"Miss, Du Yi just sent word. The Emperor has ordered the Eighth Prince to withdraw from his studies." Ying Ge rushed inside.

Ye Qianning’s expression darkened. "Why?"

"The details aren’t very clear. We only know that the Emperor issued a decree early this morning, forbidding the Eighth Prince from leaving West Splendor Garden without cause."

Anger flared in Ye Qianning’s heart. ’Is this house arrest in all but name?’

Sang Zhi was ostracized by the palace staff for being ’inauspicious.’ His happiest moments were his studies on Lou Mountain. Now the Emperor had stripped even that away from him. ’The little traditionalist must be heartbroken right now.’

She suspected the reason for Sang Zhi’s forced withdrawal from school was related to the Crown Prince. Although there were also Honey Sucking Nests in the Imperial Palace, not even a single insect could fly into the Imperial Study or the Emperor’s chambers.

The Emperor was surrounded by high-level Hidden Guards that even she couldn’t detect. A person with profound Inner Strength emitted a suppressive aura that even birds and insects dared not approach.

After a moment of thought, she stood, rounded the screen to the desk, and took up a brush to write a letter.

"Take this letter to the Eighth Prince."

"Yes."

Ye Qianning hoped the letter would help Sang Zhi cheer up. If he truly wanted to learn, she would find a way for him to continue his studies, even if he was confined to West Splendor Garden.

He and Sang Qi were both sons of the Emperor, yet their treatment was worlds apart.

Yesterday, during the marriage decree, she hadn’t understood why the Beili Emperor had suddenly changed his mind.

It was only after returning to the General’s Estate that she understood. When Old Master Gu and the others had come demanding an explanation, the Royal Hidden Guards had been lingering nearby.

She hadn’t detected them, perhaps because they were too far away. It was Du Ying who discovered them upon his return, and they had departed in a hurry right after.

Du Ying had returned to the estate before the blood-relation test had even begun, so she was certain the Emperor didn’t know about her blood ties to the four families—only that she was connected to them.

The combined power of the four families was not to be underestimated. The moment the Beili Emperor heard the news, his thoughts had immediately turned to the Crown Prince. It was clear the Beili Emperor truly doted on Sang Qi.

Early the next morning, Madame Zhan’s carriage arrived at the General’s Estate. Ye Qianning was already up.

Ying Ge combed her hair while Ying Yuan selected the outfit she would wear to the palace.

Looking into the bronze mirror, Ye Qianning recalled the day Fourth Granny had done her makeup, and a small smile touched her lips. For big events back in the village, children’s makeup was always wildly exaggerated.

’By my calculations, Fourth Granny should have reached the Yu State area by now. It’ll probably take her another month to leave Beili.’

"Miss, what do you think?"

Ye Qianning looked up, reasonably satisfied.

One had to dress with particular decorum for a visit to the palace. She wore a small, palace-style pink dress with a crossed collar, a butterfly Jade Pendant with pale green tassels at her waist, and pearl-inlaid embroidered shoes on her feet.

The overall effect made her look like a little doll from a painted scroll. Looking at her reflection, Ye Qianning couldn’t resist pinching her own chubby cheeks. ’I really am adorable.’

Once she was ready, she headed out. As she left the front hall, she saw Madame Zhan waiting for her at the entrance in the distance.

Seeing the little girl emerge, Madame Zhan started over to greet her.

"Grandma," Ye Qianning said, trotting over.

"Slow down, slow down, don’t fall." Madame Zhan quickened her pace as well.

Ye Qianning ran right up to her. "Grandma, have you been waiting long?"

"Not at all, Grandma just arrived." Madame Zhan’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Now let Grandma see... whose beautiful little doll is this?"

Ye Qianning broke into a wide grin.

"Just beautiful."

Madame Zhan reached out and gently pinched the girl’s little cheek, the affection in her eyes so deep one could drown in it.

The two of them walked to the gate. Just as Ye Qianning climbed into the Zhan family’s carriage, she saw her father and her master step out of the estate together.

"Father, Master, where are you going?"