Lüdou nodded hurriedly.
"When this servant went over, she was leaving in a hurry. I only caught sight of her back."
"However, from the clothes she was wearing, I can be certain."
"The person following us was the maid by Commandery Princess Funing's side!"
Song Shuyu's maid?
Why was she following them?
Duoduo tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face.
Duoduo suddenly recalled Song Shuyu's unusual behavior today.
Could it be that Song Shuyu was being ostracized at Prince Ling's Manor, and therefore thought of her, her own flesh and blood?
How was Song Shuyu doing?
After interacting with her these past few times, Duoduo saw it very clearly.
In the past at the Song Manor, because Song Shuyu was a legitimate daughter and had the title of a lucky star, she was deeply favored.
In the family, aside from the two legitimate sons, Song Shuyu was next in importance.
Now that she had gone to Prince Ling's Manor, her status had undergone a world of difference.
The former legitimate daughter had become an adopted daughter.
If Prince Ling didn't have a legitimate daughter, it would be fine. Perhaps Princess Consort Ling, for Prince Ling's sake, would treat Song Shuyu a bit better.
Or, if Song Shuyu had clearly understood her status from the beginning and kept a low profile, her days wouldn't be too difficult either.
After all, she had the title of a lucky star and was valued by Prince Ling.
But unfortunately, Song Shuyu had been spoiled rotten.
She felt that since she was a lucky star, everyone should flatter and cater to her.
Old Madam Song had finally managed to latch onto Prince Ling's Manor, such a powerful and influential prince, so she naturally got carried away.
Song Shuyu would definitely follow suit, perhaps even more exaggeratedly.
Princess Consort Ling was the official wife. How could she allow an outsider adopted daughter to fight for things that belonged to her own son and daughter!
If she couldn't deal with it openly, she would definitely trip her up in secret.
Prince Ling's inner courtyard was entirely managed by Princess Consort Ling.
Thinking of Song Shuyu's ball-like figure, Duoduo blinked.
Nanny Li had once mentioned a tactic used by women in the inner courtyard.
It was called ruining someone through overindulgence!
Duoduo shook her head, not wanting to think about it anymore.
These things had nothing to do with her.
Seeing Duoduo looking thoughtful, Lüdou was a bit worried.
"Commandery Princess, could she be plotting against you?"
Duoduo didn't answer, and Nanny Li shook her head.
"This is the palace. She wouldn't dare."
Duoduo yawned.
"Don't mind her. If soldiers come, we'll block them; if water comes, we'll dam it. I'm sleepy!"
As Duoduo spoke, she climbed into bed. Lüdou took a small blanket from the side and draped it over Duoduo's stomach.
Then, she took a fan and gently fanned Duoduo.
Nanny Li sat to the side, embroidering a purse for Duoduo.
On the other side, Chunxiao ran back quickly.
"Did you see clearly?" Song Shuyu asked in a low voice when she saw Chunxiao.
Chunxiao nodded vigorously, a look of terror on her face.
"This servant saw that the direction they went was the Cold Palace."
"The Cold Palace? What are they going there for?" Song Shuyu found it very strange.
"This servant guesses they are probably going there to find a sleeping hall to rest," Chunxiao guessed.
Song Shuyu looked around her own room.
This was the side hall of Noble Consort Li's sleeping quarters.
Every day at noon, Song Shuyu would follow Xiao Yunan and his sister here to eat and take a midday nap.
Noble Consort Li liked Xiao Yunan and his sister very much, keeping them in the main hall to talk, eat, and rest.
Meanwhile, after eating, Song Shuyu was arranged to rest in the side hall.
Although it was called a side hall, it was actually quite large.
However, in her heart, Song Shuyu always felt a little uncomfortable.
She felt she was being ostracized.
"Commandery Princess, will you rest?" Chunxiao pulled back the blanket.
Song Shuyu nodded. She hadn't slept much last night, and she almost fell asleep in class today.
The afternoon class was painting, which she wanted to learn the most. She absolutely could not doze off.
After Song Shuyu fell asleep, Chunxiao tiptoed out.
The Six Arts of a Gentleman, Duoduo hadn't decided on yet.
She originally wanted to choose riding and archery, but the teacher said she was too young and there were no suitable small horses.
However, Duoduo didn't want to learn any of the other courses.
Ultimately, after Duoduo's persuasion, the teacher agreed to let her try one class.
If Duoduo could complete the coursework well, the teacher would let her choose the riding and archery course.
If not, Duoduo would have to settle for the next best thing and choose Go.
Duoduo woke up from her nap and changed into a trouser suit for ease of movement.
The sleeves of the top were also changed to narrow sleeves.
Lüdou restyled Duoduo's hair, no longer just tying it into two little buns.
Instead, she combed all the hair up and tied it into a ponytail on top of her head.
Then she tied a ribbon below the ponytail.
This way, no matter how much she ran around, her hair wouldn't come loose.
"Commandery Princess looks like a little boy in this outfit!" Lüdou covered her mouth and laughed.
Duoduo looked at herself in the bronze mirror and laughed too.
Nanny Li saw that it was about time. "Commandery Princess, let's go."
Duoduo nodded and led the two of them toward the Imperial College.
Halfway there, they saw the Emperor's procession from afar.
"Commandery Princess, it's His Majesty!" Nanny Li had sharp eyes and saw it clearly at a glance.
Duoduo hurriedly took the two of them and knelt down.
"Changle greets Imperial Grandfather! Long live Imperial Grandfather, long live, long long live!"
The Emperor saw a little child kneeling down to greet him, and he was still guessing which imperial grandson it was.
As a result, hearing Duoduo's title, the Emperor laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! So it's Changle!"
"I was wondering who it was. Why are you here?"
Duoduo straightened up. "To reply to Imperial Grandfather, Changle is just getting ready to go to class."
"Oh?" The Emperor's gaze swept over Duoduo.
"Are you preparing to attend the riding and archery class?"
Duoduo revealed a brilliant smile. "Imperial Grandfather, you are truly amazing. How did you guess?"
The Emperor was praised, and his imperial heart was greatly pleased.
"Hahaha! Because, your Imperial Grandfather can divine the future!"
"Quickly get up! Aren't you afraid your knees will hurt from kneeling!"
The Emperor affectionately reached out a hand toward Duoduo.
Duoduo grasped the Emperor's hand without hesitation and stood up.
"Thank you, Imperial Grandfather!"
"You are so small, will the teacher let you choose the riding and archery class?"
The Emperor looked at the little bean who didn't even reach his knees, a look of curiosity on his face.
Duoduo smiled, revealing a row of tiny rice-like teeth.
"The teacher didn't agree, but Changle persuaded him."
"If I can finish all the coursework today, he promised to let me choose riding and archery!"
The Emperor's interest was piqued.
"Oh? Are you confident?"
Duoduo tilted her little head and thought for a moment.
"To reply to Imperial Grandfather, Changle is not confident."
"However, Father said that for the things you want, you must muster the courage to try."
"If you fail the first time, try a second time. If the second time fails, try a third."
"One day, it will definitely work!"
The Emperor's face stiffened. "He sure has a lot of theories when preaching to others."
Duoduo looked at the Emperor curiously. "Imperial Grandfather, Father said this is what you taught him!"
The Emperor's expression froze for a moment, then he laughed.
"He remembered it well enough, but he doesn't act on it. He is not a good student!"
Duoduo smiled cheerfully and did not retort.
"Let's go, I shall go take a look too!"
