Wanxuan carried Nuo’er and returned to the Qiushui Palace.

However, the strange thing was that there were a few more imperial guards on duty outside the Qiushui Palace.

This was something that had never happened before.

Wanxuan was a little puzzled.

Gu Nuo’er didn’t think much about it and leaned on Wanxuan’s shoulder, giving each of the handsome older brothers a flying kiss.

Wanxuan brought her into the palace and chanced upon Wanyin, who was about to head out.

Wanyin said, “I was just about to go look for you and the princess. Her Highness gave instructions for us not to bring the princess out by ourselves recently.

“If there’s really a need to go out, there must be guards following us.”

Wanxuan was a little perplexed. “I saw that there were also imperial guards on watch outside when we came back. What happened?”

Wanyin took a look at Gu Nuo’er, who was in Wanxuan’s arms.

The child was playing with Wanxuan’s hair as if she wasn’t paying attention to their conversation.

Wanyin said in a soft voice, “Qinghe was executed today and it was a horrifying sight. All the consorts and concubines had seen it.

“However, this Qinghe was vicious. Before she died, she shouted loudly and said that she had been discovered by the little princess.

“Her Highness and His Majesty felt that Qinghe must be trying to notify the person behind the poisoning incident. There must still be things that Qinghe hadn’t confessed.

“Now that the mastermind had heard this, they might come looking for the princess’s trouble! We have to be more wary.”

Wanxuan gritted her teeth. “These damned people. They were the ones who were discovered when they were trying to harm someone, but now they’re blaming it on our princess.”

Wanyin consoled her and said, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Hurry up and carry the princess inside. Her Highness is waiting.”

When Gu Nuo’er was brought into the inner room, Noble Consort Qiao was dressed gorgeously and did not look worried at all.

She was leaning against the chaise lounge, looking through the palace’s accounting records.

“Mother~” Gu Nuo’er called out in a soft voice.

Noble Consort Qiao raised her head and her red lips instantly curled into a doting smile.

“Baby Nuo, come over to Mother. What did you play with Wanxuan earlier?”

At this moment, Wanyin handed over a wet handkerchief. Noble Consort Qiao took it and wiped Gu Nuo’er’s small hands for her.

After Gu Nuo’er’s chubby hands were cleaned, she picked up the plum blossom pastries on the table and started eating.

Her cheeks were puffed up from the food and she said, “We went to see the bear bear~ Mother, is the matter with Empress Mother resolved?”

The child was still thinking about this matter.

Noble Consort Qiao explained to her gently, “We’ve already found the person who gave the poison and had the imperial physician look for the antidote. I believe that it won’t be long before your Empress Mother gets well.

“The reason it wasn’t detected that the poison was given through tea was because Qinghe and Cailuan usually drugged the tea at the last moment and then they’d be the ones to wash up. Therefore, no one discovered it.”

She carried Gu Nuo’er up and placed her on her knees.

“Baby Nuo, you’re Mother’s lucky star and have been smart since young. You’ve done very well in this incident.

“When you encounter something strange, don’t make a fuss first but come to tell Mother first when you’re back. Leave the rest for Mother to take care of.”

Gu Nuo’er nodded. “En! Mother said that Baby Nuo is still young. There are things that Mother has to go do.

“But after Baby Nuo grows up, it’ll be my turn to protect Mother!”

Noble Consort Qiao smiled, feeling satisfied. She tapped one of her fingers, with nails that had been dyed red, onto Gu Nuo’er’s small nose.

Since Gu Nuo’er was born, this was how the mother and daughter had gotten along.

Noble Consort Qiao had never coaxed and lied to Gu Nuo’er like how others would treat children. She’d talk reason with Gu Nuo’er and teach her slowly.

Although some of the things that Gu Nuo’er liked were a little childish, Noble Consort Qiao would show her support as long as it was something that wouldn’t hurt her.

Therefore, Gu Nuo’er was very sensible and knew when to be squeamish and when to be obedient.

At this moment, Wanxuan entered and reported, “Your Highness, the Second Prince has come.”