Chunhe came to the Imperial Study on Xiao Xi'er's orders and spoke with Qin Jue.

Qin Jue then had someone accompany Chunhe to Futang Palace.

"Spring Lotus"

Upon hearing Sanhezi's voice, Chunhe turned around and looked at him. "I wonder if there's anything else you need, Eunuch San?"

"Do not mention the Empress too much in front of the princess."

"Third Eunuch, why is this?"

Hearing Chunhe's question, Sanhezi thought of when Xiaoxi'er had just woken up, her eyes red and struggling to hold back tears, asking Qin Jue if she didn't look like her mother.

A pang of heartache shot through my heart.

"The princess was injured because she heard people say she didn't have a mother."

"After waking up, she asked His Majesty about it and even cried a lot. It's only in the last few days that the princess hasn't mentioned the Empress."

Chunhe knew nothing of these things. Upon hearing Sanhezi's words, she lowered her head.

"This servant understands."

Hearing that Chunhe understood, Sanhezi stopped talking and turned to look at the palace maids following behind Chunhe.

"Do whatever the princess tells you to do. If she says go east, never go west, do you understand?"

"This servant/maid understands."

Chunhe glanced at Sanhezi, and after seeing Sanhezi nod, she left with the people behind her.

Futang Palace

When the palace maids and eunuchs who came to clean entered, they all widened their eyes when they saw Xiao Xi'er dressed in bright yellow.

They all silently prayed for Xiao Xi'er, hoping that Qin Jue wouldn't see it.

Otherwise, you could lose your head! Since ancient times, only emperors have been allowed to wear bright yellow clothes. How did a princess end up wearing it?

Who is trying to frame the princess? They're really going to target even a child!

"This servant greets Princess Leyang."

"Get up, you must clean my mother's yard thoroughly."

"yes"

Upon hearing Xiao Xi'er's command, the palace maids and eunuchs picked up brooms, rags, and shovels and began to sweep.

Little Xi'er sat on the stone bench by the pavilion in the corridor, swinging her little legs.

"She looks just like my mother!"

"Princess, where are you going?"

Seeing Xiao Xi'er jump down from the stone bench and run away, Suanshu quickly chased after her, and Chunhe followed.

Sha Ting caught up with Xiao Xi'er in two steps, grabbed her with his tiger's mouth, and tossed her onto his tiger's back.

"I'm going to find my daddy."

Right after Xiao Xi'er left, the palace maids and eunuchs who were cleaning in Futang Palace began to huddle together and talk.

"Why is the little princess wearing bright yellow? His Majesty mustn't see this!!!"

"The clothes were embroidered with red phoenixes."

"Who wanted to harm the princess by dressing her in bright yellow clothes?!"

"Poor little princess!"

"It must be someone close to the little princess; otherwise, who would have the opportunity to contact the Clothing Department and dress the little princess?"

"How malicious! The little princess is so cute, yet they want to kill her!"

"well--"

As they talked, they all lost interest and felt sorry for Xiao Xi'er. They lowered their heads and quietly began cleaning.

"Father—"

As soon as Qin Jue heard Xiao Xi'er's voice, he saw Sha Ting lead Xiao Xi'er straight into the Imperial Study.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Sha Ting jumped up and, with a flick of his wrist, tossed Xiao Xi'er into Qin Jue's arms.

"Giggle giggle—"

"So fun!"

Little Xi'er was thrown into Qin Jue's arms like that, and she clapped her hands with amusement.

Qin Jue saw Sha Ting's behavior and gave him a chilling look.

Sha Ting shrank to an inconspicuous spot because Qin Jue was watching him.

"Little Xi'er, do you know that was very dangerous?"

"It's not dangerous—"

"If Daddy hadn't caught you, you would have fallen to the ground."

"But there are no 'ifs,' Daddy caught the nest! And... Daddy is so amazing, he definitely could have caught it!"

Qin Jue pinched Xiao Xi'er's nose helplessly, "You little rascal."

After saying that, he gently pushed Xiaoxi'er's forehead with his index finger.

Why did you think of your father?

"Father, do you remember that someone hasn't remembered me as their father since they started attending the palace school?"

"It's truly heartbreaking!"

Xiao Xi'er hugged Qin Jue's neck and stood on Qin Jue's lap.

"No, not at all!"

"I clearly love Daddy the most~, how could I say I've forgotten Daddy?"

"Father, you mustn't wrong me!!!"

"Otherwise—I'll tell Mommy!!!"

As she spoke, Xiao Xi'er plopped down on the table behind her, where the memorials were placed, her little arms crossed, her face puffed out as she looked at Qin Jue.

"Alright, Father has wronged Little Xi'er."

"Father, please apologize to Xiaoxi'er, okay?"

"Hmph"

Xiao Xi turned her head to the side, ignoring Qin Jue.

"Three pieces of pastry?"

After Qin Jue finished speaking, Xiao Xi'er still ignored him.

Actually, as Xiao Xi'er turned her head to one side, the smile on her lips gradually widened.

Qin Jue, on the other hand, cooperated with Xiao Xi'er and pretended not to see anything.

"That... a palm-sized pastry"

Xiao Xi'er gradually covered her mouth and laughed happily, then lowered her hand and turned to look at Qin Jue.

"Then... I forgive Daddy!"

"I didn't want to eat pastries, I forgave you because I didn't want you to cry!"

"Okay, Xiaoxi'er is right."

After receiving a look from Qin Jue, Sanhezi left the imperial study to fetch the pastries.

The little princess truly lives up to her name.

The only person who could keep His Majesty from falling out of the game is probably the little princess!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!