The Empress Dowager was taken aback for a moment, then smacked the armrest with a sharp slap.
“Nonsense!”
“She’s locked up in the prison, where could she get fish?”
“I suspect those people are behind it—plotting to pin this on Changle!”
“No, I’ll have to speak with the Emperor later. The staff at the Imperial Prison should be replaced!”
A flicker of something unusual, however, passed through Xiao Yi’s eyes.
“Grandmother, Changle and the others surely haven’t had dinner yet.”
“I’ll bring them some food.”
The Empress Dowager quickly nodded.
“Yes! Yes!”
“The child must be starving!”
“In that case, have someone fetch some dishes from the Imperial Kitchen.” The Empress Dowager gave the order.
The matron hurriedly dispatched someone to handle it.
Xiao Yi didn’t stop her—this would save him some time as well.
Soon, a maid returned at a brisk trot, carrying a food box.
“Grandmother, I’d also like to borrow your official pass.” Xiao Yi took the food box.
The Empress Dowager nodded. “Let her accompany you.”
“By the way, where is your personal guard? I haven’t seen him.”
The Empress Dowager noticed Yunxiao was absent.
“I sent him on an errand. He should be back soon.”
As he spoke, Yunxiao’s voice came from outside.
“Your Highness, I am here.”
Xiao Yi bowed to the Empress Dowager.
“Grandmother, I’ll go check on Changle first and return afterward.”
“Go quickly! If anything comes up, send a servant back to report.” The Empress Dowager seemed uneasy.
The Emperor was still ill, and who knew what outrageous schemes the hidden troublemakers in the palace might concoct?
Yunxiao walked behind the wheelchair and pushed Xiao Yi toward the Imperial Prison.
The matron sent by the Empress Dowager followed behind them.
Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s pass, the three entered the prison without trouble.
The chief warden was absent; the guard on duty led them to Duoduo’s cell.
Duoduo was dozing, leaning against Lüdou. Lüdou, noticing Xiao Yi, gently patted Duoduo.
“Princess, wake up. The Prince is here!”
Duoduo jolted awake.
“Father, why have you come?” She stood up and ran to the cell door.
“Open it!”
Seeing Duoduo’s state, Xiao Yi felt a pang in his chest, as if something had struck him.
The guard, not daring to offend, quickly unlocked the cell.
Yunxiao pushed the wheelchair inside. Xiao Yi glanced subtly at the three of them in the cell and gave Yunxiao a signal.
Yunxiao pulled silver from his sleeve and stuffed it into the guard’s hand.
“Our Prince wishes to speak with the Princess. Please allow us some privacy.”
The guard pocketed the silver swiftly.
“Hurry up, then.”
With that, the guard left.
Xiao Yi reached out to Duoduo, and she threw herself into his arms.
“Father!” Duoduo’s voice was choked with emotion.
From the moment Lüdou had called to her until she was thrown into the prison, Duoduo had remained remarkably composed—not a single tear shed.
But now, seeing Xiao Yi, she couldn’t hold back, her eyes reddening.
Xiao Yi’s heart ached as if pricked by needles. He gently stroked Duoduo’s back.
“Don’t be afraid. Your father is here.”
Duoduo nodded, sniffling, and wiped away her tears, a little embarrassed.
“Father, how did you find me?”
Xiao Yi held her close, softly comforting her.
“What happened this afternoon spread all over the palace. It wasn’t hard for me to learn the details.”
“Did anyone mistreat you?”
Duoduo shook her head meekly.
“They wouldn’t dare. I have Grandfather’s pardon jade pendant!”
“If they struck me, it would be an insult to Grandfather’s face!”
Xiao Yi nodded approvingly.
“Well done.”
Duoduo whispered to Xiao Yi, “Father, did you visit Grandfather?”
“How is he? Has he woken up yet?”
“When I went, Eunuch Li said he was still unconscious.”
“Later, I went to Great-Grandmother, but she couldn’t see him either; he was still said to be in a coma.”
Duoduo straightened up, looking baffled.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Yi wondered at her expression.
Duoduo leaned close to Xiao Yi’s ear and murmured,
“Father, when Grandfather collapsed, I was so desperate that I gave him acupuncture.”
“He should have woken up by now. There’s no reason for him to still be unconscious.”
Xiao Yi turned his head to look at her. “Really?”
Duoduo nodded emphatically. “Father, don’t you believe in my skill?”
A faint smile tugged at Xiao Yi’s lips. “I do.”
He gestured with his chin toward the food box Yunxiao had set down.
“You must be hungry. Eat first; we’ll talk after.”
Delight lit up Duoduo’s face.
“Thank you, Father! I’ve been starving!” She cradled her stomach, looking pitiful.
Xiao Yi’s lips curled.
“Then how do I hear you were roasting fish in the prison?”
Duoduo’s eyes went wide. “Who said that?”
“It seems everyone in the prison knows.” Xiao Yi teased.
Duoduo pouted. “I was just hungry...”
Xiao Yi had intended to ask where the fish came from, but seeing Duoduo before him, he forgot all else.
Nothing mattered more than Duoduo being alive and safe.
A bit of roasted fish was nothing.
Even if she roasted a dragon—if it made her happy, so be it!
“Hurry and eat. Your Great-Grandmother sent that from the Imperial Kitchen via the matron.”
Duoduo stood up, bowed to the matron outside the cell,
“Please thank Great-Grandmother for me.”
The matron returned the bow. “I will deliver the message.”
Meanwhile, Lüdou had set out the food from the box, and the aroma filled the prison, stirring a murmur among the inmates.
Xiao Yi’s gaze swept coldly across the surrounding cells.
The prisoners who had been craning their necks enviously at Duoduo instantly lowered their heads.
After a brief scan, Xiao Yi’s eyes met someone’s. He stared at the figure for two seconds, then casually looked away.
Duoduo had much to discuss with Xiao Yi, so she ate quickly, wolfing down her meal in a few bites.
“Lüdou, I haven’t touched these. Share them with Nanny Li.”
“Yes.” Lüdou replied.
Duoduo wiped her mouth, took a sip of water, and walked over to Xiao Yi.
He had been deep in thought and looked up.
“I had hoped to persuade Grandmother to take you out of here,” he said.
“But the prison officials said Imperial Father had decreed that no one could take you away.”
“He wants to interrogate you himself once he wakes.”
Xiao Yi paused, his eyes falling on the filthy, stinking floor. His heart felt heavy and oppressive.
He tightened his grip on Duoduo’s hand and whispered something softly into her ear.
