"Father!" Cuiyue leaped and fell into the Emperor's arms. The Emperor caught her and picked her up.

Looking at the little dumpling with its messy hair but perfectly neat clothes, Fulin wanted to discipline it, but he swallowed his anger at the dumpling's dependent and joyful eyes. However, while he didn't punish it severely, he still had to give it a little. Thinking this, he looked at Cuiyue seriously and asked, "Why didn't you bring any servants with you? What if you encounter danger?"

Cuiyue knew she was in the wrong and that she had made a big mistake. She didn't dare to argue with her father, and the little dumpling looked much more dejected.

Accustomed to seeing his youngest daughter proud and happy, Fu Lin softened when he saw her looking so dejected for the first time. He said in a gentler tone, "You can't do that again."

"Yes, Father Emperor, Cuiyue understands." Cuiyue looked up and smiled sweetly, knowing that her father would no longer pursue the matter, and she said obediently.

At this moment, Consort Yang, who had been notified, also rushed here. Consort Yang had a delicate appearance, though her looks were not outstanding. However, she had a gentle and charming temperament. At this moment, the usually composed Consort Yang had tears in her eyes, making her look somewhat pitiful.

"Moon!"

"Mother!" Seeing that it was her mother who had come looking for her and was crying, Cuiyue couldn't help but want to escape from her father's grasp and run to her mother.

Seeing the deep affection between the mother and daughter, Fulin, though not particularly fond of Yang Fei's style, understood her anxiety. He handed the restless little dumpling to Yang Fei, exchanged a few words with her, and then left.

By the time Consort Yang returned to the palace with her daughter, it was already dusk, the sun had begun to set behind the mountains, and the sky was gradually darkening.

Back in the palace, Consort Yang glared angrily at her obedient daughter standing before her.

“Cuiyue, your mother knows you’re playful, but how could you leave the servants behind and stay alone? What if… something happens to you? What will your mother do?” As she spoke, Consort Yang’s face was filled with tears.

Seeing that her mother was about to cry again, Cuiyue quickly stepped forward to wipe away her tears.

Despite her mature demeanor, the little girl was still only four years old. She was startled by her mother's tears and choked out, "Mother, don't cry. Cuiyue will never run away alone again. Cuiyue will be good..."

"Waaah... Cuiyue."

...

Seeing the mother and son crying bitterly in front of them, the maids were so busy comforting their mistresses that their mouths were dry. If they hurt their eyes from crying, their mistresses would suffer a great loss.

The maids finally managed to persuade the mother and son to calm down.

Consort Yang also began to inquire about the place where her daughter had disappeared.

"Moon, where did you go?"

Speaking of the secret base she had discovered, the little girl's still red eyes lit up. She whispered mysteriously, "Mother, Yue'er is going to tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone else, okay?"

Consort Yang raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Oh, what secret?"

"Mother, come closer, I'm only telling you this."

So mysterious? Looking at her daughter, whose face was filled with undisguised excitement, Consort Yang felt a genuine curiosity. She knew her daughter well; the little girl was somewhat spoiled and possessive of the treasures she had her eye on. This was evident in how she carefully kept the gifts she received as a child. Consort Yang had originally wanted to correct this tendency in her daughter, fearing it would cause her trouble later. However, several princesses in the palace had passed away, leaving only her daughter, who had become somewhat pampered. The Emperor and Empress Dowager also doted on her, so Consort Yang allowed her daughter to indulge in this habit.

Thinking it over, Consort Yang leaned closer to her daughter's little head.

Cuiyue's soft body pressed against Consort Yang, and the warmth of her breath almost touched Consort Yang's ear, causing her to tremble: "Mother, I have discovered a fairy."

Consort Yang's curiosity had almost reached its peak. Hearing her daughter's confident tone, it was as if a raging fire had been extinguished by a bucket of water.

Consort Yang: "..."

Cuiyue pouted: "Mother, don't you believe me?"

"Of course not, Mother believes Cuiyue's words." Yang Fei thought to herself, blaming her for always telling Yue'er fairy tales, which made the child's heart too heavy. She looked at Cuiyue with a distracted gaze.

Just as Consort Yang knew her daughter's temperament well, Cuiyue was just as familiar with her mother's temperament. She could tell at a glance that her mother did not believe her words. Thinking of the little girl, she couldn't help but pout, as if a small oil lamp was hanging from her lips.

Because her daughter's "whimsical idea" interrupted her, Consort Yang didn't press further about where her daughter had gone missing. In any case, the Emperor would find out the truth, so there was no need for her to pursue it further.

Because of the palace maids who were punished, Consort Yang did not plead for them. Taking care of the princess was their duty, but Consort Yang was somewhat angry that such a four-year-old girl could be lost. She let the maids suffer the emperor's punishment.

When Cuiyue asked, Consort Yang gave her a vague excuse.

In the cold palace, several women gathered together.

He Zhulan looked at the stunningly beautiful woman in front of her, who was simply sewing a purse. It was as if the emperor wasn't worried but the eunuch was; she was blushing with anxiety, while the woman continued to sew the purse so leisurely.

She said anxiously, "What time is it? You're still sewing your purse. What will you do if the little princess is punished by the emperor after she goes to the cold palace?"

Seeing He Zhulan's face flushed with anxiety, Qingyin smiled, raised her head, and said, "The little princess slipped in by accident, we didn't kidnap her. The Emperor is a rational person, he won't blame us no matter what. Besides, in fact, we can even be considered to have done something good in this matter."

He Zhulan felt a pang of sadness. Meeting Qingyin's teasing gaze, she blushed. This was the Ninth Prince, the former emperor, whom she, as a mere concubine, had no access to. Moreover, because of Qingyin, the emperor had thrown such a stunning beauty into the cold palace. Did that mean the emperor was blind and mentally challenged?

Therefore, she always thought that the blind emperor would blame Wanwan for this.

"Don't worry, Sister Alan. I know what I'm doing," Song An said reassuringly, looking at He Zhulan, whose face was flushed.

"Hmph, you two sisters are the only ones who know what's good for you, while I'm just a big shot worrying about nothing!"

"Haha, look at Alan, his berries are even redder than mine. I just wonder if they'll taste sour."

Qingyin teased He Zhulan, who was blushing with anger, and handed her the sachet she had made. She winked playfully, "Spring is here, and there are more insects. There are mosquito-repelling herbs in the sachet. Try it, Alan."

"Fine, I'll give it a try." He Zhulan said, taking Qingyin's purse with a hint of annoyance.

Seeing He Zhulan's actions, the group exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

He Zhulan, with her head down and the purse in hand, couldn't help but smile.

In an instant, the simple yet cozy palace was filled with laughter and joy.