When Li Luo reached House Luolan, he sought out Jiang Qing'e immediately to fill her in on the conversation with the First Princess.

"She confided that much in you?"

Jiang Qing'e was astounded. Out of all the girls she knew, the First Princess rated a solid brick wall on a scale of difficulty to read. The two spoke cordially on most days, albeit with some guardedness. But getting the First Princess to open up was no small feat. And her words to Li Luo had brought them to a new level of closeness.

"Perhaps it’s because I can treat the Little Emperor..." Li Luo offered.

Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly. "So the struggle at the royal court is white-hot in intensity too. It will be a turbulent six months."

"The entire political landscape of the Xia Kingdom might change." Li Luo sighed. Why couldn't they have a bit more peace and quiet?

"Will the regent give up power willingly?" he asked.

"I...