Yunxiao nodded. “Your Highness, the nanny is waiting outside the door.”
Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes. “Have her come in.”
“Yes.” Yunxiao turned and walked out.
A short while later, Yunxiao led a nanny into the room.
Xiao Yi took one look at her and recognized her as the personal nanny who served his grandmother.
The nanny entered and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yi.
“The Empress Dowager hasn’t seen Princess Changle in quite some time. Her Majesty misses her terribly.”
“So she specially sent me out of the palace to bring Princess Changle there to stay for a couple of days.”
The nanny explained why she had come.
Xiao Yi stared at her. “How is Grandmother’s health?”
The nanny looked deeply worried. “In response to Your Highness, ever since His Majesty fell ill, the Empress Dowager has been unable to eat or sleep properly.”
“After her nap today, Her Majesty suddenly said that she missed Princess Changle.”
“She was worried that Your Highness might refuse to let her go, so she specifically instructed me to leave the palace and fetch Princess Changle myself.”
“Her Majesty also said that I would personally bring Princess Changle back three days from now!”
Xiao Yi’s brows drew together.
Was the Empress Dowager planning to have Duoduo stay in the palace for two days?
Why had she suddenly come up with this idea?
The situation was so tense. Why would the Empress Dowager want Duoduo to enter the palace now?
Xiao Yi pondered this in silence and did not immediately agree.
Seeing that Xiao Yi remained silent, the nanny suddenly fell to her knees with a thud.
“Your Highness, please allow Princess Changle to enter the palace and see the Empress Dowager!”
“Her Majesty…” Tears spilled from the nanny’s eyes.
“Her Majesty hasn’t had so much as a drop of water or a bite of food for several days!”
“What?” Xiao Yi was stunned.
“Yunxiao, go and bring the princess here at once!” Xiao Yi ordered.
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll go immediately!”
After responding, Yunxiao hurriedly left.
“Nanny, what exactly is wrong with Grandmother?” Xiao Yi asked, his voice tense.
“In response to Your Highness, Her Majesty hasn’t been well since His Majesty’s illness worsened.”
“But Imperial Physician Li used to be there. He would treat the Empress Dowager and help regulate her health, so she could at least force down a little food.”
“However, all the imperial physicians in the palace have been reassigned. There isn’t even anyone left in the palace to treat the sick.”
“We don’t know whether it’s because of the hot weather and Her Majesty’s lack of appetite, or because she’s worried about His Majesty.”
“First, the Empress Dowager couldn’t sleep. Then she became unable to eat.”
“For a while, she could still manage a little soup.”
“But in the past few days, she hasn’t even taken so much as a sip of soup!”
“I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but the Fifth Prince has been busy handling state affairs and had no time to receive me.”
“I secretly found someone outside the palace and brought them in to examine the Empress Dowager, but…”
The nanny broke down in tears before she could finish.
Xiao Yi’s expression changed at once.
“With something this serious, why didn’t you force your way into the Hall of Mental Cultivation?”
The nanny pressed herself to the floor. “Her Majesty said that when people grow old, they must eventually leave this world.”
“She doesn’t want to reach old age only to be used as a pawn by others!”
Xiao Yi’s face darkened like the bottom of a cooking pot.
Just then, Duoduo came running in from outside.
“Papa, Yunxiao said Great-Grandmother wants me to go into the palace?”
The moment Duoduo entered, she saw the nanny kneeling on the floor.
The nanny quickly wiped away her tears and bowed to Duoduo.
“This servant pays her respects to Princess Changle!”
Duoduo noticed the tears in the nanny’s eyes and felt puzzled.
A moment ago, Yunxiao had come to tell her that she had to hurry over.
Great-Grandmother had sent someone to fetch her and have her stay in the palace for two days.
Duoduo had immediately run over.
But she could sense that something was wrong.
Xiao Yi nodded. “I’ve already had someone pack your things.”
“Go into the palace with her and see your great-grandmother.”
“Also, once you enter the palace, be careful with what you say and do.”
“And spend some time with your great-grandmother on Papa’s behalf!”
The moment the nanny heard Xiao Yi agree, she knew that he had given his permission.
With gratitude written all over her face, she kowtowed to Xiao Yi.
“This servant will wait for the princess in the carriage.”
The nanny was giving Xiao Yi and Duoduo time to speak privately.
After she withdrew, Duoduo walked over to Xiao Yi.
“Papa, did something happen to Great-Grandmother?”
Xiao Yi’s expression was grave.
“The nanny just said that your great-grandmother hasn’t had even a drop of water for several days.”
Duoduo was shocked. “Then I’ll go into the palace right now!”
Xiao Yi reacted quickly and caught hold of her.
“Wait!”
Duoduo turned around, looking puzzled.
“Papa, is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stay in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility with Great-Grandmother. I won’t go anywhere else!”
Duoduo understood the situation in the palace.
Xiao Yi’s eyes flickered.
“There’s something I want you to help Papa with.”
Duoduo tilted her little head.
“Tell me, Papa. What can I help with?”
Xiao Yi stroked her head.
“This matter is somewhat difficult.”
“But if you can’t do it, then don’t force yourself.”
“All right. Tell me,” Duoduo said with a nod.
“The Fifth Prince has been suffering from headaches. He suspects that someone poisoned him, so he conducted a thorough investigation of everyone in the palace.”
“As a result, the informants Papa planted in the palace were all transferred to the Cold Palace.”
“Today, didn’t you guess that the person who placed the voodoo insect in your grandfather might be a woman?”
“Papa suspects that this person may be someone close to your grandfather.”
“She may also be the same person who poisoned Papa back then.”
“Papa had Yunxiao find a way to investigate which consorts in the palace might have fallen ill over the years.”
“But now that our informants have been sent to the Cold Palace, finding out this information may take much longer.”
“The people serving your great-grandmother are all old palace servants.”
“When you have the chance, try talking to them. You may be able to find some unusual clues.”
“But remember, you must not reveal your true intentions!”
In truth, Xiao Yi regretted bringing it up as soon as he had spoken.
He had originally wanted to resolve the matter quickly and restore order amid the current chaos.
That was why he had thought of sending Duoduo into the palace to investigate.
But the moment the words left his mouth, he began to worry about her safety.
He regretted it.
Xiao Yi stroked Duoduo’s head, his gaze deep and solemn.
“Forget it! Just stay with your great-grandmother and do your filial duty on Papa’s behalf.”
“I’ll find someone else to handle the matter I just mentioned.”
Duoduo tilted her head.
“Papa, are you worried that I won’t be able to complete the mission?”
“You’re underestimating me way too much!”
Xiao Yi’s expression hardened.
“Don’t act recklessly! Papa was being too impulsive when he made that request.”
“I’m taking it back now. You are not to investigate anything!”
Duoduo grabbed Xiao Yi’s hand and raised her little face to look at him.
“Don’t worry, Papa.” Her expression was very solemn.
“I understand what you’re thinking.”
“I’ll find a way to gather information.”
“I’m a child, so it’ll actually be easier for me to get people talking.”
“At most, they’ll assume I’m bored and chatting with them. They won’t suspect me.”
“Besides, I’m super strong now!”
Duoduo bent her arm and flexed her bicep.
“I can beat up several people all by myself!”
