Chapter 168: Who Could It Be?

Late at night, Hua Ru carried a tray and came to the Sixth Princess's room.

"Princess, I heard you haven't eaten anything all day. This is old hen soup specially ordered by the Empress Dowager from the imperial kitchen. Please have some."

The Sixth Princess glared at her and turned her head away angrily.

"I won't drink it! Take it away!"

Hua Ru sighed and advised.

"If you keep refusing food and drink and harm your health, the Empress Dowager will be heartbroken."

Shen Yuxi let out a heavy snort.

"Heartbroken?!"

"I think the Empress Dowager is clearly afraid I might starve to death or suffer some mishap, so I can't go through with the marriage alliance!"

Saying this, she covered her face and began to cry.

"Wuuu... The Empress Dowager doesn't care about me at all!"

Hua Ru walked over, took out a handkerchief from her waist, and gently helped wipe away her tears.

"Princess, please don't say such things. Seeing you suffer, the Empress Dowager has also been unable to sleep or eat these past few days, but the imperial decree has already been issued—there's no room for change."

"The Empress Dowager has no choice either."

However, it seemed as if the other person hadn't heard a word, merely staring blankly at her waist.

That was, the Empress Dowager's token?!

As long as she held the token, she could leave the palace!

Perhaps noticing her gaze, Hua Ru quickly shoved the waist token back and secured it tightly.

Shen Yuxi's eyes shifted, and she pointed at the soup cup on the table.

"Since it's the Empress Dowager's kind intention, I'll have a taste. Hurry up and bring it over for this princess!"

Hua Ru nodded with a smile and replied cheerfully.

"Alright, alright, I'll go serve the soup right away."

As Hua Ru lowered her head to ladle the soup, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head, then lost consciousness, her body falling backward.

Shen Yuxi behind her quickly stepped forward to catch her, then gently set down the vase and helped Hua Ru onto the bed.

Soon, the Sixth Princess, now dressed in Hua Ru's clothes, gripped the token tightly in her hand, glanced once at Hua Ru wrapped tightly in the quilt.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted the tray on the table, lowered her head, and hurried out.

As soon as she opened the palace door, two young eunuchs blocked her path.

"Stop!"

Shen Yuxi's heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to calm down, steadied her mind, then lowered her voice and spoke softly to them.

"The Sixth Princess drank some chicken soup and has already gone to sleep. Your Highness has been making a fuss for so long, and only now has she finally quieted down. Please keep your voices low—don't wake her."

Hearing this, the two young eunuchs stepped back and waved their hands.

"Alright, you may go now."

Shen Yuxi hurried out, and only after leaving the sleeping hall did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She casually tossed the tray into the corner and ran lightly toward the palace gate.

Meanwhile, back in the sleeping hall, after the door fell silent, the originally unconscious Hua Ru suddenly opened her eyes.

She sat up, rubbed her neck, and revealed a meaningful smile.

Since she was putting on an act, she had to do it thoroughly—she tidied the quilt a bit, then lay back down, continuing to pretend to be the Sixth Princess.

……

Early the next morning, Hua Ru again imitated the Sixth Princess's mannerisms, throwing things around and causing a great commotion.

Suddenly, the Sixth Princess's personal palace maid, Liu'er, pushed the door open and entered.

"Princess, the servant has come to attend to your washing and grooming."

As soon as she saw the "Sixth Princess" before her, the water basin in her hand clattered to the ground.

Hua Ru rushed over, covered her mouth, dragged her behind the screen, and shouted loudly.

"You stupid servant, clumsy and awkward—you can't even hold a basin steady, you've soaked the princess's clothes, and you still don't hurry to help the princess change?!"

As soon as she spoke, the commotion outside was heard, and the young eunuchs preparing to rush in to investigate stepped back again.

Liu'er stared in disbelief, her eyes wide open.

"How could Aunt Hua Ru's voice be exactly the same as the princess's?!"

"!"

Hua Ru threatened her in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Liu'er turned pale with fright, tears instantly welling up in her eyes, her body trembling uncontrollably.

She of course knew that three years ago, when she and another sister had served beside the Sixth Princess, that sister had fallen while flying a kite and scraped her arm.

She was then beaten to death by fifty strokes of the Empress Dowager's rod.

If the Empress Dowager found out the princess was missing, she would surely die!

Seeing Liu'er in this terrified state, Hua Ru slowly released her.

If she's afraid, then it's easy to handle.

Liu'er knelt down with a thud, begging bitterly.

"Aunt Hua Ru, the servant truly doesn't know what's going on—Aunt, please save the servant!"

Hua Ru helped her up.

"Don't panic first—the princess is probably upset inside, so she secretly slipped out for some fresh air. Let's not make a fuss. You stay behind and continue pretending to be the Sixth Princess; I'll go out to find someone."

Liu'er looked hesitant.

"But I... I don't dare."

Hua Ru furrowed her brows, speaking angrily.

"I'm risking my life to help you!"

"Forget it—if you don't care to save yourself, why should I waste my effort for nothing?!"

Saying this, she swept her sleeve heavily, making a motion to walk toward the door.

"Don't, don't, don't."

Yao Tou hurriedly stopped her.

"Aunt Hua Ru, it's my fault—please, you must hurry and bring the princess back. I can't deceive those people outside the door for long."

Hua Ru's expression softened considerably; she soothingly patted her hand.

"Alright, then be careful—I'll go find the princess right now."

After saying that, the two changed clothes; Hua Ru disguised herself as Yao Tou, lowered her head, and walked out.

……

Inside Fengyi Palace.

The Empress rose and changed clothes under Hua Ru's service.

"How was Lady Yuxi last night?"

Hua Ru first glanced at the surrounding palace maids, then lowered her head to reply.

"The princess began causing quite a disturbance, but after drinking the chicken soup, she fell asleep. I heard she caused another scene this morning, but now she's quiet."

The Empress wore a worried expression and sighed.

"This girl Xier has been spoiled by Her Highness and her brother—whenever something happens, she loses her resolve and only cries and throws tantrums. With such a temperament, how can Her Highness feel at ease? It truly worries one to death."

Hua Ru spoke softly to comfort her.

"Her Highness need not worry—the Sixth Princess has been by your side for years, absorbing your influence; she's sharp-witted. Moreover, haven't you already sent people to watch over the princess? Nothing will happen."

Hua Ru thus, before the many eunuchs and palace maids, spoke of what had happened the previous night.

The Sixth Princess had already left the palace, with someone secretly protecting her nearby.

Upon hearing these key details, the Empress nodded slightly and gave her an approving glance.

"In this entire Fengyi Palace, it's you who handles affairs most to Her Highness's liking."

Hua Ru lowered her head slightly.

"Serving Her Highness by relieving her worries is what this servant ought to do."

Meanwhile, the other palace personnel in the hall exchanged glances.

What's going on?

Isn't it just sending soup to the Sixth Princess?

Is that worth such praise?

We could do that too!

But Her Highness doesn't even give us a chance to show ourselves!

You're clearly favoring Hua Ru!

And two eunuchs and palace maids had their eyes flicker, but quickly resumed their obsequious demeanor.

The morning passed quickly.

The Empress waited for news of her daughter's success while leisurely eating lunch, appearing in good spirits, as if confident the Sixth Princess would succeed as wished.

Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed in, flustered.

"Empress Dowager, something terrible has happened!"

"A major incident!"

Hua Ru stepped forward, furrowed her brows, and asked.

"What matter causes such panic?"

The young eunuch panted, unable to catch his breath.

"It's the Sixth Princess—she somehow was seized from outside the palace by the Crown Prince, and the princess's condition is abnormal. When people were sent to find the imperial physician, they even alarmed His Majesty."

"At this moment, His Majesty is in the princess's bedchamber, flying into a rage!"

The Empress sprang to her feet.

"What?!"

……

Outside Sun Manor.

"Has the Crown Prince already taken the person away?"

The servant beside him nodded.

"Yes, and when the Crown Prince brought out the Sixth Princess, she wore a head veil—though her face couldn't be seen, her steps were weak and floating, as if she were ill."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yanqing snorted coldly.

"Ill?"

Then he waved his hand.

"Enough—you may go first."

After the servant left, he pulled out a slip of paper from the book.

It read:

The Sixth Princess refuses the marriage alliance, prepares to act dangerously, plans to drug—must be vigilant!

This slip was found beneath the inkstone.

Originally half-believing and half-doubting, but as noon approached, he received another letter, sent by someone from the Sixth Princess.

It said she had already figured it out, wanted to apologize for the trouble she had caused him these past few days, and invited him to a simple meal.

If it were under normal circumstances, considering the other party was a princess, and everyone said it was an apology, and her attitude was so low, if he didn't keep the appointment, it would truly be inexcusable.

But thinking of that slip of paper, he changed his mind, had someone inform the Crown Prince, and then secretly sent people to watch outside that restaurant.

Sure enough, there was a problem!

But...

Sun Yanqing examined the handwriting on the slip.

The pinched-flower small regular script was a style more favored by women.

"Who would be the one delivering the message?"