After hearing her father’s words, Duoduo wore a puzzled expression.
But it didn’t take long for her to understand what he meant.
Duoduo pouted.
“Papa, you’re trying to ruin my reputation!”
Xiao Yi burst out laughing.
“What reputation do you have?”
“A four-year-old who manages the household into complete chaos—that’s perfectly normal, isn’t it?”
“Besides, do you really want everyone to know about your extraordinary abilities?”
Duoduo shook her head so hard she looked like a rattling drum.
“I don’t!”
Duoduo remembered something Aunt Xu had once said:
“People fear becoming famous, just as pigs fear growing fat.”
Wasn’t Father trying to destroy Song Shuyu through excessive praise precisely because Second Uncle wanted to become famous?
By now, rumors were already circulating among the common people that Song Shuyu was not a blessed star after all.
Otherwise, how could Prince Ling have become Crown Prince and still be unable to act as regent?
There was another version of the rumor going around.
If Song Shuyu really was a blessed star, then Prince Ling’s virtue must not have been worthy of her. That was why even a blessed star like Song Shuyu could not bring him any blessings.
At first, these two rumors had been nothing more than tiny sparks.
But as the person acting as regent was replaced again and again, the rumors became more and more exaggerated.
The common people had no idea what was happening inside the imperial palace, but court officials—both civil and military—occasionally let something slip.
With every new emperor came a new group of officials.
Whenever the regent changed, the ministers beneath him naturally changed as well.
Those who were replaced were, of course, full of resentment.
They didn’t dare speak openly, but there were still plenty of people who vented their anger after getting drunk.
There was no shortage of politically astute people among the common folk.
Before long, rumors began spreading that the emperor was on his last legs.
As the rumor grew more and more widespread, the people naturally began speculating about who would ultimately inherit the throne.
Every prince who had even the slightest chance of becoming emperor was discussed and judged.
Those serving as regents were busy handling state affairs.
Those who weren’t were busy watching the show.
As a result, all kinds of rumors flew through the streets.
Even the gambling houses had quietly begun taking bets on who would become emperor in the end.
Shitou and the others reported these rumors to Duoduo.
That was why Duoduo certainly didn’t want any reputation of her own spreading outside.
Public opinion was a frightening thing. She had no desire to become the subject of people’s gossip over tea.
Seeing Duoduo’s expression, the curve of Xiao Yi’s lips grew wider.
“All right, stop shaking your head, or you’ll shake the water right out of your brain!”
Duoduo stopped and opened her eyes wide.
“Papa, you even know that saying?”
Xiao Yi touched the tip of his nose. After spending so much time around Li Jin, even he had been influenced by him!
He gave a light cough.
“Nonsense! What saying?”
“That’s just a folk expression from Li Jin’s hometown!”
Duoduo nodded with a grin.
“Papa, you’re much more down-to-earth than you used to be!”
Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly.
It seemed he wasn’t the only one who had been influenced.
“Watch your words,” Xiao Yi reminded her.
Duoduo stuck out her tongue.
“I only talk like that in front of you, Papa.”
“No. Once you get used to saying something, it becomes difficult to change.”
“I was the one at fault just now. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
“You should do the same!”
Duoduo nodded guiltily.
“All right! I know.”
Xiao Yi had no intention of continuing the subject.
“Your mother is ill. If any invitations come, decline them if you can. If you truly don’t know how to handle something, come ask me.”
Duoduo rolled her eyes thoughtfully.
Was Father telling her not to disturb Mother?
It seemed he had already begun to suspect something!
That made sense.
Father was so clever—how could he possibly fail to guess?
Duoduo couldn’t help smiling.
Mother certainly never would have imagined that the secret she was trying to hide was completely transparent to Father!
Seeing Duoduo smile, Xiao Yi was puzzled.
“What are you so happy about?”
Duoduo tilted her little head.
“Nothing!”
“I’m just happy that you and Mother actually entrusted such a huge estate to me to manage!”
Xiao Yi pressed his lips together.
“Weren’t you bored? Now that you have something to do, isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”
Duoduo nodded again and again.
“That’s right! With Nina gone, I had nothing to do anymore!”
“Sigh! When will these times finally return to normal?”
“Papa, I haven’t gone shopping in ages!”
“I really wish things could be like they were before!”
A wistful look appeared on Duoduo’s face.
Xiao Yi was silent for a moment before lifting his head.
“Your mother is ill. Send someone to bring a physician into the estate to examine her.”
“Oh!” Duoduo replied.
Once Duoduo understood what her father and mother intended, she sent people to invite two physicians from different places.
After entering the estate, the two physicians merely sat and drank tea for a while.
Then each accepted a thick red envelope before being escorted out by Duoduo.
Before long, a rumor spread that the Princess Consort of Pingyang was gravely ill and bedridden, and that the household had been placed under the management of Princess Changle.
After sending Gina away, Duoduo summoned Lüdou.
“Lüdou, I’m afraid you’ll have to work hard and look after Mother for the next two months.”
There was reluctance in Lüdou’s eyes.
“Then you’ll only have Qingliu by your side, Princess. Why don’t you find another maid to serve you?”
Duoduo shook her head.
“Nanny Li can handle the important matters, and Qingliu can take care of the errands.”
“I can manage everything else myself!”
“Lüdou, I’ve always treated you like family, and I trust you very much.”
“This is only because of special circumstances. That’s why I’m asking you to look after Mother.”
“You must remember to keep your mouth shut!”
“No matter who asks you—even Father—you must not tell anyone about Mother’s condition!”
Seeing that Lüdou hadn’t asked why, Duoduo worried that she might accidentally let something slip.
Lüdou’s eyes flickered.
“I understand. Even if His Highness asks, I mustn’t say anything!”
Duoduo gave Lüdou a thumbs-up.
“Exactly right!”
A vague suspicion began to form in Lüdou’s heart.
She felt a growing sense of unease.
Lüdou bent her knees, preparing to kneel and bow to Duoduo, but Duoduo quickly caught her and helped her up.
“Lüdou, there’s no need for that between us!”
Lüdou rose and looked at Duoduo.
“I can’t bear to leave you, Princess!”
Duoduo gave her a reassuring smile.
“It’s only for two months!”
“Besides, you aren’t leaving the estate. I’ll be visiting Mother every day, so we can still see each other!”
Lüdou immediately brightened.
“Then I’ll continue preparing your pastries every day as usual. You can have some when you come to pay your respects.”
Duoduo nodded happily.
“Thank you for doing that! You’ll have to look after Mother and make pastries for me, too!”
Lüdou hurriedly waved her hands.
“I’m happy to make pastries for you, Princess! I’d gladly do it for the rest of my life!”
Duoduo smiled until her eyes curved into slender crescents.
And so, Lüdou packed her things and went to Su Xian’s courtyard.
After quietly observing her, she discovered that the Princess Consort had indeed become unusually sleepy, and that her tastes had also changed from before.
Lüdou clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
