Jiang Luoluo lifted the car curtain and looked at Xie Zhichen speeding towards her with delight.

The little glutinous rice ball rode a tall, chestnut-red horse with an upright posture and a serious expression, clearly showing that it had practiced extremely well.

Jiang Luoluo's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but praise, "Zhichen rides so well!"

Xie Yizhi's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. What's going on?

When he rode his horse with such dashing bearing, Jiang Luoluo never uttered a single word of praise for him.

Xie Zhichen actually received such high praise from her. Besides, if he rides well, shouldn't it be because his master taught him well?

He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Jiang Luoluo with a half-smile, his gaze deep and seemingly revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

Jiang Luoluo immediately noticed the chilly gaze, looked up, and sure enough, met Xie Yizhi's deep eyes.

She smiled sweetly, her eyes darting around, and quickly said, "It's because Your Highness is such a good father that Zhichen has learned so quickly!"

To treat you and your son, it's my treat tonight. How about we go to the night market?

Upon hearing this, Xie Yizhi's lips finally curled up, and a satisfied smile appeared on his handsome face. "Alright."

There is no curfew in the Great Qi Kingdom, and the night markets are especially lively in winter, with lanterns hanging high on both sides of the street, making the night warm and bright.

As the Lantern Festival approaches, the streets are bustling with people, and the food stalls are filled with the aroma of cooking fires, a dazzling array of delicious foods, all steaming hot.

Xie Yizhi dismounted and helped Jiang Luoluo down from the carriage, while Mo Yang steadily caught Xie Zhichen.

As soon as Xie Zhichen landed, he excitedly jumped towards Jiang Luoluo, grabbed her hand and shook it twice, saying in a soft and sweet voice, "Mommy, let's go eat something delicious!"

Jiang Luoluo was amused by his adorable appearance. She took his little hand and walked forward while saying gently, "Zhichen rode a horse all afternoon. You must be tired. Eat more to replenish your energy later."

Xie Zhichen's small eyes sparkled, and he smiled sweetly. He loved going out shopping, especially to the food streets.

Although the food at the mansion was delicious, I always felt that eating out was more satisfying.

Dingdang looked at the steaming food stall, her mouth watering.

Mo Feng stood beside him, unable to help but rub his forehead, his lips twitching slightly. This guy only had one hobby: eating!

The group stopped in front of a lamb skewer stall. The stall owner was skilled and soon handed them a plate of fragrant lamb skewers.

Xie Zhichen widened his eyes and picked through the plate, deliberately choosing the skewer with the most meat and the largest pieces, and handed it to Jiang Luoluo, saying in a soft and earnest voice, "The hardest working person in the family is Mother, Mother, eat first!"

Jiang Luoluo couldn't help but laugh out loud. She took the lamb skewers, gently ruffled his hair, and said in a tender tone, "Our Zhichen is the most considerate."

Xie Yizhi stood to the side, his expression calm, yet a strange chill emanated from him.

The next moment, Xie Zhichen casually picked up another skewer and handed it to Xie Yizhi, saying with a smile, "Father is the pillar of the family, Father wants to eat too!"

Seeing Jiang Luoluo enjoying her meal, Xie Yizhi looked away, took the lamb skewer, and took a satisfied bite.

Streetlights flickered, charcoal fires rose, and a family of three sat around a stall, enjoying grilled skewers in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Mo Feng, Mo Yang, and Ding Dang were also sitting around another table, eating heartily.

Xie Yizhi's mind was filled with the story of "the old house catching fire." He really wanted to find an opportunity to ask Jiang Luoluo about it, but she was sleepy in the afternoon, and he couldn't bear to disturb her, so he had to put his thoughts aside for the time being.

After finishing their lamb skewers, the group continued strolling along, this time stopping in front of a pear juice stall.

The mild and sweet pear juice perfectly cut through the greasiness of the mutton, and everyone took a cup and drank it warmly.

Just as they were enjoying their drinks, a series of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the street, and a familiar voice called out urgently, "Yizhi! Yizhi!"

Xie Yizhi turned his head and saw a figure rushing over in three steps, looking solemn.

The person who arrived was none other than Xiao Lingchuan.

Today he was dressed casually, his usual jovial demeanor gone, replaced by an unusual seriousness.

He quickly approached and whispered a few words in Xie Yizhi's ear.

Jiang Luoluo keenly noticed that Xie Yizhi's hand holding the pear juice trembled slightly, and his pupils contracted instantly, but that shock only lasted for a moment.

He quickly regained his composure, as if nothing had happened.

But Jiang Luoluo knew that something had happened in the palace.

Or rather, something happened to Xie Qiyu.

Xie Yizhi quickly composed himself, handed the pear juice to Jiang Luoluo, and said in a calm tone, but with a hint of unnoticed heaviness: "Luoluo, the Emperor has summoned me to the palace to discuss important matters."

You accompany Zhichen to continue shopping, and then return home early.

Jiang Luoluo sensed the suppressed emotion in his voice, paused slightly, and then gently comforted him, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I'll take care of things at home, so there's no need to worry."

She looked up at him and smiled, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll wait for you to return home."

Xie Yizhi looked at her, his eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "Don't wait for me tonight, I may stay in the palace."

Jiang Luoluo nodded gently, her suspicions growing stronger; Xie Qiyu was probably ill.

He had been plotted against by Empress Dowager Du and Consort Lu for many years, and his body had long been poisoned and he was ill. Even though he was young and strong, he was eventually at his limit.

In the book, Xie Qiyu also fell ill around the Lantern Festival, and his health deteriorated until there was no way to recover.

Xie Yizhi said no more, mounted his horse, and rode away with Xiao Lingchuan.

Inside the imperial palace, in the sleeping quarters.

Xie Qiyu lay quietly on the bed, seemingly trapped in a deep nightmare, her face pale and her breath weak.

Hu, the physician, stood by the bedside, his brows furrowed, carefully taking his pulse.

Xie Yizhi looked at his elder brother on the bed, his heart sinking slightly.

This afternoon, he had brought Xie Zhichen to the palace to visit his elder brother, the Emperor.

At that time, Xie Qiyu was radiant and even accompanied Xie Zhichen to the horse farm for a while to watch equestrian performances, and they even had some snacks together.

Within just a few hours, the person was bedridden and on the verge of death.

Xie Yizhi took a deep breath, stepped forward, and asked in a low voice, "How is the Emperor's condition?"

Judge Hu stroked his beard, his expression complex, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xie Yizhi's eyes darkened. "Speak plainly."

Hu Yuanpan sighed and said in a deep voice, "Over the years, Consort Lu has been adding aphrodisiacs to the Emperor's meals, and the Emperor has been secretly taking drugs to suppress the effects of the drugs."

The two drugs clashed within his body, like two extremes of ice and fire, and over time, they had already begun to erode his health.

Xie Yizhi's expression turned slightly cold, and his fists clenched slightly.

Hu, the imperial physician, continued, "This evening, Consort Lu took her pulse and was confirmed to be pregnant."