Chapter 048: Warrior Maiden, You’ve Hurt My Chest!

Wu Tan immediately realized why she had felt something was amiss the moment she entered. Wu Qingqiong! Wu Qingqiong was no longer at Lady Meng’s side!

Wu Tan paused in astonishment.

Lady Meng, however, was thoroughly flustered. “Where’s Qiong’er? She didn’t come back with you?”

Earlier, when Wu Tan mentioned wanting to step out for some air, Wu Qingqiong said she’d go along. Lady Meng, seeing that after more than half a month of learning proper conduct, Wu Qingqiong had indeed grown more sensible and composed, hadn’t thought much of it and allowed her to go. Yet now Wu Tan had returned, and Wu Qingqiong was not with her.

Wu Tan frowned.

Apricot was even more puzzled. “No, Madam! I accompanied Second Miss the whole time while walking in the back garden. Third Miss wasn’t with us, and I didn’t see her at all!”

She spoke and turned to look at Wu Tan.

Although the main hall of Changchun Palace was grand—where empresses typically hosted lavish banquets—the sheer size of the hall meant the rear garden was comparatively modest. Wu Tan had circled it twice, taking in the scenery everywhere. If Wu Qingqiong had joined, it would have been impossible for Wu Tan not to notice.

Wu Tan knitted her brows in silence.

Lady Meng grew increasingly anxious and abruptly stood, grabbing Wu Tan’s hand. “She didn’t come looking for you?”

She knew her daughter best. The palace was no place for recklessness. At this moment, she feared Wu Qingqiong might cause some trouble.

The lady chatting beside her, unaware of the situation, simply chuckled to reassure her. “Girls are lively by nature. Unlike us at our age, they can hardly sit still. Perhaps she’s gone off to play in the imperial garden. It’s a rare visit to the palace—she won’t get lost. Don’t be so strict, Lady Hou. Let her explore.”

Lady Meng could only force a smile, unable to voice her concerns. “There are many distinguished guests in the palace today. I just worry she’ll be careless and offend someone important.”

The old matron, thinking Wu Qingqiong might be up to her usual mischief, felt her head ache.

With her temperament, the old lady scarcely wanted to bother with that troublemaker anymore. But family was family; if Wu Qingqiong caused serious trouble, the entire Wu clan would be implicated.

She couldn’t truly wash her hands of it. Sighing quietly, she said to Wu Tan, “Your sister is wild. Go look for her. If you find her, bring her back. If not… let it be.”

This was the palace. She feared Wu Qingqiong might cause a scandal, but she wouldn’t risk Wu Tan’s safety for her sake. It was a matter of doing what one could.

Lady Meng felt another surge of anxiety, opening her mouth to protest, but she knew the old matron had lost patience with Wu Qingqiong. With so many people present, it wouldn’t do to argue further. She could only urge Wu Tan, “Please make sure to bring her back.”

“Alright,” Wu Tan replied, withdrawing her hand. “Second Mother, stay and have tea with Grandmother. I’ll go look for Third Sister in the imperial garden.”

Turning, she set out with Apricot, passing through the courtyard and exiting Changchun Palace.

She looked around. Both sides of the imperial path were filled with noble ladies and young women strolling about. Wu Tan carefully scanned their attire but saw no sign of Wu Qingqiong.

Apricot, ever quick-witted, hurried over to a gate guard and described Wu Qingqiong and her maid’s clothing.

But there were so many female guests in the palace today, each dressed beautifully. The guard wasn’t unwilling to help—he simply had no impression.

Wu Tan searched among the crowd to no avail and, seeing Apricot sweating while gesturing to the guard, moved over as well. “Sir, did you happen to see the eldest daughter from Lord Huo Wenshan’s residence? Her maid was carrying a bundle.”

Since everyone was here for the banquet, it would be hard to distinguish between young ladies, but someone carrying a bundle would stand out.

“Oh… those two, yes. They went that way,” the guard replied, pointing to the right side of the imperial path. He then called to a taller guard by the right gate, “Brother Li, didn’t the girl with the bundle ask you for directions? Were they looking for someone?”

The other guard looked over and, without needing to conceal anything for Huo Yunhua, replied, “I think she said she needed to return something to Princess Lin’an. I pointed them towards Huayang Palace.”

Wu Tan thanked him and then turned to confirm, “Huayang Palace is straight down this path, correct?”

The guard replied, “Go straight, then turn right at the second intersection into the imperial garden. There are plenty of winding paths in the garden—if I try to describe them, you won’t remember. Since it’s His Majesty’s birthday, the place is crowded. Just ask any maid or eunuch for directions once you’re there.”

“Thank you!” Wu Tan thanked him again and hurried off to the right with Apricot.

They moved so quickly that Apricot had to jog to keep up, asking, “Miss, do you really think Third Miss went with the Huo family’s young lady? Should we split up? I could search the other way.”

If Wu Qingqiong had followed Wu Tan out, she might well have seen Huo Yunhua. Even if she had grievances with Huo Yunhua, it didn’t necessarily mean she chased after her. Apricot felt her mistress’s judgment was a bit rash this time.

“She can go wherever she pleases. No one here has a grudge deep enough to risk causing trouble for her in the palace, especially during the emperor’s birthday. As long as she isn’t with Huo Yunhua, nothing serious will happen,” Wu Tan replied, impatience in her tone. “Let’s just find Huo Yunhua.”

If Wu Qingqiong was indeed with Huo Yunhua, she’d drag her back. If not, she’d simply ignore her. The Wu family’s status was high, and though Wu Qingqiong was foolish, she hadn’t offended anyone enough for them to seek revenge in the palace, especially on the emperor’s birthday.

Apricot realized her mistress was genuinely angry, a rare occurrence. Understanding the stakes, she said no more.

The two followed the guard’s directions, turned into the imperial garden, and walked a short distance before being overwhelmed by the maze of intersecting paths.

Wu Tan spun in place, frustrated and about to ask someone for directions, when she turned and bumped into someone.

Her vision blurred from the collision—not painful, but the other person exaggeratedly clutched their chest and cried out, “Oh dear, Wu family girl, you’ve hurt my chest! It aches…”

From the voice alone, Wu Tan knew who it was.

Annoyed by Wu Qingqiong’s troubles, she didn’t even look up and stomped hard on his foot.

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