Inside the emperor's study hall, the emperor was looking over petitions regarding the country's affairs. When he was done he then called his personal eunuch, Chao, who was the head eunuch of all the eunuchs in the palace.

"A week from today would be empress dowager's birthday, invite all the consorts and concubines."

"Yes, your highness."

On the other side, Zhang Lin still hasn't come up with a plan on how he would escape from the palace. Thus, with the nice and beautiful weather he decides to go out for a stroll to see if he could come up with a plan just like last time.

"Ju, I want to go for a walk."

"Of course, concubine Lin."

The maid felt that it was inappropriate to call Zhang Lin by his name, therefore earlier she had asked for Zhang Lin's permission to let her call him concubine Lin. She has yet to discover the fact that Zhang Lin was a man.

As much as Zhang Lin hates being called concubine, he could only agree to it since he too knew that it was inappropriate for a maid to call him by his name.

"Let's go after I finish eating."

"Yes, concubine Lin."

Right after Zhang Lin finished eating, he along with the maid went out for a stroll.

The maid took Zhang Lin to walk around in another part of the palace that Zhang Lin has not been to.

While they were walking, they passed by different palace places.

The maid would then explain the different places such as what it is, who it belongs to, etc.

However, Zhang Lin wasn't paying any attention to the maid at all as he was busy observing his surroundings while at the same time his mind was busy trying to come up with a plan to escape the palace.

They didn't walk for long before Zhang Lin became tired and asked them to go back.

It's been a day already since he got top by a stranger, however he can still feel his back sores.

Upon returning to light palace, Zhang Lin went to sit in the pavilion with his maid following behind. Sitting down he couldn't help but ask, "Ju, am I allowed to go outside of the palace?"

"Answering concubine Lin, as a concubine you are not allowed to go outside of the palace unless you have the emperor's permission."

Upon hearing Ju's reply, Zhang Lin could only sigh inwardly. He has never met the emperor before not to mention seeing the shadow of the emperor, so how the hell is he going to ask for the emperor's permission.

"Are there other ways?"

The maid shakes her head and replies, "No."

So, that means I would have to sneak out again?

Zhang Lin let out a sigh.

Since the only way he can go out of the palace was through the emperor's approval, which seems to be impossible leaving him with no choice, but to sneak out again. But then he was still afraid that he might encounter that stranger ambassador again while sneaking out.

Zhang Lin couldn't help, but let out another sigh.

Seeing her lady sighing, Ju grew worried and asked, "Concubine Lin are you alright? Is there something that is bothering you?"

Ju thought that she wouldn't get a response, but to her surprise Zhang Lin spoke, "No. I just really want to go outside the palace."

Ju could see her lady's facial expression didn't look very good. As if remembering something, she quickly said, "I just thought of a solution that might help you to get out of the palace."

Ju didn't know that Zhang Lin was planning to leave the palace without returning, therefore she only thought that her lady only missed her home and wanted to go back for a visit, thus she just wanted to help her lady and make her happy.

Hearing Ju's word, Zhang Lin's face instantly brightened.

"Really?"

Ju could see that her lady's mood had brightened up by her word and couldn't help, but feel somewhat happy.

Nodding her head she replied, "Yes."

"What is it? Tell me?"

"Earlier, the head eunuch of the entire palace had just announced that a week from today would be the empress dowager's birthday and all of the consorts and concubines are invited."

What does the empress dowager's birthday have to do with me getting out of the palace?

As if she could read her lady's thoughts, she quickly said, "During the empress dowager's birthday, the emperor would be there. Many of the concubines and consorts will be showing off their talents there as well in hopes to gain the favorite of the emperor and empress dowager."

"So, you mean that if I were to show something amazing during the empress dowager's birthday, then I might have the possibility to gain their favorite and if I gain their favorite, then I could ask either the empress dowager, or the emperor's permission to leave the palace?"

"Indeed." The maid nodded.

"Great. That is a great plan, but...what kind of things should I show?"

"That...you can sing, dance, or play any musical instruments."

I can't sing since I don't know any ancient songs. I would be exposed if I were to sing a song from my original world. I could dance a bit, but with a robe...no, not a good idea...Maybe I could play a musical instrument, but I could only play a little bit of piano and there are no pianos available in this era. Sigh...why am I so untalented? What to do? What to do? That's right. Maybe I will just observe what the other consorts and concubines are showing and maybe learn from them and try to display similar talent.

"Alright. I will think of something to show during the empress dowager's birthday."