The Crown Prince understood that his father wanted him to mentor the second prince, but he refused to entrust the third prince to him as well.
As if he had known the Crown Prince's thoughts all along, Emperor Jingming rubbed his forehead and said he had a headache and needed to rest.
He and the equally helpless Su Junyao were left dumbfounded in Zhengyang Palace.
Crown Prince: "My lord, when will General Su return home?"
Su Jinze's trip to the southwest was kept quiet, and he claimed to be traveling and recuperating from his injuries. However, some unexpected things happened along the way, and Su Junyao only knows that he is out of danger, but he doesn't know exactly where he is, let alone when he will return.
"I will send a letter to urge him to return as soon as I get back."
"No rush." The Crown Prince wasn't too concerned. "Have him come to the East Palace when he returns. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
"Your Highness, please take care."
The prince left with his two younger brothers, but only after they had gone halfway did he remember that he hadn't yet reported Qiuqiu's matter.
Forget it, he's a magnanimous man and won't hold it against her!
However, I still need to say something to the Empress Dowager. Fu Ning is going too far!
"Li Fu, go and inform the Empress Dowager that I will be having dinner at the Phoenix Palace with the Second Prince and the Third Prince today."
The second prince's mother was convicted of witchcraft and executed when he was young. The third prince's mother was a commoner who died in childbirth. The empress was benevolent, and both princes grew up under her care, so she was quite familiar with the Phoenix Palace.
But this is the first time I've seen it so lively.
"I could hear the Empress's laughter from afar. As soon as I entered the door, I saw the two little fairy boys sitting under you, which made the Empress look like a fairy goddess."
The third prince has always been sweet-talking, and the empress likes him very much. However, his position has gradually been replaced.
"It's San'er, and the Second Prince is here too. Cuixi, prepare seats for the two princes. Instruct the kitchen to prepare dinner tonight according to their preferences."
Chiu Chiu received a large pearl and played with it in her hand. The Empress was afraid that she would accidentally put it in her mouth and swallow it, so she dared not take her eyes off her at all times.
The Third Prince complained to the Empress, half-jokingly, "When I come to visit, Mother always shows me some concern, but today someone has stolen my attention. Whose child has dared to enter the palace and compete with me for favor?"
Children's attention is easily distracted. When she heard the Third Prince's voice, Qiuqiu immediately stuffed the pearl into her pocket before turning around to look.
【Wow!】
I like this older brother too!
Cui Xi, who was always waiting to catch the pearl, thought: Why is this little darling holding on so tightly? It would be no joke if she swallowed it.
The Crown Prince said, "Don't be so nervous. She's very shrewd. Didn't you see she stuffed them all into her pocket?"
Even though she was exposed, Qiuqiu wasn't upset. She quietly moved closer to the new handsome brother. The Empress said she was given to her, and no one could take him back!
The Third Prince was handsome with rosy lips and white teeth, and the snow-white fox fur he wore only accentuated his pitiful appearance. Just now, Qiuqiu noticed how rather effeminate the Third Prince's speech was!
"Cough cough cough!"
The Third Prince coughed a few times, covering his red lips with one fist, and his face became even paler.
The second prince stepped forward to support him, and the empress couldn't help but sigh. Fu Ning's serious little face became even more solemn. Only Qiu Qiu promptly took a few steps back, avoiding him as if he were a plague demon.
The Third Prince: “???”
Are you serious about stepping back?
Why is it different from what he expected?
Chiu Chiu, like an old scholar, put her hands behind her back: "I'm not feeling well, don't let me catch it. My mom won't let me play with people who have typhoid fever."
When Qiuqiu had a fever last time, Yun Jinglan was terrified. She also always told Qiuqiu to stay away from people who coughed constantly.
She's such a sweet little girl who listens to her mother!
Fu Ning thought Qiu Qiu was right. Although she was a little stronger than Qiu Qiu, she couldn't neglect her care! With a serious expression, she covered her mouth and slowly backed away, stopping behind Qiu Qiu.
This distance is just right!
The Third Prince almost lost his composure when he saw the delicate faces of the two little girls far away from him. How could they bear to let him, this "delicate flower," drift alone and miserable!
With unparalleled speed and agility, the ruthless Chuchu leaped forward and blocked the Queen's face.
The Empress is a good person; she must not fall ill.
When you're sick, you have to drink bitter medicine, and Chiu Chiu doesn't want the person she likes to drink bitter medicine.
The Empress was also taken aback before realizing Qiuqiu's intention. At this moment, Fu Ning stood beside her like a little guard, staring warily at the Third Prince.
Her Majesty the Empress: I feel so warm inside!
Third Prince: My heart is ice-cold!
The Crown Prince almost applauded for Qiuqiu. After all these years, finally someone had seen through his Third Prince's true nature. This guy was a wolf in sheep's clothing, all smiles and dark hands, and he knew how to sweet-talk people. He managed to humiliate him without firing a single shot—truly worthy of being called Qiuqiu!
Qiuqiu ignored the thumbs-up the prince gave her from under his sleeve and carefully examined the boy in front of her. The boy had delicate features, with a hint of fragility, and he looked like he wasn't in good physical or mental condition.
[Inside the house, she's still wrapped in a fox fur coat? It really looks nice!]
Fu Ning grabbed Cui Xi's handkerchief and wrapped it around Qiu Qiu's neck. Qiu Qiu understood and shrank her neck, tilting her head and trying to make her round face look delicate and fragile. However, her appearance and behavior were completely inconsistent, making her look more like a little turtle that had been beaten and was hiding its head.
Fu Ning sensed something was wrong and began to carefully observe his third brother's appearance.
I feel like something's missing...
The third prince's smile had faded, and his back was drenched in sweat. He hurriedly tore off his fox fur coat and handed it to the palace maid behind him.
Whew! That feels so good!
As expected, Qiuqiu and Funing stopped observing him.
The Third Prince was willing to say—it was all the fox fur's fault!
The Empress asked with concern, "Shall I light the brazier for you?"
The third prince was born prematurely and had a difficult birth, so he was physically weak from a young age. The empress could understand his sometimes exaggerated behavior.
But the Third Prince was truly frightened, and waved his hand, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I feel all warm all over now."
He was afraid the Empress wouldn't believe him, so he deliberately got up and swiped around a couple of times.
Crown Prince: "Mother, you don't need to pay him any attention. He's been putting on this act lately."
The Third Prince has one trick after another. Today he's a weak prince, tomorrow he might be a crippled prince. Only the Empress Dowager is soft-hearted and falls for his tricks.
Feeling guilty, the third prince gave the little palace maid holding the fox fur a wink: "Hang up my fox fur properly."
He hasn't had enough of the persona he's been obsessed with lately.
The second prince chuckled: "My third brother is being naughty again."
Chirp: "Huh?!"
[Several imperial brothers?!]
Fu Ning thoughtfully held up three fingers and placed them in front of her: "Three."
This is her third brother.
Chiu Chiu climbed down from the Empress's arms, walked unsteadily with her hands behind her back to the Third Prince, and circled around him.
The Third Prince felt dizzy and was about to hold her down when Qiuqiu collapsed to the ground first.
"You're trying to scam me!"
Chiu Chiu slapped her forehead: "Three!"
[Good heavens! This is actually Qiao Muyang's master!]
Arrest them! Arrest them!
Fu Ning: I dived!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
