Leng Ming frowned for a moment, then replied:

"Father, what's wrong with me coming to Fourth Brother's place to see the children? How can this be considered rude? It's your sudden visit to Prince Yu's mansion that really caught me off guard."

"You dare to question me?"

The emperor stared at him and scolded him harshly:

"This Daning Kingdom belongs to me. I can go wherever I want. You have no right to question me."

"Your son dare not question you. I simply find it puzzling that you came without warning when Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law were not at the palace. In the past, you always gave three days' notice before leaving the palace to welcome the emperor. This sudden arrival caught the people in Prince Yu's palace off guard. Your son is confused as to what your intentions are."

"Do I need to inform them in advance when I come to my own son's house? It's not too late to tell them now. Is there some unspeakable secret in Prince Yu's mansion?"

The emperor's words made Leng Ming feel a little unreasonable.

Ever since he left the palace, he felt more and more that his father's character was too capricious. He always liked to impose his thoughts and emotions on others. This was probably the drawback that the emperor would have over time because he wanted to control everyone.

Leng Ming knew very well that if he continued to stalemate with his father, it might bring trouble to Prince Yu's Mansion.

So, he softened his tone, bowed and clasped his fists, and said:

"Father, you misunderstood my son's meaning. I meant that if you were to come to Prince Yu's mansion, you should have informed me in advance so that my fourth brother and his wife could be there to receive you. They are not here now, and you have come unexpectedly. If I had not happened to be here, the servants would have been the only ones to receive you. This is really inappropriate and might have neglected you."

The emperor always felt that he owed Leng Ming something. His mother was banished to the cold palace, and he lived alone outside the palace without anyone to take care of him.

Although he has grown up now and often talks back to himself, he still thinks of how well-behaved and sensible he was as a child.

Thinking of this, the emperor sighed and waved his hand.

"Never mind. My departure from the palace this time was indeed a bit sudden. The reason I didn't notify you in advance was because I was afraid that Prince Yu's Mansion would have to go to great lengths to prepare, which would be a waste of money and manpower. Also, I'm here to stay for a few days and take Concubine Li out to relax. By the way, I'm going to go outside the city tomorrow to see the lotus flowers in full bloom. When your fourth brother comes back, I'll ask him to make arrangements."

Staying for a few days?

These four words shocked Leng Ming so much that he opened his mouth in astonishment.

He's staying here for a few days, so what about Xina and her mother? Are they going to stay indoors all the time?

Seeing him standing there in a daze, the emperor frowned and asked:

"What? Didn't you hear what I said?"

"No... I heard it clearly. I will go inform Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law right now..."

Leaving these words behind, he quickly turned around and walked out of the main hall.

Seeing him coming outside the main hall, Ah Gang hurried over and asked worriedly:

"Prince Ming, what should we do?"

"Have you informed my fourth brother and sister-in-law?"

"I've been notified. I guess they're heading back now, but what about the backyard? After Concubine Li and Concubine Li arrived at the palace, they went straight to the backyard without stopping. What should we do now?"

What?

Leng Ming's eyebrows were twisted together, and he asked in astonishment:

"You mean, the second young lady and the mistress are still in the garden?"

Ah Gang nodded solemnly.

"They should be. Caidie just went to the backyard and didn't see them. Although I have ordered Concubine Li and Concubine Li to stay in the west wing, for some reason they insisted on going to the backyard. Now they are leading people towards the back garden."

A Gang's words gave Leng Ming a bad feeling. It seemed that Concubine Li had heard some rumors and deliberately went to the backyard to look for someone.

He couldn't let her see Xina and her mother, otherwise it would bring trouble to his fourth brother and his wife.

Thinking of this, he said to A Gang anxiously:

"Go and urge Fourth Brother and Sister-in-law to come back as soon as possible. I'll go to the backyard to check. Tell the servants in the mansion to watch their mouths. Anyone who dares to talk nonsense will be fined."

"Agang understands. Don't worry, Prince Ming. I've already told them. I'm sure no one will dare to say anything."

Leng Ming nodded with a gloomy expression and walked quickly towards the backyard.

At this time, Concubine Li was walking in the back garden of Prince Yu's Mansion with Concubine Li and a group of maids in the palace.

Sometimes they strode forward, and sometimes they stopped to admire the scenery. Although Concubine Li had some grudges against Concubine Li, she was only wary of her in her heart and did not show it on the surface.

Concubine Li had no intention of enjoying the scenery and was looking around from time to time.

Just now, she ordered people to search Prince Yu's mansion thoroughly, but did not see any suspicious faces, so she guessed that the two Chu people must be hiding in a corner of the back garden.

"Sister Li, why do you look so dazed? Are you looking for something?"

"Ah, no..."

When Concubine Li saw that Concubine Li had noticed her abnormality, she quickly raised her handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth while shaking her head.

"How could my things be lost here? It's just that the flowers in Prince Yu's Mansion are blooming so brightly that I don't know where to look."

Li Guifei's eyes flickered a few times, then she said "oh" and nodded.

"The flowers here are truly in full bloom, making them feel relaxed and happy. The Emperor even told me last night that he saw I was feeling down lately and wanted to take me out for a walk. I didn't want to go, but the Emperor kept inviting me. Now that I think about it, this trip was well worth it. The scenery here is beautiful, and my mood has improved too..."

As she spoke, she deliberately revealed a fine white jade bracelet on her wrist, stroking it gently while raising it above her head, looking through the sunlight, and muttering,

"The Emperor said that when this fine Hetian jade bracelet is exposed to sunlight, you can see clear lines inside. It's true, sister, take a look..."

Looking at Concubine Li's smug look, Concubine Li secretly bit her lip, her eyes revealing disgust and resentment.

This white jade bracelet was presented as a tribute by a vassal king during the New Year. It is said that such a fine piece is only produced once every hundred years. She had been hoping that the emperor would give it to her during the coronation ceremony, but she didn't expect that this woman would get it first.

She tried hard to calm her anger, put on a fake smile, and praised:

"This white jade bracelet looks really good against my fair skin. The Emperor treats me well. I'm happy for you."

Concubine Li could see that although Concubine Li said this, she was actually very angry.

She smiled softly, revealing a row of neat teeth, and said casually:

"Yes, the Emperor said that white jade is good for health. I'm pregnant now and need to take good care of myself. If this white jade bracelet had been given to me earlier, I wouldn't have had the miscarriage last time. The Emperor is really good to me. He also said that since he knows I like the color green, when the opportunity arises, he'll have someone go to Jiangnan to find me some high-quality jadeite to make jewelry. He also said that ordinary green jadeite like the one you're wearing on your head doesn't suit my skin tone at all."