Xiao Yi stared at Duoduo, pondering for a moment.
“If the Li residence has invited several families they’re close to, then you can go openly and without worry.”
“But if the Li residence has invited only you and your mother, then you’ll need to find someone to act as an intermediary.”
“An intermediary?” Duoduo didn’t quite understand what Xiao Yi meant.
“Imperial Physician Li treats the imperial consorts, so he naturally knows a great deal about the secrets within the palace.”
“And as the residence of a prince, the Prince of Pingyang’s association with the Li residence could easily arouse suspicion.”
“That’s why you can find an intermediary.”
“With someone in the middle, others won’t immediately guess what might really be going on.”
Xiao Yi explained everything to Duoduo in great detail.
Duoduo tilted her head and thought for a while.
An intermediary?
Who could act as a go-between for her and the Li residence?
Xiao Yi said nothing. He waited for Duoduo to figure it out herself.
“Daddy, the only person I can think of is Grandmother,” Duoduo said hesitantly.
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.
“Mm. She is one possibility.”
“But if Grandmother were to leave the palace, it would become a major event.”
Duoduo nodded. “That’s why I don’t think Grandmother can be the person.”
Xiao Yi did not argue with her, nor did he offer any suggestions.
Some matters had to be solved by Duoduo herself.
He couldn’t help her for the rest of her life.
Duoduo bit her lip and went over everyone she knew in her mind.
The Grand Tutor?
No, that wouldn’t do! How would she explain things to him when the time came?
It would only make matters more complicated.
Her teacher?
But her teacher didn’t know anyone from the Li residence!
Duoduo furrowed her brows as she thought through everyone around her.
Still, she couldn’t find a suitable candidate.
Duoduo didn’t grow impatient. Instead, she stepped outside the assumption Xiao Yi had just presented.
If she wanted to visit the Li residence, how could she do so openly and legitimately?
The Li residence had sent her an invitation. She could simply go openly!
At that thought, a flicker passed through Duoduo’s eyes.
She stood up and opened the study door.
“Yunxiao, could you please run an errand for me?”
Yunxiao looked slightly surprised. He couldn’t help glancing at the prince inside the room.
When he saw that Xiao Yi had not objected, he bowed to Duoduo.
“Princess, please give me your instructions.”
“Please find out whom the Li residence has invited to the chrysanthemum-viewing gathering.”
Seeing that Duoduo had nothing else to say, Yunxiao asked, “Princess, is there anything else you would like me to find out?”
Duoduo thought for a moment.
“That’s all for now. Go and come back quickly.”
Yunxiao bowed to them both, then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Duoduo closed the door and immediately saw her father looking at her with a faintly amused expression.
She puffed out her cheeks.
“Hmph! Daddy, you set a trap for me!”
Xiao Yi was amused.
“You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you?”
“Your reaction was a little slow, but at least you’re not completely dull!”
Duoduo puffed out her cheeks again.
“I asked for Daddy’s opinion in good faith, but you refused to answer me and even set a trap!”
“Hmph! I’m a little angry!”
Seeing that Duoduo really was upset, Xiao Yi softened his expression.
“I already told you just now. After receiving the invitation, did you have anyone look into the details?”
“You didn’t immediately send someone to investigate. Instead, you came here and asked me how to resolve the matter.”
“I simply answered according to the way you were thinking. How can you say that I set a trap for you?”
Duoduo puffed out her cheeks.
She had to admit that her father was right!
Seeing that Duoduo understood her mistake, Xiao Yi reminded her earnestly, “Daddy has taught you that whenever you encounter a problem, you must learn to think for yourself.”
“Don’t rely on others—not even Daddy!”
Duoduo pursed her little lips and muttered under her breath, “But Daddy, you clearly said that you would always be behind me and support me!”
“And now you’re saying this. Aren’t you contradicting yourself?”
Seeing Duoduo shamelessly argue with him, Xiao Yi shook his head indulgently.
“What? Do you really intend to rely on Daddy for the rest of your life?”
“What will you do if one day Daddy isn’t by your side?”
“Doesn’t Li Jin have a saying? ‘Mountains may collapse, people may flee; relying on yourself is best.’”
Duoduo picked at her palm, an inexplicable sense of panic rising in her heart.
“Daddy, are you going to abandon me?”
Xiao Yi’s expression instantly turned cold.
“Clearly, you have too much free time!”
“Go! Copy the Heart Sutra ten times and calm yourself down!”
Duoduo lowered her head, feeling terribly wronged.
Daddy had actually punished her?
“Yes,” Duoduo answered softly. She drooped her head and walked out dejectedly.
Xiao Yi couldn’t help rubbing his brow.
What was wrong with him lately?
Why did he feel so restless and irritable?
“Duoduo, wait!”
The moment Xiao Yi spoke, Duoduo ran back excitedly.
“Daddy!”
The brilliant smile on Duoduo’s face dazzled Xiao Yi.
He almost couldn’t bear to look at her.
Xiao Yi held out his hand. “Take Daddy’s pulse.”
Confusion appeared on Duoduo’s face.
She reached out and felt his pulse. “Daddy, are you feeling unwell?”
Xiao Yi said nothing.
When he had noticed something unusual about himself just now, his first instinct had been to have Duoduo examine him.
Seeing that Xiao Yi remained silent, the smile faded from Duoduo’s face as well.
She put on a serious expression and concentrated on taking his pulse.
It was only after the time it took to finish burning a stick of incense that Duoduo withdrew her hand.
“Daddy, have you been overworking yourself lately? Are you restless and irritable during the day, and suffering from insomnia at night?” Duoduo’s expression was solemn.
Xiao Yi’s heart gave a sudden jolt.
“Yes,” he admitted. “Is it serious?”
Duoduo nodded gravely. “Extremely serious!”
“If Daddy keeps pushing himself like this, you’ll develop dark circles under your eyes!”
Xiao Yi froze for a moment, then saw the sly smile spreading across Duoduo’s face.
He was utterly helpless.
He had actually been tricked by Duoduo!
Xiao Yi raised his hand and pinched her cheek.
“You’re getting bolder! How dare you tease Daddy!”
Duoduo covered her cheek and laughed as she backed away.
“Wasn’t Daddy bullying me just now too?”
“I was only getting even!”
Xiao Yi pretended to be fierce. “Oh, so you’re a little ingrate who only knows how to be fierce with Daddy, is that it?”
“Let’s see whether I’ll give you a spanking!”
Xiao Yi had just reached out to grab Duoduo when Yunxiao’s voice came from outside the door.
“My lord, Princess, may I come in?”
Xiao Yi glanced at Duoduo. She mischievously stuck out her tongue.
Xiao Yi straightened his clothes and composed himself.
“Come in.”
Hearing this, Yunxiao pushed open the door and entered.
Yunxiao felt that the atmosphere in the room was somewhat strange.
He lowered his head and bowed to both of his masters.
“My lord, Princess, I just went to make inquiries.”
“The Li residence invited several families who are close to them. They’re all the female members of the Imperial Hospital.”
“Madam Li will be there as well.”
Duoduo was a little surprised. She couldn’t help looking at Xiao Yi.
