After eating, Duoduo was going to learn how to read with the Prince of Pingyang.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang sat to the side, writing invitations.
The Prince of Pingyang threw a book to Duoduo as usual.
Just as Duoduo opened the book, Ling Feng hurried in.
He handed a bamboo tube to the Prince of Pingyang. The Prince of Pingyang opened the bamboo tube and poured out the slip of paper inside.
Duoduo watched the Prince of Pingyang's every move with curiosity.
She saw the Prince of Pingyang unfold the slip of paper, read the contents, and casually hold it over the nearby candle flame to burn it.
"Where is that old lady from the Song family now?"
Ling Feng cupped his fists in salute. "To answer Your Highness, based on her pace, she should reach the border of Feng City in three days."
"Did the Second Prince send anyone to receive her?" The Prince of Pingyang stroked his jade thumb ring.
"According to the information we received, no."
The Prince of Pingyang let out a cold laugh.
"The men of the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes have all made their moves. I do not believe that the Second Prince has not received the news."
"The Second Prince is inherently cunning and deceitful. He must have an ambush planned."
"Tell our men to stay hidden. Wait until the Second Prince's men show themselves, and then our men will strike last!"
"Understood."
After speaking, Ling Feng did not leave.
"Is there something else?" The Prince of Pingyang looked at Ling Feng.
"Your Highness, you have no intention of taking that girl at all. Why are we even getting involved?"
The Prince of Pingyang turned his jade thumb ring.
"The Second Prince is a suspicious man. If we do not make a move, he will grow suspicious."
"Only if everyone fights over her will he believe that the one by my side is a jinx!"
Duoduo looked up, her eyes full of grievance.
Nonsense, she was not a jinx!
Seeing Duoduo's expression, the Prince of Pingyang waved his hand at Ling Feng.
Ling Feng bowed and left.
The Prince of Pingyang looked at Duoduo. "I will begin reading. Focus your mind."
"The Rules for Disciples, the teachings of the sages. First be filial and respectful to elders, then be careful and trustworthy..."
Duoduo puffed out her cheeks, hurriedly gathered her focus, and began to recite.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang watched the two of them as she wrote, her face full of a happy smile.
If it had been in the past, the Princess Consort of Pingyang would never have believed that the Prince of Pingyang would personally teach a child to read.
Yet, the Prince of Pingyang was doing something unprecedented by teaching Duoduo how to read.
Even though his tone remained very cold.
He still recited the poems and texts from the book over and over again.
He only stopped impatiently when Duoduo could also recite them.
"You are not focused today. It took you so many repetitions to memorize it. What are you thinking about?"
Duoduo picked at her palms. "I am sorry!"
The Prince of Pingyang wanted to say something else, but the Princess Consort of Pingyang put down the pen in her hand.
"Your Highness, you said you would accompany me shopping today."
The Prince of Pingyang glanced at his smiling wife.
"Put the book on the bookshelf."
Duoduo hopped off the chair and carefully placed the book on the bookshelf.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked over and took Duoduo's hand.
"Let's go, we are going out shopping!"
Duoduo's eyes lit up.
She looked at the Prince of Pingyang with her big, sparkling eyes.
"Ling Feng!"
Ling Feng came in and pushed the Prince of Pingyang outside.
Duoduo looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang with great joy, revealing a big smile.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang stroked her cheek.
"Let's go! Whatever you want today, just tell me."
Duoduo held onto the Princess Consort of Pingyang's hand tightly as they left the manor and got into the carriage.
This was Duoduo's first time going out shopping.
In the past, she had always been locked in the backyard.
She could only listen to the sounds from outside through the courtyard walls and imagine the outside world.
Now that she had stepped into the world she had imagined, Duoduo could not suppress her curiosity.
Duoduo sat next to the Princess Consort of Pingyang, with the Prince of Pingyang sitting opposite them.
Duoduo heard the sounds of talking, peddling, and soliciting customers outside the carriage.
Her eyes darted around as she constantly peered through the gap in the window to see what was happening outside.
Seeing Duoduo's behavior, the Prince of Pingyang raised his hand and pushed open the carriage window.
Instantly, the scene outside was revealed before Duoduo's eyes.
Duoduo's eyes widened in amazement. There were actually so many people outside?
Why could that person breathe fire?
Why was this person holding a little dough figurine in his hand?
What were those colorful things hanging on that stall? So pretty!
There were so many people gathered over there, what were they doing?
Duoduo's body involuntarily leaned closer to the window.
She was captivated by the fresh world outside.
Completely unaware that, at this moment, she was leaning on the Prince of Pingyang's knees.
"Have you seen enough? My legs are numb!"
The Prince of Pingyang's words brought Duoduo back to her senses.
By reflex, she reached out her little hands to massage the Prince of Pingyang's legs.
The Prince of Pingyang had only said it casually.
However, when Duoduo's hands were placed on his legs, he felt a trace of numbness.
The Prince of Pingyang froze.
His legs had a reaction?
Seeing the Prince of Pingyang's expression, the Princess Consort of Pingyang hurriedly pulled Duoduo into her arms.
"Your Highness, are your legs alright?"
The Prince of Pingyang pinched his own leg in disbelief.
No pain!
He pinched it hard again, still no pain!
The Prince of Pingyang closed his eyes.
He must not have rested well last night and was hallucinating.
Even the most authoritative imperial physicians in the palace had determined that he would never be able to stand up again for the rest of his life.
What illusions was he still holding onto!
The Prince of Pingyang's disappointed mood infected the Princess Consort of Pingyang and Duoduo.
Duoduo felt very guilty.
"Did I hurt Your Highness? I am sorry, I did not mean to!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang patted Duoduo's back to comfort her.
"Your Highness, we have arrived!"
The carriage stopped, and Ling Feng lifted the curtain.
The Prince of Pingyang opened his eyes, his complexion returning to normal.
Ling Feng and the driver lifted the wheelchair down.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang held Duoduo's hand and also stepped out of the carriage.
"To the Treasure Pavilion first," the Prince of Pingyang ordered.
The Treasure Pavilion was the largest jewelry store in Xianyang.
The jewelry here featured the most fashionable designs of the moment.
Of course, it was also the place with the highest prices.
As soon as the Prince of Pingyang entered the Treasure Pavilion, the shopkeeper came trotting over.
"This humble commoner greets Your Highness!"
The shopkeeper knelt on the ground to pay his respects, and the surrounding clerks all followed suit and knelt down.
"Rise. Bring over the newest designs in the shop for us to see."
"Yes! This lowly one will go right away!"
The shopkeeper quickly scrambled up from the ground, took out several boxes from the counter, and respectfully presented them to the Prince of Pingyang.
"Pingting, take a look and see if you like them."
The Prince of Pingyang pushed the boxes in front of the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
Duoduo curiously craned her neck to look.
In one box was a jade hairpin, its head carved into the shape of a flower, and the jade was very translucent.
In another box was a complete set of gold jewelry, also in a floral design.
The other boxes contained jade bracelets, earrings, pendants, and other items in various styles.
Duoduo was dazzled by the sight.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang only took one glance before pushing them back.
"Please bring over a few pieces of fine jade pendants, suitable for this child to wear."
The shopkeeper quietly observed Duoduo, a flicker passing through his eyes.
Could this be the legendary jinx from County Magistrate Song's family?
