There was deathly silence in front of the palace.

No one expected Cheng Guogong to enter Prince Huai's palace, and no one expected that these would be the first words he said after entering.

The eunuchs and palace maids were stunned, they had not dealt with outsiders for a long time, and with the Jinyiwei watching them closely, they dared not speak casually even in the mansion. Over time, they became like walking corpses.

"Preserved fruit?" Prince Huai's voice rang out.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes falling on Duke Cheng's hand, feeling puzzled, curious, and eager to try.

In this stagnant water, he is alive.

Duke Cheng looked at him and nodded with a smile.

"Yes, I bought it from a shoe store," he said. "Do you know what a shoe store is?"

Prince Huai smiled.

"I know," he said, "There are many such shops on Dongshi Street. The chef is called "Doctor", the waiter is called "Uncle", the woman who stews the rice wine pours the wine and changes the soup, and there are also prostitutes who sing and accompany the guests for tips."

Female prostitute...

The eunuchs and palace maids looked even more stunned after hearing this.

Does such a young child know what a prostitute is?

Who taught you this?

The prince who is left like a weed will eventually grow wild.

But Duke Cheng laughed again, very happily.

"Your Highness is truly well-read," he said. "Try it. Although this preserve comes from a small street shop, it has a unique flavor."

Prince Huai walked slowly over and stood in front of Duke Cheng, who was kneeling on one knee.

He had grown a little taller, but he was still small in front of the half-kneeling Duke Cheng.

Prince Huai took the purse from Duke Cheng and opened it.

"Your Highness, please taste it." Duke Cheng said in a gentle voice.

"Your Highness is not allowed to eat outside..." a eunuch finally remembered his responsibility and spoke up.

Prince Huai had already taken out a candied fruit and put it in his mouth.

"Eh." He bared his teeth, wrinkling his face, "It's so sour."

Duke Cheng exclaimed, then took out one and tasted it.

"It's a little sour," he said, somewhat apologetically, "I bought the wrong one. This is for drinking."

Prince Huai said "Oh".

"That's a pity. I'm still young and can't drink alcohol," he said.

"It is my fault," said Duke Cheng. "I will buy something sweet for Your Highness."

Prince Huai waved his hands.

"Duke Cheng, there is no need to be so deliberate." He said, "This matter is not for food. I just need to receive the Duke's kindness and not be obsessed with it."

Children look very cute when they act like they are educating others.

Duke Cheng did not smile, but bowed with a serious expression.

"Yes," he replied.

Prince Huai nodded.

"Duke Cheng, there is no need to be so polite. Please stand up." He raised his hand and said.

Cheng Guo thanked him generously and stood up.

Looking at the tall man standing in front of him who he had to look up to face, Prince Huai touched his ear nervously.

"I have to go to court." Duke Cheng spoke first.

Prince Huai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Duke Cheng, please leave quickly and don't delay court affairs." He said with a straight face.

Duke Cheng answered yes, bowed to King Huai again, stepped back, and turned around, but he stopped and looked at the door.

At some point Miss Jun and Zhu Zan came over and stood at the door looking at them.

Duke Cheng turned around again.

"Your Highness, there is a Miss Jun who is an excellent doctor. Please let her check on your health," he said.

Before he finished speaking, Prince Huai exclaimed, and it was obvious that he had also noticed the person standing at the door.

He couldn't help but take a few steps forward, his expression changing from surprise to astonishment to delight and then to grievance, revealing countless emotions in an instant.

Miss Jun stepped forward step by step, suppressing her sore nose and tearful eyes.

"Your Highness, I'm back again," she said.

Prince Huai's face was tense, his body straightened even more, and he said nothing.

"Your Highness, I didn't lie to you." Miss Jun stepped forward again and said, "I'm back."

Prince Huai could no longer hold back his tears, and suddenly he took deep breaths, his eyes turning red, as if he was going to cry the next moment. He would never cry in front of others, so he tensed his little body and was about to turn around.

Miss Jun had stepped over again and opened her arms to him.

As if being pulled by a string, the child who was about to retreat and run away rushed towards her without hesitation.

A big and a small hug each other.

Duke Cheng retracted his gaze and stepped forward, then stopped beside Zhu Zan.

"Dad, you..." Zhu Zan shouted in a muffled voice, but there was nothing to say.

"Who is this gentleman in this mansion?" asked Duke Cheng.

Zhu Zan was stunned for a moment, as if he had not expected him to say this.

"Gu Qing." He answered immediately and clearly, "I am from Huzhou, a student of Gong, and I am 31 years old."

Duke Cheng smiled and nodded.

"Not bad, not bad," he said, looking back and looking around, then looking away, "Who asked for this?"

When Zhu Zan was asked this question, his expression became somewhat complicated.

"Lu Yunqi." he said.

Duke Chengguo also looked slightly surprised and said "oh" without saying anything else.

"I went to court," he said.

Zhu Zan nodded and watched his father walk out. Duke Cheng disappeared at the door. He turned his head and looked into the palace. Miss Jun and Prince Huai had separated and were standing face to face, seeming unfamiliar and awkward.

"Are you here for a follow-up visit?" Prince Huai said with a stern face, his hands behind his back again.

"Yes." Miss Jun said with a smile.

"Then please come in." Prince Huai said, turned around and walked into the hall with his head raised.

Miss Jun followed him with a smile.

"Where have you been these days?" Prince Huai asked casually.

"I went to many places." Miss Jun said, "I also went to Yizhou. Do you know where Yizhou is?"

Prince Huai finally turned his head, his eyes shining.

"The Land of the Golden Man," he said. "How dare you go to the Land of the Golden Man."

When the child heard the Jin people's words, he was not afraid but surprised, and he was eager to try.

"Not only did I dare to go, I also fought against the Jin people." Miss Jun said, raising her eyebrows with a bit of pride.

Prince Huai's eyes sparkled like stars.

"Wow," he said.

Wow, sister, you are so awesome.

Just like before, the little follower followed her around, no matter what she did or said, even when she beat him up, he acted in admiration.

The second sister is the best.

But your most powerful second sister died without being able to do anything for you.

Miss Jun smiled at his expression, then swallowed back her tears with all her strength.

"Do you want to listen?" she said with a smile.

Prince Huai nodded repeatedly, then thought of his status and the etiquette he was taught, straightened his back and raised his head slightly.

"Tell me quickly," he said.

Watching the two people enter the hall, Zhu Zan stood where he was and retracted his gaze, then he noticed someone was looking at him.

The eunuchs and palace maids were still standing there, and since Zhu Zan was the only one left in front of them, they all looked at him.

"What are you looking at? Do you know how to entertain guests?" Zhu Zan said with eyes wide open.

What a fierce guest!

The eunuchs and palace maids suddenly became chaotic.

…

In the imperial palace, whips were blown, followed by the sound of drums and music. The emperor came from the back of the hall and took his seat, while all the officials knelt and bowed to him.

This is the grand court meeting held once a month.

The customary ceremonies seemed more lengthy than usual to the emperor and the many officials present.

Finally everything was over, and when it was time to discuss government affairs, there was silence inside and outside the hall.

Although something unexpected happened, what had been agreed upon still had to be done. The official in charge of royal family affairs stepped forward, reported Prince Huai's affairs, and proposed sending him to the imperial mausoleum.

"What do you think?" asked the emperor.

All the officials in the court were silent, waiting for someone to step out.

Living up to everyone's expectations, there were footsteps and a tall figure stepped out from the front of the line.

"Your Majesty, don't worry." Duke Cheng bowed to the emperor, "I just visited Prince Huai. Prince Huai is in good spirits and speaks coherently. He is not dangerous."