Rong Rong quickly persuaded, “Let’s eat now; the dishes will get cold.” Noticing that Yuan Bao didn’t want her to comfort Liu Lin, she left him alone and went out to serve the food.

Once she left, things calmed down inside.

The three children ate their meal obediently.

The crispy fried shad fish strips and the ham and Yulan petal soup, which Rong Rong had prepared, were the first to be finished.

After that, the other dishes were also enjoyed by the three children.

“Eat, eat!” Liu Lin’s belly was full, but he kept shouting “eat,” which made Rong Rong smile.

The palace servants brought water basins.

Rong Rong had the children stand in line to wash their faces and hands.

Liu Lin had spilled soup on his clothes, so Rong Rong took him to the sleeping quarters and changed him into one of Yuan Bao’s regular outfits.

Liu Lin seemed to like Rong Rong a lot, holding her hand and asking her to play with him, which made Yuan Bao frown.

Liu Yu quietly leaned in and asked Yuan Bao, “Yuan Bao, why haven’t we seen this auntie before?”

“Rong Rong isn’t a servant of the Eastern Palace; she’s…”

Yuan Bao paused, and Liu Yu, waiting for him to continue, asked, “She’s what?”

“You’ll find out later. If you see anyone bullying her, make sure to teach them a lesson immediately.”

Although Liu Yu was young, he had learned to be cautious under his mother’s guidance. “What if I can’t teach them a lesson?”

“Then come tell me. If I can’t handle it, I’ll tell Father. If Father can’t handle it, he’ll tell Grandmother, and if Grandmother can’t handle it, she’ll tell Grandfather.”

Liu Yu didn’t know Rong Rong’s exact status, but he mentally noted that she was someone not to be messed with.

Messing with her could lead to serious trouble, especially with Grandfather involved.

“Your Highness, someone from the Duke of Su’s residence has come to pick up Young Master Liu.” Liu Lin was the legitimate son of the Duke of Su, appointed as heir when he was two.

Liu Lin was playing with clay figures alongside Rong Rong when he heard the palace servant’s announcement.

He quickly said, “No, I’m not leaving.”

When Yuan Bao heard that someone had come to pick up Liu Lin, he hurried over to Rong Rong and grabbed Liu Lin’s hand, leading him outside.

“Go home quickly, or your mother will come looking for you soon.”

Although Liu Lin was still young, he was somewhat intimidated by Yuan Bao, who was a year older.

His parents had warned him not to compete with Yuan Bao for things.

Besides, Liu Lin knew that among his many siblings, only Yuan Bao could sit on Grandfather’s lap.

So, when Yuan Bao spoke, Liu Lin had no choice but to let go of Rong Rong’s hand, looking pitiful as he said, “Auntie, I’m leaving.”

“Alright, Your Highness, put on your cloak; it’s cold outside.”

Liu Lin obediently stood still while Rongrong helped him put on his cloak and hat.

According to royal customs, young princes had their heads shaved, so their hats had to be worn tightly to avoid catching a cold.

Once the hat was on, Liu Lin reached out to give Rongrong a kiss on the cheek.

Yuanbao stamped his foot. “Hurry up and go!”

Liu Lin was startled and quickly pulled his hand back.

Rongrong thought Yuanbao was being a bit harsh and wanted to say something, but immediately realized she had no position to criticize Yuanbao as she was not really anyone to him.

Given Yuanbao had such a powerful father, it was normal for him to act so dominantly.

But as she thought about it, Rongrong felt sorry for Yuanbao.

If his mother were still alive, she would likely discipline him, and having the Crown Prince spoil him like this might lead to him becoming overly arrogant in the future.

“Wang An.”

“Here.”

While Rongrong was lost in thought, Yuanbao called Wang An in. “Prepare a carriage to take Liu Yu back home.”

“Understood.” Wang An quickly stepped forward to assist Liu Yu with his clothing and see him out.

Liu Yu bid farewell to Yuanbao and followed Wang An out of the palace.

In Yuhua Palace, only Yuanbao and Rongrong remained.

Yuanbao happily took Rongrong’s hand and led her further inside. “Auntie Rongrong, come, I’ll teach you to play backgammon.”

The room, which had been disordered by the three children, was now tidied up by the palace servants.

Yuanbao led Rongrong to sit by the backgammon board.

“But I don’t know how to play this,” Rongrong said, having watched them play earlier but not understanding the rules of backgammon.

“I’ll teach you,” Yuanbao said confidently.

Half an hour later, Yuanbao’s confidence was shattered by Rongrong’s struggle.

Rongrong was also frustrated.

She prided herself on being quick to learn, but she just couldn’t grasp the rules of backgammon, constantly forgetting them.

Each time she rolled the dice, she needed Yuanbao’s reminders to move in the right direction.

“I’m not playing anymore, Your Highness,” she said.

Although Yuanbao was very patient in explaining and letting her try again if she made mistakes, Rongrong felt increasingly disheartened, finding it hard to believe that after living two lifetimes, she needed a four-year-old to coax her.

Yuanbao pouted. “Auntie Rongrong, it’s just the two of us here. Don’t call me ‘Your Highness.’”

“Then should I call you… Yuanbao?” Rongrong tentatively asked.

Yuanbao’s face immediately brightened. “Yes, just call me Yuanbao.”

“From now on, when it’s just you and me, I’ll call you Yuan Bao,” Rong Rong finally said.

She genuinely liked Yuan Bao and was happy that he felt the same way.

Yuan Bao asked, “What about when Father is around?”

“Of course, I’ll call you ‘Your Highness’ then.”

“Why? Father doesn’t care about such formalities. At home, when I call him ‘Dad,’ he’s really happy,” Yuan Bao said with a hint of frustration.

Rong Rong patted Yuan Bao’s head, “Because it’s a secret between us that no one else should know.”

“Oh,” Yuan Bao nodded obediently, though his smile seemed a bit sly.

So, Aunt Rong Rong used this trick to coax people too!

Yuan Bao suppressed his laughter and asked, “Auntie, let’s not play Double Six(Backgammon) anymore. How about we play Liubo?”

Rong Rong glanced at the Liubo board, which was even larger and more complex than the Double Six board, and shook her head decisively.

“What would you like to play then?” The room had many items, including several Kongming locks in different colors and materials.

Rong Rong looked around and decided she’d rather play with Liu Lin.

“Do you like watching shadow puppets?” Yuan Bao asked.

Shadow puppets?

Rong Rong had never really watched shadow puppets.

In the past, the Imperial Concubine liked them, and many people in the palace would go watch, but Aunt Anlan didn’t like people from the Ministry of Rites running around, so Rong Rong had only seen them a few times in passing.

“Are there shadow puppet performers in the Eastern Palace?”

Yuan Bao smiled and shook his head, “We used to invite performers, but then Father had Steward Fu find someone to learn the craft. Now we have many shadow puppets, and they can perform any time.”

He really was fond of Yuan Bao.

“Then let’s watch shadow puppets.”

At Yuan Bao’s command, Wang An went to find the palace servants who performed shadow puppets.

Each one carried a large box filled with finely crafted shadow puppets.

“Your Highness, what would you like to watch today?” Wang An asked.

Yuan Bao turned to Rong Rong, “Auntie, what do you want to see?”

Not knowing what shadow puppet performances were available, Rong Rong looked at Wang An, who quickly said, “Shadow puppets can perform anything that live actors can. Just choose whatever you like.”

Since Yuan Bao was present, Rong Rong thought it would be inappropriate to choose a romantic play.

After some thought, she chose the story of “Sun Wukong’s Three Battles with the White Bone Demon.”

As Wang An said, shadow puppets were no different from live performances.

After a gong was struck, the young palace servants started singing.

Although not as good as the palace opera troupe, their performance was quite decent.

Rong Rong was immediately captivated and watched with great interest.

For fantastical stories like this, shadow puppets performed much better than on a stage.

The effects of cloud-surfing and other magical feats were more dazzling with shadow puppets than with live actors.

After “Sun Wukong’s Three Battles with the White Bone Demon,” Rong Rong asked for “The True and False Monkey Kings.”

Just as she was getting engrossed in the performance, Wang An touched her arm.

Rongrong turned around and realized that Yuanbao had fallen asleep against her at some point.

“Let’s call it a day,” Rongrong said, blushing as she instructed the shadow puppet troupe to stop.

Since Yuanbao was asleep, everyone moved as quietly as possible, making no sound.

Rongrong felt embarrassed; as a palace maid, she was still enjoying the shadow puppets while her master was asleep!

She held Yuanbao in her arms and gently poked his cheek.

Yuanbao frowned and hummed softly but remained deeply asleep. “Lord Wang, if such things happen in the future, please let me know earlier.”

Wang An smiled. “I didn’t realize when His Highness closed his eyes. Usually, Yuanbao wouldn’t sleep until the Crown Prince returns to the East Palace.” Yes, as long as the Crown Prince wasn’t back, Yuanbao would stay awake no matter how tired he was.

There was an instance when there was a flood in the south and disturbances by rebel soldiers, and the Crown Prince worked all night in the palace.

Yuanbao stayed up all night in the East Palace too.

It was unusual for him to fall asleep during a shadow puppet show.

Wang An looked at Rongrong holding Yuanbao and felt that someone chosen by the Crown Prince must be exceptional.

“Lord Wang, I have another question.”

“Please go ahead.”

“I noticed that the other two little princes have their formal names written in their books, but Yuanbao’s book only has his nickname. Why is that?”

Wang An’s expression became troubled, and after a moment, he said quietly, “The two Holy Ones in the palace place great importance on Yuanbao’s formal name and haven’t decided on it yet.”

Great importance? Not decided yet?

“Then…” Rongrong was surprised and suddenly thought of another matter. “Has His Highness’s name not been entered into the imperial genealogy?”

The imperial genealogy is the royal family’s family tree, and only those listed in it are considered true royal descendants.

Yuanbao was already four years old and still not in the genealogy?

Why… why is that… Could it be because of Yuanbao’s mother?

Yes, his mother might be a consort of low status, which could explain the lack of recognition.

Thinking of this, Rongrong finally asked a question she had long been curious about: “Lord Wang, who is Yuanbao’s mother?”

“Shh!” Wang An immediately covered Rongrong’s mouth. “Remember, this is a taboo in the East Palace. Never mention it again, and don’t bring it up in front of the Crown Prince or the little prince. Otherwise… well, just don’t mention it at all.”

“I understand.”

Rongrong, heavy-hearted, carried Yuanbao back to the bedroom and placed him on the dragon couch.

Yuanbao was indeed heavy; even holding him for a short while made Rongrong’s arms sore.

She stretched her arms, and Wang An brought Yuanbao’s sleeping clothes.

She carefully helped Yuanbao change into his nightclothes and ordered water to wash his face and limbs.

Yuanbao had played all day and should have bathed before bed, but since he was sleeping soundly, Rongrong didn’t want to disturb him and only gave him a quick wash.

Wang An assisted Rongrong and then quietly left.

Rongrong sat by the couch, looking at Yuanbao’s sleeping face, and found him increasingly adorable.

Yuanbao had such a lovely appearance—his skin was as smooth and white as a freshly peeled boiled egg, slightly glistening with warmth, making one want to take a bite.

Rongrong resisted the urge to bite him and instead gently pinched his small face.

Yuanbao mumbled in his sleep and turned his back to her.

Rongrong couldn’t help but smile as she tucked the blanket around him.

In the past, she always thought Yuanbao’s mother had a better fate than hers.

But now, thinking about how Yuanbao was such a beloved and precious prince, and that his biological mother couldn’t enjoy any of his fortune, she felt quite sorry for her.

Unknowingly, drowsiness crept in, and while sitting on the ground and leaning against the bed, she intended to take a quick nap but ended up falling into a deep sleep, not even hearing the loud announcement outside that “The Crown Prince has returned to the palace.”