Feng Yinwan did not avoid her gaze and even retorted after looking at her.
"What, did I say something wrong?"
Lingxiang: "..."
She couldn't continue the conversation for the rest of the day. Any more words would be a complete disrespect to her own life!
Therefore, she bowed to Feng Yinwan again and then picked up the basket of charcoal ash and moved forward.
Feng Yinwan's eyes followed her, but her body remained stationary.
After Lingxiang walked a few steps and saw that Feng Yinwan did not follow, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't hear any movement behind her until she went forward to dump the charcoal ash. She thought Feng Yinwan had left in embarrassment. However, when she turned around, she saw Feng Yinwan still standing obediently in the same spot.
Her expression clearly indicated that she was waiting for her to return!
When their eyes met, Lingxiang's heart skipped a beat, and she found it difficult to move her feet.
Feng Yinwan, oblivious to her thoughts, smiled and beckoned her over.
"Finished dumping it? Hurry up and come here."
Lingxiang: "..."
She slowly walked forward, holding the basket, and glanced at Feng Yinwan from below, reluctantly protesting.
"Does the side consort have any other instructions?"
She begged Feng Yinwan to say less so that she could live a few more days!
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and spoke on her own.
"I have entered the palace several times but have never seen your Yu Guiren. I suppose it is my own negligence. Since I happen to be passing by the palace today, it would be remiss of me not to pay a visit. What do you think?"
Lingxiang did not think so, but Feng Yinwan's tone was unyielding, and she, a mere palace maid, dared not argue.
Therefore, she tightened her grip on the basket and could only stammer.
"Side consort, you may not know, but my Guiren is naturally aloof and does not like to interact with others. Even the eunuchs serving in the palace have been sent away. You entered the palace with Prince Mo to attend to the Emperor's illness, so there is no need to specifically come and pay your respects."
Feng Yinwan did not listen to her at all. "Not specifically. I prefer unconventional people. Since I am already here, of course, I must go in and see her."
She waved her hand and walked straight in. Lingxiang was startled and immediately ran up to stop her.
"Side consort, please do not!"
Yu Guiren's temper might seem indifferent and casual, but when angered, she was even more terrifying than the Empress. If she rashly barged in today, her service would be over!
Lingxiang blocked the palace gate tightly with her body.
"If the side consort truly wishes to see the Guiren, this servant will go in and relay the message. However, the Guiren always burns incense and meditates before breakfast. At this hour, I'm afraid..."
Her words were tactful, and Feng Yinwan paused slightly at the sound of them, slowly retracting her steps.
"Burning incense before breakfast, does Yu Guiren also believe in Buddhism?"
It was common knowledge in the palace that the Empress Dowager practiced Buddhism. It was not rare for concubines to deliberately imitate her to curry favor.
Lingxiang shook her head upon hearing this.
"The teachings of Buddhism are vast and profound. My Guiren does not practice them. Burning incense is merely a personal preference."
"So that's how it is."
Feng Yinwan crossed her arms and tilted her chin slightly. "Alright, hurry up and go relay the message. This side consort will wait here."
Lingxiang looked up at her with some concern before once again holding the basket and walking quickly into the palace.
Feng Yinwan's eyes followed her, but her feet moved forward unceremoniously.
The Emperor had few concubines, so almost everyone occupied a separate palace courtyard, with their honors distinguished only by internal construction and geographical location.
Yu Guiren resided in Yuxiu Palace, a secluded place with an exceptionally tranquil environment, giving visitors the feeling of being in a detached villa outside the palace upon entering.
Feng Yinwan looked around. As Lingxiang had said, apart from the buildings and dense foliage, no servants were visible in the palace.
It seemed she was indeed someone who enjoyed peace and quiet.
Lingxiang did not go in for long. When she came out and saw Feng Yinwan had entered the palace from outside the gate, she was greatly alarmed.
"Didn't the side consort just say she would wait outside the palace gate?"
She had entered the palace in an instant of carelessness. Fortunately, she had come out quickly, otherwise, she would have directly barged into the hall by now!
Feng Yinwan's expression remained unchanged. "Has the message been relayed?"
Lingxiang nodded, and the result was as she had expected.
"The message has been relayed, but my Guiren does not wish to see anyone at the moment, so the side consort should please return."
It was already a breach of etiquette for her to go in and report just now. If she caused further disturbance and disturbed the master, she would be even more unlucky.
Fortunately, Feng Yinwan did not make things difficult for her any further. She glanced into the hall and, rather cooperatively, stepped away.
"If that is the case, then this side consort will take her leave."
Lingxiang was relieved and escorted her out of the palace gate, then firmly closed the door with a "bang."
A faint smile played on Feng Yinwan's lips as she walked away.
On her way back, as she reached the main road of the palace path, she saw Yun Xiu, who served Consort Li, hurrying along.
Upon seeing her, Yun Xiu immediately stepped forward.
"Have I found the side consort? Her Ladyship asked me to inform you that the Empress Dowager, for some unknown reason this morning, suddenly decided to leave the palace. The servant who arranged the carriage said she was going to Prince Mo's residence."
"She has already left the palace."