Chapter 372: Chapter 319: What if Xiao Mo Thinks I’m Silly?
Once her plan was set, Qin Siyao wasted no time.
In Qin Siyao’s short life, she had only tried to escape the Imperial Palace once.
Though, in the end, she had failed.
’But as far as Qin Siyao was concerned, her failure was entirely due to bad luck. It had absolutely nothing to do with her own abilities!’
’The last time she’d tried to escape, she’d run right into the Empress, who was out for a stroll. That was just bad luck!’
This time, Qin Siyao learned from her painful lesson and perfected her plan.
’She had decided. This time, she would steal Sister Hua Sheng’s Passage Jade Token and dress up in a Palace Maid’s uniform. Then she could leave the Imperial Palace without a problem!’
’Time to get to work!’
When night fell, Qin Siyao finished her dinner, quickly changed, and climbed into bed. She pulled the quilt over her shoulders with her small hands, putting on an exceptionally well-behaved act.
"Sister Hua Sheng, Siyao is going to sleep now~" Qin Siyao said to Hua Sheng, her face a picture of innocence.
"You’re going to bed so early, Princess."
Hua Sheng gave a soft smile and gently tucked in her little princess.
Although Hua Sheng said nothing, she knew that something was amiss. The Princess would never go to bed this early.
She had already guessed that her princess was planning to get into some mischief.
"Mhm." Qin Siyao nodded seriously. "Siyao is a little tired today, so I’m going to sleep now. Good night, Sister Hua Sheng."
"Good night, Princess." Maid Hua Sheng curtsied and went to the outer room to rest.
Lying in bed, Qin Siyao’s large eyes snapped open. She glanced left and right. Through the translucent screen, she watched Sister Hua Sheng change into a nightgown and lie down on her bed.
Qin Siyao watched Sister Hua Sheng intently, her eyes blinking as she followed her every move.
After Sister Hua Sheng tossed and turned a few times in bed and then became still, Qin Siyao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The little girl slowly and carefully climbed from the bed. She slipped her socks over her dainty little Golden Lotuses, then slid her feet into her small shoes.
Qin Siyao took out the Palace Maid’s outfit from under the bed.
This outfit was one that the Textile Department had specially delivered not long ago when Qin Siyao wanted to play dress-up as a Palace Maid.
At the time, Qin Siyao hadn’t thrown the clothes away, but had kept them instead.
Perhaps, in her subconscious, Qin Siyao had always wanted to escape the Imperial Palace again.
Like a little thief, the girl tiptoed to Sister Hua Sheng’s side and carefully opened the drawer of her bedside table.
Before long, Qin Siyao found the Imperial Palace’s Passage Jade Token.
She picked up the Passage Jade Token.
Hanging the Passage Jade Token on her waist, Qin Siyao happily ran out, even thoughtfully closing the door for Sister Hua Sheng.
After Qin Siyao left, Hua Sheng slowly opened her eyes.
A slight smile touched Hua Sheng’s lips as she looked at the closed door.
’The Princess really is stubborn.’
Shaking her head, Hua Sheng pretended not to know anything, lay down on the bed again, and went back to sleep.
’The Princess won’t be able to get out anyway.’
With a cheerful spring in her step, Qin Siyao headed toward the gate of the inner palace.
Before long, Qin Siyao saw the female guards responsible for guarding the inner palace gate.
Some patrolled in formation, while others stood watch atop the palace gate. Their gazes were so sharp they wouldn’t miss a single fly trying to get into the inner palace.
Looking at these female guards, Qin Siyao’s heart skipped a beat.
Although she had prepared herself mentally, she couldn’t help but feel nervous now.
To prevent them from recognizing her, Qin Siyao put on a veil and walked forward.
"Halt," a sword-wielding female guard shouted at Qin Siyao.
Qin Siyao stopped in her tracks, suppressing the nervousness in her heart.
Before long, a female guard in charge of inspections walked over. She looked Qin Siyao up and down.
’What is the Princess up to this time?’
’Does the Princess think my Realm is just for show? Did she really think I wouldn’t recognize her just because she changed her clothes and wore a veil?’
"I am the Princess’s maid. The Princess suddenly craves Beggar’s Chicken from North City, and I am going to buy it for her."
Qin Siyao puffed out her chest like a proud little hen and spoke with great confidence, presenting the Passage Token in her hand.
"This is the Princess’s Passage Token. Now that you’ve seen it, make way at once!"
"..."
The female guards were speechless for a moment and all looked toward their superior.
The Captain of the Guard on duty at the West Gate gave her deputy a look. The deputy immediately understood and headed in the direction of the Empress’s chambers.
The Captain of the Guard then said placatingly, "Of course the Princess can have her Beggar’s Chicken. But West City is too far, and it’s dangerous at night. How about this: we will prepare a carriage for you, young lady, and I’ll have my subordinate, Jin Feng, accompany the Princess. What do you think?"
"This..."
Qin Siyao’s eyes darted left and right, unsure of how to respond for a moment.
Moreover, Qin Siyao had also realized a crucial problem: she had forgotten to arrange for a carriage!
’Otherwise, with my short little legs, it would probably take until noon tomorrow to walk to the Iron Tiger Army’s barracks.’
’By then, Father Emperor would have long since found out and dragged me back.’
Just as the little girl was lamenting this one crucial oversight in her otherwise flawless plan...
A familiar voice reached Qin Siyao’s ears: "What’s going on here?"
The Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, walked over. Beside the Second Prince was the same female guard who had just been sent to report to the Empress’s palace.
