Eunuch Chen scurried in with quick, short steps, panting as he bowed. "Your Royal Highness, something has happened at Yongren Palace."
Yongren Palace was the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters. What could have happened there? Mo Lian instinctively raised an eyebrow.
Eunuch Chen continued, "His Majesty requests His Royal Highness to come over."
Mo Lian was a bit displeased; there were so many matters right after returning to the palace.
If something happened at Yongren Palace, why call him, the Crown Prince?
He wasn't particularly close to the Empress Dowager, and he couldn't fathom why his father wanted him there.
Qiao Mu, however, tugged at his sleeve and said, "You go ahead. I'm going to bathe first."
Mo Lian's eyes lit up slightly at her words.
He actually preferred to stay home and help Master Qiao Qiao bathe...
Crown Prince Mo reluctantly went to Yongren Palace, while Qiao Mu went to soak in the hot springs.
In a secluded corner of the Eastern Palace's rear garden, there was a naturally formed small hot spring, with perpetually clear water and lingering mist. Qiao Mu had taken a liking to this spot shortly after her return.
This treasure trove then became Master Qiao Qiao's frequent retreat.
And because the little Crown Princess often needed to bathe here, the Crown Prince had the hot spring renovated, turning it into a bathing pool.
Lately, the servants had been exceptionally diligent in cleaning this hot spring area, fearing they might neglect the little Crown Princess and incur His Royal Highness's displeasure.
Bored, Master Qiao Qiao lay prostrate by the hot spring pool, casually sipping a cup of spiritual tea.
Due to the integration of the Sun and Moon Secret Realm, Ball Ball had also advanced and was currently busy stabilizing its realm, so she no longer had to endure its incessant chattering.
Having returned to the capital, she hadn't yet had time to visit her businesses. Qiao Mu planned to check them out tomorrow afternoon.
Hearing the Great Emperor mention that the Sacred Rice had been auctioned for the exorbitant price of one hundred eighty thousand, she couldn't help but feel a bit curious.
Could it be that the business model of "rarity drives value" truly worked?
After soaking for a while, Master Qiao Qiao climbed out of the water, dried herself, and put on a soft robe.
"Crown Princess." Caiqi hurried over and bowed. "His Majesty has sent another decree, asking you to go to Yongren Palace."
Qiao Mu frowned slightly.
This Empress Dowager was a bit too much. It was completely unrelated to her, yet she insisted on dragging her over. What was going on?
After letting Cai Xiu and Caiqi briefly tidy up her makeup, Master Qiao Qiao changed into her red battle attire, put on her cold poker face, and boarded the carriage.
The accompanying young eunuchs and palace maids all looked tense, sensing that the little Crown Princess was in a somewhat bad mood.
At Yongren Palace, the atmosphere was also a bit subtle.
Everyone was in the open area in front of the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters, nervously watching a disheveled eunuch in the center.
The eunuch was about thirty years old. At this moment, he was in a delirious state, pinned down by four or five guards, shaking his head and shouting wildly like a madman.
Empress Dowager Chen's face was somewhat pale. She clutched the arm of an old nanny beside her, her gaze anxiously fixed on the eunuch.
The Great Emperor's face was also very grim. He turned to look at the imperial physicians huddled to the side. "Have all the staff in Yongren Palace been thoroughly checked? Are there any other people showing similar symptoms?"
The imperial physicians, already half-scared to death, quickly replied, "Only half of the people have been checked, and none show any abnormalities."
"Then what are you still doing here? Why haven't you checked the other half? Are you waiting for them all to show symptoms?" Mo Liusheng roared.