The Crown Prince finally withdrew his hands and asked, “Do you know where I most don’t want to be away from you?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Rongrong punched his face with a small, angry fist.

He was such a jerk; she didn’t need to be asked to know what he was going to say!

“Bad guy, bad guy!”

The Crown Prince held Rongrong’s hand and placed it on his chest, patting it. “It’s here.”

The place he referred to was… his heart.

Rongrong was stunned and bit her lip.

How could he…?

A deep, unshakable sweetness quickly spread through Rongrong’s entire body. He said his heart couldn’t bear to be away from her, not any other place, but his heart.

“Where did you think I meant?” The Crown Prince asked slowly.

Round and round, she was always caught in his trap.

Rongrong understood that in front of him, she could only be teased. The only way to avoid being led by him was not to answer.

“Since there’s unrest among the refugees, will you be bringing troops?”

“I’ll bring some people, but not too many.”

“When will you return?” Rongrong asked again.

“I initially thought I’d be back in about a month for the locust plague, but now with the refugee unrest, it might be three to five months before I can return.” At this point, the playful look on the Crown Prince’s face had faded, and his gaze at Rongrong became more serious. “Behave well in the Eastern Palace and wait for your brother to come back.”

“I want to go back home,” Rongrong said, lowering her head and speaking softly. “I told my family about us. They said that since I’m going to get married, it wouldn’t be proper to live in the Eastern Palace every day. Before getting married, I should stay at my family’s home.”

This point was not without merit.

In the future, when Rongrong changes her identity, the number of people watching her will increase.

Living in the East Palace all the time would indeed be detrimental to her reputation.

“Are you willing to leave Yuanbao behind?”

Of course, she was reluctant to leave Yuanbao.

“I will stay at home and come to the Eastern Palace to see Yuanbao from time to time. How does that sound?”

“That’s fine.” Hearing her ask for his opinion, the Crown Prince was slightly pleased and nodded, “When I’m not here, both Fei Cui and Liu Li will be with you. I know you like Fei Cui, but Liu Li is more stable and thorough in her work. Make sure Liu Li stays by your side at all times.”

Was he worried that Fei Cui might make mistakes and repeat the issues that Jing Rong caused?

Rongrong didn’t think it was Fei Cui’s fault, but Liu Zhen’s concern for her was evident, and she naturally agreed with a nod.

“Stay away from your cheap brother when you’re at home.”

Hearing the Crown Prince speak of Xue Xiaoshan this way, Rongrong was immediately a bit displeased. “Don’t talk about my second brother like that.”

“Did I say something wrong? He’s not your real brother. It’s better to keep your distance.”

“What if he’s not a real brother? Second brother treats me even better than a real brother would. I even asked Second Brother for help today, and you’re turning against him so quickly.”

The Crown Prince sneered, “Better than a real brother?”

“Of course. Apart from Grandmother, Second Brother is the best to me in this family.” Xue Dacheng was the original owner’s real brother and had done nothing but evil and atrocious deeds.

Hearing “Second Brother” repeatedly, the Crown Prince felt increasingly irked and suddenly reached out to lift Rongrong’s chin. “Come on, call me ‘brother’ and let me hear it.”

“Why should I call you that?” Rongrong turned her face away angrily, wondering why he was constantly finding new ways to bully her.

“Will you call me or not?”

Rongrong thought of refusing but suddenly had an idea. Since he was known for sweet-talking, she decided to try her hand at it as well.

“Wait until you come back, then I’ll call you that.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’ll keep calling you that until you’re satisfied.”

Imagining Rongrong crying and calling him “brother” in her ear made the Crown Prince feel a sudden surge of heat.

“Then you must remember, I am your real brother.”

…

Before the Crown Prince had the chance to have dinner, he left with his escort.

The Minister of Revenue personally came to invite him, saying that he had received an imperial decree.

As soon as the people, grain, and soldiers were ready, they were to depart immediately.

The disaster could not wait, and the Crown Prince did not intend to delay.

He immediately boarded his carriage and prepared to leave the city.

A few days ago, the Crown Prince and Rongrong had repeatedly hinted to Yuanbao that his father would be going out to aid disaster relief.

Yuanbao had understood and agreed when they spoke about it. However, seeing the Crown Prince about to leave, he began to cry.

Old Duke An tried to comfort Yuanbao for a while without success, so Rongrong took over.

“Father is not only your father but also the Crown Prince for everyone. Now that the people of Liangzhou are in trouble, he has a responsibility to go aid them.”

Yuanbao sniffled and asked, “But Grandfather is the Emperor of the world. Why isn’t Grandfather going and making Father go instead?”

“Well said!” Old Duke An cheered from the side, adding, “Your grandfather is just hiding away, never been on the battlefield, knows nothing but to talk in theory.”

While others might hesitate to criticize the Emperor, Old Duke An had no such reservations.

Given his status as the royal father-in-law and his own illustrious military achievements from his youth, no one dared to cross him.

Seeing that Old Duke An shared his views, Yuanbao immediately looked at Rongrong.

“As a son, you should help your father share his burdens. The people of Liangzhou are subjects of the Emperor. Since the Emperor cannot go himself, the Crown Prince’s presence will greatly encourage them. When you grow up, you will also be able to help your father.”

“Can I help my father now?” Yuanbao asked.

Rongrong smiled and patted Yuanbao’s head. “Of course. While Father is away, if you eat well, sleep well, and play well, that will be helping him.”

Old Duke An’s gaze softened slightly towards Rongrong.

Seeing that Yuanbao had finally stopped crying, Rongrong said, “Yuanbao, there’s one more thing I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“Today, when I went back home, my family said they miss me very much. So, I’m thinking of moving back home for a while.”

Upon hearing this, Yuanbao’s tears started flowing again.

“Auntie, if Father is not here, are you going to abandon Yuanbao too?”

“I’m not abandoning you. Auntie will just… stay at home for a while.”

“How long is ‘a while’?” Yuanbao asked urgently.

“Auntie promises to come to the Eastern Palace every other day.”

Yuanbao’s mood eased a bit: “Auntie, can you stay at home for one day and then stay in the Eastern Palace for one day?”

Seeing Yuanbao’s hopeful eyes, Rongrong found it hard to refuse.

Moving suddenly would be too harsh for Yuanbao.

Since the Crown Prince wouldn’t be in the capital, it was better to alternate living arrangements to give Yuanbao some time to adjust.

Children’s emotions come and go quickly. After sending off his father today and almost losing his aunt too, it was fortunate that Auntie agreed to come back every other day, which eased Yuanbao’s disappointment.

Rongrong settled Yuanbao and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Old Duke An pulled Yuanbao aside. “Silly child, your father and aunt are about to get married and need to avoid suspicion. You should stay with your great-grandfather and not interfere with their plans.”

“What plans?” Yuanbao didn’t understand.

Old Duke An stroked his beard. “Of course, it’s the big happy event of your father and aunt’s marriage.”

“Father is going to marry Auntie?” Yuanbao was initially delighted but then shook his head. “No, Father only wants to marry Auntie, but Grandfather and Grandmother won’t agree.”

“Do you think anyone can make your Grandfather and Grandmother agree?”

Changing the Emperor and Empress’s minds?

Yuanbao was about to say it was too difficult when he noticed Old Duke An’s triumphant expression.

“Great-Grandfather, do you have a way?”

Old Duke An, seeing Yuanbao’s hopeful gaze, squinted his eyes in a mysterious manner and smiled calmly.

Indeed, the opportunity to fully secure Liu Zhen and Yuanbao’s support had arrived.