“Yu Jingming left the capital? How sudden! When I saw him this morning, everything seemed normal; there was no sign he was leaving.”

Rongrong had always had a vague sense that Yu Jingming was not actually Mei Ningxiang’s cousin.

Their previous relationship seemed to have some ambiguous undertones, but it wasn’t her business, so she hadn’t pried.

Now that Yu Jingming had left, Mei Ningxiang was clearly distressed, indicating that she still had feelings for him.

Rongrong sighed slightly, feeling a bit sympathetic towards Mei Ningxiang.

“It’s not about offending Boss Mei; it’s just that family is coming to the capital, and there wasn’t enough space here. Luckily, a house was found just in time,” Rongrong said to the embroiderers, and then she and Chunxing and Feicui headed out of the courtyard.

As soon as they left the gate, Chunxing couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what is the relationship between Boss Mei and that man?”

Rongrong glanced at her, and Chunxing quickly lowered her head.

“Boss Mei has been good to us. It’s not right to gossip about her behind her back.”

“Alright.” Chunxing responded but seemed somewhat dissatisfied. “But it’s not fair for her to take out her frustration on us just because that person left.”

“Brother Yu knew martial arts, and his presence beside Boss Mei must have made her feel more at ease. With him suddenly gone, Mei Jie must be unsettled.”

Chunxing nodded, but her eyes gleamed with a sly light.

She knew that although Rongrong said she wasn’t angry with Mei Ningxiang, she was clearly upset, or else she wouldn’t have changed how she addressed Mei Ningxiang from “Mei Jie” to “Boss Mei.”

Feicui, following behind them, listened silently without saying a word.

…

In the early hours, in the Eastern Palace.

“Your Highness, Feicui has returned with news,” Fu Quan said softly as he approached the dragon bed.

The Crown prince’s sleep was usually very light, and any noise would wake him.

As expected, the Crown Prince slowly opened his eyes, sat up from the dragon bed, and adjusted the blankets for the sleeping Yuanbao.

Without saying a word, he got up and headed outside.

Fu Quan quickly took a cloak from the side and draped it over the prince.

Upon leaving the palace, they saw a slender figure standing in the corridor.

The Crown prince frowned slightly.

For a long time, he had not wanted to see this figure, Feicui (Jadeite).

He turned to look at the pale crescent moon in the sky and askedly, “Have you found the person?”

“I am incompetent.” Feicui bowed her head and replied.

“Then why are you here?”

“I walked around Huaihua Alley and its surroundings after dark, but didn’t notice anything unusual. However, today I discovered a clue.”

Feicui waited for a moment.

Seeing that the Crown prince remained silent, she continued, “The person is staying at Miss Xue’s landlord’s house, which is only separated by a wall from Miss Xue’s residence. I’ve investigated, and this person knows martial arts and matches the description of the martial artist from that day.”

“And where is the person now?”

“For some unknown reason, it is said that they left the capital early this morning.”

The Crown prince sneered, “Quite the perceptive rat, Fu Quan.”

“I’m here.”

“The talent just left the capital. Have An Yue and the others dig three feet into the ground to find him. If they can’t find him, bring his head here.”

Fu Quan’s forehead tensed, and he quickly replied, “Yes.”

“Your Highness, An Yue and the others aren’t as skilled as that person, so it might be difficult to find him. Perhaps I should…”

Before Feicui could finish, the Crown Prince sneered, “What does skill matter? It’s brains that count.”

Feicui furrowed her brow and knelt on the ground.

Fu Quan, standing beside the Crown Prince, was nervous and felt many emotions at once.

“Continue to stay in Huaihua Lane and wait for the opportunity,” the Crown Prince said, and then returned to his chamber.

Fu Quan hurriedly helped Feicui up.

But Feicui remained kneeling on the ground, motionless.

Fu Quan, frustrated and feeling like she was hopeless, wanted to scold her but was afraid of disturbing the Crown Prince’s peace.

He could only lower his voice and poke her on the forehead, saying, “Stubborn!”

Feicui remained unmoved, like a piece of wood.

“Still being foolish here?” Liuli came up from the stairs and glanced at Feicui. “You used to excel in practice, but now I see why you’ve ended up like this. It’s a pity the Crown Prince hasn’t given up on you and still entrusts you with important tasks.”

“I know I’m useless. There’s no need to mock me.”

Liuli sneered coldly, “Who would waste their time mocking you? I’m just worried you’ll mess up the Crown Prince’s important matters. The Crown Prince told you to go to Huaihua Lane, and yet you’re here being disobedient. How did you mess up your last assignment?”

“I…” Feicui’s face twisted as soon as she thought of that past assignment.

Fu Quan urged her, “Yes, hurry back to Huaihua Lane and keep an eye on Miss Xue. Make sure nothing happens to her! Miss Xue is extremely important!”

Miss Xue…

Feicui finally understood something.

She got up and quickly left the Eastern Palace.

Fu Quan and Liuli stood in the corridor, watching Feicui’s figure disappear into the night, and exchanged glances without speaking.

“Since An Yue is out on a mission, I’ll stay here today,” Liuli said to Fu Quan after a long while.

“Thank you. I’ve been busy all day and am quite tired. The Crown Prince will go to court early tomorrow, so I have a little over two hours to rest,” Fu Quan replied.

Liuli stood alone in the corridor.

As dawn broke, the eunuchs who attended the Crown Prince’s morning routine brought out large trays with water basins, towels, and the formal court robes that had been dried and scented overnight.

Fu Quan went in first, and after the Crown Prince had risen, the attending eunuchs went in one by one.

After some time, the eunuchs who assisted with changing and washing came out, and then the eunuchs who brought food came in.

When the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson had finished breakfast, they emerged from the sleeping quarters.

After they had descended the palace steps, Liuli came out from the corridor and silently followed behind Yuanbao.

“Today, I will ask Mr. Liang to reduce his lesson by half an hour.”

“Where is Father taking me today?”

“There’s a lot to discuss at today’s court meeting, so I don’t know how long it will last!” The Crown Prince patted Yuanbao’s head. “It’s your grandmother who misses you and has made some new clothes for you. She wants you to come over and try them on.”

Yuanbao didn’t show much excitement on his face and tilted his head from side to side.

The Crown Prince picked up Yuanbao and placed him in the carriage.

Noticing his worried and troubled expression, he asked, “Don’t you like going to your grandmother’s place?”

Yuanbao shook his head, pouting, “I like grandmother, but every time I go there, there are many noble ladies and madams, and grandmother always asks me which one I like.”

“Which one do you like?” The Crown Prince, amused, wanted to tease him a bit.

“I… Father!” Yuanbao was about to give a serious answer but suddenly realized that his father was teasing him.

He became quite upset and turned his head away, refusing to look at him all the way to the palace and into the carriage.

Once they arrived at the palace, the Crown Prince and Yuanbao went their separate ways.

The Crown Prince went to Qian Yuan Hall for the court meeting, while Yuanbao went to a side hall in the Imperial Study to attend his lessons.

Although Yuanbao was very young, he was exceptionally smart.

When the Emperor was in a good mood, he started Yuanbao’s early education without any homework, just attending and listening.

The Crown Prince often brought Yuanbao to the court with him.

The teachers were all distinguished scholars from the Hanlin Academy, and recently Yuanbao was studying the Four Books and Five Classics, with Liang Hanlin, a master of the Classics, as his instructor.

“Yuanbao, you’re here,” said someone as soon as Yuanbao stepped into the side hall.

The person was Liu Yu, the son of the Duke of Gong, who was four and a half years old.

When the Crown Prince delayed his marriage, many princes, unable to endure youthful loneliness, sought women.

Liu Yu’s mother was the Duke of Gong’s concubine outside the palace.

What started as a fleeting affair unexpectedly resulted in a child, who turned out to be the Emperor’s eldest grandson.

Although such a status usually couldn’t enter the royal residence, due to an incident in the Eastern Palace, the Empress made an exception and granted Liu Yu’s mother a position as a concubine in the royal residence.

Unfortunately, she was unlucky and died from a cold before she could move into the palace.

In addition to Liu Yu, Liu Lin, the son of the Duke of Su, was also accompanying Yuanbao in class.

Liu Lin, who was three years old, was different from Yuanbao and Liu Yu; he was the legitimate son of the Duke of Su’s wife.

After Yuanbao sat down with Liu Yu, Duke Su’s wife arrived with Liu Lin.

“Lin’er, quickly greet your older brother.”

Duke Su’s wife was very petite and had a charming smile.

Although she was reluctant to have Liu Lin come to the palace to study at such a young age, Duke Su insisted that studying in the Emperor’s Imperial Study was a rare opportunity.

Although they didn’t seek much, if Liu Lin could earn the Emperor’s favor, his future would be better.

Moreover, Yuanbao was also here!

Although Yuanbao was not the legitimate son of the Eastern Palace, it was clear to everyone that the Emperor and Empress favored him greatly.

The Crown Prince’s succession to the throne was a certainty, and if Liu Lin were close to Yuanbao as he grew up, the Duke of Su’s residence wouldn’t fall into decline.

Every time she visited the Imperial Study, the Princess of Su would bring homemade pastries for the children, giving each of them a piece.

Yuanbao and Liu Yu, who had lost their mothers, were particularly dear to her, and she always treated them warmly.

Unfortunately, Liu Lin was too young.

He spoke unclearly and reacted slowly.

After the Princess of Su urged him several times, he finally paid attention to Yuanbao and Liu Yu and called out quickly, “Brother, brother.”

“Good boy, stay close to your brothers and do well in your studies. I’ll come pick you up later,” the Princess of Su said, patting Liu Lin’s cheek.

She then took a delicate food box from a palace maid and placed it on Yuanbao’s desk. “After you finish your lessons, you three can share these.”

Yuanbao nodded and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

When a eunuch announced that Liang Hanlin had arrived, the Princess of Su left the side hall.

Liuli silently stepped forward and took the food box from Yuanbao’s desk.

Liang Hanlin had been selected as a Scholar two years ago.

Although young, he had unique insights into the Four Books and Five Classics and had written many influential articles.

He put a lot of effort into teaching the three young princes.

Though he had them recite scriptures, he mostly told them stories.

The three princes were quite young—the youngest was three and the oldest just four and a half.

Liu Yu often spaced out, Liu Lin sometimes dozed off, but Yuanbao listened attentively from start to finish.

Liang Hanlin knew this little class was mainly for Yuanbao, so he didn’t mind and focused on telling stories.

Normally, the lesson lasted an hour with a fifteen-minute break, but today the Empress had sent word that Liang Hanlin should teach for only half an hour.

The palace maid brought water for the three princes to wash their hands and then served the pastries, one for each child.

The Princess of Su had prepared three kinds of pastries today: osmanthus cake, red date pastry, and fu ling cake.

To avoid causing digestive issues for the children, each child received only one piece of each type.

After the pastries, someone from Kun Ning Palace came to pick them up.

The three children boarded their respective carriages in order: Yuanbao first, then Liu Yu, and Liu Lin last.

When they arrived at Kun Ning Palace, the hall was already filled with guests.

As Yuanbao expected, the Empress had invited various ladies and noblewomen, and there were always a few unfamiliar faces at each gathering.

Nowadays, the Empress had broadened her criteria for the Crown Princess and was more inclusive.

Today’s guests included not only those from noble families and high-ranking officials but also women from the fourth-rank officials’ families who were visiting Kun Ning Palace for the first time and appeared especially nervous and awkward.

“Oh, my Yuanbao has arrived,” the Empress said with a bright smile as she spotted the three little ones entering the hall.

“Grandmother,” the three children greeted the Empress together.

Even three-year-old Liu Lin did a good job.

Before attending the Imperial Study, the Princess of Su and her husband had taught Liu Lin and the others how to greet the Emperor and Empress properly.

Since the Princess of Su was not the Empress’s child and had fallen out of favor, they were very cautious.

Of course, besides Su Wang, Liu Yu’s father, Duke Gong, was also not the Empress’s biological child.

Therefore, the Empress smiled and waved at Yuanbao, saying, “Yuanbao, come here and sit with Grandmother.”

Yuanbao followed the instruction, climbed onto the Empress’s throne, and sat beside her.

Liu Lin was taken by the Princess of Su and held in her arms.

Duke Gong’s wife was also present but had always been indifferent towards Liu Yu.

Therefore, Liu Yu took a seat next to Duke Gong’s wife.