Many things had happened at Prince Ling’s residence recently. Coupled with what had happened to Princess Consort Ling a few days ago, it had caused Xiao Yun'an to grow up overnight.
He shot Xiao Yunming a warning look. “You’d better watch your mouth and take care of your own affairs!”
Xiao Yunming was still young and had no idea what was going through her brother’s mind. Seeing him glare at her, she immediately pouted.
“Brother, you’re not planning to cover up for that woman, are you?”
“I’m your only real sister!”
Xiao Yun'an pressed his lips together.
“Now that Mother has lost control of the household, we can barely protect ourselves. Why involve ourselves in other people’s business?”
“Besides, Father has been so busy lately that we hardly ever see him.”
“And you still want to rush over and tell him about Princess Funing? Do you think Father will be pleased?”
“Don’t forget, Princess Funing is Father’s adopted daughter now!”
“Father hates nothing more than people who have no sense of propriety!”
Because she was his own younger sister, Xiao Yun'an patiently explained everything to her.
When Xiao Yunming heard him mention their mother, she fell silent.
She, too, remembered how their mother had nearly died a few days earlier, and anger surged through her.
“It’s all that Princess Funing’s fault! If it weren’t for her, Father wouldn’t have beaten Mother!”
“He wouldn’t have taken away her authority over the household, either! I hate her!”
As Xiao Yunming spoke, intense hatred appeared in her eyes.
Xiao Yun'an understood the whole situation. He also knew that their strong-willed mother would never let the matter go so easily.
“Little Sister, remember this: for now, we need to take care of our own affairs.”
“Other than Mother’s matters, we are not to involve ourselves in anything else. Do you understand?”
Xiao Yunming was extremely displeased. She pouted and nodded reluctantly.
“If you want everything to return to the way it was, then listen to your brother.” Xiao Yun'an was worried that his sister might act recklessly and do something beyond their control.
Their mother had secretly told him that their father was currently at the most crucial juncture.
What he needed to do was secure his position as Heir Apparent.
His mother had told him to look farther ahead. He was the future Crown Prince and emperor; he could not afford to have such a narrow outlook.
One move would affect everything. They and their father were all in the same boat, so they absolutely could not do anything that might damage Prince Ling’s residence.
If they did, their father would remove them from the family without hesitation.
After all, his father had more than just the two of them as children.
At the thought, killing intent flashed swiftly through Xiao Yun'an’s eyes.
Xiao Yunming saw it and shrank back fearfully.
“I understand.”
Xiao Yun'an withdrew his gaze and sank into thought.
Meanwhile, Song Shuyu had finally eaten her fill.
She rubbed her round, bulging stomach in satisfaction. “Chunxiao, has the carriage from the residence left yet?”
Chunxiao opened her mouth, then lowered her head.
“Princess, the carriage from the residence has already left.”
Song Shuyu looked up.
It had left?
Those two had actually left without waiting for her again?
Song Shuyu shot to her feet in anger.
Her feet had already been aching terribly after walking that short distance earlier.
Now that there was no carriage, was she supposed to walk all the way to the academy?
Chunxiao was startled by Song Shuyu’s sudden movement.
“Princess?”
Song Shuyu had not wanted to go to school in the first place. Since the carriage was gone, she might as well return home and catch up on her sleep.
“Let’s go! We’re going back!”
Song Shuyu waved her hand grandly and turned to walk back.
Chunxiao hurriedly took a handful of copper coins from her purse and placed them on the table before rushing after her.
After Song Shuyu left, the people having breakfast began whispering among themselves.
“Whose young lady is that? How can she be eating out here?”
“A young lady? That’s the first time I’ve ever seen one who can eat that much!”
“Exactly. The amount she ate in one meal would be enough to feed me for an entire day!”
“She must come from a wealthy family to afford that. That meal must have cost at least one or two ounces of silver, right?” someone asked the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper merely smiled without answering and turned away to attend to his work.
“Wait, I heard that maid call her Princess just now?”
“Princess… Could she be the Princess of Prince Ling’s residence?”
“What Prince Ling? He’s the Crown Prince now!”
“Shh! Do you have a death wish? How dare you discuss the future emperor…”
The moment those words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
Some lowered their heads and continued eating, while others stood up and hurriedly left.
Song Shuyu, the subject of their discussion, knew nothing about it.
At that moment, all she knew was that her feet were about to be rubbed raw.
“Chunxiao, carry me!” Song Shuyu stopped and stretched out her arms toward Chunxiao.
Chunxiao’s eyes widened. She did not dare move forward.
Song Shuyu weighed nearly twice as much as she did. How could she possibly carry her?
“What are you staring at? Come here, now!”
Seeing the expression on Chunxiao’s face, Song Shuyu became annoyed.
Chunxiao shuffled over to her and turned around.
Song Shuyu gave Chunxiao a hard pinch, punishing her for hesitating just now.
Chunxiao cried out, then bit down hard on her lip.
“Crouch down!” Song Shuyu ordered.
Chunxiao crouched, and Song Shuyu climbed onto her back without the slightest hesitation.
Even though Chunxiao had mentally prepared herself, she was nearly crushed flat when Song Shuyu landed on her.
Song Shuyu was startled. She smacked Chunxiao hard on the back.
“Are you trying to kill me? Didn’t you eat anything? Hurry up and stand!”
Seeing passersby pointing and whispering about her, Song Shuyu grew furious.
Song Shuyu had always had a large appetite, and this was her first time eating out. As a result, she had practically devoured all the breakfast dishes on the table.
Chunxiao had eaten only one steamed bun, half of a pancake that Song Shuyu had taken a bite out of, and the soybean milk Song Shuyu had left behind.
Chunxiao was still hungry.
She gritted her teeth, braced her hands against the ground, and struggled to stand.
With Song Shuyu on her back, she swayed unsteadily toward the residence.
Now that she no longer had to walk, Song Shuyu comfortably swung her feet back and forth.
At long last, Chunxiao carried Song Shuyu back to her room.
She collapsed onto the floor, sweat dripping steadily down her cheeks.
Song Shuyu released her with evident distaste and sat down in a chair. She removed her shoes and socks.
As expected, her heels had already been rubbed raw and turned red.
“Look at my feet. I wasn’t deliberately trying to make things difficult for you!”
Song Shuyu extended her little foot toward Chunxiao.
“It is this servant’s honor to carry the Princess.” Chunxiao forced a smile.
“But, Princess, if you don’t go to the Imperial Academy and His Highness finds out…”
Chunxiao was afraid that even if Song Shuyu was not punished by the Crown Prince, she, as her maid, would certainly receive a beating.
A beating could easily cost someone their life.
Chunxiao did not want to die!
Song Shuyu spread her hands. “There’s no carriage now. How am I supposed to get there?”
“Besides, it’s already late. Even if I went, I’d be late anyway!”
“I don’t want the Grand Tutor to strike my palms!”
Seeing Chunxiao’s anxious expression, Song Shuyu felt a faint stir in her heart.
She thought Chunxiao must be worried that she would be reprimanded by her father.
“Don’t worry. I have a solution!”
