Doubting His Existence

  Xiao Jin turned to look at Zhang Shuming. "Has the Empress returned to the palace?"

 Zhang Shuming replied, "Your Majesty, your servant hasn't received any news that the Empress has returned to the palace."

 Xiao Jin nodded. He then turned to the Imperial Guard and said, "Go to the palace gate and stand guard there. When the Empress returns to the palace, immediately come and inform me."

 The Imperial Guard murmured an acknowledgment somewhat in a daze and excused himself.

 "Summon an Imperial Physician to take a look at the Third Prince's injuries. Then release Imperial Consort De from her confinement and let her come over."

 Zhang Shuming answered in the affirmative and excused himself.

 At the palace for temporary stays, the palace maids went back and forth. It took them quite some time to deliver clean clothes to the palace for temporary stays.