All three of them stared at the four jade pendants before them, trying to find a clue.
Aside from their different patterns, these four pendants had absolutely no clasps or movable parts.
Duoduo flipped the pendants over and over, but the four pieces of jade remained just four pieces of jade.
Li Jin picked them up, examining them one by one to see if there were any cracks.
After studying them for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Li Jin also gave up.
Xiao Yi furrowed his brows. "Could it be that Imperial Father remembered incorrectly?"
"Or perhaps I heard it wrong back then?" Xiao Yi began to doubt himself.
Duoduo looked at the four jade pendants on the table and blinked.
"Father, could it be that there are more than four? Maybe five?"
Xiao Yi took a deep look at Duoduo. He didn't ask why she said five, but instead fell into thought.
"As far as I know, there are only four such pendants."
"And all four are right here."
Hearing this, Duoduo leaned back in her chair, dejected.
"Father, did we do all this for nothing?"
Seeing Duoduo's expression, Xiao Yi pursed his lips.
"Not entirely for nothing. At the very least, you still got fifty thousand taels, didn't you?"
Upon hearing this, Duoduo was barely comforted.
"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone, go get some rest."
"Tomorrow morning, once the city gates open, we will head back."
Although Xiao Yi was also somewhat disappointed, he quickly let it go.
"Then what should we do with these jade pendants?" Duoduo carefully placed the pendants into a small box.
Xiao Yi thought for a moment. "You hold onto them, but there's no need to wear them out anymore."
"Later, if anyone asks, just say you were afraid of damaging the imperial gifts, so you left them with me for safekeeping."
Curiosity filled Duoduo's eyes.
"Father, could it be that someone is scheming for these jade pendants?"
A cold smile curled on the corners of Xiao Yi's lips.
"The Princess of Changle obtained four jade pendants by a stroke of luck; soon enough, people will know."
"Naturally, they will also want to know your intentions in collecting these jade pendants."
Duoduo's eyes lit up.
"Father, when the time comes, you can catch the turtle in the jar!"
Xiao Yi gave Duoduo an appreciative look.
"Alright, hurry and go to sleep. If you think too much, you won't grow tall."
Duoduo stuck out her tongue.
She packed up her things and stood up.
"You must keep these things safe. Absolutely do not let anyone steal them."
"It wasn't easy for you to get them," Xiao Yi reminded Duoduo.
"Rest assured, Father. Your daughter understands." Duoduo curtsied to Xiao Yi and walked out.
Lüdou had been waiting outside the door. Seeing Duoduo come out, she immediately ran over.
"Princess! Please give this to your servant."
Duoduo glanced at Lüdou. "I'll hold it. It's very precious."
Hearing this, Lüdou immediately withdrew her hands.
"Lüdou, where am I sleeping? I'm sleepy." Duoduo let out a yawn.
"Princess, this servant will take you there." Lüdou supported Duoduo and walked toward the room.
After Duoduo finished washing up, still feeling uneasy, she had Lüdou place the bundle next to her pillow.
Lüdou brought the bundle over, feeling somewhat curious.
"Princess, what is inside this that you have to sleep right next to it?"
Duoduo opened the bundle to let Lüdou see.
"These jade pendants are all imperial gifts, and this is a bank note for fifty thousand taels."
"And also, this." Duoduo lifted the bottom layer, and Lüdou saw a set of golden head ornaments.
"Wow! This is so beautiful. On the day of His Majesty's birthday banquet, you will definitely look stunning wearing this!"
Lüdou's eyes lit up.
Duoduo carefully wrapped the items back up.
"Isn't it very precious? Father told me to keep it safe."
Lüdou grew very nervous. "Then this servant won't sleep tonight. I will guard it to ensure it doesn't get lost!"
Duoduo placed the bundle by her pillow and shook her head at Lüdou.
"There's no need. This is Father's villa, and there are many guards around."
"Just go to sleep, otherwise you won't have any energy tomorrow."
Seeing Duoduo insist, Lüdou wrapped herself in a quilt and lay down to sleep at the foot of the bed.
Duoduo closed her eyes and was just about to sleep when she suddenly opened them again.
She had just had a sudden thought.
Since her hand could absorb so much water, fish, and even a golden frog...
Could the things beside her pillow be absorbed into it as well?
Thinking of this, Duoduo placed her hand on the bundle.
"Go in! Go in!"
Duoduo chanted silently in her heart.
The bundle did not disappear; it remained right where it was.
Duoduo looked at it, wondering if she had gotten the idea wrong.
She tried again, visualizing the jade pendants and head ornaments inside. "Come in!"
Duoduo closed her eyes, continuously chanting in her mind.
Duoduo opened her eyes, and the bundle was still beside her pillow.
"Ah!" Duoduo let out a yawn.
Forget it. If it can't, then it can't. She was tired.
Duoduo fell asleep, her hand still resting on the bundle.
"Princess, wake up!"
Duoduo heard Lüdou softly calling by her ear.
"Lüdou, let me sleep a little longer." Duoduo rolled over and buried her head in the quilt.
"Princess, the Prince said we are heading back to the manor in the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
"Princess, please wake up quickly!"
Lüdou called out to Duoduo gently.
Duoduo opened her eyes and glanced out the window.
Outside, the sky was already bright.
"Huh? Is it already this late?" Duoduo raised a hand and rubbed her eyes.
Lüdou helped Duoduo sit up. "The Prince has already asked several times."
"The Prince said it's not safe outside the city and that we need to hurry back to the manor."
Duoduo's sleepiness instantly vanished.
"Lüdou, quickly help me get dressed."
Duoduo stood up, quickly letting Lüdou put her clothes on her, and then slipped on her shoes.
Lüdou wrung out a handkerchief and washed Duoduo's face.
Duoduo took it from her. "I'll do it myself, you go tidy up the beddings."
"Alright," Lüdou replied, and went to tidy the bed.
Duoduo washed her own face and hands clean, waiting for Lüdou to comb her hair.
After Lüdou finished tidying up, she walked over, picked up a comb, and began to comb Duoduo's hair.
Duoduo absentmindedly played with the ribbons on her clothes.
For the past few days, a jade pendant had hung at her waist. Today, it was empty, and she still wasn't quite used to it.
"Lüdou, remember to grab the bundle in a bit."
Hearing this, Lüdou was startled.
"Princess, this servant didn't see the bundle just now!"
Duoduo turned her head. "Hasn't it been by my pillow the whole time?"
Lüdou shook her head. "No!"
"When this servant was tidying the bed just now, I didn't see it at all."
Lüdou began to panic. She put down the comb in her hand, preparing to go over and check.
"Could it have fallen under the bed? I didn't see it when I made the bed."
As Lüdou spoke, she hurriedly ran to the edge of the bed and dropped to the floor to look.
Duoduo hesitated for a moment. She remembered how, right before falling asleep last night, she had tried to put the bundle somewhere else.
Could the bundle have been put in that place by her?
Curiously, Duoduo opened her right hand.
In the palm of her hand, there was only a white carp mark.
"Princess, it's not under the bed!" Lüdou's voice carried a hint of a sob.
