No Small Matter

In the presence of the Empress Dowager's somber countenance, Qin Zhenzhen remained remarkably composed.

She had already received a clandestine letter from Su Bin, alerting her to his efforts in disseminating rumors outside the palace.

She and her grandmother had never ventured beyond the palace walls, so they were entirely unaware of the events outside.

"Empress Dowager, has something untoward occurred?" Qin Zhenzhen inquired with an air of innocence, despite sensing the Empress Dowager's mounting anger.

"You needn't feign ignorance!" the Empress Dowager seethed. "Once I capture your associate, you shall both meet your demise!"

Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback. "Empress Dowager, but why?"

Empress Dowager paid no heed to her query and issued orders to have Grandma Qin taken away in isolation.

The frustration surged within Qin Zhenzhen. She knew that her grandmother faced immediate and severe punishment.