Why does Xiao Jiu want to leave the palace?

The Ninth Prince's eyes reddened, and he wiped his eyes, saying, "Brother, I've never left the palace in my entire life. I just want to go out and see the world, so I won't miss out on seeing it in the future."

The Crown Prince was shocked, and Qi Qi was also shocked, feeling that this guy's acting skills were even better than his own...

"Don't talk nonsense, Jue'er, don't talk nonsense. You're perfectly healthy, how could you not see it?"

The crown prince was clearly touched on a sore spot, and his eyes reddened, showing that he was a sentimental young man.

"I want to go out and take a look. I'm protected by the guards, so nothing will happen."

After two days of deliberation, Qi Qi secretly pestered the Ninth Prince relentlessly, and the Ninth Prince, in turn, pestered the Crown Prince relentlessly. In the end, the Crown Prince finally agreed, adding several more experts to accompany him and stipulating that the Ninth Prince must not linger outside and must return immediately.

With so many people following them, how could they possibly see the real scene outside? Qi Qi had experience watching TV, so the two of them left the palace without any attendants or maids, only changing into ordinary clothes and bringing some good food. Just as they left, they were spotted by the Fifth Prince, who was taking a walk, so another person joined them.

The Fifth Prince had been trying to befriend him for the past two months. Qi Qi tested him a few times and found that the man just wanted to make his life a little better. He didn't refuse to talk to him, as long as the man didn't have any bad intentions and just wanted to live a better life. This was not only a normal human desire, but also something that robots could understand.

As long as it's within Qi Qi's acceptable range, he doesn't mind being friends with him, and besides, the Fifth Prince is really quite handsome.

The Ninth Prince didn't care. He could also see the Fifth Prince's overtures. It was just another little follower. He just shouldn't think about things he shouldn't.

...

"Knock knock knock, knock knock knock".

Late at night, not long after dinner, Chen Dianji, who was teaching his child to read, was knocked on the door.

The place Chen Dianji rented was in an old alley. When the neighbors needed to find him, they would just call out. Nobody knocked on the door.

Of course, it couldn't be his colleagues either; he was poor and had no future, and apart from a few other minor officials, nobody wanted to hang out with him...

Just as Chen Dianji began to have doubts, his wife opened the door and asked in surprise, "Whose children are you?"

Before Chen Dianji could even look over, he heard his wife's rare hearty laughter: "Oh my child, why are you calling me 'sister'? Your aunt is over thirty and her child is already ten years old, hahahahaha..."

Then a familiar child's voice came: "Oh, it's Auntie! You look so young, I thought you were only twenty..."

As Chen Dianji listened to the laughter, he felt that something was amiss, and soon, that unease became tangible.

Looking at the three children standing before him, Chen Dianji's legs went weak: "Your Highness..."

Qi Qi quickly said, "Teacher Chen!"

He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Teacher Chen, my father has to go on a long trip and has asked you to take us three brothers in for a few days."

Chen Dianji: "..." What the hell!

The Fifth Prince, with his reserved demeanor, raised his usually lowered face and smiled, softening the sharpness in his deep-set eyes: "Teacher Chen, I'm truly sorry for the sudden intrusion. It's just that things happened so suddenly, and I'm afraid I'll have to bother you for a few days."

Although the Ninth Prince was dressed in the same plain and coarse clothes, the arrogant air between his refined features still revealed his extraordinary nature at a glance. His phoenix eyes swept over the small courtyard, and Chen Dianji immediately noticed his disdain...

Qi Qi took his hand and squeezed it. At least the Ninth Prince didn't turn around and leave. He just pursed his lips and didn't say anything.

Qi Qi blinked and said pitifully, "Teacher Chen..."

His wife tugged at Chen Dianji's sleeve: "Poor little thing, how come there's not a single adult around late at night?"

No? Who would believe that? It's probably because our every move is being watched, and we're ready to strike at the slightest sign of trouble.

Chen Dianji closed his eyes, then opened them again, having accepted the harsh reality: "The three of you, please come in..."

Chen Dianji's family was indeed poor, and Qi Qi and his two companions, who arrived at their home temporarily, could only stay on a small bed that had been hastily prepared.

The three of them claimed to be distant relatives of Chen Dianji, who had come to stay for a few days because their parents were away. Qi Qi only told them not to reveal their identities to Chen Dianji's family for the time being. They didn't know what he had said to his mother, wife, and children, but their eyes showed a hint of pity. Especially Chen Dianji's wife, Wu, spoke softly and gently, afraid that raising her voice would frighten them.

Qi Qi: ...

The bed belonged to Chen Dianji's son; it was old and worn. The three of them slept in it, covered with the best bedding Chen Dianji's family had provided. Qi Qi had to coax the Ninth Prince to sleep several times before he finally got him to fall asleep. He was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, but he was also feeling drowsy. He turned his head and saw that the Fifth Prince next to him still had clear eyes.

He said in a low voice, "You tell stories to Ninth Brother every day?"

Qi Qi was too lazy to coax him anymore, so she patted the blanket around him and mumbled sleepily, "Good boy, go to sleep..."

Then, he closed his eyes and gradually calmed his breathing.

The Fifth Prince glanced at the hand he had placed in front of him, his eyes dark, but he did not move it away.

The next morning, Chen Dianji skipped his shift. He had received the Crown Prince's order to take the three children for a stroll around the capital. Seeing his troubled expression, Qi Qi pulled Chen Dianji aside and explained the purpose of his trip. Chen Dianji pondered for a moment, then his gaze towards Qi Qi changed. He bowed and immediately led the three children out.

Qi Qi: "Wait!"

She then took out a small box of dark foundation from her bag and applied a whole tub of it to the Ninth Prince and the Fifth Prince, which suppressed the extraordinary fair complexion on their faces.

After admiring his masterpiece with satisfaction, Qi Qi said, "Alright, let's go."

...

It has been four months since the Great Xia Dynasty lasted for rain.

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