-Imperial Court of Capital City-
"Your Majesty, as I've mentioned before, we really ought to apprehend her. I remain convinced that she is an imposter," the Minister of Revenues reiterated, his gaze lowered and his heart brimming with animosity.
"The guards are not foolish; they interact with various individuals daily. How could they overlook a counterfeit badge?" argued the Minister of Ceremonies.
"How many Imperial Princesses do we possess, and among them, who holds such a badge? Furthermore, the descriptions of her wealth are extravagant—each horse is supposedly worth a village, and each carriage, a city. Yet, what we've seen might be just the tip of the iceberg," explained the Minister of Revenue, his words tinged with an undercurrent of resentment towards the enigmatic guest.
"Lord Guo, there's no need to be so hasty. If she boldly proclaims herself as an Imperial Princess, mind you, not just any princess but an Imperial one, she is bound to pay a visit to the Imperial Palace. It's been merely a day; I believe she is acclimating herself," the Minister of Justice said, offering a more patient perspective.
The Emperor sat in silence, observing his ministers bicker like cats and dogs. He leaned on his hand, pondering when his Crown Prince would return and restore order to this chaotic scene, "I wonder when he will return and get rid of these cockroaches."
Gradually, the murmurings and arguments faded into an unusual silence. The ministers turned their gazes toward the Emperor, their eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty. After a pause, the Emperor realized the abrupt quietness and lifted his head, surveying the court. The ministers' expressions resembled nothing less than puzzled raccoons.
"Is the session concluded? Dismiss the court then," the Emperor instructed, directing his attention to the head eunuch, his own confusion mirroring that of his ministers.
The head eunuch struggled to suppress his laughter and leaned in, whispering, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, and... well, you said 'cockroaches' quite loudly." He managed to contain his amusement, but barely.
The Emperor realized he had accidentally vocalized his inner thoughts and chuckled inwardly.
Straightening up, he channeled his concealed irritation and remarked, "Head Eunuch, the infestation of cockroaches here is intolerable. I've reminded you numerous times to eradicate them. I suppose I've been overly lenient with you. Await the Crown Prince's return; he will certainly address this."
The ministers, collectively holding their breath, breathed sighs of relief. The Emperor's use of the term "cockroaches" didn't register with them as an insult. Prime Minister Xuan, maintaining his usual composed demeanor, subtly smirked, fully aware of the situation.
"Your Majesty, I am deserving of a thousand deaths," the head eunuch acknowledged, playing his part and dropping to his knees in supplication.
"Hmph! The court is adjourned," declared the Emperor, feigning heightened indignation, and exited the scene, using his apparent displeasure as an excuse.
…
-Imperial Garden-
Officer Pei reported, "Your Highness, we were able to recover the proof of Count Gan's crime." Prince Ming was sitting in his usual spot in the Imperial Garden, surrounded by his numerous servants and maids. Standing close enough to read the gestures but far enough away to hear only birds.
"Well done," he said, a faint smile twisting his lips as he narrowed his eyes and gazed at the blooming flowers.
"Thanks to your act that day, he is not at all suspicious of us," Officer Pei smiled as he remembered the crown prince leaving the palace fully convinced that his brother was going through a crisis and staying in the palace.
His smile vanished, replaced by rage and frustration. "But I am truly disappointed that you all lost that person," he said. Officer Pei felt threatened by it because it was the first time he had lost track of a commoner. He wanted to defend himself but realized that doing so would only make matters worse.
"Keep searching! I must find her," He said with a firm, icy voice.
"Yes, Your Highness," Officer Pei nodded before turning around and walking back the way he had come, which had been joyful when he arrived but was now regretful.
…
-Prime Minister's Mansion, Orchid Pavillion-
Madam Guo, Madam Ruo, and Madam Ning joined his wife for a tea party in the Prime Minister's Mansion's Orchid Pavillion, exchanging gossip and rumors while spicing up the cool tea. However, a maid who served them the snacks overheard them talking about the horses that their sons had recently received from the emperor, each boasting about how rare and noble the breed of horse their son had acquired. She couldn't help but pour out all she had been holding in.
"Believe me, I have no lies; I say what I saw with my own very eyes," Her eyes scanned the atmosphere, which froze in suspense and shock.
"You can leave," Madam Ning handed her a coin and asked her to be dismissed.
"A princess appeared out of nowhere, and none of the ministers, including the shrewd prime minister, know who she is? Incredible," Madam Ruo in a blue robe exclaimed, as her friend completed her part of the gossip.
"Madam Xuan, I guess your husband is indeed getting old," the same woman commented, rolling her eyes.
"Why don't you take a break, Madam Ruo? Here come, let me show you something," Madam Guo tried to brush off the heat that hung in the air among the four ladies, gathered for a tea party.
"Madam Guo, aren't you such a bootlicker? Prime Minister Xuan has been sloppy at his job, but since he is a cousin of the emperor, nobody dares speak against him. Now you see, our capital is threatened. Didn't the maid say, Nobody has seen her face; what if there is no princess but an enemy," Madam Ruo lashed out.
"Why is she acting up?" Madam Ning leaned towards Madam Xuan, the wife of the prime minister, and asked.
"Her husband was detained for two days by Xuan Wei," Madam Xuan murmured, her lips drying up, and she felt drowsy, but she tried her best to ignore it all, it had only been a few days since she had recovered a little, and she did not want the occasion to end on a bad note again.
"You have got a lot of nerve to take my name like that," the voice Madam Xuan feared waved from behind her, and as she turned her head slightly to the left, she saw him standing there in the same cold manner.