Hua Manman said, "You must already know how far the plot has progressed by now.
"Right now, the heroine, Hua Qingqing, and her son are trapped in the palace. Their lives are in danger at any moment.
"The only way to save them is to have Prince Zhao bring his troops back as reinforcements.
"If you don’t agree to my terms, I won’t let anyone send a message to Prince Zhao.
"We can just keep dragging this out. Let’s see who can outlast whom."
System: "..."
’Here we go again! This woman is resorting to her usual threats!’
It was furious but helpless, and in the end, could only say resentfully,
"Fine. I’ll give you one more month, and that’s it."
’It had already braced itself to be reprimanded by the mainframe.
’Getting chewed out was better than the heroine getting into trouble and the main storyline completely collapsing.’
Hua Manman rested for a night.
The next morning, as usual, she had breakfast with her mother, Hua Dingzong, Feihua Zhenren, and her two younger brothers.
Hua Dingzong was already tired of living at this villa and wanted to go home every day.
But because her mother disagreed, and with his daughter and two sons siding with her, Hua Dingzong was outnumbered and could only endure it sullenly.
Her mother served Hua Manman a bowl of chicken noodle soup, adding a fried egg that was golden-brown on both sides.
Just as Hua Manman was digging in, Steward Jia suddenly ran in with a panicked expression.
"Princess Consort, the Night Owl Guard are here! They say they found prohibited items in the Prince Zhao Mansion and want to take you to the Imperial Palace for questioning."
The expressions of everyone in the room changed.
Her mother was the first to speak. "The mere Night Owl Guard? On what authority do they search the Prince Zhao Mansion? Who gave them that power?!"
Steward Jia was pushed aside from behind as three men in black cloaks strode in.
The man in the lead cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute toward Hua Manman and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes,
"I am Yan Zhi. I have been ordered to escort the Princess Consort Zhao to the Imperial Palace for questioning."
He gave her mother a deliberate, long look, his gaze turning sinister.
"The Madam just asked who gave us our authority?
"Naturally, it was the Saint who gave us our authority.
"When the Saint established the Night Owl Guard, he decreed that we are to specialize in carrying out searches.
"Be they high officials and nobles or common folk, all fall under our jurisdiction to search!
"If the Madam has any complaints, you can come with us to the Imperial Palace and confront the Saint in person."
Hua Manman put down her bowl and chopsticks. "What did you find in the Prince Zhao Mansion?"
Yan Zhi replied, "We found many prohibited items.
"For example, a Dragon and Phoenix Jade Cup. The dragon and phoenix motif is a pattern reserved for the Saint and the Empress. How could your Prince Mansion use such an item?
"And for another example, a top-grade Luminous Pearl from the South Sea. That is a tribute item. How did it end up in the Prince Zhao Mansion?"
Hua Manman thought back carefully but couldn’t recall the mansion having such things at all.
The Prince Mansion’s treasury contained many rare treasures. Some were spoils of war Prince Zhao had won, others were rewards from the Emperor, and still others were gifts from his subordinates to show their respect.
It was possible that one or two prohibited items might have been mixed in among them.
But that wasn’t a major offense.
Almost every influential noble family had a few prohibited items. As long as they didn’t show them off, the Emperor generally wouldn’t pursue such minor matters, choosing to turn a blind eye.
’But now the Night Owl Guard is deliberately making an issue of it. This is nothing but picking a fight for no reason, deliberately looking for trouble!’
Hua Manman said, "I haven’t been living in the Prince Mansion recently, so I’m not very clear on its affairs. Could you allow me to return to the mansion to see what’s going on?"
Yan Zhi’s expression was still respectful, but his tone held a hint of impatience.
"Princess Consort, please don’t make things difficult for us.
"The matter has already been investigated, and those prohibited items have been submitted as evidence of a crime.
"This case is already set in stone.
"If you feel that the Night Owl Guard has wronged you, you are more than welcome to go to the Imperial Palace and explain things clearly to our Supervisor."
Hua Dingzong couldn’t help but retort.
"Your Supervisor is just a eunuch. How dare he demand the Princess Consort give him an explanation? Who does he think he is?!"
Yan Zhi’s face instantly darkened. With a SHING, he drew the sword from his waist and pointed its tip directly at Hua Dingzong.
"You dare insult our Supervisor? You’re courting death!"
Hua Dingzong hadn’t expected him to actually draw his blade. His face went pale with fright, and he didn’t dare speak again.
After a brief moment of shock, the two brothers, Hua Borong and Hua Bowen, quickly stood up, moved over, and shielded their father and mother.
The other two Night Owl Guards also drew their swords.
Qing Huan took a step forward, assuming a stance, ready to fight at any moment.
The atmosphere became tense, with swords drawn and bows bent.
Just as it looked like both sides were about to clash, Hua Manman propped herself up on the edge of the table and slowly stood.
"Everyone, stop arguing. Isn’t it just a matter of going to the Imperial Palace to clear things up? I’ll go with you."
Her mother immediately grabbed her arm and said urgently,
"Don’t be foolish. The situation in the palace is terrible right now. Even the Saint is unconscious. If you go to the palace at a time like this, it’s no different from sending a lamb into a tiger’s den!"
Hua Manman comforted her in a low voice.
"Mother, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
Her mother was so anxious her eyes turned red. "What could you possibly have planned? Look at your own belly! You’re almost eight months pregnant, and you still dare to run around outside? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
Hua Manman turned her head to look at the three Night Owl Guards.
"Please wait outside for a moment. I have a few things to say to my family in private."
Yan Zhi frowned. "Please be quick. Our time is very precious."
The three of them turned and walked out.
Everyone in the room immediately surrounded Hua Manman, all talking at once as they tried to persuade her not to go to the palace.
Hua Manman had no choice but to tell them the truth.
"Actually, even if the Night Owl Guard hadn’t come for me, I was planning to make a trip to the palace myself.
"I have something very important to discuss with the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Zhen in person.
"Now that they’ve come to my door on their own initiative, I can use this as an opportunity to slip into the Imperial Palace."
Her mother insisted, "No matter how important it is, it’s not more important than your life and safety."
The others all chimed in in agreement.
"That’s right, just listen to your mother. Stay home and don’t run around."
Hua Manman said helplessly,
"The Night Owl Guard have already come to our door. If I don’t go, a large contingent of them will show up soon.
"At that point, it won’t just be us; even the tenant farmers on the villa will be implicated."
Her mother grit her teeth. "If it really comes to it, we’ll fight them!
"We have plenty of people on our side, anyway. And we have General Bian for outside support.
"Even if we can’t beat them, we can at least let them know we’re not to be trifled with!"
Hua Manman took her hand and soothed her gently.
"Don’t be impulsive. Things haven’t reached the point of no return yet. I’ll go with them first. I’ll arrange everything that comes after."
Her mother finally couldn’t hold it in any longer, and tears fell.
She said through her tears,
"Oh, my poor, ill-fated child!
"I thought you had married a good husband and would live the rest of your life in happiness and peace. I never expected you’d have to endure so many hardships!"
Her crying made Hua Borong and Hua Bowen’s eyes redden as well, and even Hua Dingzong felt terrible.