Duoduo blinked her big eyes and called out in a soft, syrupy voice.
"Eighth Uncle! A gift for the occasion!"
Afraid that Xiao Che might not understand, she sweetly explained.
"Second Uncle saw how poor I was and gave me a jade pendant to save face."
"Third and Fourth Uncles gave me gifts too!"
"So, Eighth Uncle, what gift are you preparing for your niece?"
"How about... this jade pendant? Its quality seems decent."
"I suppose I can reluctantly accept it!"
With that, Duoduo reached out her hand toward Xiao Che.
Xiao Che was both exasperated and amused.
He had originally planned to use his authority as an elder to get Duoduo to hand over the medicine.
Instead, Duoduo had schemed against him instead!
Her clever calculations had practically smacked him in the face!
This jade pendant was the only keepsake his mother, the consort, had left him—how could he ever give it away?
"This won't do!" Xiao Che shook his head.
"As for your medicine, name your price. How much silver do you want?"
Duoduo's eyes flickered.
The way he spoke made it sound like he was rich.
She pretended to think for a moment, then raised one finger.
"A hundred taels? Fine, I'll have someone bring it to you later!"
The Eighth Prince secretly rejoiced.
Duoduo wagged her finger.
"No? Could it be... you want a thousand taels?" Xiao Che frowned.
"Forget it. As the daughter of my elder brother, I'll take it for a thousand taels!"
He looked down at his leg wound, which had already healed without leaving a single scar.
Gritting his teeth, he agreed.
Once again, Duoduo wagged her finger, her face beaming warmly.
"Ten thousand taels, actually!" she declared.
"I even gave you a discount as your niece!"
"Isn't your niece thoughtful?"
"For anyone else, I'd charge at least a hundred thousand taels." Duoduo’s eyes crinkled with delight.
Xiao Che couldn't help but grind his back teeth.
"Ten thousand taels? Why don't you just rob me?"
Duoduo clapped her hands together and shook her head lightly.
"I'm a good child—how could I ever stoop to theft?"
"And, Eighth Uncle, as my elder, shouldn't you be setting a better example instead of teaching a child bad habits?"
Xiao Che was left speechless by her cheek. He glared at her.
Was this the same timid classmate who used to sit quietly beside him?
He studied Duoduo carefully; he never imagined someone so young could be such an expert at hiding her true strength.
Ten thousand taels—he did have the money.
But giving it all away just for such a tiny bottle of medicine seemed like a rip-off.
As an unfavored prince, aside from his monthly allowance and festival gifts, he hadn't managed to save much.
The ten thousand taels had been hard-earned savings.
Xiao Che touched the spot where he had been injured—it was completely restored.
There was no discomfort at all.
It was as if he had never been hurt.
Silver or his life—which mattered more?
Clenching his jaw in reluctant defeat, he agreed.
"Deal!"
Duoduo's face instantly lit up with joy.
"As expected of Eighth Uncle—so generous!"
She pulled the medicine bottle from her sleeve and tossed it to Xiao Che.
He quickly caught it, curious.
"You're giving it to me now? Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"
Duoduo blinked her large eyes.
"Would Eighth Uncle really do that?"
Xiao Che hesitated, then heard Duoduo continue.
"Since I managed to get one bottle, I can certainly get a second one—it's just a little expensive!"
Xiao Che was now very sure: Duoduo was a master at playing the wolf in sheep's clothing!
“Rest assured, this prince keeps his word and will never go back on it!”
Duoduo smiled amiably. “I believe you, Eighth Uncle!”
Xiao Che couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Only a fool would believe that!
Xiao Che carefully tucked the medicine bottle into his chest.
“By the way, how did you two happen to show up there?” Xiao Che asked, as if idly curious.
Lüdou was about to speak when she felt Duoduo tug at her sleeve. She fell silent.
Duoduo asked with a grin, “Eighth Uncle, why don’t you tell us first how you ended up there?”
Xiao Che’s glare at Duoduo was practically murderous.
Duoduo deliberately shrank back.
“Fine, if Eighth Uncle won’t say, no need to be so fierce!”
“As your niece, I was just looking out for you.”
“Speaking of which, Eighth Uncle, I saved your life. Shouldn’t you repay me?”
Duoduo blinked at Xiao Che, her expression unmistakable.
Xiao Che closed his eyes.
Since when had his eldest brother’s adopted daughter become such a money-grubber?
“I have no silver,” Xiao Che said reluctantly.
Duoduo’s eyes went wide.
“Eighth Uncle, you’re a prince! How can you have no silver?”
“How about I go tell Imperial Grandfather and ask him to grant you a reward?”
Duoduo said this with a face full of feigned gratitude.
“Imperial Grandfather is so generous! Last time, he gave me loads of gold, silver, and pearls!”
“Eighth Uncle, I’m telling you, go hug Imperial Grandfather’s leg and cry!”
“If you cry, he’ll definitely feel sorry for you and give you silver!”
Duoduo winked at Xiao Che.
“When Eighth Uncle gets the benefit, don’t forget your niece!”
Xiao Che was thoroughly put off by her miserly act.
He glanced outside; the carriage had entered the city gates and was moving slowly.
He stood up.
“We’ve entered the city. Let’s part ways here!”
With that, he turned, leaped out of the carriage, and dashed into the rain, disappearing quickly.
Duoduo watched Xiao Che’s retreating figure and let out a sigh of relief.
She turned around to see Lüdou staring at her curiously.
Duoduo grinned. “What is it?”
Lüdou thought for a moment. “Your Highness acted a bit strangely just now.”
Duoduo burst into laughter.
“Did I pull it off well? The tutor said to imitate whoever you play. How was I?”
Lüdou suddenly understood.
“Ah, so that’s it! I was wondering when the Princess started talking about silver all the time.”
Duoduo winked at Lüdou.
“If I hadn’t acted that way, how could I have driven him off?”
“Don’t forget, he took a slash to the leg.”
“What if the people who attacked him are waiting at the city gates? Then we’d be in trouble too!”
Lüdou caught on. “You’re right! Let me clean this up quickly.”
The carriage floor still had some dark red bloodstains.
Lüdou fetched a water pouch and carefully rinsed them away. Soon, the blood was completely washed clean.
Meanwhile, Xiao Che, sprinting wildly through the rain, finally realized what had happened.
He had been played by Duoduo!
He had meant to ask why she was there in the first place!
And he hadn’t managed to get a single word out of her!
Xiao Che’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he spotted several familiar figures in black.
He quickly hid himself.
He had been careless!
He shouldn’t have gotten off the carriage so early.
Now, what was he supposed to do?
Xiao Che glanced at the narrow alley beside him, then lifted his foot and dashed into it.
Duoduo's carriage had also been brought to a halt.
