Duoduo was deep in thought, and Xu Jinxin was lost in thought as well.
It was only after hearing what Duoduo had said that Xu Jinxin learned her birth parents had come looking for her.
But for no apparent reason, why would her former parents want to buy Duoduo’s freedom?
There was no such thing as a free lunch!
Had someone been advising them from behind the scenes, prompting them to do this?
What exactly was that person’s objective?
Was the ultimate target Prince Pingyang?
Or was it Duoduo?
Or perhaps both?
Xu Jinxin became more wary.
She decided that once they returned, she would discuss the matter thoroughly with Li Jin.
By now, she had already developed the habit of consulting Li Jin whenever she encountered something she did not understand.
Duoduo was absolutely certain that the Song family had been brought back by her father.
That was why Madam Song had gone to look for Song Shuyu.
Her father was simply using the same method against them that they had used against him!
Duoduo could not help admiring her father.
It seemed she still had a great deal to learn.
At the time, she had disguised two maids as the real and fake young ladies, thereby blocking her parents’ attempt to buy back her freedom.
It had seemed clever, but in reality, it had only been a minor trick.
It had done little to turn the situation around.
Her father’s move, by contrast, could instantly reverse the entire situation.
Prince Ling was naturally cold-blooded and suspicious. What he could least tolerate was betrayal by the people around him.
If he learned that Song Shuyu had secretly grown close to her birth parents, Prince Ling would certainly fly into a rage!
Song Shuyu would not fare well.
Neither would the Song family.
Thinking this, Duoduo blinked.
Her father was taking revenge on her behalf!
And, as a bonus, he had laid a trap for her second uncle.
Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!
No wonder her father had told her that when two opponents played against each other, one had to think three moves ahead.
One needed to see the entire chessboard in one’s mind. Only then could one understand what moves the opponent might make and arrange things in advance to block every possible path.
At present, it was obvious that the initiative was already on her father’s side.
Duoduo finally understood the armchair strategizing her father had taught her before.
As she was thinking this, the carriage stopped outside the Li residence.
The steward of the Li residence was waiting at the entrance to receive the guests arriving that day.
When he saw an ordinary blue-cloth carriage come to a stop, he put on his standard welcoming smile.
Xu Jinxin got down from the carriage with Yingniang and Duoduo.
When the steward saw Xu Jinxin, his smile became a little more genuine.
He knew very well that Madam Li was no ordinary woman.
The success of today’s banquet depended entirely on Madam Li’s preparations.
The steward was just about to speak when he noticed the two children beside Xu Jinxin.
As the Li family’s steward, he naturally recognized Duoduo.
The smile on his face immediately grew radiant.
“This humble servant pays his respects to Princess Changle and Madam Li!”
His words caused the people nearby to turn and look.
Xu Jinxin remembered Xiao Yi’s instructions and revealed a reserved smile.
“I happened to meet Princess Changle on the way here. Princess Changle was kind enough to let me accompany her.”
The steward was a shrewd man. He immediately understood the implication behind Xu Jinxin’s words.
“Please come inside. Madam Li is waiting for the pastries and iced drinks that you prepared!”
The others instantly understood.
So Xu Jinxin was the proprietor of the capital’s most famous “Miexue” iced-drink shop.
It was only natural for the princess to come along with her.
What woman did not like the things sold by an iced-drink shop?
Besides, if they became acquainted with Madam Li, perhaps they could buy things directly from her without having to wait in line.
With that thought, everyone began considering how they might befriend her.
Xu Jinxin took Yingniang along and followed the servants to the rear courtyard to make preparations.
Duoduo, meanwhile, brought Yunxiao and Qingliu and followed the steward to Madam Li’s residence.
Duoduo looked around curiously.
This was her first time visiting Imperial Physician Li’s residence.
She saw that the flower beds were not planted with flowers, but with all sorts of medicinal herbs.
Even the trees were varieties that could be used in medicine.
The air was filled with the fragrance of medicinal plants.
Duoduo nodded inwardly.
No wonder they were a family of traditional physicians. Just looking at the place made it feel like one.
The steward led the way with great respect.
Early that morning, Madam Li had specifically instructed him to wait at the entrance for Princess Changle.
His master had even given him special orders: the moment Princess Changle arrived, he was to lead her straight to Madam Li.
The steward did not understand why his master valued a princess so highly.
But as a servant, all he needed to do was obey his master’s orders.
That was what he told himself, yet he secretly sized up Princess Changle as he walked.
She had a round, plump face and a pair of especially lively eyes.
She was much more endearing than ordinary children.
“Cough, cough.”
Yunxiao coughed once.
The steward hurriedly withdrew his gaze.
That guard’s stare was frightening.
Hearing Yunxiao cough, Duoduo turned her head curiously to look at him.
Yunxiao merely lowered his head, as if he had only been coughing.
Before they even reached Madam Li’s courtyard, they could hear the laughter and chatter of women and children.
It seemed that the female guests who had arrived earlier were already there, chatting with the women of the Li family.
When the steward led Duoduo inside, the laughter and conversation in the room came to a halt.
Everyone looked at Duoduo with curiosity.
They were merely the families of Imperial Physicians and did not attend many social gatherings.
Furthermore, Duoduo had only recently arrived in the capital.
Thus, none of them recognized her.
“Whose child is that? Why isn’t an adult accompanying her?”
“That child looks so cheerful and auspicious!”
“Oh, I’d love to have a daughter like that!”
The women whispered among themselves.
“Madam, Princess Changle has arrived!” the steward announced first.
Those who had been talking immediately fell silent.
They all began discreetly sizing up Duoduo.
So this was the legendary Princess Changle?
The story of Princess Changle and Commandery Princess Funing had spread wildly throughout the capital for quite some time.
Even now, the excitement had not completely died down.
People still frequently brought the two of them up together in conversation.
One was a lucky star.
The other was a harbinger of misfortune.
The Princess Changle before them was said to be the unlucky one.
The women felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Judging by the steward’s manner, Princess Changle must have been invited by Madam Li.
But if Madam Li had invited them, why had she also invited Princess Changle, this supposed harbinger of misfortune?
If she wanted to invite someone, she should have invited a lucky star like Commandery Princess Funing instead!
At least then they could bask in some of her good fortune.
Who would want to court bad luck?
Without drawing attention to themselves, the women shifted away from Duoduo. Some lowered their heads, while others took sips of tea…
Duoduo observed all their reactions.
She walked slowly to the center of the room and bowed to Madam Li.
Unexpectedly, Madam Li came down from the seat of honor and knelt to return the salute.
“This wife pays her respects to Princess Changle!”
The other women in the room froze.
Although they were family members of Imperial Physicians, they themselves had no official rank.
When they met a princess, they naturally had to kneel and bow.
