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The Southern Palace

"Father, I take my leave from here. Enjoy the day, Father," Jia Li said and bowed to her father again.

Tang Xiangwei advised Jia Li to take some rest since her feet were bruised. "Don't walk around as it can grow uneasiness in your feet," he said, expressing his warm concern.

"Sure, Father," Jia Li took a few steps back before turning around. Her eyes fell on the same man who, earlier had extended his hand for her, and furrowed her brows together.

The Chief General greeted the Crown Princess, but she didn't respond to him. She walked ahead and soon left the main hall.

Court Lady Xuan asked the Crown Princess why she didn't return the greetings of the Chief General. "He holds the highest power after the Emperor, Your Royal Highness," she humbly said.

"I know," Jia Li stated and informed Court Lady Xuan she would like to go to the prime minister's office.

Court Lady Xuan reminded the Crown Princess that she was supposed to take a rest.

"Nothing has happened to my feet," Jia Li asserted, and she commanded the Court Lady to leave for the manor. "I don't want to hear another word," she affirmed and asked Court Lady Xuan not to worry about her.

Jia Li headed to some of the highest power-holding officials' working place, which was in the Southern Palace. Seeing the Crown Princess, the guards at the entrance bowed.

She entered the Southern Palace while thinking of the scroll on which she had taken the Emperor's seal for a work. However, she handed it to the Prime Minister, thinking he would take care of it. It was a mistake, which could be the reason for her downfall.

'I need that scroll at any cost,' she thought.

While ascending the stairs to the administrative office, her shoe came under her long, high-waist skirt. Jia Li was going to fall on the stairs with her face when a strong arm wrapped around her, and steadied her.

"Be careful, Your Royal Highness," a soft masculine voice fell into her eyes, and she peered into his eyes.

Jia Li promptly took a step back and thanked him for preventing her from falling off the stairs. She was getting late, so she did not ask his name and walked ahead. Jia Li even forgot to thank the young man because she was in a hurry. She had limited time to stop a lot of things from happening.

Jia Li entered the Prime Minister's office, and a few lower rank officials left their seats upon seeing her. She went straight to the second floor to the office of the Prime Minister.

Jia Li pushed the door open and saw the Prime Minister asking his assistant to bring some important bamboo slips.

"Your Royal Highness," Prime Minister Jin Liang rose to his feet and greeted her warmly.

"Prime Minister Jin, the scroll I handed you yesterday, I want it back," Jia Li demanded with a stern tone. Jin Liang got puzzled for a second, but he didn't ask any questions from the Crown Princess and simply handed her the scroll, which was on the desk.

"Here, Your Royal Highness," Jin Liang said.

Jia Li quickly checked the scroll and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Prime Minister Jin," she asserted when he asked why he wanted the scroll back.

"I forgot to mention something important in this," Jia Li replied and apologized to Jin Liang for disturbing him during the work.

"It's alright, Crown Princess," Jin Liang said and told her he would see her off outside.

"I will go myself. Prime Minister Jin did not have to disturb himself," Jia Li asserted and again thanked him before heading out.

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