A glimmer of light flashed through Xiao Yi's eyes as he looked at Duoduo.
Just as he had suspected.
In his heart, Xiao Yi became even more determined about what he had to do.
He could not let his wife and daughter be dragged down by him and end up as prisoners.
Xiao Yi pursed his lips. "Duoduo, next time you buy stones, tell me first."
"If I'm not free, find Li Jin. At the very least, find the shopkeeper."
"Remember, absolutely do not come here alone!"
Hearing the concern in Xiao Yi's voice, Duoduo nodded obediently.
"Okay, I know!"
Li Jin also recovered from his daze and nodded.
"Yes, His Highness is right. Princess, you must remember this."
"If all else fails, wait until we have time before coming. Anyway, the stones are right there, they won't run away!"
Li Jin was worried that Duoduo was too young and wouldn't be able to control herself.
Duoduo smiled at Li Jin. "Teacher, I know!"
Li Jin nodded and looked at Xiao Yi. "Your Highness, what should we do with these stones then?"
Xiao Yi did not answer Li Jin's question. Instead, he looked at Duoduo.
"Duoduo, you bought these stones. What do you plan to do with them?"
Duoduo looked at Xiao Yi and blinked.
"Father, can I decide what to do with them?"
Xiao Yi's expression looked unnatural for a brief moment.
He understood that Duoduo was referring to the carnelian from earlier.
"Things like jade are hard to come by."
"Father thinks that if you encounter top-quality jade, you should definitely keep it for your future dowry."
"Of course, for ordinary jade, you can sell it in my shop."
"When the time comes, deducting a ten percent fee, the rest of the silver will be yours."
Duoduo's eyes went wide.
"Father, you're actually charging a fee?" Duoduo could hardly believe her ears.
The corners of Xiao Yi's lips curled up.
"Father has so many shop assistants and managers to feed in the shop. Oh, and Li Jin too."
"This ten percent fee goes toward their wages."
"I am not taking a single penny."
"Of course, if you have your own channels, you can sell them yourself."
After Xiao Yi finished speaking, Duoduo puffed out her cheeks.
If she could sell them herself, she definitely wouldn't go to her father.
What a scam!
"I need to think about it. Can I give you an answer after I've made up my mind, Father?"
Duoduo had learned to be smart.
A hint of a smile flashed in Xiao Yi's eyes.
"Alright," he agreed without hesitation.
Duoduo began to ponder. What if she opened her own jade shop?
She could see the color of the jade; she could easily buy the stones at a low price.
Duoduo's gaze swept over Li Jin.
Right!
When the time came, she could poach her teacher to be her shopkeeper.
Yes! Just like with Aunt Xu, they could be partners!
At this thought, Duoduo flashed Li Jin a brilliant smile.
Xiao Yi, who had been observing Duoduo all along, followed her gaze and also looked at Li Jin.
Li Jin felt both Duoduo's and Xiao Yi's eyes fall upon him.
A thin layer of sweat broke out on Li Jin's back.
Why did this father and daughter look at him as if he were a delicious piece of meat?
Li Jin lowered his head, pretending to look at the stone in his hands.
As long as he didn't look up, he could pretend he didn't notice!
Duoduo knew that if she wanted to poach her father's employee, she couldn't discuss it in front of him.
So, she just grinned and didn't say a word.
The carriage passed through the bustling streets and stopped in front of a manor.
Hearing a servant report that the Prince and Princess had returned, Su Xian hurriedly went to the second gate to welcome them.
"Mother!"
Duoduo saw her mother from afar and called out loudly.
"You're back?" Su Xian curtsied to Xiao Yi and pulled Duoduo over, looking her up and down.
"Did everything go smoothly?" Su Xian had been worried for a day and a night.
Duoduo nodded happily. "Smoothly! Mother, let's go. We'll talk when we get inside."
Su Xian pushed Xiao Yi back to the rear courtyard.
Lianxin and Baihe brought freshly brewed tea to their masters, then retreated outside.
Whenever Xiao Yi was present, no maids were allowed in the room.
Without needing Su Xian to ask, Duoduo concisely explained the situation with the Princess of Rui to Su Xian.
Su Xian was quite surprised to hear this.
"The Princess of Rui is pregnant with a daughter, so why did the imperial physician say it was a son?"
"Perhaps the diagnosis was wrong. By the way, was there any trouble while I was away from the manor yesterday?"
Xiao Yi calmly changed the subject.
Su Xian nodded.
"This morning, Eunuch Li came."
Xiao Yi's gaze sharpened. "What did he come to say?"
Su Xian patted Duoduo, who was looking at her with a curious expression.
"Eunuch Li said that His Majesty has decided to let Duoduo attend the Imperial Academy to study alongside the other princes and princesses."
Upon hearing this, Duoduo immediately turned her head to look at Xiao Yi.
A strange look flashed through Xiao Yi's eyes.
"Is it only Duoduo, or are all the other imperial grandchildren going as well?"
Su Xian froze for a moment. "I forgot to ask."
At the time, when Eunuch Li told her the news, she had been too preoccupied with being happy.
How could she have thought of all that?
Xiao Yi pursed his lips.
"Did he say when it begins?"
Su Xian replied happily, "Tomorrow morning."
"I was even thinking that if you didn't return today, I would send people out to look for you. Fortunately, you came back."
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment before looking at Duoduo. "Are you willing to go?"
Curiosity flickered in Duoduo's eyes.
"Father, can we defy an imperial decree?"
Xiao Yi didn't expect Duoduo to answer like that.
He nodded affirmatively. "No!"
"However, if you don't want to go, there are plenty of other ways!" Xiao Yi's words held a hidden meaning.
Duoduo thought about it seriously.
"Father, Mother, I want to go!"
"Don't worry, I definitely won't embarrass you!"
Su Xian affectionately stroked Duoduo's head.
Xiao Yi, however, shook his head.
"No! If you are going, Father hopes you will hide your true talents!"
Duoduo looked confused. "Father, why?"
"If Imperial Grandfather knows about my talents, he will definitely be proud of you, Father!"
"Maybe Imperial Grandfather would even think highly of the Prince of Pingyang's estate because of it!"
Duoduo understood very well that as the daughter of the Prince of Pingyang, she and the estate shared the same glory and the same ruin!
Xiao Yi pulled Duoduo closer, his expression very serious.
"You are you! The Prince of Pingyang's estate has nothing to do with you!"
"Your Highness!" Hearing Xiao Yi speak so heartlessly, Su Xian quickly cried out to stop him.
Seeing the disappointed look on Duoduo's face, Xiao Yi realized that his words had just been misunderstood.
Xiao Yi looked directly into Duoduo's eyes, his gaze holding a rare intensity.
"Duoduo, remember this: you are my, Xiao Yi's, daughter!"
"As for the future of the Prince of Pingyang's estate, I will fight for it myself."
"You and your mother only need to stand behind me and live the life you want to live. Do you understand?"
Su Xian's eyes turned red.
Duoduo looked into Xiao Yi's eyes and shook her head firmly.
"I don't understand!"
