Chapter 43: She’s Immune to All Poisons

The Third Prince’s face twitched. Having children isn’t as simple as just saying it.

“Stop playing chess and get out of the palace to keep an eye on the Seventh Prince. Find a way to get involved in suppressing the bandits this time, and try to seize some credit for yourself.”

The Third Prince waved his hand dismissively. “Mother, you’re overthinking it. I’m the chosen one. There’s great fortune awaiting me in the future.”

Concubine Hui was so frustrated she wanted to knock some sense into him. “Great fortune, my foot!”

The Third Prince opened his mouth. He really did have great fortune.

He could even hear his younger sister’s thoughts.

But… should he tell his mother about this?

“Were you even listening to what I just said?” Concubine Hui asked, exasperated.

The Third Prince blinked, confused.

Concubine Hui nearly wanted to smack him. “Take this token and go to Mount Taibai to find someone. When they see this token, they’ll help you. You mustn’t let the Seventh Prince steal the credit for suppressing the bandits. It’s time for you to make your mark. Go!”

“Mother, you have connections on Mount Taibai? Isn’t that a bandit hideout? Are you in cahoots with them?” The Third Prince asked in astonishment.

Concubine Hui rolled her eyes. “Is that something you should be worrying about right now? I’m telling you to go, so just go! Do you think I’d harm you?”

She wouldn’t dare collude with bandits. She just happened to have a bit of a connection there.

Either way, someone would eventually deal with the bandits, so why shouldn’t the credit go to her son?

…

Time passed quickly, and soon enough, Ah Bao was already six months old.

Early the next morning, Di Zian climbed through the window into the side room, going straight to Ah Bao.

Ah Bao had just woken up, her eyes not fully open yet, when she saw Di Zian, who was sporting a pair of dark circles under his eyes.

Ah Bao grinned and giggled.

“Brother, are you here to steal me again?”

Di Zian thought Ah Bao was such a clever little one.

“Shh, little sister, how about brother sneaks you out of the palace today?”

Ah Bao seemed to understand, nodding her head and happily waving her hands and feet.

“Yes, yes, brother, hurry up and steal me away!”

Di Zian began packing Ah Bao up.

“Brother, did you stay up all night? Look at those dark circles under your eyes! Were you so excited about stealing me that you couldn’t sleep?”

Ah Bao hit the nail on the head.

Di Zian sighed softly. He couldn’t help it; their father was watching Ah Bao so closely now, even taking her to morning court sessions. If Di Zian waited too long, he wouldn’t get to see his sister.

His sister was his guiding light, helping him avoid pitfalls and bad luck.

Ah Bao giggled when she looked at Di Zian.

“My poor brother!”

Once Ah Bao was packed, Di Zian carried her on his back and, as usual, jumped out the window.

“Yay, out of the palace! We’re going out again, hahaha!” Ah Bao couldn’t contain her joy.

After they left, Feng Zhuo, who had been perched on a beam, sat up. Watching their departure, Feng Zhuo’s figure flickered as he followed them.

Once out of the palace, Di Zian brought Ah Bao to the oldest street in the capital.

“Buns… they’re meat buns!”

Ah Bao’s eyes widened.

“Brother, look! It’s meat!”

She lamented her small size and lack of teeth, desperately wanting to eat the meat.

Di Zian grinned, “Anji Steamed Buns are famous throughout the capital. They’re super tasty!”

Ah Bao chewed on her little hands, unable to stop drooling.

“It does smell good, but… why doesn’t it smell like meat?”

Di Zian rubbed his head, his body swaying a bit. “Weird, I didn’t drink last night, so why does my head feel dizzy?”

“Something’s wrong! Brother, that’s not meat—it’s medicine! Don’t breathe it in!”

“Oh no, my brother, don’t faint!”

Ah Bao looked up at Di Zian, but he was already slumping to the ground, still holding her tightly, afraid she’d be in danger. Even as he passed out, his grip on Ah Bao remained firm.

Ah Bao saw two figures rush over and place a black cloth over their heads, plunging her into darkness.

…

“Heh, we finally got the brat, didn’t we? He dared to beat us up before—this time I’ll break his legs,” one of the scar-faced men said smugly, standing over the unconscious Di Zian, who was tied up on the ground.

“Don’t hit him. Boss said no killing without his orders. The kid’s still useful. We’ll deal with him when he wakes up,” the smaller scar-faced man quickly stopped him.

The large scar-faced man kicked Di Zian’s leg. “Hmph, we’ll let you live a few more days.”

Both men suddenly felt a cold gaze on them. When they turned around, they saw little Ah Bao sitting on a pile of straw, blinking her big, dark eyes innocently at them.

Ah Bao had thick eyebrows, big eyes, fair skin, and was as cute as could be. The two men thought she looked soft and sweet.

It must have been their imagination earlier.

“Strange, the boy passed out, but why is this little girl still awake?” The big scar-faced man walked over to Ah Bao, who smiled with crescent-shaped eyes.

He glanced back at the unconscious Di Zian on the ground, rolling his eyes. “This kid’s lucky, having such a cute little sister.”

He wished he had a soft little sister like that.

But no, what was he thinking?

He had no parents, no brothers or wives—how could he ever have a sister? He was destined to live as a bachelor.

“Probably because the girl is too young, so she inhaled less of the drugged incense,” the smaller scar-faced man said, patting his shoulder.

Ah Bao waved her little arms and made a soft noise.

Her body was immune to all poisons, so this mild sedative had no effect on her.

But her unlucky brother…

As expected, every time he left the palace, something bad happened.

“Let’s lock the two of them in the woodshed first, then go report to the boss and see what to do next,” the smaller scar-faced man suggested, pulling the bigger one along.

As they passed Di Zian, a hint of envy flashed in the big scar-faced man’s eyes.

After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Di Zian woke up.

His mind was still foggy, but he quickly remembered how he’d suddenly passed out earlier.

His first reaction was to find Ah Bao.

He spotted her in the corner, lying there like a little bundle. “Sister…”

Di Zian tried to stand up but realized his hands and feet were tied tightly. His face darkened, and looking around at the broken, chaotic environment, he guessed they had been kidnapped by bandits.

Ah Bao looked at him, completely relaxed.

“Brother, you’re finally awake.”

“We’re in a bandit’s territory now.”

Di Zian inched over to Ah Bao, carefully examining her. Once he confirmed she was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Sister, you scared me to death. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Hehe, brother, I’m fine. But you…”

Di Zian quickly realized the seriousness of their situation. As a prince, he’d been through all sorts of dangerous situations.