At this moment, someone whom Fang Li least wanted to see arrived at the Minister's residence.

What are you doing here?

Fang Li's words were full of disdain; he was practically making a gesture to kick him out.

"Hey, Fang Li, you usually can't wait to follow me around, why are you chasing me away now?"

"Old dog Tang, who wouldn't want to follow you around like a puppy?"

"Hmph, Donald, don't think I don't know what you're here for!"

Fang Li, fuming, plopped down on the stool and glared at Tang Dai with his small eyes.

"You bastard, Fang Li! I came to see you out of kindness, and this is how you insult me?"

"Donald, don't think I don't know what you're here for!"

This time, Fang Li jumped up from his stool and pointed at the Tang Dynasty.

Tang Dai stopped arguing with Fang Li and said directly, "Sigh, you haven't attended court these past two days. I thought you were sick, so I came to see you on purpose. I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful."

"You think you're here out of kindness? You're like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—you're up to no good! You're just here to make a fool of me."

"Hahaha!" Tang Dai laughed loudly and sat down on the stool next to Fang Li.

"Congratulations, you're right. I came here just to see you make a fool of yourself."

"I heard that your precious son secretly took the little princess out of the palace and was punished with a beating. Even you were penalized with a reduced salary and banned from attending the morning court for seven days!"

"How could I not seize such a great opportunity to make a fool of myself? Hahaha!"

Fang Liqi walked straight up to Tang Dai, grabbed Tang Dai's arm, and was about to see Tang Dai out.

Unable to resist Fang Li's "enthusiastic farewell," Tang Dai eventually left the Ministry of Rites.

————

Qin Jingyi in the palace also learned about Xiao Xi'er's visit to the palace academy to find him a few days ago.

But to Qin Jingyan's utter surprise, Fang Zixu and Wei Yuanxuan actually took Xiao Xi'er out of the palace.

Qin Jingyi sat by the window, recalling that day at the palace academy when he vaguely heard Xiao Xi'er calling for her brother. He had thought he was mistaken, but it turned out she was looking for him.

Qin Jingyi grew angrier the more he thought about it.

But in that moment of anger, he remembered that Wei Yuanxuan was the son of Marquis Dingkang, Wei Kun.

He immediately became worried; Wei Kun was no good, and this Wei Yuanxuan…

Qin Jingyu began to have doubts.

"Small Stool"

"What are your orders, Your Highness?"

The little eunuch kneeling on the ground was called Little Stool. Hearing Qin Jingyi's call, Little Stool ran in.

"Go and investigate Wei Yuanxuan in the Marquis of Dingkang's residence."

"Yes, this servant will go immediately."

Qin Jingyi was left alone in the palace, sitting by the window, gazing at the trees outside and lost in thought.

I had met Wei Yuanxuan twice before. He seemed gentle and polite, and outwardly appeared to be someone I could befriend.

There's not a single good person in the Marquis of Dingkang's household. And you, Wei Yuanxuan, are also from the Marquis of Dingkang's household. Who knows what kind of person you really are?

You'd better not be a dog sent by the Marquis of Dingkang's mansion!

Wei Yuanxuan, I hope you won't disappoint me, otherwise...

Qin Jingyu looked at the trees outside the window, his gaze gradually sharpening.

——————

"Princess, where are you going? Wait for me!" Chunhe chased after Xiaoxi'er.

"Sister Chunhe, I'm going to pee, I'll be right back."

In an instant, Xiao Xi'er disappeared, leaving Chunhe to wait for her.

A dog hole in the side wall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation

Little Xi'er was crawling through the dog hole, and soon she was through it; she stood up, clapped her hands and clothes, and ran forward.

A pair of bright eyes peeked out from a patch of grass outside the wall.

The people in the bushes saw Xiao Xi'er run off in another direction, so they followed her.

Xiao Xi'er arrived at an uninhabited courtyard. The courtyard had a bamboo grove and a stream; although somewhat desolate, one could still vaguely discern that it had once been quite beautiful.

Little Xi ran to the small puddle, took off her shoes and socks, sat on the ground, and put her little feet into the puddle.

Wow, it feels so good!

"Hmph, Father only knows that he's lying to all the insects in the nest. Where are the insects?"

Little Xi'er sat on the side, slowly swinging her feet. In the sunlight, the water droplets on her feet reflected a crystal-clear luster.

Xiao Xi'er lay down on the ground feeling very comfortable.

"It's still spring, aren't you afraid of getting sick if you put your feet in the water?"

Xiao Xi thought Qin Jue had discovered her, so she immediately pulled her feet out of the water and hid them under her skirt.

Then she sweetly called out, "Daddy~"

Qin Jingmu, who was behind, was stunned when he heard Xiao Xi'er call him "Daddy".

Then continue walking in Xiaoxi'er's direction.

"Aren't you getting up right now and putting your shoes and socks on?"

"Daddy~ I'll put it on right now!"

"hey-hey……"

Xiao Xi'er turned her head and smiled foolishly. Halfway through her smile, she realized the person who had approached wasn't Qin Jue, but someone she didn't recognize.

Xiao Xi'er wasn't afraid anymore. She'd only put her socks on halfway when she pulled them off and continued putting her feet in the water.

"What, you're not afraid now that it's not your father?"

Hehehe, yes, that's right.

"Then I can complain to my father."

After saying this, Qin Jingmu walked to Xiao Xi'er's side and sat down. Upon hearing the words "Father Emperor," Xiao Xi'er turned around and looked at Qin Jingmu.

"Who is your father, Emperor Sishui?"

"Your father"

Sitting on the ground, Qin Jingmu spoke casually to Xiao Xi'er.

But when Xiao Xi'er heard that this stranger shared the same father as her, she was so frightened that she quickly pulled her toes out.

"Are you my younger brother???"

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