honeyeater doesn’t understand human relationships, so the information it gathered wasn’t very complete.’

"Miss Yuan entered the palace before the birthday banquet. She was sent from the Medicine King Sect. As for whether she’s a close relative of Consort Yuan, that’s unclear."

"I’ll go meet her. You find a way to lure Sang Qi to the front hall. Tell Master that I’m in the palace and have him go to the front hall in a little while as well."

"Yes, miss." Du Yi departed.

Ye Qianning made her way toward Consort Yuan’s residence.

In the early morning, the paths were bustling with palace maids and eunuchs. Many of the consorts liked to have their tea brewed with morning dew, so people were busy long before sunrise.

Ye Qianning was tiny, not even as tall as the flowerbeds, so hiding herself was effortless.

There were many guards and Hidden Guards around as well. Ye Qianning held her breath, slipped past them all without a sound, and scaled the high wall into Consort Yuan’s courtyard.

With Consort Yuan absent, there were fewer Hidden Guards around than yesterday. The residence contained four sizable side halls. From the leftmost room came the sound of steady breathing.

’The aura is different from an ordinary person’s—it belongs to someone frail and sickly. This must be Miss Yuan’s room.’

Ye Qianning also heard White Spirit’s voice in her ear. She wasn’t in a hurry to go to that room, however. Instead, she stepped into Consort Yuan’s main bedchamber.

’The chief disciple of the Medicine King Sect... Her room must be hiding quite a few miraculous pills and medicines.’