After hearing Xu Jinxin mention it, Duoduo began to worry as well.
“Aunt Xu, didn’t Mother go to speak with Father?”
“Could it be that they had something to discuss, and it just took a little longer?” Duoduo tried to reassure herself.
Seeing the worry on Duoduo’s face, Xu Jinxin nodded along.
“That’s right! Your mother must be discussing something with the prince!”
“Come on, let’s go take a look at the shop first.”
As she spoke, Xu Jinxin took Duoduo’s little hand, then reached out to pull Yingniang along as well.
Yingniang noticed her mother signaling to her with her eyes.
She nodded and took Duoduo’s hand.
“Princess, have you decided on a name for your shop? Will it be large?”
Duoduo’s attention was successfully diverted.
“Mm-hmm. Lüdou and I thought of it a long time ago. We’re going to call it the ‘Fuduo Pastry Shop.’ What do you think, Big Sister?”
Yingniang hurriedly nodded. “It sounds wonderful! Mother, what do you think?”
Xu Jinxin also smiled and nodded. “It has a very auspicious meaning! I’m sure the business will flourish once it opens!”
The three of them chatted as they left the reception hall.
When they reached the garden, they ran into Su Xian, who was walking back toward them.
“Mother!” Duoduo called out as she ran over.
Su Xian stopped and smiled as she took Duoduo’s hand.
“Where are you three going?”
Now that Duoduo had seen her mother, she had naturally forgotten her earlier worries.
“Mother, I’m going to take a look at the shop with Aunt Xu and Big Sister Yingniang.”
Su Xian glanced at the sky and gently shook her head.
“It’s already getting late today. Let’s go tomorrow instead.”
Xu Jinxin discreetly examined Su Xian.
She could detect nothing unusual on Su Xian’s face.
“I don’t mind. I have nothing to do every day anyway.”
“This will be a good way to pass the time,” Xu Jinxin teased with a smile.
Duoduo let go of Su Xian’s hand.
“Then, Mother, you can talk with Aunt Xu. I’ll go find Father.”
Su Xian caught hold of Duoduo. “Your father is discussing something with your teacher and the others.”
“Mother just waited outside for quite a while, but they still haven’t come out.”
“I didn’t see your father at all.”
Both Xu Jinxin and Duoduo looked surprised.
“You didn’t see the prince?” Xu Jinxin was the first to ask.
Su Xian nodded.
“Come on, let’s go back inside and talk. It’s hot out here.”
Su Xian led Duoduo, and the three of them returned to the room.
Lianxin and Baihe hurriedly served them fresh tea.
“Wait—you were gone for so long. Were you standing outside the whole time?” Xu Jinxin asked in surprise.
Su Xian lifted her teacup to hide her embarrassment.
“I didn’t wait that long.”
“The guards said that the prince had ordered that no one was to disturb him.”
“So I stood outside for a little while, then came back.”
Xu Jinxin noticed the faint worry on Su Xian’s face.
“Li Jin really is something. What could he possibly have to say to the prince that would take so long?”
“Don’t worry, Su Xian. Once I go back, I’ll give him a good talking-to!”
Su Xian was amused.
“Master Li and the prince must be discussing something important. Why would you scold him?”
“Besides, I asked around. Master Li isn’t the only one in there.”
“I’m guessing they’re discussing how to respond now that Prince Ling has become the crown prince.”
“They’re discussing an important matter, which is why I didn’t go in without permission.”
Su Xian explained why she had not entered.
Xu Jinxin glanced at Duoduo. Duoduo had clearly said earlier that Prince Pingyang’s strategy was to remain still and wait for the right moment.
Duoduo noticed Xu Jinxin’s look and gave her a sweet, obedient smile.
“Aunt Xu, let’s go to the shop first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I want to get it opened within the next couple of days.”
At this point, Duoduo only wanted to open the shop as soon as possible.
She had a vague feeling that the world was about to descend into chaos.
In troubled times, the more money one had on hand, the more possibilities one had.
Besides, chaotic times were the perfect opportunity to make money!
Xu Jinxin froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“Good! Aunt Xu will be there first thing in the morning.”
Meanwhile, in the study, Xiao Yi was explaining his arrangements.
“No one is to act rashly.”
“Keep your subordinates under control. Whenever anyone goes out, they must travel in groups. At the very least, no one is to enter or leave alone.”
“Also, have the people we sent out lie low and wait for further orders.”
Ling Yu raised a question.
“Your Highness, what about the steward? Do we continue monitoring him?”
“Our people have tried everything, but they still haven’t found the secret passage.”
Xiao Yi frowned.
“It’s been this long, and you still haven’t found it?”
A guilty look crossed Ling Yu’s face.
“The main problem is that he rarely goes out and spends almost all his time in his room.”
“Our men also don’t dare make too much noise.”
Li Jin, who was standing nearby, suddenly asked, “Have you searched his room?”
Ling Yu’s expression shifted.
“His room?” He shook his head. “Since he stays inside, the guards have only dared to search elsewhere first.”
Xiao Yi understood what Li Jin meant.
“Find a way to lure him out.”
“Then immediately send people inside to search!”
“Pay particular attention beneath the bed, cabinets, tables, and chairs,” Li Jin reminded him.
Ling Yu’s eyes lit up. “Yes! I’ll make the arrangements as soon as I return.”
Xiao Yi looked at the others. “Does anyone have any other questions?”
The others all shook their heads.
“Very well. Hurry back and make the necessary arrangements. We must not allow ourselves to be used as someone else’s weapon!”
Everyone rose and saluted Xiao Yi before leaving.
Li Jin also stood.
“Your Highness, I’ll be going as well.”
Xiao Yi nodded.
“Take all the silver that can be withdrawn from the shops and bring it to the prince’s residence.”
“I’ll have Yunxiao accompany you and help.”
Li Jin waved his hand.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“First, having Yunxiao with me would only make us more conspicuous.”
“Second, given the current situation, you still need someone you can trust at your side.”
Xiao Yi nodded. “Then be careful.”
Li Jin waved to Xiao Yi and left as well.
“Yunxiao!”
After pondering for a while, Xiao Yi called toward the outside.
“Your Highness!” Yunxiao quickly pushed open the door and entered.
“Send a homing pigeon message to Lingfeng and tell him to return to the prince’s residence immediately,” Xiao Yi ordered.
Yunxiao paused for a moment, then quickly agreed.
“Yes. Is there anything else, Your Highness?”
Xiao Yi thought for a moment.
“Add that the others are to hide in the deep mountains.”
“Also, have Lingfeng bring out two of the younger ones.”
“Preferably ones who are quick-witted,” Xiao Yi added.
After saying this, he waved Yunxiao away, indicating that there was nothing more.
Yunxiao turned to leave, but suddenly remembered something.
“Your Highness, the princess consort came by earlier.”
“She heard that you were discussing something and didn’t come in.”
“However, she stood outside for quite a long time and only just left.”
“Did she say what she wanted to see me about?” Xiao Yi asked.
“No, but the princess consort looked very worried.” Yunxiao shook his head.
Worried?
Could something have happened to Duoduo?
