Inside Kunning Palace, the Empress was still drinking alone.
She sat by the table, sipping slowly.
According to the plan, Xu Xi would return to Kunning Palace to report safely after sending Bai Li out of Xuanwu Gate. She was waiting for Xu Xi to personally tell her that Bai Li had left the palace before she could rest easy.
But before Xu Xi arrived, Wu Xiu and the Jiefan Guard came first.
The Empress turned to look at Wu Xiu rushing in, while the Jiefan Guard behind Wu Xiu did not enter Kunning Palace, instead surrounding its perimeter closely.
Wu Xiu stood alone outside the threshold of the hall, lifted the hem of his official robe, and knelt down: "Court Minister Wu Xiu pays respects to the Empress."
The Empress did not allow Wu Xiu to rise, only calmly saying, "Lord Wu has performed all the courtesies, so there must be an important matter to discuss with this palace?"
