Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 619 - 617: Visiting Empress Xiao’s Residence

Chapter 619: Chapter 617: Visiting Empress Xiao’s Residence

After withdrawing from the imperial court, Li Er walked towards Princess Consort Yang’s palace with a vigorous stride.

Last night, a cat demon wreaked havoc in the sleeping quarters of Princess Consort Yang, stealing away a part of her soul, leaving her somewhat disoriented.

The Imperial Guard on night patrol had already detailed the situation to both Li Er and Empress Zhangsun. To be honest, the two top authorities of the Great Tang found it hard to believe this incident.

What kind of demon would dare disturb the majestic imperial grounds?

Yet the testimony was compelling, Princess Consort Yang’s soul-loss condition, and the yellow talisman burnt on site revealing a civet cat’s silhouette, all left them with no choice but to believe.

"How is Princess Consort Yang? Has her condition improved?" Li Er eagerly asked as soon as he entered Yang’s palace.

"Your Majesty, Princess Consort Yang has been murmuring only about demons all morning, unable to say anything else. Just now, King of Shu personally fed her a bowl of sleeping pills, and she has just fallen asleep," the palace maid replied nervously, kneeling on the mat.

Due to negligence in guarding, causing Princess Consort Yang to be frightened by the demon, the two palace maids and two eunuchs from last night’s watch had already been ordered by the Emperor to be sent to the Imperial Prison for questioning about the night’s details. It is rumored they might face tattoo punishment, leading to panic among everyone in Yang’s palace.

Compared to Princess Consort Yang’s fate, the palace maids and eunuchs in her entire palace seem insignificant. Whether it was their fault or not, if Princess Consort Yang encountered an accident, they would be held responsible.

"I shall go and see Princess Consort Yang." After hearing the report, Li Er walked towards Princess Consort Yang’s resting bed.

As the former princess of Sui and Li Shimin’s cousin, Princess Consort Yang had a noble lineage and was accustomed to wielding power in the palace. This sudden misfortune naturally caused many to secretly gloat.

Of course, in Li Shimin’s presence, everyone had to feign grief, and some even prayed for Princess Consort Yang.

Li Er approached the bedside, feeling a pang of heartbreak as he looked at his usually charming cousin, now pale-faced and frowning even in her sleep.

Hearing about the demon, Li Shimin felt more joy than shock; where there are demons, there are gods, and where there are gods, there is the Elixir of Immortality.

For a monarch, immortality is an irresistible temptation.

Thus, Li Shimin is determined to dig up the demon for brewing the Elixir of Immortality.

Now in the fifth year of the Zhenguan era, Yuan Tiangang, who specializes in crafting the Elixir of Immortality for Li Shimin, hasn’t entered his service yet; otherwise, Li Shimin might be even more fanatical.

Although he is just over thirty, seeking immortality can never start too early.

Yesterday, the palace maid who guided Lin Wanwan in Yang’s palace was already in a state of panic.

Because the Ministry of Justice’s Junior Minister, who is most adept at investigations, is conducting a thorough investigation into any unusual occurrences from yesterday.

She failed to escort Village Lady Lin Wanwan out of the palace according to protocol yesterday, but instead let her slip away, which, if discovered, would be a grave crime, with those sent to the Imperial Prison being a cautionary example.

Hence, she dared not reveal a single word.

Outside the palace, Lin Wanwan had already dressed and styled herself, taking Xiao Qingyu with her, and was horseback riding towards Chang’an City for a banquet.

Having slept in the modern era, drunk a bowl of porridge, and attended a class on Empress Xiao, Lin Wanwan was now fully prepared and confident.

Though her complexion was somewhat pale originally, after meticulous makeup application, including blush, it was hardly noticeable, making her appear radiant due to her attire and spirit.

If not for the scratch on her arm reminding Lin Wanwan not to let her guard down, she would have been galloping already.

In a bustling afternoon, Tonghua Gate was even busier compared to the early morning when the gates first opened. Because both the east and west markets commence in the afternoon, locals intending to shop or sell agricultural and sideline products were gathering to enter the city at this time.

Upon reaching the city gate, Lin Wanwan dismounted with Xiao Qingyu and got into a luxurious yet bumpy carriage.

Noblewomen attending banquets should maintain their grandeur; riding on horseback appeared undignified.

Compared to the pebble roads outside the city, the blue brick roads within Chang’an City were naturally much smoother and more comfortable, so even without shock absorbers or rubber wheels, the carriage’s bumpiness was bearable, at least for sitting.

Empress Xiao’s residence was in Xingdao Lane, a courtyard Li Shimin specifically ordered to be built for Empress Xiao.

Soon to meet the legendary Xiao of three dynasties, Lin Wanwan felt more excitement than concern.

After all, she is now a Secondary Fifth Rank Village Lady, a female Imperial Physician in front of the Queen; there won’t be many in Chang’an City intentionally trying to trip her up.

Everyone falls ill at times; Imperial Physicians—especially those serving bigwigs as health physicians—are welcomed outside.

It’s only because Lin Wanwan dislikes socializing and does not wish to gain fame, fearing mistakes or errors. Otherwise, with her medical skills and identity as the Queen’s personal health physician, she could dominate all the high official’s backyards in Chang’an City.

After passing Tonghua Gate, not much longer did the group reach Empress Xiao’s courtyard in Xingdao Lane. This location was not far from the palace and close to Xiao Chong’s home, situated in Chang’an City’s prime area; Li Shimin indeed spent effort arranging residence for Empress Xiao.

The carriage halted, Kunlun slave Ali moved the dismounting stool in place, Ji Yue and Cai Yun stepped forward to assist Lin Wanwan and Xiao Qingyu alighting from the carriage.

Besides Lin Wanwan’s party, several other families were at the courtyard entrance; Lin Wanwan, unfamiliar, did not recognize them.

But they knew Lin Wanwan, welcoming her with smiles as they met her gaze.

"Oh, is this the Village Lady from Mao County, Le’an? Such a beautiful face you have," they chimed.

The Cui clan accompanying today stealthily approached and whispered in Lin Wanwan’s ear, "Mistress, this lady belongs to the Dugu Family."

Though Cui couldn’t specify the stranger’s background, deducing from the carriage she dismounted from, her identity was evident.

Lin Wanwan, on this outing, brought all the distinguished maids from her home for show. As a high-born former intellectual, Cui naturally received greater emphasis.

At this moment, her role was perfectly utilized.

Upon hearing that this preemptively smiling woman belonged to the Dugu Family, Lin Wanwan immediately heightened vigilance. She recalled Changle’s gossip about Dugu Yan and Xiao Chong vividly.

She returned the salute, avoiding the woman’s friendly attempt to link arms, asking her, "Please forgive Le’an, accustomed to the countryside, being uninformed, may I ask who you are?"

The stranger smiled unaffectedly by Lin Wanwan’s evasion, "Ah, ha ha ha, no wonder you don’t know me; we haven’t met sooner. I am Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the third lineage of the Dugu clan from Yun Zhong. Come, Le’an, let us enter together; I just saw people from the Xiao Family go in."

Always following Lin Wanwan, Cui heard this and promptly whispered a reminder, "Mistress, the visitor is from King Liang Dugu Xin’s branch."

Seeing Lin Wanwan’s still puzzled look, she quietly added, "Her husband’s grandfather and Queen Yuan Zhen were siblings."