Xie Yuancheng smiled inscrutably. Before I could react, he had me put on a bamboo hat, and he changed into a black outfit and put on a mask.

Meng Anshi also disguised himself before going out with them.

"What good thing are you doing now?"

I stared at Xie Yuancheng with a scrutinizing look. The carriage was shabby, with coarse cloth curtains and a small interior. I could touch him if I stretched out my legs while sitting inside.

"Ying'er, you'll find out soon enough."

I leaned against the carriage. He's just become a bit more clever. Ever since he learned to keep things a secret, he hasn't told me many things, leaving me to guess.

As soon as the car reached the bustling area, I heard people on the street talking about the Crown Prince.

"Have you heard? The Crown Prince was maimed by bandits from Yubei City."

“I heard about it too. He was kept away from home after that and has only just returned to Beijing now.”

"He's the crown prince, who would dare to hit him?"

"They are definitely righteous people from the martial arts world. Although the Crown Prince is noble, have you forgotten the consort who was crippled and bedridden by him not long ago?"

"I heard that too. The entire General's mansion was almost covered in white curtains at the time."

"I have to say, I've passed by several times and the General's Mansion is heavily guarded."

"It's pitiful that General Ji dedicated his life to fighting for the country, yet his son was beaten like this."

"Stop! The Crown Prince's carriage is here. If we get overheard, we might be crippled too."

They were talking about something fine, but they suddenly dragged me into it. You can't see inside this carriage from the outside, but you can see the outside scenery through the bamboo curtain from the inside.

When Xie Yuancheng overheard them discussing me, I had to pull him back several times, otherwise he would have gotten out of the car to argue with them.

A gong sounded, and the people outside started to get excited. I pulled back the carriage curtain and got a clear view.

Those were the people welcoming the Crown Prince to the palace. The Crown Prince was sitting in a carriage, not coming this way, but turning a corner not far away.

Although there were many people escorting him, I still noticed the thick bandages on the prince's arms and legs.

"he?"

"Madam, let's talk about it when we get back." Xie Yuancheng whispered in my ear. I saw that the escort team had gone far away, and I was about to lower the carriage curtain when another person outside turned around and started chattering again.

"This young lady is beautiful."

"You can see her wearing a straw hat."

"Beauty is in the bone; just looking at her is a pleasure."

······

Xie Yuancheng simply pulled down the carriage curtain, and Meng Anshi drove the carriage away.

“Yuancheng~ Husband~ My dear husband~ You really can’t blame me, it was you who wanted to take me out.”

That's true, shouldn't he be happy when someone praises me? Why does he look angry instead?

"Ying'er, don't even think about walking in crowded places next time."

"Yuancheng~"

I'll lean against it for a bit first. Anyway, the carriage is small, and it would be foolish to argue with him at a time like this. I'll just go along with his little temper.

The carriage stopped at the back door, and I saw my mother as soon as I got off.

"Mother, what are you doing here?"

"You're finally back. Come inside with me, we have a guest."

Xie Yuancheng got off the carriage. "Mother-in-law, we still have things to do. I'm leaving Ying'er in your care. Don't let her run away from home."

They want to go out, but where are they going?

"Yuancheng, you guys."

"It's almost time, wait for me to come back."

Meng Anshi unloaded the carriage, whistled, and another horse ran out from the other side.

They mounted their horses and rode off. Before I could react, I turned around and asked, but my mother didn't know either.

I'll go change my clothes first, and then interrogate him later.

I had just changed my clothes in my mother's room when I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes and brows had become gentler after giving birth to Yu'er.

However, with my handsome and beautiful appearance, I am still quite eye-catching.

"Ying'er, please don't take the picture."

When my mother opened the door, she saw me happily admiring myself in the mirror, while Yu'er was in her arms, babbling away.

"My good son."

I picked Yu'er up, but the little guy was so disrespectful to me; he pouted and looked like he was about to cry.

"You naughty boy, you actually cried when you saw your mother, that's too much."

The mother smiled and took Yu'er away. Now that she had Yu'er, she was full of energy. It was truly a case of the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

"Ying'er, come with me quickly."

My mother led me mysteriously toward the villa, which used to be a place specifically for entertaining distinguished guests.

I don't know who came today, but they actually want to go to the villa.

However, after circling the villa, we returned through the back gate.

"Mom, you seem to be feeling better now. Take me for a spin around and play."

"You're so good at talking."

My mother carried Yu'er and led me around for a while, then we returned to the study. As soon as I entered, I saw Consort Ji.

"Your Majesty, Ying'er has arrived."

I'm having trouble with how to address her again. Since my mother is here, I'll just call her aunt.

"aunt."

Consort Ji's previously happy face instantly fell. I didn't know if she was like this before; I couldn't even remember her voice or smile. I stood to the side, pretending not to see anything.

It was Mother who broke the silence, showing Yu'er to Consort Ji: "Your Majesty, do you think this child looks a lot like Ying'er when she was little?"

Consort Ji, who had been wearing a cold expression, brightened up noticeably when she saw Yu'er.

"Where did this child come from? They really do look alike."

Consort Ji took Yu'er in her arms, and her mother smiled beside her. She had no idea that Yu'er was her own grandson.

"Wow, what an adorable child! It immediately reminds me of what Ying'er looked like when she was little."

Yu'er is adorable and smells of milk. With her big, bright eyes, she can win the hearts of little girls.

Now even the servants in the mansion look over when they hear his laughter.

"Ah, hey." Yu'er was happy today, his little face was rosy, and his innocent big eyes were staring straight at Ji Fei, while he was holding her index finger with both hands.

"This child is so cute, he knows how to make people happy at such a young age."

“Your Majesty is right. Now that he’s with me, I’m happy every day.”

You're clearly my son, but now you're being coaxed by two elders. Fine, I'll just let him play by himself.

"Sister-in-law, Ying'er and I have something to say."

Consort Ji had looked at Yu'er enough and was about to start speaking normally.

"You two can talk slowly. I've already sent the servants to guard the villa. No one knows you're here."

Consort Ji nodded. When Mother took Yu'er out, I really wanted to kiss my good son's face.

As if I wasn't sad enough, Yu'er stared at me intently with a wide grin.

"Ying'er, come sit here."

I calmed myself down and sat down in the chair next to her.

"Aunt, why are you out of the palace again?" I actually wanted to say that the Crown Prince had just returned, and she was worried about being caught out for leaving the palace like this.

"I... I just came to see you. I saw you being carried on a stretcher back then, and it's so good that you can get out of bed and talk today."