“Commandery Princess, this servant saw Zhenzhu take the meals to the outer courtyard.”
“This servant made some inquiries. They say the prince is discussing matters with his adviser and the others in the study.”
Chunxiao relayed the information she had gathered to Song Shuyu.
Song Shuyu nodded in satisfaction.
“You’ve worked hard. Here, this dish is your favorite.”
“I specifically saved it for you, Commandery Princess. I haven’t touched it at all.”
Song Shuyu made a point of emphasizing that last sentence.
Gratitude appeared on Chunxiao’s face.
“Thank you, Commandery Princess. It’s only what this servant ought to do. Please give me your orders whenever you need anything.”
Song Shuyu nodded.
“I’m finished eating. You may eat now.”
“I’m going to study. Don’t come and disturb me!”
“Yes, this servant will be absolutely silent!” Chunxiao knew that studying was an excruciating ordeal for Song Shuyu.
If she disturbed Song Shuyu, she might well be subjected to another scolding.
Song Shuyu went over to the desk, while Chunxiao carefully carried the dishes outside.
She certainly couldn’t guarantee that she could eat without making the slightest sound.
As Chunxiao stepped out, she seemed to catch sight of a figure swaying briefly on the roof.
But after she blinked and looked again, there was nothing there.
Chunxiao shook her head.
She must have been seeing things.
This was Prince Ling’s residence. Who would dare fool around on the roof?
Elsewhere in the estate, Xiao Yunming’s eyes were swollen from crying.
Princess Consort Ling had not regained consciousness since she was brought back.
In the end, the princess consort’s personal maid had no choice but to go to the outer courtyard and ask Xiao Yun’an to come over.
Although Prince Ling had ordered that Xiao Yun’an was not allowed to stay in the inner courtyard, Xiao Yun’an was the heir. The servants of the residence ultimately did not dare stop him from visiting the princess consort.
One was the future heir, and the other was the princess consort. Who would dare offend either of them?
“Brother, is Mother dead?” Xiao Yunming asked through tear-filled eyes.
Xiao Yun’an’s face tightened as he scolded her.
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
“Mother will be fine!”
“Little sister, stay here and keep watch. I’m going to find Father!”
Seeing that his mother’s complexion was growing worse by the minute, Xiao Yun’an felt deeply uneasy.
But he did not dare show it.
When Xiao Yunming heard that her brother was leaving, she immediately grabbed him tightly.
“Don’t go, Brother! I’m scared!”
A trace of impatience flashed across Xiao Yun’an’s face.
He pried Xiao Yunming’s fingers away. “This is our mother. What are you afraid of?”
“Besides, you must watch over Mother. Don’t let anyone else come in, understand?”
Xiao Yunming nodded, then shook her head.
“Brother, if Secondary Consort Wei comes, I won’t be able to stop her!”
Xiao Yun’an clenched his fists.
“After I leave, lock the door from the inside.”
“When I come back, I’ll call for you. Only then should you open it.”
“Mm.” Xiao Yunming answered fearfully.
Xiao Yun’an walked out. He waited until he saw Xiao Yunming close the door before leaving.
By the time Xiao Yun’an reached the outer study, Prince Ling was still discussing matters with his advisers over dinner.
Xiao Yun’an was stopped outside the study.
“I want to see Father!”
Xiao Yun’an glared angrily at the guard blocking his way.
The guard bowed to him.
“Heir, you should return to your quarters.”
“The prince has ordered that no one is to enter!”
Xiao Yun’an hesitated for a moment, remembering how his mother’s complexion had grown steadily worse.
“Father!”
He suddenly shouted toward the study.
“Father, your son has something to discuss with you!”
Inside the study, Prince Ling’s expression instantly turned extremely ugly when he heard Xiao Yun’an shouting outside.
Just moments ago, Secondary Consort Wei had sent over the evening meal, and the advisers had been praising it incessantly.
Now Xiao Yun’an’s shout had trampled all over his dignity.
Prince Ling tilted his head toward the guard behind him.
The guard immediately went outside.
“Heir, the prince is discussing important matters and has no time to see you. You should return to your quarters.”
“You, escort the heir back!”
The guard at the door grabbed Xiao Yun’an and prepared to lead him away.
Xiao Yun’an had no choice but to risk everything.
He knew better than anyone that if his mother died, life would become unbearable for him and Xiao Yunming.
Even while their mother was alive, Secondary Consort Wei treated them so cruelly.
If their mother were gone, Xiao Yun’an could already imagine how miserable their future would be.
He had seen it happen to one of his classmates—a boy who had gone from being a prince’s son to the son of a concubine.
“Father, Mother is dying!”
“Father, please save Mother!”
Xiao Yun’an began shouting without restraint.
He knew that if he failed this time, he would never get another chance.
Hearing Xiao Yun’an’s cries, Prince Ling knitted his brows.
One of the advisers noticed his expression and stroked his beard.
“My prince, although the heir’s behavior is improper, his concern comes from a sincere heart.”
“Perhaps something truly is wrong with the princess consort. Otherwise, the heir would not behave so recklessly.”
Prince Ling recalled the sight of Princess Consort Ling collapsing headfirst onto the ground earlier.
Secondary Consort Wei had implied repeatedly that the princess consort was merely pretending, which was why he had been so angry.
But now, hearing what his adviser said, Prince Ling’s heart jolted.
As for his wife, Prince Ling understood her better than anyone.
She would never let the children worry about her.
With that thought, Prince Ling rose to his feet.
When he reached the doorway, he saw Xiao Yun’an punching and kicking the guards, refusing to let them drag him away.
“Stop!”
His face was full of displeasure.
The guards immediately halted at the sound of his voice and stepped aside.
Seeing that his father had finally come out, Xiao Yun’an hurriedly dropped to his knees with a thud.
“Father, please find a doctor for Mother!”
“She still hasn’t woken up, and my sister is terrified!”
Prince Ling glanced at the guard, who immediately ran off.
“Someone will go and see to your mother shortly.”
“You’re not a child anymore. It’s time you grew wiser!”
“In the future, everything this prince has will be passed on to you!”
“As for the affairs of the inner courtyard, there are naturally people to handle them. You should focus on learning the skills you need!”
“If you still refuse to listen, don’t blame your father!”
“I have more than one son!”
After saying this, Prince Ling turned and went back inside.
He had only today to arrange the important matters, and he needed to get everything settled as quickly as possible.
Xiao Yun’an stared at the tightly closed study door and knelt there in a daze.
His father’s final words had been a warning.
If he failed to perform well, someone else could take his place.
At that thought, a spark of fire flared in Xiao Yun’an’s eyes.
He clenched his fists and stared fixedly at the study door.
The guards standing outside could not help taking a few extra looks at Xiao Yun’an.
Xiao Yun’an lowered his eyes and slowly hauled himself up from the ground.
He made his way toward the inner courtyard.
Until he saw his mother wake up, he could not put his mind at ease.
But just as he reached the room outside Princess Consort Ling’s chambers, he heard Xiao Yunming’s heart-wrenching sobs coming from within.
