Ji Youzhi had a sudden realization. "Old Sixth!"
Ji Youze glanced at him. "Third Sister-in-law isn’t here. Your lightness skill is the best. You go to this place; ard with His Majesty’s Gold dal and command arrow, you’ll be able to find him!"
Hearing this, Ji Youzhi instantly understood. So, Old Sixth had indeed been taken by His Majesty to do hard labor.
"Alright, I’ll go right away!" With that, Ji Youzhi hurried off.
Dugu Xiao watched him run off and couldn’t help but glance at Ji Youze. "I’m still here! His Majesty’s Imperial Decree allows entry but forbids departure!"
Ji Youze patted his shoulder. "His Majesty has always trusted him. They once shared a bond forged through life-and-death situations. If His Majesty didn’t even trust Old Seventh, then He wouldn’t be worthy of your protection."
As the Empress Dowager’s Phoenix Vehicle made its way to Qixia Temple, Ji Youzhi had already successfully infiltrated the temple with Old Sixth.
"Are you all certain?" Lady Ji looked at them worriedly. "Eldest Brother said he could be back within three days at most." She feared that sothing might change before he returned.
"We can’t wait," Ji Youze declared. "Suisui isn’t with us right now. If we can’t keep her under our watch, there are too many unknown factors. If Liao Kong discovers our intentions before Big Brother gets back, he’ll definitely make his move early!"
Everyone agreed with Ji Youze.
He continued, "I’ve already sent a ssage to Pan’Er, asking her to inform the Empress Dowager that as soon as she alights from her carriage, she should demand Suisui from the old monk. If he hands her over willingly, then for these three days, Suisui is not to leave the Empress Dowager’s side."
Zhu Xiuxiu, who had hurried back early using her lightness skill, then reported that her mission was complete.
Ji Youze nodded. "Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. Your return was very tily. Otherwise, according to the plan, Old Sixth would have already been preparing to pick the lock. Suisui would have been saved then, but Second Sister-in-law..."
Currently, Second Brother was still unconscious after falling into the Lotus Pond, and Second Sister-in-law’s whereabouts were unknown. However, they had managed to confirm that Suisui was locked in the secret room of Mingwu Building.
"I’ve already had Pan’Er inform the Empress Dowager about Second Sister-in-law’s disappearance," Zhu Xiuxiu said.
"Thank you, Third Sister-in-law!" Ji Youze thanked her again.
"Don’t thank ," Zhu Xiuxiu said. "Old Third and I were the ones who stirred up this trouble. If we hadn’t been careless with our words and let that old bald monk overhear us, things wouldn’t have gotten to this point!"
These were Zhu Xiuxiu’s heartfelt words. Though she was often reckless and spoke without thinking, she ultimately had a kind heart. She had been overwheld with self-reproach on the way to the Capital City, which was why she had managed to reach the Imperial Palace in such a short ti.
"Don’t bla yourself anymore," Lady Ji said, waving her hand dismissively. "Even if those old monks hadn’t found out about us now, they would have eventually." Then she instructed Zhu Xiuxiu, "Your lightness skill makes you hard to detect. Quickly, go to the temple gate and keep watch. If the old monk refuses to release Suisui and Xing’Er, co back and tell us imdiately. In that case, we’ll have Old Sixth and Old Seventh go to the secret room and pick the lock."
Upon hearing Lady Ji’s instructions, Zhu Xiuxiu imdiately departed.
「At the entrance of Qixia Temple」
The Empress Dowager’s Phoenix Vehicle ca to a steady halt. Assisted by Xie Pan’Er, the Empress Dowager disembarked. Her magnificent attire and the golden Phoenix Hairpin in her hair proclaid her status. Her sharp, experienced eyes scanned the throngs of people kneeling before her.
The old monk, Liao Kong, despite being an enlightened High Monk and the foremost figure in Central Plains Buddhism, still had to show due respect and deference to the mother of the Great Han Dynasty.
Therefore, Liao Kong and the Abbot, along with a contingent of Mages from Qixia Temple, stood on either side of the temple gate, bowing respectfully. "We humbly welco Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager did not step forward, nor did she bid them rise. Instead, she surveyed her surroundings.
"What is Your Majesty looking for?" Xie Pan’Er deliberately asked in a loud voice.
The Empress Dowager replied, "We have heard that Our dear granddaughter has already arrived at Qixia Temple. Where is she? Why do We not see her?"
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