"Throw the incense sticks and open the curtains."

Rous.h.i.+ immediately ordered the servants to throw all of the incense sticks. I unlit the candles and let the sun illuminate the palace.

"What is happening here?"

"Greetings to the empress, this humble servant pays respect. I am called Qin Zetian."

"Oh you are the daughter of the right prime minister and Lan'er"

"Her royal highness knew my mother?"

"Come child, your mother and I were sworn sisters before the emperor confined me as his bride. Oh this old bones missed your mother very much. How is she?"

"She is well and youthful your highness"

"Don't stand in ceremony, just call me auntie"

"Auntie, I will not speak around the bush anymore, can you perhaps accompany my mother for a few days? I promise auntie that you will have your appet.i.te back."

"Hahaha, this child is really thoughtful, Rou'er go and ask audience for your father for me. Tell him I'll visit your aunt Mulan today and stay there for a few weeks. This old lady needs some fresh air."

"Yes mother!" then Rous.h.i.+ left the room, my smile also vanished

"Eunuch Kang dismiss all of the servants, I'd like to talk to Zetian for a while"

"Yes your majesty"

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When the servants are all dismissed, I hurriedly sat next to the empress.

"Auntie can I check your pulse for a while?"

She lend her hand. I reached for her pulse and check how badly poisoned she was.

"Zetian, can you promise me that you'll look after Rou'er at all times for me? I know death is inevitable, you are a sensible child and with you around guiding her I'd be satisfied. My body is on the verge of collapsing, I might not make it till the next Autumn festival. I'm afraid this will likely take a toll on her. I'm afraid she'll be left alone. The throne is dangerous, I am already arranging for my sons to work somewhere far away and even sending them to sects. The second prince will battle for the throne and Rou'er will be at risk because of political marriages. Please take care of her"

"I will, auntie the walls have holes. Let us go to the manor and let's plan for the future."

The empress nodded.

"Mother! Good news, father has agreed. But he said we will need to keep your vacation as a secret. Shall we prepare your things?"

"Rou'er you don't have to, I will take care of everything when we get to the manor. For now let's set out.

I never spoke of the main reason in front of Rous.h.i.+ but the queen understood my intentions. She is still much younger than me if we compare our maturity level. Her mother is severely poisoned and I need to find ways to cure it. The objects in her palace might contain poisons too so it's better to avoid bringing them.

"We will use my carriage so it won't raise awareness. We need to remove the jewels that the both of you are wearing so we won't be suspected. Auntie we will drop by to the nearest inn and change your clothes, anything related to here might be subjected for a bigger cause"

"Do as you seem fit"