On the carriage on the way back to the Shen Mansion, Shen Li slowly calmed her mood and began to sort out her thoughts again.
Why was Xuan Yuanjue together with Xiao Hanzhi today?
Who sent those black - clothed men who dared to attack the prince in the court and tried to kill them? And what were they fighting for with those black - clothed men?
These things all needed to be thought over carefully.
Closing her eyes and feigning sleep, Shen Li recalled bit by bit her experiences in her past life to see if there was anything she had forgotten.
The western courtyard of the Shen Mansion seemed a bit deserted because Shen Li had gone out to offer incense.
Ming Yue led the little maids to clean the house. Having nothing else to do, she took a sewing box and sat in the yard to do needlework.
"Sister Ming Yue, are you doing needlework?"
Hearing the voice, Ming Yue looked up and found it was Ling Hua.
Speaking of Ling Hua, originally she and Chun Ju were sent by Shen Miao to be spies on Shen Li. At first, they were quite trusted and highly regarded by Shen Li.
But after Shen Li was reborn and took charge of the family, instead of driving them away, she found an excuse to make them do rough work as maids in the western courtyard.
"Yes. I'm idle, so I thought I could practice my skills. Maybe I can sew a purse for the young lady some day!"
Ming Yue didn't show any disdain because of the other's identity. Instead, she still greeted her with a smile.
Ling Hua looked at what Ming Yue was embroidering for a few moments and couldn't help but praise, "Sister Ming Yue has such dexterous hands. I think your embroidery is getting better and better!"
"Alas! Unlike me! My hands have become so rough from doing work that I can't embroider anymore!"
Ming Yue just smiled and didn't respond.
Ling Hua said to herself, "I still have a few old embroidery patterns. They're of no use to me now. Sister, since you're so good at this, I'll give them to you!"
"How can I accept this? You'd better keep them! Maybe you'll need them in the future!"
"Sister, don't be so polite. They're not valuable things. Just take them!"
Unable to decline further, Ming Yue had to accept them. Taking the opportunity, Ling Hua said, "I also have some little trinkets that the young lady rewarded me with before. Why don't you come to my room and have a look? If there's anything you like, I'll give it to you too!"
"How can I?"
"Sister, don't refuse. I'm really fond of you and regard you as my own sister. Just accept these little things!"
Saying so, she pulled Ming Yue's hand, urging her to get up and walk towards her room.
Ming Yue could only follow while pretending not to see Chun Ju secretly sneaking into Shen Li's room.
After returning to the Shen Mansion, Shen Li sent someone to boil water for a bath.
She was naturally clean - loving. Now that her clothes were stained with blood, she had endured it all the way back. As soon as she got home, she immediately went to take a bath.
She also ordered Han Yue and Jiao Yue to go and clean themselves up.
Ming Yue gently took a handkerchief to wring the water out of Shen Li's hair and reported what had happened in the morning.
"This servant checked carefully. None of the valuable things are missing, but one of the young lady's handkerchiefs is gone!"
"Which one is missing?"
"The lotus - colored one with the twin lotus flowers that the young lady doesn't usually use!"
Ming Yue said worriedly, "Young lady, this handkerchief is a personal item. If someone with ulterior motives gets hold of it and makes trouble, it will be hard to explain!"
Shen Li touched her still - damp hair. "Let them be. They won't be able to stir up trouble for long!"
Ming Yue felt reassured and continued to help Shen Li dry her hair.
The next day, when it was broad daylight.
In front of the north gate of the inner palace, two thin figures were following a flatbed cart.
This flatbed cart was used in the palace to transport "night soil" every day. It had to leave the palace once every morning.
On the flatbed cart was a large, round wooden barrel, emitting a foul stench.
Several little eunuchs nearby tightly covered their noses and mouths with white cloth strips so as not to be overcome by the smell.
Two of the little eunuchs, following behind the flatbed cart, tightly covered their noses with their sleeves, frowning in disgust and trying to stay as far away from the cart as possible.
One of the taller little eunuchs pinched his nose, lowered his voice and whispered, "Princess, let's go back! If we're discovered, this servant's life will really be in danger!"
The other little eunuch, trying hard to hold back his nausea, also said, "We've come this far. We're about to get out. How can we go back now!"
"But... but you're a princess. This... this chamber pot... Even this servant can't stand the smell!"
"Just bear with it a bit longer... We'll be through soon!"
"What are you two whispering about back there?" It was the eunuch leading the way in front. He had noticed them and said sternly, "You useless things. Hurry up and follow!"
If it had been in the past, Rui Zhu would have been the first to jump out and scold, but now the situation was stronger than the individual, so they could only endure!
Both of them obediently followed the group.
These two were actually Princess Luo Ning, the ninth princess, and her personal maid, Rui Zhu, disguised as eunuchs!
Although the name "night soil" sounded nice, it was actually dirty and smelled bad. The guards at the city gate simply checked briefly and then let them pass.
As soon as they were out of the palace, Princess Luo Ning and Rui Zhu left the group and slipped into the street.
This was the first time Princess Luo Ning had left the palace privately. She was curious about everything on the street and looked around everywhere.
The street vendors on the way saw that the two were wearing the eunuch's robes of the palace. They originally wanted to come forward to sell their goods, but when they smelled the stench on them, they all quickly avoided.
Princess Luo Ning was still oblivious and was having a great time strolling. Rui Zhu followed closely behind her. "Princess, what should we do next?"
"Xiao Luozi. Didn't I tell you? This eunuch's name is Xiao Luozi! Don't call me wrong!"
Princess Luo Ning flicked Rui Zhu on the forehead and warned.
Rui Zhu was on the verge of tears. She didn't even have the courage to call her princess. She could only blink her eyes aggrievedly.
Princess Luo Ning, on the other hand, seemed to be in a good mood. "We've finally managed to get out. The capital city is so big. We must have a good stroll around!"
"We're not familiar with this place. We need to find someone we know to show us around!"
Princess Luo Ning stroked her chin and thought, "Let's go! Let's go find her!"
Rui Zhu carefully followed behind. Although she had wanted to stop the princess from leaving the palace, her persuasion was in vain and they had still come out!
Shen Li was still looking at the account books. In the past few years since the Shen family had been under her management, the accounts of the mansion had been in a complete mess.
"Miss, there are two little eunuchs from the palace outside the mansion who want to see you!" The gatekeeper came to report.
Shen Li was puzzled. Eunuchs from the palace? What did they want with her?
She didn't know any eunuchs in the palace! But she still ordered the servants to bring them in.
When she saw two people in the same dark - blue eunuch robes and recognized the familiar faces, Shen Li almost screamed.
It was actually the ninth princess!
She immediately invited them into the room and sent the other servants away, leaving only Han Yue, Jiao Yue and Ming Yue.
"Princess, why did you leave the palace?"