Xiao Yi released Duoduo and looked into her eyes.
Duoduo thought for a moment, then shook her head.
At first, her head shook hesitantly.
But then her expression grew firm.
“No! Daddy, I won’t leave!” Her voice was low, but unwavering.
“Daddy, I’ll wait until the truth comes out!”
“I believe it won’t be long.”
Xiao Yi’s eyes glistened with something bright.
But in an instant, it vanished.
“Alright. I’ll have Grandmother send someone to bring you meals three times a day.”
“Later, I’ll also have some clothes delivered.”
Seeing Duoduo’s choice, Xiao Yi didn’t hesitate further.
At least he could start by improving her surroundings.
Duoduo nodded and leaned against him.
“Daddy, don’t worry about me. Go home. I’ll be fine.”
“As for Mother, just tell her that Great-Grandmother wanted me to stay in the palace for a couple of days.”
She didn’t want Su Xian to worry.
Xiao Yi quietly slipped a small bamboo tube into Duoduo’s hand.
“If you’re in danger, pull it open. Someone will come to rescue you.”
Duoduo turned her palm, and the tube vanished from sight.
Xiao Yi’s eyes widened slightly.
Then he lowered his gaze. “Is there anything you want your father to do for you?”
Duoduo tilted her head, thinking.
“I didn’t ask for leave from the Grand Tutor. He must be furious.”
“Daddy, could you apologize to him for me?”
Xiao Yi looked up. “No need.”
“Imperial Father collapsed today. The Grand Tutor has certainly heard the news by now.”
Duoduo glanced around, making sure no one was watching.
She leaned close to Xiao Yi’s ear. “Daddy, I think Grandfather has some kind of scheme.”
Admiration flickered in Xiao Yi’s eyes.
He gently squeezed her hand.
“Mm. I think so too.”
“Alright, I have to go now. I’ll come back later.”
Xiao Yi noticed the jailer pacing nervously at the entrance.
A reluctance filled Duoduo’s heart.
She gripped Xiao Yi’s hand, unwilling to let go.
Xiao Yi looked at her steadily.
“If you regret it, Daddy can—”
Before he could finish, Duoduo released his hand.
“Lü Dou, bring the food box.”
Lü Dou responded and carried over the box.
A waiting maid hurried forward to take it.
“I’ll have someone deliver warm clothes to the Princess shortly.”
Duoduo smiled sweetly at the maid. “Thank you for making the trip.”
The maid waved her hands quickly. “Not at all! Not at all!”
Xiao Yi felt a gaze fixed on him.
He adjusted Duoduo’s clothes and spoke softly.
“The man in the cell next door is the Minister of War.”
Duoduo’s eyes went wide. She wanted to turn and look, but Xiao Yi stopped her.
“Be careful.”
With that, Xiao Yi pushed his wheelchair out of the prison.
The jail keeper bowed, feigning respect while swiftly locking the cell door.
“Let’s go.”
Xiao Yi ordered without looking back.
Yunxiao pushed the wheelchair forward.
Duoduo gripped the prison bars, watching her father’s retreating figure with reluctance.
Yunxiao noticed that the Prince’s knuckles, resting on the wheelchair, were almost white.
A heavy aura surrounded him.
Once out of the prison, Yunxiao had to remind him.
“Your Highness, the palace gates are about to be locked.”
If they didn’t leave now, they wouldn’t be able to.
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment.
He turned to the maid. “I won’t go to Grandmother’s place today.”
“Go back and inform her of the situation. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
The maid curtsied. “Yes, Your Highness.”
She watched Xiao Yi and Yunxiao leave before rushing back to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.
When no one else was around, Yunxiao spoke.
“Your Highness, are we really leaving?”
Xiao Yi remained silent.
“Your Highness, this is such a good opportunity. Are we just letting it slip?” Yunxiao’s voice carried reluctance.
Xiao Yi spoke calmly.
“The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”
“Do you want to be the mantis, or the oriole?”
“The oriole, of course!” Yunxiao answered without hesitation.
Xiao Yi nodded slightly.
“Have the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince arrived?”
Yunxiao paused, then nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. They have.”
Xiao Yi said nothing more, and Yunxiao dared not ask.
The master and servant left the palace in silence.
When Xiao Yi returned to his residence, he saw Su Xian pacing anxiously by the inner gate.
The moment she saw him, she rushed over.
“Your Highness, where is Duoduo?”
“Didn’t you find her? Did something happen in the palace?” Su Xian searched behind him.
Xiao Yi pressed his lips together.
So Su Xian had already guessed part of it.
He patted her hand. “Let’s go inside first.”
Though worried, Su Xian obediently pushed him back to their quarters.
Once inside, she couldn’t hold back and asked again.
“Duoduo is fine. Don’t worry.” Xiao Yi first reassured her.
“I just visited her. She told me to tell you that Grandmother asked her to stay in the palace for a few days. She’ll return soon.”
Xiao Yi’s words made Su Xian laugh helplessly.
“That child! Why didn’t she at least send a message through a maid?”
Hearing that Duoduo was safe, Su Xian’s tense nerves finally eased.
She had been pacing in agony ever since she heard Duoduo was missing and Xiao Yi had gone to the palace to search for her.
She had nearly wanted to charge into the palace herself.
Su Xian wiped her eyes and poured Xiao Yi a cup of tea.
Xiao Yi held the warm cup in his hands, letting its warmth steady his heart.
“Have Qingliu pack a few sets of clothes for Duoduo. I’ll take them to her tomorrow.”
Su Xian immediately instructed Lianxin to see to it.
“Your Highness, may I accompany you to the palace tomorrow?”
“I won’t feel at ease until I see Duoduo with my own eyes.”
Xiao Yi looked up at Su Xian.
Was this the bond between mother and child?
Seeing his expression, Su Xian tensed.
“Your Highness, is it inconvenient?”
Xiao Yi stroked the teacup in his hands, eyes lowered.
“Mm.”
“Imperial Father collapsed today.”
Su Xian gasped. “Imperial Father fainted? Is it serious?”
Xiao Yi shook his head.
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him.”
“Eunuch Li turned everyone away at the door.”
Su Xian sat down slowly in a chair, stunned.
Her mind raced over Xiao Yi’s words.
The Emperor had collapsed?
Wouldn’t that cause chaos?
But why, at a time like this, would the Empress Dowager keep Duoduo in the palace?
What if... what if something unforeseen happened...
Su Xian’s thoughts tangled into chaos.
She suddenly rose and bowed formally to Xiao Yi.
“Your Highness, please find a way to bring Duoduo back!”
“I’m afraid—if the worst happens—what will become of Duoduo?”
