The Ninth Prince changed into a black brocade robe with silver thread embroidered cloud patterns, and wore a flowing crimson robe over it.
When Yuan Yao entered, he was holding a teacup with his slender fingers and sipping tea.
With a wave of her hand, the light of gold and silver threads dazzled the eyes.
Yuan Yao called out sweetly, "Daddy!"
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince slowly took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and beckoned to her: "Come here."
Yuan Yao ran over happily: "Daddy looks so handsome today!"
She's simply a flower of wealth and beauty!
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow: "When have I ever looked bad?"
Yuan Yao was speechless.
For someone else, this would be a death sentence!
Unexpectedly, this kind of question would fall on her!
She used both hands and feet to climb onto the Ninth Prince's legs: "Father looks good every day! Today, this outfit of his, with its shimmering gold and silver threads, is so dazzling that it almost blinds me."
"You little dumpling, you have such a sweet tongue." The Ninth Prince chuckled and picked her up. "Let's have our meal. After we finish, it'll be time to head back to the palace."
Yuan Yao grabbed his clothes tightly: "Father, Canfeng is back!"
Seeing her happy face, the Ninth Prince smiled and said, "From now on, let him be your personal bodyguard."
"Really?" Yuan Yao asked happily.
Isn't it forbidden for adult men to be in the palace?
If the emperor finds out, will he punish me?
Seemingly sensing her thoughts, the Ninth Prince smiled and said, "If I say it's okay, then it's okay."
Yuan Yao said happily, "Thank you, Father! Father is so kind!"
The Ninth Prince chuckled softly and carried her outside.
Canfeng had already changed his clothes and stood respectfully at the courtyard gate. Upon seeing the Ninth Prince, he was about to kneel down and bow: "Your subordinate greets Your Highness."
Before he knelt down, the Ninth Prince said calmly, "You are injured, so there is no need for such formalities. From now on, you will stay by the Princess's side and protect her in the open."
Even in the shadows, a broken moon can be seen.
Canfeng solemnly replied, "Yes!"
Yuan Yao smiled, her eyes crinkling, and winked at Can Feng.
Canfeng's ears turned slightly red, and he lowered his head awkwardly.
On the way to the banquet, Yuan Yao asked, "Father, I ran into the Xu family again at the women's hot spring courtyard just now?"
"Hmm?" The Ninth Prince looked down at her.
Yuan Yao said, "Father, I've overheard a big secret, and I think it's something you absolutely must know!"
secret?
The Ninth Prince held her in his arms and asked, "What secret?"
Yuan Yao recounted everything that happened at the hot spring in detail.
Upon hearing the rest, the Ninth Prince's brows furrowed.
"...Father, if it weren't for Canfeng and Poyue's timely intervention, Madam Xu might have already discovered Yao'er," Yuan Yao said, pursing her lips.
The Ninth Prince's thin lips moved slightly: "You sank to the bottom of the water and held your breath for a long time?"
Yuan Yao: "?"
That doesn't seem to be her main point!
She said earnestly, "Father, the Xu family wants to kill Li Chang, and they even want to send their youngest daughter to the palace. Aren't you going to do anything about it?"
The Ninth Prince said indifferently, "Whether they want to send it or not depends on whether the Emperor accepts it. What right do I have to interfere?"
If the emperor wanted to take it, he couldn't stop him.
But... someone actually wanted to kill him?
Although Li Chang held a low-ranking position, he was, after all, the chief guard in charge of hundreds of imperial guards and cavalry in the capital.
The Imperial Guards of the capital were crucial to the safety of the city, and the Iron Cavalry was an important component of the Imperial Guards.
This is something he needs to address...
The emperor suggested having lunch together, a small family feast.
The banquet was held on a painted boat on East Lake.
When the Ninth Prince arrived carrying Yuan Yao, she was already there.
Yesterday, after the fish banquet ended, the Crown Prince led his entourage back to the palace to avoid any trouble.
Today, at the banquet, besides the Emperor, there are Jiang Chengyan, Xie Zhi, and Yun Chan...
The little princesses, on the other hand, were taken by the Queen on another painted boat.
The father and daughter stepped onto the painted boat. The emperor first glanced at the Ninth Prince's attire, then asked, "A-Yuan, would you like to have a couple of drinks with me?"
"Your Majesty, please drink it yourself," the Ninth Prince said coldly. "I have already promised Xiao Yao'er that I would take her back to the palace on horseback."
Upon hearing this, the emperor was extremely jealous.
He poured himself a glass of wine and said in a hoarse voice, "Yuan Yao is still young, I'm afraid she can't withstand the bumpy journey."
The Ninth Prince glanced at him disdainfully: "I will protect her myself."
The emperor lowered his gaze: "Oh..."
The atmosphere was unusually cold.
The children all seemed a little uneasy.
Xie Zhi, however, smiled and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I am still growing and cannot go hungry."
The emperor glanced at him, his expressionless, and said, "This is a family banquet, just the few of us. There's no need to be awkward in front of me. Start eating."
Xie Zhi smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and devoured it in a flash.
Seeing this, Jiang Chengyan said with a stern face, "The dipping sauce is on your face."
"It's alright!" Xie Zhi smiled brightly: "Filling our stomachs is the most important thing!"
The emperor's lips curved slightly, but his gaze turned to Yun Chan, who remained silent to the side: "Young Prince Yun, how are you feeling?"
Yun Chan replied in a cold and polite tone, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My injuries have healed considerably."
The emperor nodded: "That's good. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain it to the Emperor of Chu."
Upon hearing this, Yun Chan gave a vague reply.
The Chu envoy is still imprisoned, and all communication with him has been cut off.
The people of Chu must be very anxious since they can't contact the envoy. A new envoy will likely be sent over in a few days…
Negotiation is inevitable.
I wonder how the Ninth Prince will respond?
During the meal, apart from the carefree Xie Zhi, the others barely touched their chopsticks.
Worried about Canfeng's injuries, Yuan Yao finished half a bowl of meat soup and said to Yun Chan, "Yun Chan, come out with me for a bit, I have something to tell you."
Yun Chan bowed to the Emperor and the Ninth Prince, then stood up and said to her, "Let's go."
Xie Zhi, who was stuffing himself, stopped and glared at her: "Xiao Yao'er, what do you want with Yun Chan? If you need something, come to me!"
Jiang Chengyan frowned as well: "Let's go too!"
Yuan Yao: "..."
She said in a childish voice, "Yun Chan and I have something to do, you're not allowed to go! Eat your food!"
Hey kid, what's wrong with you? Why are you getting involved?
Xie Zhi put down his chopsticks: "I'm full."
Jiang Chengyan pulled out a stool: "Father, we'll go out first."
The emperor was eager for them to leave, and waved his hand, saying, "All of you, get out. I have important matters to discuss with the Ninth Prince."
So the four children got off the painted boat together.
Yun Chan ignored the other two and asked Yuan Yao, "What is it?"
Yuan Yao said in a childish voice, "I would like to borrow your doctor to examine my son Canfeng's injuries."
Canfeng was seriously injured, and he still has to travel back to the palace this afternoon. I'm afraid he won't be able to handle it..."
Her home... Canfeng?
Yun Chan was stunned for a moment.
Then he realized that Canfeng was the secret guard who had risked severe punishment and been hunted down for her sake...
Yun Chan pursed her thin, bloodless lips and said in a strange tone, "Heh, what a deep bond between master and servant, it's truly enviable."
Yuan Yao: "?"
So what if it's just a little tiff?
She looked up and asked, "Yun Chan, are you going to lend him or not?"
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