Since the incident at Huan Yi Yuan, all of Daxing Prefecture had become much more grim and tense. Patrol guards appeared on the streets every few days, while the court had been embroiled in fierce arguments for days. Amid a bewildering series of official promotions and demotions, Song Qingshu decided to enter the palace and exchange information with Empress Peiman.
Security within the palace was even more outrageous. Even with Song Qingshu's qinggong, he found it somewhat difficult to sneak in. In the end, he had no choice but to once again assume Xiao Xingguo's appearance and go to Taihe Hall to request an audience with Empress Peiman.
Inside Taihe Hall, the eunuchs and palace maids stood as silent as cicadas in winter. Empress Peiman was in the midst of a furious outburst, but upon hearing that Xiao Xingguo had come to see her, the anger on her face instantly vanished. She waved at the people below and said, "Bring him in at once. You may all leave first. I have no need of your service here."
"Yes!" The eunuchs and palace maids felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted, and they hurriedly lowered their heads and withdrew.
"That Xiao Xingguo really is deeply favored by Her Imperial Consort. The moment she heard he was here, her whole face lit up with a smile."
"Exactly. I wonder what is so special about that little eunuch. Do you think he might be Her Imperial Consort's male favorite?"
"Quiet! Are you fucking tired of living? You dare talk nonsense like that?"
As Song Qingshu passed by those eunuchs and palace maids, he vaguely overheard their private discussion and could not help laughing to himself. They had not guessed wrong. In a sense, he truly was Empress Peiman's male favorite.