Concubine Zhang nodded slightly. "Of course I know him. When I was unwell before, it was always Doctor Song who treated me. After several visits, we got to know each other a bit."
Liu Rumei nodded with a gentle smile. "It's getting late. I should go back now. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Your Highness."
Concubine Zhang also replied with a gentle smile, "I actually hope you can come and accompany me more often."
"I'll surely come to visit you when I'm free," Liu Rumei said respectfully.
Hearing this, Concubine Zhang's smile grew even broader. "Good."
Early the next morning, as soon as it dawned, Liu Rumei left the Eastern Palace. She first went to the Cold Palace, then to the Star - watching Tower, and finally returned to Zilan Pavilion to wait for Mo Liandi.
Perhaps the morning court had been delayed a bit today. Liu Rumei waited in Zilan Pavilion for a long time but still didn't see him.
It was the first time for Concubine Zhang to enter this room since the incident. Her face still looked haggard and pale. But fortunately, seeing Liu Rumei there, her expression improved a bit.
"Miss Liu?"
The sudden voice interrupted Liu Rumei's train of thought. She looked up and saw Concubine Zhang hesitating at the door. Liu Rumei gave a gentle smile and asked, "Your Highness, why are you here?"
Just thinking about how that person died in this room, Concubine Zhang couldn't help but feel scared, and her face turned even paler. "I thought you came here so early and might not have had breakfast yet, so I brought you some."
Looking at the food box in her hand, Liu Rumei felt a warmth in her heart. She immediately stood up and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Concubine Zhang gave a gentle smile. "You don't need to be so polite with me. Or do you never consider me as your friend?"
Hearing this, Liu Rumei quickly shook her head. She took the food box from her and walked into the courtyard. After eating a bit to fill her stomach, she was about to enter the room again to continue searching for clues.
But suddenly, Concubine Zhang grabbed her and said, "You don't feel bored staying there all day. How about going out for a walk with me? Maybe you'll think of some other clues."
Liu Rumei frowned slightly. "I've made an appointment with the Prince to meet here in Zilan Pavilion."
She wondered how those people were. If she could find a breakthrough from them, it would be great.
Thinking of this, a glimmer of hope appeared in Liu Rumei's eyes.
Concubine Zhang, however, hooked her lips into a smile and said, "You still say you have nothing to do with the Prince. I've heard about the Prince's reputation of not getting close to women. Back then, a maid was so blind as to try to climb up the social ladder, but the Prince didn't even blink an eye before throwing her out. And then there's the Princess Anning. She's been infatuated with him for so many years, but has the Prince ever given her a second look?"
Hearing this, a look of embarrassment flashed across Liu Rumei's eyes. She really didn't know what to do about Mo Liandi for the moment!
Seeing the rare blush on her face, Concubine Zhang couldn't help covering her lips and chuckling. "I'll have someone inform the Prince. Will you go out for a stroll with me?"
Since it had been said like this, how could Liu Rumei refuse? Moreover, she really had no clue at the moment. Maybe going out for a walk would yield some results.
Seeing Liu Rumei nod, Concubine Zhang's smile grew even broader.
Immediately, she led Liu Rumei towards the Imperial Garden. Liu Rumei thought Concubine Zhang would go to the pavilion in the center of the garden, but unexpectedly, Concubine Zhang led her to a secluded place.
This was exactly the pavilion that Liu Rumei and Mo Liandi had discovered during the palace banquet last time!
Although it was secluded, the view was excellent!
There was a smile in Concubine Zhang's eyes. "How about it? Isn't this a nice place?"
The maid behind quickly prepared the tea and snacks. Her eyes were full of smiles. Finally, she could get some fresh air.
Liu Rumei naturally liked this place. There was also a smile in her eyes. "It's really nice."
Concubine Zhang personally poured tea for her. Just as she was about to speak, unexpectedly, a voice as sweet as a warbler suddenly came from her ear. "Sister, you're here too! What a coincidence. Can I come in and sit down, Sister?"
Concubine Zhang didn't expect to meet someone else here. There was a bit of apology in her eyes as she looked at Liu Rumei.
"Come in, Noble Lady Qi."
As soon as the words fell, a lovely - looking woman in palace attire walked into the pavilion. Seeing Liu Rumei, a look of surprise flashed across her eyes. "So Miss Liu is here too!"
Liu Rumei gracefully stood up and respectfully saluted Noble Lady Qi. "Greetings, Noble Lady Qi!"
Noble Lady Qi smiled. "Miss Liu, you don't need to be so polite. Sit down."
Liu Rumei didn't hesitate and sat down leisurely.
Seeing her like this, a look of displeasure flashed across Noble Lady Qi's eyes. What a country bumpkin! She didn't even understand the slightest bit of etiquette!
Concubine Zhang naturally saw the expression on her face. She couldn't help but sigh helplessly and was about to make an excuse to leave. But unexpectedly, Noble Lady Qi took the lead and said, "Sister, I got some excellent flower tea a few days ago. Since you're here, how about we taste it together? And since Miss Liu is here too, she can also have a try."
After saying that, without waiting for the other two to speak, she ordered the eunuch beside her to go and fetch it.
Concubine Zhang and Liu Rumei looked at each other. Their eyes were full of helplessness. It seemed they couldn't decline.
The eunuch was quite fast. In no time, he came back with the tea.
Noble Lady Qi's eyes were full of smiles. She was as likable as Sixi, but they were very different. Sixi was innocent from the bottom of her heart, but Noble Lady Qi was full of affectation.
Soon, the maid brewed the tea. A faint fragrance of flowers filled the air.
Noble Lady Qi smiled and said to Concubine Zhang and Liu Rumei, "Hurry up and taste how it is."
The two looked at each other and said nothing more. They picked up their teacups and took a sip. "It's good."
Seeing this, Noble Lady Qi's eyes were full of pride. "Sister, you're as beautiful as a celestial being. How about I give the rest of the tea to you? It will match your beauty well."
Hearing Noble Lady Qi call her "sister" again and again, Liu Rumei felt a bit uncomfortable. There were indeed all kinds of people in the harem!
Concubine Zhang gave a faint smile. "Since it's something you've got with great difficulty, how can I accept it, Sister? Another day, I'll come to find you to drink tea together, okay?"
Noble Lady Qi nodded with a smile. "It's a deal then."
Seeing this, Liu Rumei finally felt relieved. She could finally leave.
Just as the three of them were about to get up and leave, a maid suddenly rushed over with some snacks and bumped straight into the eunuch beside Noble Lady Qi.
The eunuch lost his balance and subconsciously grabbed Noble Lady Qi. For a moment, the pavilion was in a complete mess.
"Noble Lady Qi!"
"Your Highness!"