"Then, she ran out, stepped on the water on the floor, and slipped."
Duoduo had no intention of saying that she had deliberately spilled that puddle of water on the ground.
"That's right! I heard her shout there was a mouse too!"
Danyang, trembling on the side, came forward as a witness.
The imperial physician also nodded. "She did slip on the water and fall; it caused a slight concussion."
The Director of Studies furrowed his brows.
Such a large puddle at the entrance—clearly, he thought, it was time to reprimand the maidservants.
"A mouse? Where did a mouse come from?"
This was the Imperial Academy, and the women's restroom at that—how could there be a mouse?
"I saw Xiao Yunming carrying a bag!"
A girl who had come out earlier spoke up softly in accusation.
Duoduo blinked her eyes.
Oh, the heavens were helping her!
Upon hearing this, the Director of Studies immediately sent for Xiao Yunming.
Xiao Yunming initially refused to admit it, but under the evidence of the seized items and witnesses, she finally confessed.
"I was just trying to play a joke on her!"
Xiao Yunming remained obstinate, refusing to admit wrongdoing.
Because both Xiao Yunming and Song Shuyu were princesses of Prince Ling's manor, the Director of Studies directly sent the two back to the manor.
Prince Ling had not expected his two daughters to be at each other's throats.
Enraged, he struck Xiao Yunming without a second thought.
Xiao Yunming was stunned by the blow.
She coughed up a mouthful of blood, and a tooth fell out.
Her mouth full of blood, Xiao Yunming stared blankly at Prince Ling.
Seeing this, Princess Consort Ling was terrified and immediately rushed over.
She pulled Xiao Yunming into her embrace.
"My lord, Ning'er is still young. If you must blame someone, blame me."
"Ning'er is your own flesh and blood!"
Prince Ling leaned back in his recliner and took a moment to catch his breath.
"Make her kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect thoroughly!"
"She will not come out until she realizes her mistake!"
When Xiao Yunming heard that her father was going to lock her in the dark ancestral hall, she broke down.
"Why are you punishing me? Are you still my father?"
"Song Shuyu stole my things—why don't you punish her?"
"Not only did she take my things, she took my father too!"
"I hate her!"
Xiao Yunming shouted.
"Slap!"
Princess Consort Ling's hand trembled, and her lips quivered as she scolded Xiao Yunming.
"Hurry up and apologize to your father!"
Xiao Yunming looked at her mother in disbelief.
"Mother, you hit me too?" She cradled her slapped cheek.
In truth, the slap from Princess Consort Ling was far lighter than Prince Ling's.
But it wounded Xiao Yunming's heart.
Seeing the pain in her daughter's eyes, Princess Consort Ling's heart felt like it was pricked by needles.
Yet, seeing the fury on Prince Ling's face, she had to steel herself to continue.
"Funing and you are both your father's daughters—you are sisters!"
"How could you harm each other like this? Now! Apologize to your father and say you were wrong!"
Xiao Yunming looked at her mother, then at her cold-faced father.
"I won't apologize! You might as well beat me to death!"
With that, Xiao Yunming scrambled to her feet and ran out.
Princess Consort Ling panicked and hurried after her.
Prince Ling's manor fell into chaos, while Prince Pingyang's manor remained peaceful and serene.
Duoduo, upon returning to the manor, first went to pay her respects to her parents.
Just as she reached the flower hall, she heard her grandmother's voice.
"We've been in the capital for so long now and haven't been out to look around."
"We were told earlier that there was plague in the manor and that we couldn't go out."
"Now that we can go out, right?"
Duoduo did not slow her steps and entered.
She saw Old Madam Su and her mother Su Xian sitting in the room, along with her two elder cousins.
Seeing Duoduo enter, Yunxi stood up and greeted her with a smile.
Yunmeng, having learned her lesson, followed Yunxi in giving a proper bow.
Duoduo waved her hand. "Rise."
Duoduo bowed to Su Xian, then nodded at Old Madam Su. "Grandmother."
Old Madam Su forced a reluctant smile onto her face.
"Your Highness is back from lessons."
Duoduo sat down next to Yunxi and noticed Su Xian's troubled expression.
"Mother, have you run into some difficulty?" she asked.
Su Xian gave Duoduo a gentle smile.
"Your mother has been busy lately and hasn't had time to take your grandmother and them out for a stroll."
"Your grandmother was just saying that, having been in the capital so long, she wants to go shopping."
Duoduo nodded.
"Mother, you really should go out for a walk yourself. You stay home all day and never leave."
"Though Grandfather taught you that a lady should stay behind closed doors, if Grandmother asks to go shopping and you don't comply, it would be unfilial."
"I think that even if Father finds out, he won't blame you!"
Su Xian lowered her head and dabbed the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief, hiding a smile.
Old Madam Su's face stiffened.
She caught the implication in Duoduo's words.
In noble families, most women rarely stepped outside.
If they needed something, shopkeepers would bring goods to the manor for them to choose from.
Wretched girl!
Old Madam Su cursed inwardly.
Duoduo flashed Old Madam Su an innocent smile.
"Grandmother, it just so happens that I have the day off tomorrow. I'll go shopping with you."
"To tell the truth, I've never been out to shop myself!"
"Thanks to your invitation, Grandmother, I can finally take a look."
"Mother, Father will agree, won't he?" Duoduo said, looking at Su Xian.
Su Xian suppressed a smile and looked up.
"Your mother will have a good talk with your father. If I'm punished, I'll take it all on myself."
Duoduo pretended to be delighted. "Thank you, Mother."
Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Old Madam Su led Yunxi and Yunmeng away.
Duoduo noticed Yunxi giving her a look before leaving.
Duoduo blinked back.
After they had left, Duoduo leaned into Su Xian's arms.
"Mother, why haven't I seen Father?"
Su Xian smiled. "Isn't your father in his study?"
Duoduo nodded. "Then I'll go tell Father about Grandmother's plans to leave the manor tomorrow."
Su Xian nodded. "Alright, let's go together."
Duoduo held Su Xian back. "No need, Mother! It's fine if I talk to Father alone."
"Besides, I have something to discuss with him."
Su Xian knew she had no say when those two were discussing matters.
"Alright, let me know what your father decides."
Duoduo nodded, took her leave of Su Xian, and ran off to the study.
At that moment, Xiao Yi was listening to Yunxiao's report.
"Your Highness, we have obtained evidence that the Minister of War embezzled military funds."
"Is the evidence solid? Any loopholes?" Xiao Yi perked up.
Yunxiao nodded excitedly.
"Our people got very lucky. They happened to catch the underlings delivering account books to the Minister's residence."
"We swapped the real account book for a fake one."
"Good. Have the account book secretly delivered to Censor Li's study. Once he sees it, he will know what to do."
