Lüdou instantly snapped awake.
By now, some people were already starting to get up.
Just a moment ago, someone had accidentally bumped her head while heading out.
Lüdou scrambled up and saw that it was already the middle of the Yin hour. With no time to change her clothes, she hurriedly ran out.
She was a scullery maid in the kitchen, which meant she had to be present whenever the cooks started their shift.
If she was late, she would definitely be scolded.
Lüdou ran to the kitchen, but she still caught a few words of scolding.
However, the morning was the busiest time. Everyone was so swamped that their feet barely touched the ground; they hardly even had the time to scold anyone properly.
In no time, Lüdou was ordered around until she was dizzy.
Seeing that the Mao hour was approaching, Lüdou found a brief moment to ask for a short leave, earning herself another round of scolding from the cook.
Ignoring it, Lüdou took off running toward the Bamboo Pavilion.
"Duoduo! Time to get up!"
Lüdou leaned against the window from the outside and called out to Duoduo in a hushed voice.
Duoduo had something on her mind, so she woke up the moment Lüdou called her.
"Is that Lüdou? I am up!"
"Alright then, the kitchen is still busy, so I am heading back first!"
Lüdou whispered, then scurried back to the kitchen.
Duoduo could barely open her eyes. She pinched herself hard.
"Hiss!"
Duoduo grimaced in pain.
She struggled to sit up, slid off the bed, and put on her clothes.
Checking the time, Duoduo realized it was already the Mao hour and hurriedly ran toward the Study.
In the courtyard of the Study, the Prince of Pingyang was sitting in his wheelchair, gazing up at the sky.
Ling Feng stood behind the Prince of Pingyang with a stoic expression.
Duoduo ran in panting heavily. "Sorry, I am late."
The Prince of Pingyang, who had been looking at the sky, shifted his gaze to Duoduo.
"Ling Feng, begin."
"Yes, sir."
Ling Feng lowered his head and walked toward Duoduo.
Duoduo felt a little nervous as Ling Feng came to a halt in front of her.
"Follow me for some warm-up exercises first. Just do exactly as I do."
Duoduo did not notice that Ling Feng spoke to her with utmost respect.
"Okay!" Duoduo nodded.
She began to mimic Ling Feng's every move and stance.
The Prince of Pingyang stared at the two of them moving about, looking as if he were lost in thought.
Two hours passed, and soon it was time for breakfast.
"That is enough. Have someone take her to change clothes, then bring her over to test the dishes."
After speaking, the Prince of Pingyang wheeled himself away.
Duoduo immediately plopped down onto the ground on her bottom.
Her legs were trembling uncontrollably, and she did not want to move a single step.
Ling Feng waved his hand, and an older maidservant walked over.
She hoisted Duoduo onto her back and headed toward the adjacent courtyard.
Duoduo lay limply on the old maidservant's back, lacking even the strength to speak.
The old maidservant entered the courtyard and pushed open the door to a side room, where a strong smell of medicine wafted out.
"Ugh, what is this?"
Duoduo looked curiously at a large wooden tub filled with pitch-black, steaming water.
"It is for your bath, as ordered by His Highness."
The old maidservant did not waste any words. She simply stripped Duoduo bare and placed her into the tub.
The water was a bit hot, but once Duoduo settled in, her aching limbs felt much better.
She leaned against the edge of the tub while the old maidservant washed her hair.
"Thank you, Granny!"
The old maidservant's hands paused for a moment. "You are welcome. It is what this old servant ought to do."
Duoduo splashed in the water happily, entirely oblivious to the respectful terms the old maidservant was using.
Keeping an eye on the time, the old maidservant prepared to lift Duoduo out when it was about right.
"No need, Granny, I can get up myself."
By now, Duoduo was already fully revived and full of energy.
"There is water on the floor; it is slippery."
The old maidservant was a woman of few words. She reached out and lifted Duoduo from the tub.
She dried Duoduo off with a crisp, dry towel, and then helped her into a set of new clothes.
"Wow, these clothes are so pretty!"
Duoduo curiously inspected the garments she was wearing.
"Are these for me?" she asked, looking at the old maidservant tentatively.
The old maidservant gave Duoduo a respectful smile. "The Princess Consort prepared them for you!"
The Princess Consort is such a good person!
Duoduo bounced up and down on the spot in delight.
"His Highness asked you to go over and test the dishes!" the old maidservant reminded Duoduo gently.
"Ah! That is right! I will be going then! Thank you, Granny!"
Duoduo bowed to the old maidservant, who hastily stepped aside to avoid accepting the bow.
Duoduo smiled at her and left the room.
The Study was right next door, so Duoduo arrived very quickly.
Inside the Study, breakfast had already been laid out.
Unusually, the Princess Consort of Pingyang was also present today.
As soon as Duoduo entered the room, she hurried forward to pay her respects.
"This servant greets Your Highness, and the Princess Consort!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang cast a cautious glance at the Prince of Pingyang, then waved Duoduo over.
"Come here, let me have a look at you."
Duoduo happily trotted over to the Princess Consort of Pingyang. She liked the Princess Consort very much.
"Do these clothes fit well? The material is still a bit lacking; it is not as good as what the manor's seamstresses make."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang held onto Duoduo, looking her up and down.
Duoduo curtsied. "Thank you, Princess Consort!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gently patted Duoduo's head. "You are welcome. Are you hungry?"
Right on cue, Duoduo's stomach let out a loud rumble.
Duoduo clutched her tummy, her face flushing red.
She peeked cautiously at the Prince of Pingyang. "I will test the dishes right away."
With that, Duoduo climbed onto a chair, and Ling Feng hurriedly handed her the prepared bowl and chopsticks.
Duoduo took the chopsticks and began to eat with gusto.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang watched Duoduo eat with a tender expression on her face.
"Your Highness, you should eat as well."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang placed a pair of chopsticks into the Prince of Pingyang's hand.
The Prince of Pingyang picked up some food from the bowl and brought it to his mouth.
Duoduo, who had been burying her head in her food, suddenly stopped.
"Your Highness, I have not finished eating yet!"
The Prince of Pingyang did not even twitch an eyebrow. Holding his bowl, he took a small sip of porridge.
Duoduo grew anxious and reached out to grab the Prince of Pingyang's hand.
"You cannot eat! You have to wait until I finish!"
The Prince of Pingyang quickly set down his bowl. "What? Is there poison in the porridge?"
Duoduo vigorously shook her head. "No!"
The Prince of Pingyang looked displeased. "If it is not poisoned, why can I not eat?"
Duoduo looked at the Prince of Pingyang with utmost seriousness.
"Because I have not finished eating yet! You must wait until I am done and there are no problems, then you can eat!"
The Prince of Pingyang brushed Duoduo's hand away. "Meddlesome! I am hungry!"
Watching the Prince of Pingyang slowly and methodically eat his meal, Duoduo was at a loss for what to do.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gently stroked Duoduo's head.
"Eat up. Weren't you hungry?"
Duoduo hesitated for a moment, then stared into the empty air in front of her.
Today, the golden words did not appear.
Did that mean there was no danger?
The Prince of Pingyang, who had been eating with his head down, looked up and noticed Duoduo's strange behavior.
He followed her gaze to the spot she was staring at, but it was completely empty.
A flicker of confusion passed through the Prince of Pingyang's eyes.
Because he noticed that after looking at that empty space, Duoduo seemed to relax and resumed eating.
The Prince of Pingyang looked again at the spot Duoduo had been staring at.
He could confirm that there was absolutely nothing there.
So, what was the meaning behind Duoduo's actions just now?
The Prince of Pingyang secretly made a mental note of it.
