The Crown Prince, naturally, patted Yuanbao’s little head and nodded in satisfaction. “It’s good.”

“Really? Father, do you know? Auntie Rongrong specially made this for you this morning.”

Upon hearing this, Rongrong nearly choked.

Was Yuanbao mistaken?

She had clearly made these dishes for Yuanbao, not for that person!

Unfortunately, she didn’t have the courage to speak up.

She was about to signal Yuanbao with her eyes, but the Crown Prince’s gaze slowly turned towards her.

She hurriedly lowered her eyes, pretending not to care

“Father, let’s eat the dishes made by Aunt Rong Rong every day from now on, okay?” Yuan Bao’s innocent voice floated over.

“Okay.”

“Okay my foot!” Rong Rong thought angrily.

She only wanted to thank Yuan Bao, not cook for him!

As the Crown Prince, he could have whatever he wanted…

Suddenly, Rong Rong was reminded of the time in Yuhua Palace when he had pulled away her thin veil and mumbled something about “wanting to eat…”

Ugh—

Rong Rong tried to banish the disturbing thought from her mind and was flustered.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Yuan Bao began their breakfast.

In the East Palace, it was customary to not talk during meals or while sleeping.

Yuan Bao was trying to adhere to this rule, but after just a couple of bites, he noticed something.

“Father, why is your neck red? Did someone scratch you?”

With this question, everyone in the Yuhua Palace focused their attention on the Crown Prince.

Fu Quan, who had already seen it during the changing of clothes, couldn’t help but look at the Crown Prince with a hint of schadenfreude.

The Crown Prince remained calm and replied：“Yesterday, I was scratched by a wild cat on my way back.”

Yuan Bao had indeed seen Rong Rong scratch him last night.

Hearing the Crown Prince’s explanation, he turned to Rong Rong and said, “Rong Rong, there are wild cats in the East Palace. Be careful.”

“Eat your meal,” the Crown Prince said, tapping Yuan Bao’s rice bowl with his chopsticks.

Yuan Bao beamed, eagerly digging into his food.

By the time he finished his bowl, the Crown Prince had barely begun his meal.

After washing his hands and face, Yuan Bao looked up at Rong Rong and said, “Aunt Rong Rong, today the Empress Grandmother is holding a flower banquet in the Imperial Garden. Will you come with me?”

Enter the palace?

No, she didn’t want to go…

However, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

She wondered how Aunt An Lan was doing now.

Rong Rong had her grandmother and elder brother, but in her past life, Jing Rong had only Aunt An Lan.

If not for Aunt An Lan’s protection and favoritism, she wouldn’t have had such a peaceful life in the Palace.

Is Aunt An Lan still in the Office of Ceremonial Affairs?

“Rong Rong, are you scared? Don’t worry, my Empress Grandmother is very kind and gentle,” Yuan Bao said.

The other people in the palace couldn’t help but scoff at Yuan Bao’s description.

The Empress?

Kind and gentle?

Even the Crown Prince wanted to laugh.

Rong Rong was still hesitating when the Crown Prince said, “Go.”

His tone didn’t sound like a command, but it wasn’t open for discussion either.

Rong Rong, who had already softened her stance, felt a rare sense of defiance against his authoritative tone.

“Yesterday, Doctor Qin was treating my grandmother. Although he said she is out of danger, I still want to go back and check on her.”

“Go and have a look,” said the Crown Prince. “Yuanbao needs to go to the Imperial Study for lessons first. You can return to the palace after checking on your grandmother. By then, it will be time, and Fù Quan will make arrangements.”

Just as the matter seemed settled, Yuanbao asked, “Auntie Rongrong, is that okay?”

Rongrong’s heart softened instantly. “It’s fine. I am indeed your palace maid and should accompany you to the palace.”

Yuanbao advised earnestly, “There are many unpleasant people in the palace. If it weren’t for Grandpa Emperor and Grandma Empress being there, I wouldn’t want to go either. Auntie Rongrong, don’t be afraid. Just stick with me.”

“Okay, I will stay by your side and not leave you for a moment.”

Fù Quan smiled and addressed Rongrong, “Since time is of the essence, this old servant will send you back to Huaihua Lane. When the time is right, I will send you back to the palace.”

Rongrong thanked the Crown Prince and Yuanbao with a bow and followed Fù Quan out of Yuhua Palace.

Throughout the journey, she did not speak much to Fù Quan, feeling that there was something more in his words and his gaze seemed meaningful.

Once they finally left Yuhua Palace, Fu Quan pointed out a young eunuch to take her by carriage, and she sighed with relief.

The East Palace carriage was both smooth and fast.

Moving through the city streets, people naturally made way, and it wasn’t long before they arrived at Wutong Lane.

The young eunuch, being considerate, parked the carriage on the opposite side of the lane.

Rongrong thanked him and walked towards her house.

The house was quiet.

When Rongrong pushed the door open, she saw Xue Xiaoshan kindling a fire in the kitchen.

“Second Brother, why are you the only one here? Where are the others?” Rongrong asked.

Xue Xiaoshan was overjoyed to see Rongrong.

He hurriedly put down the firewood and stood up. “Sister, you’re back? They were exhausted last night and are still asleep!”

Yesterday, Doctor Qin had treated Old Madam Xue, and the whole family had stayed up late.

Therefore, everyone was still asleep.

Xue Xiaoshan, being the earliest riser, went to the kitchen to make porridge for everyone.

Rongrong had no intention of scolding. “It’s fine. I just wanted to ask. How is Grandma? What did Doctor Qin say?”

“Yesterday, the doctor gave Grandma acupuncture, drawing out a lot of blood from her head, enough to fill half a bowl.

He then applied medicine and instructed us to change the medicine every three hours, with a total of five doses needed.

Grandma’s wound still looks quite frightening, but she slept much more soundly last night compared to usual.

She even woke up once this morning and asked for water.”

“Grandma can speak?” Rongrong asked in surprise.

“She can say a few words, though not clearly yet. Rongrong, have you eaten? The porridge is ready. Let me serve you a bowl.”

“No need, Second Brother,” Rongrong said. “You go ahead and eat. I’ll go check on Grandma.”

With that, Rongrong headed towards the main room.

The door was slightly ajar, and she gently pushed it open, just enough to see her grandmother lying on the bed.

Rongrong tiptoed inside, careful not to disturb her grandmother’s peaceful sleep.

Grandma was indeed sleeping peacefully.

When she first arrived in the capital, although her grandmother’s eyes were closed, her face was twisted with pain.

Now that the illness had receded, her face had relaxed.

It’s good to see that she’s well.

Although Xue Xiaoshan was a farmer, he was still a man.

He felt that if someone helped his sister so much, it was likely due to his sister’s beauty.

Xue Xiaoshan was determined to preserve his grandmother’s life, but the thought of his sister being compelled to sell herself was indeed a torment.

Even though he had been busy all night, he could not fall asleep when lying on the bed.

“Well, brother, I’ll tell you something today. Please be at ease and explain it to Grandma, so she won’t misunderstand,”

Rongrong said, looking around to ensure no one was listening, and then lowered her voice. “When I was working at the Marquis’s residence, I inadvertently met the Little Prince of the East Palace.

For some reason, he took a liking to me and has been looking after me ever since.

Now that I’m going to the East Palace as his palace maid, it’s also a way for me to repay his kindness.”

“Palace maid?”

Seeing Xue Xiaoshan’s surprised expression, Rongrong explained, “The Little Prince is only four years old this year.”

“Four years old?” Upon hearing this, Xue Xiaoshan’s expression relaxed significantly. “In that case, it’s truly our family’s good fortune.”

“If Grandma asks, just say I’m helping a wealthy family take care of their child,” Rongrong suggested.

“Alright, I understand,” Xue Xiaoshan said, reaching out to adjust his carrying basket.

Unfortunately, he jabbed himself on a bamboo splinter, and winced in pain.

“Second Brother, are you alright?” Rongrong asked.

Xue Xiaoshan wasn’t in too much pain.

He lifted his hand to find a cut on his palm, bleeding.

Rongrong quickly took out a handkerchief to press on his wound.

“Rongrong, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I can handle it,” Xue Xiaoshan said, taking the handkerchief from her to tend to the cut himself.

Being taller, he could see a red scar on the inside of his wrist as he lifted his hand.

Rongrong stared at it in surprise.

It wasn’t exactly a scar but more like a round shape with many scratches inside, though none of them went beyond the boundary of the circle.

Xue Xiaoshan put his hand down. “Did it frighten you?”

Rongrong shook her head. “I just thought the scar looked a bit unusual, with it forming a perfect circle.”

“Grandma said that when I was young, I was mischievous and drew on myself with a knife, which is how it ended up looking like this.”

“I see.”