Three days later, Hu Li return to the palace. She used her magic to become a maid and wonder around the palace. She ask her way inside in pretending to serve pastry for Princess Wang Ching. It work when the maids she need keep directing her. She finally arrives at the house of plentiful where the princess resides. She walk in as if she is send to deliver the pastry. Hu Li look around the courtyard. There is nothing odd nor strange about the court yard nor boudoir. However its very eerily quiet. Not even a maid at sight. The wind blows and shake those lanterns hanging high on the ceiling. There is an open boudoir at the side of the huge pond. The fabric that hangs on the top are moving gently with the wind. Some birds are chipping in the corner watching her walk around.
"Who are you?"
A maid appear out of no where. She is holding some embroidery basket. They look at each other. Hu Li is wearing the maid's uniform that belongs to Dowager palace. Hu Li Show her the plate.
"I was told to deliver these. Where do i put it?"
The maid look at her suspiciously as the Dowager doesn't like Princess Wang Ching why would she wants to send some pastry over here.
"Put it over there."
The maid use her chin to point to the table that is place in the open. Before Hu Li walk slowly and look at the maid. The maid is staring at her with her beady eyes without moving.
"Ah so where is the Princess? Party have to eat while it's fresh now."
"None of your business. Now go."
Hu Li bow to her and walk out of the courtyard. At the same time, an elegant lady appear. Behind her are four maids who is waring the same clothes as the one inside the courtyard. She bow to the lady and she get ignore. Hu Li take look at her face. She have round big eyes with a small button nose. Her lips arched as if she is smiling.
"What is this?!"
"The maid of the Dowager brings it here. She said it is for you."
"Dowager?! That old thing... throw it away."
Hu Li continue to stand behind the flower bush to hear as much as she can.
"Wang Cao, did he say he is coming here?"
"Your highness, he did not say so. I heard that these days he is going in and out of the Yamen."
"That boy, go and find him. Say his older sister miss him and wishes to have dinner with him."
After awhile Hu Li hear that the Princess is whispering.
"So that two is still alive?"
The maid whisper and Hu Li cannot hear much. She quietly transform into a cat and stay hidden in the bush. Maybe after Wang Cao arrives, there are more to hear. She stay hidden for a long time, sometimes the butterfly comes and land on her head. It's annoying but something that she have tolerate. After when the sun goes down, she watch the maids coming in and out. She smell food in the air so dinner will be staring soon and Wang Cao will be here. The night becomes dark and Hu Li is taking a short nap when she hear footsteps. A pair of boots walk pass where she is.
"Eldest sister, Wang Cao greets you."
"Sit."
Hu Li then hear the conversation what a sister will say to a brother. Fussing about everything. She suddenly cautiously ask about his work.
"Nothing much. It's the usual things."
"Did you pick up the case on the explosion in the city area?"
"No i am not the charge of that. Why?"
"Nothing. Just that i heard a lot of people are injured. Just showing my concern."
"There is nothing we can do but to provide more medical treatment for those who are seriously injured."
"I hear, that the Yamen is in chaos too."
"Really? No everything is still running smoothly."
"Isn't there two guards injured?"
"No. Where did you hear that from? There is no one injured in the Yamen. Elder sister come eat. The food are getting cold."
After Wang Cao leaves, Hu Li can hear the Princess is angry. She is throwing things in her room. Hu Li seeing there is no one. She walk in and hide behind the narrow back of a boudoir. She walk in silence till she reach the boudoir that the princess is throwing her things.
"That little brat, he doesn't think how much i have help him. Now i ask simply things, he lie to me!"
"Princess, please stop getting angry."
"I need more information. Where are they hidden!"
She continue to throw her things and the maids are pleading with her. After awhile there is not much sound coming from inside.
"I need to finish them."
"Princess, they won't able to talk."
"Only the dead won't talk!"
"Yes your highness. You are right."
"How is the child?"
"She is very obedient and she doesn't know anything. They allow her to play everyday."
"She is young, don't harm her. Till everything is over, have her thrown out. I don't want her life. Whatever happen later to her is her own fate."
"Yes your highness."
"Have you deliver my letter?"
"Yes. It was done."
"Soon, they will see what i can do, a female that they belittle!"
"Send someone to follow my little brother. I am sure that he will visit them one of those days."
"Yes your highness."
After that it's quiet and Hu Li leaves quietly. She leap up those walls and got chase by maids and eunuchs. She safety leaves the palace ground. Behind the back ally, she transform to her human shape. She walk the dark lonely road alone back to the home of the Officer Zhou.