Bai Zhi’er led Song Qingrui out of the tunnel.

Feng Fuce was still waiting not far from the courtyard.

"Brother Fu Ce, didn’t attract any suspicion, right?" Bai Zhi’er ran over and walked with Feng Fuce towards the garden.

Feng Fuce said lightly, "No, just heard that the Great Qin Emperor came and the banquet started early."

Song Qingrui said happily, "Brother Ming Yang truly deserves to be the famed scholar of the Capital, even the Emperor personally came to attend his birthday banquet!"

Fortunately, when Bai Zhi’er and the others returned to the garden where the banquet was held, everyone was moving around toasting to each other.

No one noticed anything different about them.

Feng Fuce needed to sit at the male guests’ table, sharing a table with the Princely Heir Ming Yang.

While Bai Zhi’er followed Song Qingrui, Song Qingying, and two other boudoir ladies at a table.

Song Qingying saw them return, her gentle words sounded mysteriously sarcastic.

"Sister finally returned, I thought you had left early and didn’t want to celebrate Brother’s birthday." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Song Qingrui patted the dust on her skirt corner and said, "How could I, I just went elsewhere to admire the scenery and forgot the hour."

"Fortunately, Sister Jing called me back in time!" She remembered Bai Zhi’er’s instruction not to speak of what just happened.

Song Qingying’s gaze followed downward, seeing that Song Qingrui’s skirt hem and back had dust rubbed onto them.

She couldn’t help but be slightly puzzled.

Where exactly had these two gone just now?

At this time, the banquet officially began.

Music and dance resounded, everyone celebrated the Princely Heir’s birthday.

Bai Zhi’er glanced around.

In the distance, both the southern and northern pavilions were heavily covered with curtains.

The pavilion in the south was guarded by the Imperial Guard.

Bai Zhi’er guessed that the Emperor Qin was sitting inside.

With so many people here for the celebration, naturally Wei Mingyang was delighted.

He drank three cups of good wine and generously said, "Thank you to all uncles, friends, for honoring me with your presence today, forgive any inadequate hospitality."

"In the future, if you need anything from Wei Mingyang, just call upon me."

Though polite words, he spoke sincerely in this moment.

Amidst cheers, Wei Mingyang drank another cup of wine.

Suddenly, Prince Li Zheng came hurriedly with the Princess Consort.

Bai Zhi’er glanced over.

Prince Li Zheng was over sixty, had a square face, and his long eyebrows were stern.

He looked like someone who seldom smiled, having a very strict demeanor.

Both he and the Princess Consort had unpleasant expressions.

The couple walked to the courtyard center, Prince Li Zheng spoke, "I must first express my gratitude to everyone."

"Thank you for taking time to attend my son’s birthday, however, there is a matter that needs to be investigated immediately."

Everyone exchanged glances, involuntarily putting down their cups.

What has happened?

Prince Li Zheng’s scrutinizing gaze scanned the crowd.

"Just now, after house servants checked the back courtyard, they discovered that the White Jade Guanyin statue I prepared as a tribute for the Emperor was shattered by someone!"

Whether it was Bai Zhi’er’s imagination or not, she felt that Prince Li Zheng’s gaze lingered on Song Qingrui’s face for a moment.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt surprised, and began discussing chaotically—

"Who was so careless and reckless to break the Guanyin?"

"If it truly was accidentally broken, just admit the mistake, surely the Prince won’t dwell on it."

"But that was meant to be offered to the Emperor, the White Jade Guanyin!"

Prince Li Zheng glanced sideways towards the pavilion where the Emperor sat.

The curtain remained motionless.

It seemed the Emperor had no additional instructions.