In the study, Prince Pingyang looked at Shitou, who was standing before him.
Shitou lowered his head in nervous constraint, staring fixedly at a spot on the ground.
He had just been stopped by the guards at the gate and refused entry.
Finally, he told the guards that he was looking for the Princess, adding that he was a servant she had bought.
Initially, the guards didn't want to pay any attention to Shitou.
However, Shitou took out the medical prescription the Princess had given him and handed it to them.
"This is the prescription the Princess gave me to fetch medicine. If you don't believe me, you can take this and go ask her!"
The guards recalled that the Princess had indeed gone out earlier today.
If this boy really was bought by the Princess, they would definitely be scolded for turning him away.
"Wait here!"
A guard took the prescription and went to find Ling Yu.
Upon hearing the guard's report, Ling Yu took the prescription and presented it to Prince Pingyang, Xiao Yi.
Seeing the handwriting on the prescription, Xiao Yi recognized it as Duoduo's.
"Go bring him in," Xiao Yi instructed Ling Yu.
During their meal earlier today, Duoduo had told Xiao Yi about buying Shitou.
Ling Yu went out, and soon, Shitou was brought before Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi quietly scrutinized Shitou without showing any emotion.
Shitou was very thin and small, looking to be only five or six years old.
Although his clothes were worn and tattered, they were extremely clean.
The torn places had also been neatly mended.
Even as he knelt on the ground with his head bowed, his back remained perfectly straight.
Moreover, though he was nervous, he did not panic.
He seemed somewhat different from ordinary children.
"How old are you?" After a long moment, Xiao Yi finally spoke.
"To answer Your Highness, this commoner is eight years old by traditional reckoning." Shitou kept his head down, but his voice was clear.
Prince Pingyang looked at the document in his hand. "Have you studied?"
"To answer Your Highness, I attended a private school for a few years."
Prince Pingyang held the prescription, pondering for a moment.
"Ling Yu!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Ling Yu appeared at the door.
"Go to Li Jin and fetch his deed of sale."
"Yes, sir!" Ling Yu acknowledged and left.
Shitou raised his head in slight surprise and quickly stole a glance at Xiao Yi.
With just that one glance, Shitou was so frightened that he immediately lowered his head again.
Because Prince Pingyang, sitting above him, wore a stern face and an utterly terrifying aura!
"Your Highness, the deed of sale is here!"
Ling Yu returned quickly, placing the deed of sale in front of Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi picked up the deed and skimmed through its contents at a glance.
A mocking smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth.
One year?
What was Li Jin playing at?
Prince Pingyang tossed the deed of sale toward Shitou.
"This deed of sale has not been registered with the government office, so it is now void."
"You may leave!"
After speaking, Prince Pingyang picked up an official document nearby and began to read.
Shitou froze.
Just earlier, he had been hoping to have the deed canceled to regain his freedom.
But now, with the deed of sale right at his fingertips...
An inexplicable panic welled up in Shitou's heart.
"No! Your Highness, the Princess paid ten taels of silver to buy me!"
"My family is poor, and I cannot repay the ten taels."
Prince Pingyang didn't even lift his head.
"The Prince's estate doesn't lack this bit of silver. Just consider it as the Princess accumulating good karma."
Shitou was stunned once again.
"No! Your Highness, since this commoner has signed a deed of sale, I must abide by the contract!"
"The Princess is merciful, but I cannot break my word!"
Hearing Shitou's words, Prince Pingyang lifted his eyelids and cast a glance at him.
Shitou's face was full of determination; he looked straight into Xiao Yi's eyes without backing down.
Xiao Yi looked at Shitou. A flash of fear crossed Shitou's eyes, but there was absolutely no evasion.
"Ling Yu! Throw him out!"
Xiao Yi gave the cold command and then ignored Shitou completely.
Ling Yu came in, grabbed Shitou, and carried him out.
Shitou struggled stubbornly, kicking and thrashing at Ling Yu, trying to make him let go.
Ling Yu hadn't expected such a small boy to be so difficult to handle.
With a direct chop of his hand, he knocked Shitou unconscious.
Once Shitou fainted, Ling Yu carried him and dumped him at the gate.
"Keep an eye on him. When he wakes up, do not let him in!"
Ling Yu instructed the guards.
"Yes, sir," the guards complied.
Duoduo woke up from her nap. She got dressed, bid farewell to Princess Consort Pingyang, and prepared to head to the Bamboo Pavilion.
Lüdou followed Duoduo as they walked along the veranda.
"Princess, did you have any nightmares while sleeping at the Princess Consort's place?"
Duoduo thought for a moment.
"I used to, but a few days ago I had one nightmare... and since then, I haven't had any more."
Duoduo recalled the scenes from that dream again.
At this thought, she pivoted and ran toward the study.
She wanted to ask her father if he had found that monk.
As she reached the outside of the study, Duoduo lightened her footsteps.
She tiptoed closer to the study. Inside, Ling Yu was currently reporting to Prince Pingyang.
"Your Highness, that boy woke up, but he hasn't left. He's still sitting at the gate."
"Let him sit," Xiao Yi said, completely unconcerned.
"But what if the Princess finds out later and throws a tantrum at you?"
Ling Yu was worried. After all, the Princess was young. What if the boy outside was just a new plaything she had bought?
Wasn't that how all children were?
If they didn't get what they wanted, they would cry and fuss endlessly.
Xiao Yi raised his eyes and looked coldly at Ling Yu.
"You seem to have a lot of free time. How is the investigation I ordered going?"
Ling Yu hurriedly reported, "Word is that they've found the person and are on their way back."
"And what about the estate? How much longer?" Prince Pingyang asked.
"All of our men have arrived one after another."
"Working overtime, it should take about seven or eight more days to completely mine all the iron ore inside."
"It's a pity that the iron ore in this mountain is a bit sparse; it's almost depleted."
Ling Yu's tone carried a hint of regret.
"Such a massive mountain, and you're still not satisfied?" Prince Pingyang cast a sidelong glance at Ling Yu.
"Hehe, your subordinate was just thinking... Who's there!"
Ling Yu suddenly heard a noise outside the door.
He quickly threw the door open, only to see Duoduo outside, preparing to tiptoe away.
"Your subordinate greets the Princess!"
Ling Yu bowed to Duoduo.
Caught in the act, Duoduo felt a little embarrassed.
"I was just passing by, carry on!" Duoduo said, ready to slip away.
"Come in!"
Xiao Yi's cold voice rang out from inside the room.
Duoduo's small shoulders slumped. Then, she plastered a bright smile on her face and walked inside.
"Daughter greets Father!"
Duoduo gave Xiao Yi a proper and respectful bow.
Xiao Yi put down the official document in his hands.
"If you want to know something, come in openly. Why resort to the petty behavior of eavesdropping?"
Xiao Yi scolded Duoduo.
Duoduo hung her head in dismay. "Yes, I know I was wrong."
Seeing Duoduo's expression, Xiao Yi frowned.
"Weren't you supposed to learn etiquette from Nanny Li this afternoon? Why are you still here?"
Duoduo let her shoulders droop.
"I suddenly remembered something, so I wanted to come and ask Father."
"I didn't expect to hear you discussing matters from outside the door. I was going to come back later, but I didn't expect Ling Yu to spot me."
Xiao Yi looked at Duoduo's dejected expression.
"What did you want to ask?"
