In the end, Jiang Yi'an never did manage to carve all those wooden figurines.
The Empress Dowager suddenly arrived at Cloudbrook Hall, and the court officials took the opportunity to stay in the palace for dinner.
Jiang Yingcheng went with the other little ones to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, briefly easing the strange atmosphere between them.
After paying their respects, everyone returned to their seats.
Steaming dishes were carried into the hall one after another, replacing the food that had already gone somewhat cold, and a fresh banquet began right there.
Jiang Yi'an sighed inwardly.
It seemed he could forget about leaving the palace early today.
Disguised as Tian Heng, Wu Leyong dragged things out until halfway through the You Hour. Only after meeting up with the men Lu Yao had brought did he stroll forward alone and knock on the gates of Prince Jing's Residence.
Once he had stated his identity and purpose, the people at Prince Jing's Residence quickly ushered him inside and brought him before Bianzhou, the Prince's Residence's steward.
Only after the passwords and tokens had been checked one by one did he relay the information he had coaxed out of Tian Heng.
Before Wu Leyong had even left the Prince's Residence, Bianzhou had already hurriedly assigned men to ride hard after the subordinates who had set out the previous night.
With his head lowered and eyes downcast, Wu Leyong walked out through the gates of Prince Jing's Residence under their watchful eyes.
Then he darted into an alley and successfully met up with Lu Yao, who was waiting inside.
His whole demeanor instantly shifted from his earlier timidity to utter calm and composure.
"I've packed the materials you'll need for your disguises and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's waist tokens in here,"