The National Master seeks an audience? The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but frown. Xie Pan’Er quickly restrained Suisui’s impending movement. "Let’s take it off after the National Master leaves!" Xiaosuisui nodded obediently, removed it, and put it away. The Empress Dowager ordered, "You, take Princess Chang and Miss Xie to the Side Palace to rest. Then, invite the National Master in." Xie Pan’Er and Xiaosuisui did not follow the Eunuch to the Side Palace. At the entrance, they ran right into the National Master. The National Master’s gaze swept past Xie Pan’Er, then his eyes focused slightly. "Third Miss Xie!" The National Master had spoken suddenly. Xie Pan’Er instinctively stopped and looked at him. "National Master, did you call me?" The National Master nodded. "Apologies, National Master," Xie Pan’Er said. "My parents have been removed from the clan. Our branch, the fifth household of the Xie Family, has already established a separate Ancestral Hall. So, please, National Master, call me Eldest Miss Xie, or Xie Pan’Er." The National Master nodded slightly. "Very well." "I wonder why the National Master stopped me?" Xie Pan’Er asked. The National Master glanced at Princess Chang—the one from the common people—whom Xie Pan’Er was holding. Then he looked at Xie Pan’Er, and finally at Daifeng, the Divine Bird, which had eagerly trotted over when it saw them emerge from the room. The National Master’s mood was incredibly complicated. He recalled how, just moments ago, he had stood before Daifeng, calling out to it for a long time. No matter how he cajoled or pleaded, the Divine Bird wouldn’t spare him a single glance. But now, look at it! Wagging its tail and cooing softly, it looked just like a fawning pug begging for scraps! "National Master! National Master..." Xie Pan’Er called out twice, finally rousing the National Master from his reverie. "Oh! Apologies," the National Master said. "I was suddenly reminded of something, and my mind wandered." Xie Pan’Er’s eyes widened in clear disbelief. What was he thinking about? How could he get so distracted? Good heavens, the National Master actually admitted his mind wandered! "It was nothing," the National Master said. "By the way, Miss Xie, when you entered the Imperial Palace earlier, Daifeng carried you and Princess Chang on several flights around the grounds. I wish to know, was that your idea or Princess Chang’s?" The National Master’s question set off alarm bells in Xie Pan’Er’s mind. Xiaosuisui immediately blurted out, "That was obviously... MMPH! MMPH..." Xie Pan’Er quickly clapped a hand over Xiaosuisui’s mouth, her mind racing. She didn’t know why the National Master was asking this, but Second Mistress had warned her explicitly: in front of the National Master, Princess Chang must not be allowed to speak too much. That was one concern, but more importantly, she was terrified of what Princess Chang might say! "Why does the National Master ask this question?" Xie Pan’Er countered, unsure of his intentions. The National Master frowned at her words. This Xie Pan’Er doesn’t seem foolish. Compared to Xie Yingying, she appears much more astute. "It’s nothing," he replied. "I was merely curious. Daifeng usually ignores everyone in the Palace, yet it uncharacteristically allowed you and Princess Chang to ride it for several circuits around the Imperial Palace. So, I was just curious." Hearing the National Master’s explanation, Xie Pan’Er initially didn’t think much of it, but then a sense of alarm struck her. "National Master, you speak as if you are a three-year-old child," she said. "Why are you so curious about so many things?" Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽 Xie Pan’Er naturally wouldn’t reveal what had actually happened. So, after that little jab, she turned and left, holding Xiaosuisui, without even offering a parting courtesy. The National Master watched her leave, his gaze hardening, his eyes betraying his dissatisfaction.