Xiao Ruyu's anxious voice entered Xiao Ru'an's ears word by word.

[If they hadn't instigated behind the scenes, my eldest brother wouldn't have been charged with treason and thrown into prison, where he died in depression.]

Hearing that his fate would be so tragic, Xiao Ru'an's hand holding the poetry collection trembled slightly.

Guan Peiqian was still chattering, and in his excitement he suggested taking Xiao Ru'an out of the palace to play.

"There's a new place for Cuju in the capital, why don't we go there and play some."

Several people responded.

"It must be boring for the eldest prince to stay in the palace every day. Go out and relax today!"

Xiao Ru'an refused without even thinking about it.

"The prince has something else to do today, so I won't accompany you."

After saying this, he left quickly without waiting for those idle officials' sons to say anything else.

[Great brother, you should stay away from these people.]

Xiao Ruyu took in the whole scene and gave Xiao Ru'an a thumbs up in his heart.

Just as she was thinking about it, Xiao Ru'an had already arrived in front of her and picked her up.

"Why did the little princess come here?"

Xiao Ruyu grinned and yelled in his heart.

[The palace was so boring, I wanted to see if there was anything fun, but I ended up here while running.]

Xiao Ru'an tapped her forehead and spoke gently and with a hint of doting.

"There is a lotus pond behind the Imperial Garden. It is probably still in bloom at this time of year. How about my brother take you for a walk?"

[Okay, okay, big brother is the best. ]

Xiao Ruyu struggled twice in his arms and wanted to jump down along his arm.

[Big brother, I can already walk. ]

Xiao Ru'an couldn't hold her, so he could only put her down and hold her hand as they walked towards the Imperial Garden.

Eleven followed closely behind, his eyes always on her.

When they were halfway there, Eunuch Yin blocked their way.

"Your servant greets the eldest prince and princess."

Seeing that it was Emperor Shangwen's personal eunuch, Xiao Ru'an asked.

"But Father wants to see me for something?"

Eunuch Yin nodded quickly and told him that Emperor Shangwen was waiting in the Yangxin Palace to check his homework.

Xiao Ru'an reluctantly let go of the little hand he was holding, squatted down and spoke softly.

"I can't personally take the princess there today. How about I accompany the princess next time?"

Xiao Ruyu nodded sensibly and waved her hand as he left.

Eleven walked forward, held Xiao Ruyu's hand, and pointed forward.

"The lotus pond is not far away. Eleven, take the princess there."

Xiao Ruyu nodded.

Imperial Garden.

The lotus pond is built behind the rockery in the Imperial Garden and is surrounded by water on all sides, quiet and elegant.

After turning around the rockery, a scene of lush green comes into view. Clusters of lotus flowers are crowded in the pond, like layers of green waves.

A fresh scent filled his heart and nose, and Xiao Ruyu took a deep breath.

At that time, Yaowang Valley also had such a large lotus pond...

Xiao Ruyu stared at the lotus for a long time in a daze, feeling mixed emotions.

Things and people have changed, and the present is no longer the same as the past.

Eleven noticed that she was in a bad mood and asked softly.

"Princess, do you want lotus flowers? Eleven will pick them for you right now."

Before Xiao Ruyu could react, Eleven touched the ground with his toes and stepped easily on the water.

Then he picked the most beautiful lotus flower in the lotus pond, plucked it and handed it to Xiao Ruyu.

Xiao Ruyu burst out laughing.

[This lotus is beautiful, but it seems to cover my face.]

She held the lotus in front of her face, then covered her cheeks and tilted her head to look at Eleven.

The sunlight shines through the shade of the trees onto her cheeks. When she smiles, her dimples are faintly visible, and her eyes are curved, as clear as water.

Eleven was stunned and forgot to reply for a moment.

It wasn't until the small hands shook forcefully under his eyes that he reacted.

"The little princess is more beautiful than this lotus."

There was a rustling noise not far away, and Xiao Ruyu looked up.

Several palace maids of similar age were rowing boats to pick a few withered lotus pods from the pond.

It is the end of summer now, and the lotus flowers will not be in bloom for much longer.

[When I was in Yaowang Valley, every time the lotus flowers were in full bloom, Master would pick some and make lotus seed soup for me.]

[There are countless delicacies in this palace, but I have never tasted that flavor again. ]

[If only I could have one more bowl…]

Thinking of that bowl of refreshing and delicious lotus seed soup that lingered in the mouth, Xiao Ruyu began to drool.

"Eleven, let's go back."

Xiao Ruyu took Eleven's hand and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, Eleven looked back in the direction of the lotus pod and silently memorized it in his heart.

…

Going back along the same route, Xiao Ruyu led Eleven and they just turned around the palace wall.

Two palace maids were sweeping the dust from the corners of the wall while mumbling something.

Originally, Xiao Ruyu didn't pay attention to what they said, but she never expected to hear the name Xiao Rujin.

"Have you heard? The little prince is almost two years old now, and he still can't utter a word."

"Not only that, the little princess will run away, and the little prince can't even walk."

The older palace maids looked surprised.

"Really?"

The palace maid just now continued, "Isn't it? I went to the Queen's palace to serve her today, and the little prince was still lying in bed."

The senior palace maid uttered a few "tsk tsk" sounds, revealing a look of regret.

"I'm afraid the little prince has some problem with his intelligence. It's such a pity for the queen that she gave birth to a prince who is so stupid..."

"presumptuous!"

Xiao Ruyu's face turned cold and he swept a sharp gaze over the two of them.

When the two palace maids heard the childish voice, they were startled at first, looked down, and immediately fell to the ground in fear.

"Your servant greets Princess Fu'an."

"Openly criticizing the prince, do you know what crime is?!"

Although Xiao Ruyu was small in stature, his aura was so oppressive that the two men could not raise their heads.

"Princess, calm down. I didn't mean to..."

"This princess just heard it clearly!"

Xiao Ruyu loves her younger brother very much.

What's more, he was weak because he had blocked the poisonous insect for her in the past.

[My brother is like this because of me, I didn't expect to be talked about like this behind my back. 】

Xiao Ruyu felt very uncomfortable.

Sensing her mood, Eleven frowned and spoke coldly.

"You openly discuss the prince and challenge the emperor's authority. You will receive fifty lashes of the stick."

The two palace maids were so frightened that they trembled all over. They were beaten with fifty sticks.

If they don't die, they will be disabled for the rest of their lives!

"Little Princess, I know I was wrong..."

【Eleven, this doesn’t have to happen.】

Xiao Ruyu's voice sounded, and she seemed to sigh.

[If the incident gets out of hand, the lives of these two palace ladies will be lost, so it is enough to just warn them. ]

"Princess, you are blessed and generous. If you dare to talk about the little prince again, the Queen will punish you."

Seeing that Xiao Ruyu was unwilling to pursue the matter, Eleven had no choice but to give up.