"Your Highnesses."
"The competition will begin tomorrow and last for seven days."
"After seven days, regardless of whether Your Highnesses have solved the case or not, the competition will conclude."
"Records from the case-solving period will be submitted to His Majesty, who will then judge them to determine this month's winner."
"I wish all Your Highnesses success in solving your cases."
"Before leaving the palace, please send someone to the Internal Affairs Bureau to register, so this old servant can arrange your departure."
"If you leave the palace privately without registering, your qualification for this month's competition will be revoked."
"Your Highnesses, please be sure to note this."
"As for the specific departure time, Your Highnesses may decide for yourselves."
Chief Zhao bowed, indicating that all matters for today had been conveyed, and then slowly descended from the platform.
Those below, who had been impatiently waiting, finally saw that Chief Zhao had finished his rambling. They dispersed noisily, all intending to hurry back and prepare for their departure from the palace.
The Three Little Ones were also excited, planning to quickly get ready and leave the palace to play early tomorrow morning.
The Seventh Princess and her entourage, who were standing beside them,, upon seeing that they could leave, hastily vanished outside the Imperial Garden, carrying the stretcher.
The Three Little Ones were genuinely curious about this "Sleeping Princess" and politely observed them out of the corner of their eyes.
Only after their figures had completely disappeared did the Three Little Ones begin to discuss in hushed tones.
"Is that the Seventh Princess?"
"She seems like a very unique person."
Yu'er whispered to Imperial Sister Ankang.
Imperial Sister Ankang shook her head. She didn't know much about this Seventh Princess, and today was even the first time she had seen her.
It was just the way the stretcher made its entrance that was truly memorable.
Coupled with those distinctive dark circles under her eyes, it made her even harder to forget.
Li Xuan also felt a bit curious. Could it be that this Seventh Princess was also a sickly person who couldn't sleep well every day?
The people in the Imperial Garden gradually dispersed, quickly becoming sparse.
Not far away, Princess Princess Yuan An was still dawdling, looking as if she wanted to come over but didn't quite dare.
The Eighth Prince, however, walked over boldly, showing off the lot he held in his hand.
"Ankang, where did you draw?"
The Eighth Prince asked casually.
Imperial Sister Ankang smiled slightly and also showed the lot in her hand.
"Eighth Brother, Ankang drew Wannian County."
"I'm afraid we won't be able to play together this time."
Imperial Sister Ankang's attitude towards the Eighth Prince was quite good.
After all, he was one of the few among her many siblings who didn't discriminate against her.
Or rather, the Eighth Prince, like Imperial Sister Ankang, was also an unconventional outlier.
Didn't the others also not think much of the Eighth Prince?
Looking at the bruises on the Eighth Prince's face that hadn't completely faded, Li Xuan couldn't help but guiltily shift his gaze.
Speaking of which, the Eighth Prince getting beaten up was somewhat related to Li Xuan.
The last time they opened treasure chests in Yuqing Pond, most of the treasures inside the chests ended up in Li Xuan's pocket, but the ultimate blame was placed on the Eighth Prince.
This couldn't be helped; the First Prince and his two siblings were a group, and they always shared information, so there was no opportunity for them to take the blame.
Therefore, the only suitable person was the Eighth Prince.
From the Eighth Prince's perspective, the First Prince and his two siblings were bullies. Not only did they deliberately scheme to see what treasures he had obtained, but they also played the victim first and ganged up on him.
If he hadn't been truly unable to defeat the three of them, the Eighth Prince would never have endured such humiliation.
However, if he were to know that all his misfortune was due to this Little Black Cat in front of him, he would most likely not let it go.
Thus, this matter could only remain a secret with Li Xuan.
"Sorry, Old Eight."
Li Xuan looked at the distant mountains and silently said a sentence in his heart.
The place the Eighth Prince drew this time was Changan County, not the same place as them.
Seeing the lot in Imperial Sister Ankang's hand, a trace of disappointment flashed across the Eighth Prince's face.
Although this Imperial Sister looked delicate and frail, the Eighth Prince felt that Imperial Sister Ankang's personality was very much to his liking.
After a few previous interactions, he felt they could get along well.
This time, it was a rare opportunity to leave the palace, and he had wanted to invite her to play together, but since their case-solving locations were different, it was unlikely they would have many opportunities.
"Ankang, then remember to solve the case early."
"If there's still time after solving the case, Eighth Brother will take you to fun places."
When the Eighth Prince said this, Li Xuan also became interested.
"Oh?"
"From what Old Eight is saying, he seems to know something about the situation outside the palace."
"Has this guy secretly left the palace before?"
Li Xuan's eyes darted around, sizing up the Eighth Prince from top to bottom.
"Princess Yuan An, what are you standing there for?"
"If you want to come over, just walk over yourself. Does Eighth Brother have to invite you?"
The Eighth Prince turned his head and said impatiently towards Princess Princess Yuan An.
"Who, who wants you to invite me?"
Princess Princess Yuan An, suddenly called by name, immediately looked a little guilty.
Although she said so, her feet honestly moved slowly as she walked over.
However, as she walked, she took one step and then tested two, appearing cautious.
"What are you dawdling for?"
The Eighth Prince impatiently pulled her in front of him.
Their respective attendants, with tacit understanding, pretended not to see, standing quietly in the distance, looking down at the tips of their shoes.
"Princess Yuan An, did you get hemorrhoids?"
"Why are you walking like that?"
The Eighth Prince asked sincerely.
"You're the one with hemorrhoids!"
Princess Princess Yuan An's face flushed instantly, and she glared at the Eighth Prince angrily.
"Old Eight, if you can't speak properly, then shut your mouth!"
"No one..."
Princess Princess Yuan An originally had half a sentence left unspoken, but seeing Li Xuan looking at her curiously, she forcibly swallowed the remaining words.
Speaking of which, her ability to be this close to Li Xuan now was all thanks to the Eighth Prince.
Princess Princess Yuan An was not ungrateful; she knew that the Eighth Prince was deliberately easing the atmosphere, so she became reticent and said no more.
Seeing her like this, the Eighth Prince couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Princess Yuan An, weren't you fearless before?"
"Where did that generous spirit go?"
"Now you're so wishy-washy, it's really quite boring."
This time, Princess Princess Yuan An didn't say anything more, only silently rolled her eyes at the Eighth Prince.
The Eighth Prince chuckled and continued to say:
"You heard what I just said, right?"
"Solve the case early. If you can't, then forget it. On the last day, I, as your brother, will take you to a good place to play."
"We've agreed, so don't cause any trouble then."
The Eighth Prince said to himself, then waved to them.
"Alright, you two chat slowly, I need to go back and prepare."
The Eighth Prince left Imperial Sister Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An and then walked away with long strides.
"Hey!"
Princess Princess Yuan An froze, reaching out towards the Eighth Prince's back and opening her mouth but not knowing what to say.
It must be said that although Princess Princess Yuan An didn't particularly like the Eighth Prince, when he was present, the atmosphere was always more lively and not as awkward as it was now.
The atmosphere between the Three Little Ones and Princess Princess Yuan An cooled at a visible rate.
However, the two Little Cats meowed at each other, greeting each other.
Bai Xiao was also one who didn't hold grudges.
It had clearly been jealous before due to Princess Princess Yuan An's covetousness towards Li Xuan, but within a few days, it had completely forgotten about it.
After a period of silence, Imperial Sister Ankang, as the elder sister, was the first to speak:
"Princess Yuan An, where are you solving your case?"
"I, I'm also in Wannian County."
Princess Princess Yuan An took out her lot and showed it to Imperial Sister Ankang.
"Wannian, Class Six."
Seeing Princess Princess Yuan An's lot, Imperial Sister Ankang hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Then..."
"How about we leave the palace together tomorrow and travel as companions?"
At these words, everyone except Imperial Sister Ankang, who spoke them, was stunned.
Li Xuan also couldn't help but look up at Imperial Sister Ankang.
He saw that she wasn't joking.
Li Xuan's eyes immediately moved, and he somewhat understood Imperial Sister Ankang's thoughts.
Although Emperor Yongyuan had made some arrangements for this trip out of the palace, accidents were bound to happen.
If they acted together with Princess Princess Yuan An, who was the Empress's legitimate daughter, their safety would be significantly guaranteed.
Princess Princess Yuan An's security forces were definitely far superior to Imperial Sister Ankang's.
This had nothing to do with Emperor Yongyuan's arrangements, but rather with the Empress's influence.
Li Xuan had initially thought that Imperial Sister Ankang, caught up in the fun, hadn't noticed this aspect, but unexpectedly, even before leaving the palace, she was already looking for her free bodyguards.
"Imperial Sister Ankang, is that really okay?"
Princess Princess Yuan An's face was full of surprise, seemingly not having expected Imperial Sister Ankang to make such a suggestion.
"It's fine with me; it just depends on what you want, Princess Yuan An?"
Imperial Sister Ankang smiled slightly, leaving the final decision to Princess Princess Yuan An herself.
"Princess Yuan An is willing, Princess Yuan An is naturally willing."
Princess Princess Yuan An happily agreed, as if afraid Imperial Sister Ankang would change her mind.
At this moment, Chief Zhao appeared from somewhere and walked over to them.
"Your Highnesses haven't gone back to prepare yet?"
"Oh, it's Chief Zhao." Princess Princess Yuan An was in an excellent mood at this time, happily greeting him, and then continued, "Imperial Sister Ankang and I have agreed to leave the palace together tomorrow."
"Oh?"
Chief Zhao couldn't help but show surprise, looking at Imperial Sister Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An a little longer.
He had never expected that these two princesses would become even closer.
But Chief Zhao showed no expression on his face, smiling as he said:
"Traveling together is naturally more enjoyable."
"I hope Your Highnesses will both have fun outside the palace."
"But also remember not to wander off carelessly, and always be accompanied by your guards when playing."
Chief Zhao gave his instructions, then arranged a time to pick them up tomorrow.
The arrangements for leaving the palace were handled by the Internal Affairs Bureau, so they didn't need to worry much about it themselves.
"Then, Imperial Sister Ankang, we'll see each other tomorrow morning."
After settling the matter, Princess Princess Yuan An happily waved goodbye, skipping away while holding Bai Xiao in her arms.