Yunxiao was a little surprised to see the Empress Dowager's reaction.
It was just a few plants; was there really a need to be so excited?
"Hurry up and let's go!" Xiao Yi's cold, clear voice rang out.
"Yes." Yunxiao snapped back to reality and hurriedly pushed the wheelchair to catch up.
In the flowerbed of the Kunning Palace, the peony that had supposedly withered and died was now sprouting a tiny bud at its tip.
It looked exactly like the tiny milk teeth a child was just beginning to grow.
The Empress Dowager could hardly believe her eyes. "It's really alive? It really sprouted?"
Sitting in his wheelchair, Xiao Yi said, "Grandmother, the flower is indeed alive!"
"From the looks of it, you will be able to see the ink-black peonies again next year."
The Empress Dowager murmured to herself, "It really is alive! This flower actually came back from the dead!"
Xiao Yi looked at the highly agitated Empress Dowager, deep in thought.
The Empress Dowager turned around, suppressing her excitement.
"It looks like everything here has been tidied up, and quite nicely too!"
"Who cleaned this place? They should be heavily rewarded!"
"Grandmother, Changle, Nanny Li, and the maids cleaned this place. Your grandson will reward them later," Xiao Yi replied.
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"Good! Good! Grandmother is tired. I will return to my palace to rest first."
"Then your grandson will escort you back." Xiao Yi supported the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager seemed very exhausted, leaning her entire weight against her personal nanny.
Once the Empress Dowager returned to the Cining Palace, it was inappropriate for Xiao Yi to stay any longer. He signaled Yunxiao to push him out of the palace.
Seeing that it wasn't long until school let out, Xiao Yi simply waited in the carriage for Duoduo.
In the Imperial Garden, the young eunuch summoned by Eunuch Li reported what had just happened to the Emperor.
The Emperor revealed a look of astonishment.
"It's really alive?"
"To answer Your Majesty, it is true."
Hearing this, the Emperor fell silent for a long while.
"Alright, all of you stop." The Emperor waved his hand at the concubines. With his hands clasped behind his back, he led his attendants away.
Noble Consort Li, who was sitting beside the Emperor, was very surprised.
She had heard what the young eunuch just said.
The ink-black peony in the Kunning Palace was alive.
It was just a peony coming back to life; why was the Emperor's reaction so abnormal?
However, when Noble Consort Li heard the words "Kunning Palace," a flash of hatred crossed her eyes.
Back then, when the Empress passed away, she had been the most likely candidate to become the new Empress.
As a result, the Prince of Pingyang strongly opposed it.
To prevent her from moving into the Kunning Palace, he went as far as turning it into a cold palace.
For so many years, the position of Empress had remained vacant. The ministers had submitted countless memorials urging the Emperor to establish a new Empress.
But the Emperor always suppressed them and refused to approve.
Although the power over the inner harem rested in her hands, she always lacked the official title.
Noble Consort Li could not understand whether the Emperor still harbored a sliver of hope for the Prince of Pingyang.
Otherwise, why would he continuously refuse to make her Empress, and consistently refuse to make Prince Ling the Crown Prince?
A ruthless glint flashed through Noble Consort Li's eyes.
If the Emperor truly had such thoughts, he could not blame her for being heartless.
With these thoughts in mind, Noble Consort Li turned and left.
Since the Emperor, the main figure, had left, the other concubines naturally had no interest in staying either.
In an instant, everyone left, leaving the place completely empty.
The Imperial Garden, which had been bustling with activity just moments ago, instantly quieted down.
Only the flowers in the flowerbeds remained, competing in their beauty.
During the late afternoon, Duoduo's figure appeared in Xiao Yi's line of sight.
"Father? Are you waiting for me?"
Duoduo climbed into the carriage and, upon seeing Xiao Yi inside, widened her eyes in surprise.
Xiao Yi nodded and gave an order to the people outside, Let's go.
Duoduo sat down opposite Xiao Yi.
Father, you did not have to wait for me. Duoduo glanced at Xiao Yi's legs with some heartache.
Duoduo knew that whenever Xiao Yi was outside, he had to pretend his legs were completely paralyzed.
He could not move at all while sitting in the wheelchair.
Even an ordinary person would feel incredibly uncomfortable sitting like that for several hours.
Not to mention, Xiao Yi had to constantly monitor his every move to ensure no one would notice anything amiss.
Xiao Yi noticed Duoduo's gaze. I also just left the palace not long ago. Seeing that it was almost time, I simply waited for you on my way.
Hearing Xiao Yi's explanation, Duoduo suddenly became a little curious.
Father, were you in the palace all day today?
Xiao Yi nodded. Yes, I accompanied your grandmother for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
Duoduo tilted her little head.
How come I remember that grandmother has to chant scriptures in the afternoon?
Yes, so I waited a little longer, Xiao Yi explained mildly.
Duoduo opened her mouth wide.
She had heard Nanny Li say that her great-grandmother's Buddhist worship took a full two hours.
No wonder Father only came out of the palace just now!
Knowing that her father had not waited specifically for her, Duoduo relaxed.
Who is the teacher at the Imperial College? Xiao Yi suddenly asked.
Duoduo blinked. Today the teacher said that starting tomorrow, the person teaching us will be changed to the Grand Tutor.
Xiao Yi raised his eyes. It was not the Grand Tutor today?
Duoduo shook her head.
The teacher said that the Grand Tutor had matters to attend to today, so he substituted for a day.
But, Father, the teacher's lecture today was really so boring.
Duoduo had been holding her complaints in all day.
Now hearing Xiao Yi ask, she finally could not hold back and blurted it out.
A hint of a smile flashed in Xiao Yi's eyes.
How boring was it?
He just read straight from the book, and everything he taught was basic enlightenment material.
Those classmates did not listen to his class at all!
Duoduo remembered the person next to her, who had slept the entire day.
And the person on the other side was either playing or eating.
Sitting in the middle, she could only space out.
Father, how is the Grand Tutor's teaching? It will not be extremely boring again, will it?
If that is the case, can I bring my own books to read in the classroom?
Duoduo felt that sitting in the Imperial College just staring into space was simply a huge waste of time.
She had originally been full of enthusiasm, wanting to learn new things, but ended up greatly disappointed.
The Grand Tutor specializes in teaching the princes their coursework. Tell me, do you think it will be boring? Xiao Yi's lips curled up.
Father can assure you, not only will it not be boring, but it will also be exceptionally exciting!
Duoduo's eyes lit up; she did not notice the teasing in Xiao Yi's eyes.
Really? That is wonderful!
Father, today I finally understood what it means for a single day to feel like a year!
I was even thinking, if it is going to be like this again, I would want to feign illness and not go.
As soon as Duoduo finished speaking, she realized she had spoken her true thoughts, and she secretly stuck out her tongue.
Xiao Yi's expression remained relaxed, his brows unfurled. Do not even think about it!
Duoduo felt embarrassed. Your daughter was just saying.
Today, did any of the others cause trouble for you? Xiao Yi stared at Duoduo and asked.
Duoduo blinked and shook her head.
No.
Today, everyone was a newcomer, so they were relatively restrained.
Furthermore, Duoduo did not go out after class, so naturally, she had no interaction with the others.
Not long after, the carriage came to a halt.
Duoduo followed behind Xiao Yi and stepped down from the carriage.
The group entered the manor. An old man with snow-white hair and beard, exuding the transcendent aura of a sage, bowed to the Prince of Pingyang.
"This humble commoner pays his respects to Your Highness and the Princess."
Duoduo looked at the newcomer with a hint of curiosity. "Father, who is he?"
