Duoduo couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle secretly.
“Grandfather also finds Father’s expression strange, right?”
“At first, I was scared of Father’s expression too.”
The Emperor let out a light cough.
“So young, but he always pulls a long face, as if someone owes him thousands of taels of silver. It’s ugly!”
Duoduo lowered her hands and looked at the Emperor seriously.
“Changle asked Father about it. He said he went to the military camp when he was very young.”
“But because of his status as a prince and his young age,”
“many in the army resented him.”
Duoduo saw a look of shock on the Emperor’s face.
Clearly, the Emperor was surprised.
“Father said he didn’t want You to worry, so he secretly learned to mimic Your Majesty’s expression.”
“Later, he found that as he won battle after battle, fewer people resented him.”
“He’s gotten used to his current appearance now and doesn’t want to change it.”
After saying this, Duoduo stuck out her tongue.
“Grandfather, is it wrong for me to talk about Father behind his back?”
“Please don’t tell him—if he finds out, he’ll be angry.”
“Hmph! How dare he be angry!” the Emperor snorted.
Just then, the sound of the second watch rang out from outside.
“Grandfather, you should rest now.”
“Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, and staying up late isn’t good for it!”
A flicker of reluctance passed through the Emperor’s eyes, but he nodded.
“Aren’t you going to say a word in your defense about today’s events?”
Duoduo gave the Emperor a sweet smile.
“Changle believes that Grandfather already knows who was behind it all.”
A look of approval appeared in the Emperor’s eyes.
“These past few days, you may have to endure staying in the prison for a while.”
“After a couple of days, when things are clearer, you can leave.”
“Rest assured, Grandfather will make it up to you for the grievances you’ve suffered.”
Duoduo stood up and bowed to the Emperor.
“Changle thanks Grandfather!”
The Emperor nodded gently. “Xiao Lizi!”
Eunuch Li immediately appeared at the doorway. “Your Majesty, this old servant is here.”
“Escort Changle and the others back personally,” the Emperor ordered.
Eunuch Li’s eyes flickered, and he bowed.
“This old servant obeys the decree!”
Duoduo bowed to the Emperor and followed Eunuch Li out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Lüdou and Nanny Li, who had been waiting at the door, hurried over.
They each took Duoduo’s hand without a word, but their eyes were full of concern.
Duoduo gave them a reassuring smile.
“Princess Changle, let’s go,” Eunuch Li said respectfully.
Duoduo nodded and followed him back to the prison of the Prison Supervision Office.
Once there, Eunuch Li went directly to the warden and arranged for Duoduo’s group to be moved to a private cell.
The cell was spotlessly clean, with a bed covered in complete bedding.
In the center of the room stood a table and a few chairs.
Even the chamber pot in the corner had incense burning to mask any odor.
Compared to their previous cell, it was like heaven and earth apart.
Lüdou cheerfully began tidying up, with Nanny Li helping as well.
Eunuch Li bowed to Duoduo.
“If You need anything, just tell the warden. This old servant has given instructions.”
Duoduo shook her head.
“No need. This is already very nice.”
“Hurry back and attend to Grandfather. Make sure he rests more and doesn’t stay up late.”
Eunuch Li nodded, bowed once more, and left.
Only when Eunuch Li was out of sight did Lüdou rush over excitedly.
“Princess, does His Majesty know we were framed?”
“Then why doesn’t he let us out?”
Nanny Li quickly stepped in to stop her.
“Lüdou, careful with your words!”
Lüdou pouted but didn’t ask further.
Duoduo smiled at Nanny Li.
“This bed is big enough for the three of us to sleep on. Let’s sleep together tonight!”
Lüdou and Nanny Li both shook their heads.
“No!”
Duoduo blinked. “But I’ll be scared sleeping alone!”
“And what if I catch a chill and get sick?”
Hearing this, Lüdou immediately forgot her previous objections.
“I’ll sleep with You!”
Duoduo nodded with a smile and turned to Nanny Li.
“And Nanny?”
Nanny Li sighed inwardly.
If she didn’t realize that the princess was looking out for them, she would have lived her long years in vain.
“Since the Princess has commanded, this servant naturally obeys.”
Duoduo nodded happily.
“It’s getting late. Let’s rest!”
Lüdou went over and opened the bedding.
“Princess, You sleep on the inside. Nanny Li and I will sleep on the outside.”
Duoduo nodded, took off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed.
Exhausted from the long day and well past her usual bedtime, she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
Lüdou and Nanny Li quietly lay down at the edge of the bed.
Back in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Eunuch Li entered.
He saw the Emperor still sitting by his bed, lost in thought.
“Have you arranged everything?” the Emperor asked, hearing the footsteps.
Eunuch Li stepped forward and bowed.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant had the Princess moved to a different cell and gave instructions to the warden.”
The Emperor nodded without speaking further.
Eunuch Li hesitated.
“Your Majesty, it’s already the second watch.”
“The Princess specifically told You to rest early.”
The Emperor turned to look at him. “You remember her words well, don’t you?”
Hearing no anger or reproach in the Emperor’s voice, Eunuch Li grinned.
“The Princess cares for Your Majesty’s health, and this servant is Your servant—of course, I want nothing but the best for You.”
“Smooth talker!”
The Emperor chuckled and scolded him lightly. Just as he was about to lie down, he noticed the small porcelain bottle in his hand.
For some reason, he felt a sudden urge.
The Emperor uncorked the bottle, and a strange fragrance wafted out.
He couldn’t help but take a deep breath, and instantly, his chest felt much more comfortable.
“Your Majesty! Where did this medicine come from?”
Eunuch Li, who personally attended to the Emperor’s daily needs, had never seen this bottle before.
The Emperor glanced sideways at him and poured out a pill.
Startled, Eunuch Li immediately knelt.
“Your Majesty, You must never consume food of unknown origin!”
“If You wish to take it, at least have Imperial Physician Li examine it first!”
But the Emperor ignored him and put the pill into his mouth.
Rather than dissolving instantly, the pill was chewed—just as Duoduo had done.
It had a sweet taste underlaid with a faint bitterness.
Mm, it was quite delicious!
That was his conclusion after swallowing it.
Seeing the Emperor consume the unknown pill, Eunuch Li was terrified.
He quickly ordered for a physician to be summoned, but the Emperor stopped him.
“This is...” the Emperor began, planning to say it was from Changle.
But halfway through, he changed his mind.
“What? Am I not even free to eat what I want anymore?”
