"I already have my own conjectures as to what good news and bad news the shopkeeper wants to tell us.", Lou Yi continued. "But it would only be helpful to us if we can get accurate details."
The princess the looks at the maidservant beside her. "Under the cover of the night, go and visit shopkeeper Xiao Han and obtain the news that he wants to deliver. Make sure that no one follows your trail. We can't afford to mess up."
"I understand, princess.", Xiao Cui nodded in agreement.
Just in time, Xiao Mei knocked on the door and called out to her mistress that the bath is ready. Upon hearing that, Lou Yi stood up to go take a bath.
"Go now.", Lou Yi instructed Xiao Cui before she stepped into the inner rooms.
"This servant shall go now then.", Xiao Cui bowed in acknowledgment before she withdrew.
Lou Yi took time in the bathtub, as she was thinking about what transpired during the day. While most of her thoughts were preoccupied with the matters at Yu Xiang Pavilion, her thoughts sometimes drift away. Unknowingly, she would oftentimes find her thoughts deviating to think of the man who went out with her earlier in the afternoon - the Prime Minister.
'Well, it can't be helped.', Lou Yi sighed to herself. It can be quite suspicious if a man whom you met for the first time is that accommodating to you.
According to her intel, Xuan Xu Chen may be someone who attracts butterflies and bees but he isn't someone who indulges himself in them. Due to that, even when he is the only one left in his family branch, there isn't a single woman in his inner courtyard. In fact, her previous investigations have yielded that Xuan Xu Chen may have been practicing abstinence since his youth. It was this fact that made it easier for her to formulate the plan of marrying the man.
However, it is also because of the fact that he hadn't had any known experiences with women that she finds it unbelievable how easy it is for the Prime Minister to flirt with her. Given that the man may just be laying it all bare for his future wife, still the fact that he can speak words such that imply pampering a wife caught Lou Yi off guard.
"Princess, it is time for you to get out of the bath, otherwise you'd catch a cold.", Xiao Mei's voice rang outside, pulling Lou Yi out of her thoughts. It was only then that she noticed how the bath water had become lukewarm.
Heeding her maidservant's words, Lou Yi stepped out of the bath and dried herself before wearing a change of inner clothes. She then went out behind the covered bath to allow her maidservants to help her get ready for bed.
Xiao Mei had helped her dry her hair while Xiao Ning cleaned up the bath. Once her hair was dry, Lou Yi laid down in bed and instructed her maidservants to blow the candle and withdraw.
Even when she was on the bed, her thoughts drifted away as she thought of what may come in the future. She allowed her thoughts to run wild as she wait for sleep to come.
The sound of the watchman signalling that it is already the hour of the Yin woke Lou Yi up from her slumber. On normal times, the signal won't wake her up, but today is a bit different as she is still waiting for Xiao Cui's report.
"Xiao Mei.", she softly called out as she pulled himself up from the bed.
"This servant is here.", she heard Xiao Mei reply after a brief silence. The maidservant appeared in front of her shortly.
"Did Xiao Cui come back already?"
"Yes, Princess.", Xiao Mei bobbed her head. "She's waiting for you to summon her."
Indeed, her trustworthy maidservant didn't disappoint. Lou Yi nodded her head in satisfaction before instructing Xiao Mei to summon Xiao Cui.
"This servant greets the Princess."
"How did it go?", she immediately asked Xiao Cui as soon as the girl entered the room.
In response to her query, Xiao Cui walked forward and offered up a letter.
"This is from shopkeeper Xiao Han.", Xiao Cui further explained. "He said all explanations are provided inside."
Lou Yi nodded. "Is there anything else aside from the letter?"
"Nothing else, Your Highness."
"Hmm.", Lou Yi hummed. "I know you are tired. Good work. You may withdraw and rest now. Tell Xiao Mei to go back and rest as well."
"Understood, Your Highness."