Duoduo had a determined look on her face. Father, rest assured, I will never let anyone bully me!
Father, you must do your best too! Duoduo stood up and pushed Xiao Yi out of the carriage.
Yunxiao was waiting below the carriage to catch the wheelchair.
The group passed through the palace gates, walking among the red walls and green tiles.
Big brother!
A seemingly enthusiastic voice greeted Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi looked at the person in front of him and nodded slightly.
Fourth brother.
Duoduo looked at the other party with some curiosity.
So, this person was Prince Rui.
Prince Rui had a pair of peach blossom eyes and a genial face, looking very much like a scholar.
Prince Rui observed Duoduo. Is this Changle?
Duoduo politely bowed to Prince Rui. Changle greets His Highness Prince Rui!
Prince Rui smiled amiably, looking at Duoduo as if he were looking at his own daughter.
You should call me Fourth Uncle. Oh, right, this is Danyang.
Danyang, come greet His Highness Prince Pingyang and your younger sister Changle.
Danyang, whose name was called by Prince Rui, reluctantly bowed to Xiao Yi and Duoduo.
Duoduo returned the bow.
In her mind, Duoduo quickly matched her to the information her father had given her.
Princess Danyang was the legitimate daughter of Prince Rui and Princess Consort Rui, five years old.
Because she was Prince Rui's first daughter, she was highly favored from a young age.
Furthermore, after Danyang's older brother passed away, Princess Consort Rui transferred all her love to her daughter.
Therefore, Danyang had a rather self-centered personality.
Big brother, let's hurry. We cannot keep Imperial Father waiting, Prince Rui reminded with a smile.
Xiao Yi did not speak, and Yunxiao pushed the wheelchair forward.
Prince Rui quietly observed Xiao Yi's legs, a look of pity appearing on his face.
Big brother, it has been two or three years now. Have you still not found a cure?
The hands Xiao Yi had resting on his knees suddenly clenched into fists.
Seeing this, Prince Rui hurriedly apologized.
Big brother, I did not mean anything by it!
I just feel sorry for you, big brother. Thinking back to those years, you were so brave and skilled in battle, but now...
As Prince Rui spoke, his voice choked up a bit, as if he were truly sad for Prince Pingyang.
Xiao Yi lowered his head and slowly flattened his palms.
Thank you for your concern, Fourth Brother. You are the first person to care so much about your big brother!
A flash of astonishment crossed Prince Rui's eyes, and then a warm expression appeared on his face.
That is only natural. You are my big brother! The person I admire the most!
Xiao Yi kept his head down and did not speak, as if moved by Prince Rui's words.
Beside them, Duoduo pursed her lips.
She realized that in this imperial palace, not only Prince Rui but even her father wore a mask.
You simply had no idea which of their words were true and which were false.
Even their every movement could be deliberate!
Duoduo lowered her eyes and obediently followed beside Xiao Yi's wheelchair.
That Danyang had not said a single word from beginning to end.
Soon, they arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
As a guard, Yunxiao could not enter.
Duoduo automatically took over Yunxiao's job and walked behind Xiao Yi.
Changle, let Fourth Uncle do it, Prince Rui smiled amiably.
Duoduo revealed a polite smile. There's no need, Fourth Uncle. It's just a few steps.
Seeing that Duoduo insisted, Prince Rui did not push the matter.
Duoduo pushed the wheelchair inside, stopped in the hall, and knelt toward the front.
Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father! Xiao Yi lowered his head and bowed.
Changle pays her respects to Imperial Grandfather!
Prince Rui hurriedly took two quick steps and bowed to the Emperor.
Rise! How did you two brothers arrive together?
The Emperor sitting at the head looked at the two thoughtfully.
Prince Rui stood up and quickly explained.
To reply to Imperial Father, your son encountered Big Brother and Changle at the palace gates.
I have not seen Big Brother in a long time, so since we ran into each other, we came together to pay our respects to Imperial Father.
The Emperor glanced at Xiao Yi and his daughter, who were standing quietly to the side after finishing their bows.
Prince Rui, why do I not see your wife?
To reply to Imperial Father, Wan'er is still feeling very guilty today. She asked me to be sure to apologize to Imperial Father on her behalf.
Her health is not very good, and she feared coming to the palace would make Imperial Father worry.
Once Wan'er's health improves a bit, I will definitely bring her to the palace to pay her respects to Imperial Father!
The Emperor nodded in gratification.
Go back and tell her to rest well and take care of her health, so she can bear children for the royal family!
Yes! I will certainly pass on Imperial Father's concern! Prince Rui replied with a face full of gratitude.
At this time, the eunuch outside the hall announced.
Prince Ling, the Heir, Princess Funing, and Princess Anning request an audience!
As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, Prince Ling, sitting in a wheelchair, appeared at the door.
His three children walked behind the wheelchair.
The eunuch pushed Prince Ling into the hall and then retreated.
Prince Ling led his children to pay their respects to the Emperor.
The Emperor sat at the head, the look in his eyes thoughtful.
Rise.
After Prince Ling and the others finished their bows, the Emperor spoke indifferently.
Prince Ling, why are you not resting properly in your manor? The Emperor's tone seemed displeased.
Prince Ling revealed a touched smile.
Imperial Father graciously allowed An'er and Ning'er to enter the Imperial College. I had to come to the palace to thank Imperial Father!
If not for the fact that I cannot walk, I would definitely kowtow to Imperial Father a few times.
As soon as Prince Ling finished speaking, the expression on Prince Rui's face instantly turned ugly.
Prince Pingyang was in a wheelchair and had not kowtowed to give thanks just now, so Prince Rui had merely followed suit with a regular bow.
Now, with Prince Ling saying this, it made it seem as if Prince Rui did not value Imperial Father's grace.
But if he were to kneel and kowtow now, wouldn't that be playing right into Prince Ling's hands?
Thinking of the ambush he encountered on the road, the look in Prince Rui's eyes toward Prince Ling turned ruthless.
Fourth Brother, I heard that you and your wife encountered assassins on your way here?
Are you and Fourth Sister-in-law alright? Prince Ling asked Prince Rui with a face full of concern.
Prince Rui gritted his teeth but revealed an amiable smile on his face.
Thank you for your concern, Second Brother. Thanks to Imperial Father's blessing, we are all fine.
However, Second Brother, what happened to you? Why are you in a wheelchair just like Big Brother?
Could it be that you were also ambushed and had your legs broken?
Prince Ling's face stiffened.
Was there a hidden meaning in Prince Rui's words? Or was he cursing him?
The verbal sparring between his two sons was seen clearly by the Emperor sitting at the head.
With a gloomy face, he looked at Xiao Yi, who had remained silent.
Prince Pingyang, why are you not speaking?
Xiao Yi raised his head and cupped his hands expressionlessly.
Imperial Father, Second Brother and Fourth Brother are close. I will not interrupt them.
Prince Rui and Prince Ling both glanced at each other at the same time and then turned their faces away.
For a moment, the hall fell silent.
The Emperor waved his hand. Xiao Lizi, take these children to the Imperial College. If they are late, they will be punished.
Yes! Eunuch Li walked over to Xiao Yunan and extended a hand.
Will the Heir and the Princesses please follow this servant.
Xiao Yunan nodded and stepped outside, with Xiao Yunning following closely behind.
Song Shuyu hesitated for a moment and also hurriedly chased after them.
Danyang also raised her chin and left.
Duoduo crouched down to bow to the Emperor. Imperial Grandfather, Changle will go to school first. Changle will come back to pay her respects to you later!
