After hearing Duoduo’s words, Yunxi’s eyes showed a look of admiration.
Being able to think that the Prince of Pingyang was an easy person to get along with—probably only Duoduo could feel that way, right?
Yunxi knew well that even her aunt was afraid of the Prince of Pingyang!
Seeing the expression on Yunxi’s face, Duoduo could more or less guess what she was thinking.
Sigh!
Forget it—there was no point trying to explain to others!
“Third Cousin, rest well. I’m going back now,” Duoduo said as she stood up to take her leave.
Yunxi quickly got up and bowed to Duoduo.
“I’ve caused you trouble, Princess.”
Duoduo tilted her little head, looking puzzled.
“Third Cousin, aren’t you tired from being so formal?”
Yunxi froze for a moment, a little embarrassed.
Duoduo gave Yunxi a bright smile.
“Third Cousin, I was just joking with you!”
“Good manners never offend anyone, but you don’t have to be so polite with me—we’re family.”
“Alright, I’m heading back. You rest now!”
Duoduo waved at Yunxi and walked out.
Yunxi stood there, somewhat stunned.
The phrase “we’re family” kept echoing in her ears.
Those who were truly supposed to be her family had cast her out.
Yet someone who wasn’t related by blood had silently done so much for her.
No wonder her mother often taught her that sometimes, blood relatives are no better than neighbors.
At the Hour of the Rabbit (around 5:00 AM), Duoduo heard Lüdou quietly calling her to get up.
Duoduo stretched lazily and sat up.
Lüdou quickly fetched the clothes and helped Duoduo put them on.
Duoduo got out of bed, put on her shoes, and went to wash up.
Lüdou made the bed and folded the quilt.
By the time Duoduo finished washing, Lüdou came over to comb her hair.
Remembering that today was a day off from school, Duoduo made a request.
“Lüdou, keep it simple, please.”
Lüdou’s hand paused briefly, and then she loosened all of Duoduo’s hair again.
“It’s hot out, Mistress. How about I pull all your hair up and tie it into a bun?”
Duoduo nodded. “Alright.”
Lüdou skillfully smoothed out all the hair, tied it with a hairband, twisted the ends into a coil and secured it with another band.
Finally, she picked a hair comb inlaid with colorful gemstones from the jewelry box and inserted it over the band to hide it.
Duoduo shook her head a little, somewhat dissatisfied with the accessory.
“Let’s go.”
Duoduo stood up; she still had to greet her parents.
Lüdou hurriedly grabbed Duoduo’s bookcase and followed her.
“Daughter pays respects to Father and Mother!” Duoduo entered the room and bowed to Xiao Yi and Su Xian.
“Rise.”
“Even though there’s no school today, you’re still leaving this early?” Su Xian looked at Duoduo with concern.
This child went to bed late and got up early—did she get enough rest or not?
“Mm, if I leave early, I can come back early,” Duoduo reassured her mother.
“Oh, by the way, Mother, I’m a bit scared living alone in my courtyard.”
“So I asked Third Cousin to stay in the room next to mine.”
Duoduo hadn’t told Su Xian about Yunxi moving into her courtyard the night before.
She worried that when the physician came to check on everyone today, Su Xian might notice Yunxi wasn’t in her room and panic.
If Yunmeng started gossiping or slandering Yunxi, that would make things even worse.
Duoduo’s words surprised Su Xian.
When had Duoduo ever been afraid?
Something must have happened.
She’d have Lianxin look into it later.
“Alright, but don’t stay up too late playing with your Third Cousin, okay?”
Duoduo gave a docile smile. “Okay.”
Xiao Yi sat nearby quietly drinking his tea. Duoduo stole a glance at her father, feeling a little guilty.
She remembered the mischief she’d caused yesterday.
Even though she told herself she was even with him now, she still couldn’t feel completely confident.
Luckily, a maid announced that breakfast was ready, and Duoduo quickly pulled Su Xian to the table.
After breakfast, Duoduo used being late as an excuse and ran off with Lüdou.
Su Xian felt a bit puzzled.
“Your Highness, why is Duoduo in such a rush today?”
“Usually, I don’t recall her being so eager to get to the Imperial Academy.”
Xiao Yi flicked a bit of tea leaf from the cup, blew on it, and took a sip.
“Children grow up—there’s no reading their minds.”
Su Xian was taken aback, then smiled.
“Your Highness, Duoduo is still so young!”
“Besides, she said she’s the only one going to the Imperial Academy today!”
Xiao Yi glanced at Su Xian but didn’t explain.
“How did the physician’s visit go yesterday?”
Hearing Xiao Yi shift to serious matters, Su Xian refocused.
“The physician came late yesterday and only saw half of the people. It got too dark, so he left.”
“He’ll come again this morning to finish examining the rest, including Mother and the others.”
“I had Lianxin ask around yesterday—aside from some old chronic ailments, the household servants seem fine.”
Xiao Yi nodded.
“Today, the mansion remains closed to guests, and none of the servants are allowed to leave.”
Su Xian nodded. “I’ve already instructed the steward, Your Highness.”
“But Your Highness, with all this commotion in our household, Father, His Majesty, is bound to hear about it.”
“Could it affect Duoduo? She’s supposed to go to the palace today!”
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment.
“Duoduo should know how to handle it.”
At the mansion’s gate, Duoduo climbed into the carriage and sat down.
Lüdou carefully placed the bookcase on her lap, looking worried.
“Princess, I saw just now that the mansion isn’t letting any servants go out.”
Duoduo nodded.
“Mm, it’s because of Aunt Li’s matter Father is investigating who’s behind it.”
Duoduo whispered to Lüdou.
Lüdou suddenly understood.
No wonder she saw Qingliu packing things yesterday and leaving with Aunt Li.
“Princess, if we go out now, can we still enter the palace?”
Aunt Li had said the palace was heavily guarded—if anyone knowingly went in while ill and got caught, it was a major crime.
Duoduo looked at Lüdou and blinked.
“Is there something wrong with our health?”
Lüdou shook her head vigorously.
“No!”
Duoduo gave Lüdou a reassuring smile.
“So there you have it!”
Seeing that Lüdou was still anxious, Duoduo added, “If you’re worried, you can wait outside the palace. I’ll just hand in my homework and come right out.”
Lüdou quickly refused. “No! Wherever the Princess goes, I follow!”
Suddenly, Duoduo heard voices outside the carriage. She raised her finger at Lüdou.
“Shh!”
Lüdou quickly fell silent and pricked up her ears.
“Did you hear? The Prince of Pingyang’s mansion was shut to guests yesterday.”
“Why?”
“Rumor has it a servant caught a plague and was moved out.”
“That’s right! I saw it with my own eyes yesterday!”
“Really? Or is it fake? A real plague?”
“Yes! A plague can spread! We should report them to the authorities and burn down the Prince of Pingyang’s mansion!”
“Exactly! Report them! We can’t let people from the Prince of Pingyang’s mansion run around infecting us all!”
“Right! Let’s go! Report them!”
The sound of urgent footsteps rushed past the carriage.
