Early the next morning, just as planned the day before, Qing Bi slipped out of the palace with the maids responsible for procurement.
Fang Zhaoyi was no longer as helpless as when she first received the news. After Qing Bi left, she personally dressed Jiang Yingcheng.
The little one was as lovely as ice and snow, requiring only minimal adornment to look like a blessed little doll.
She dressed the child in a soft pink cotton-padded jacket with a collar trimmed in white fur, paired with a gleaming white cloak, making the little one appear even rounder.
Jiang Yingcheng lifted her arms, feeling the weight of the clothing that was even heavier than yesterday’s, her small face full of conflict. “It’s a bit heavy.”
She still planned to secretly go play with Father Emperor today, but the clothes her mother had chosen for her included one more layer than what Sister Qing Bi had picked, making movement feel quite inconvenient.
Fang Zhaoyi also felt hesitant.
It was good that the little one wanted to go play with the Mingze Emperor.
Judging by the Mingze Emperor’s reaction yesterday, he wasn’t averse to the child’s approach—in fact, he seemed somewhat fond of her.
If the little one could build a good relationship with the Mingze Emperor through this, even if she were to lose in her struggle against her sister in the future, the child would have an extra layer of protection.
However, her own involvement in the child’s visits to the Mingze Emperor must remain completely undetectable.
Otherwise, it would appear as if she were using a child to compete for favor, which would not only incur the Mingze Emperor’s disgust but might also ruin the little one’s future…
Should she remove one lighter layer of clothing to make it easier for the child to move?
While deep in thought, a palace servant hurried over and excitedly reported in a low voice, “Changshun Gonggong from His Majesty’s side is here!”
As these words were spoken, Changshun Gonggong was already standing upright at the courtyard gate, waiting for Fang Zhaoyi to invite him in.
Fang Zhaoyi was taken aback. Without time to ponder further, she quickly lifted Jiang Yingcheng down from the couch and instructed, “Quickly invite Gonggong in.”
The palace servant turned and hurried out.
While Fang Zhaoyi was adjusting her appearance, she momentarily lost track of Jiang Yingcheng, who, once her feet touched the ground, toddled after the servant on her short legs.
As she ran, she breathlessly raised her voice and called out, “Uncle, you’re here~”
Changshun Gonggong immediately quickened his pace, replying with a smile as he walked, “Oh, my Little Highness, you mustn’t address this servant like that! You’ll shorten this servant’s lifespan!”
Jiang Yingcheng was too out of breath to respond, focusing solely on running. As soon as she reached Changshun Gonggong, she wrapped her arms around his leg, tilting her head up to flash a big grin. “Hehehe.”
Changshun Gonggong then took Jiang Yingcheng’s hand and led her to Fang Zhaoyi.
He had come today on the Mingze Emperor’s orders to bring the Little Princess to Xianyang Palace for the day. Overjoyed, Fang Zhaoyi handed the little one over to him.
Before leaving, Changshun Gonggong casually asked, “Niangniang, was yesterday’s evening meal to your liking?”
Fang Zhaoyi replied hesitantly, “It was certainly very much to my liking. Thank you for your concern, Gonggong.”
Burdened by such heavy thoughts yesterday, even though the little one had warmed her heart later, the entire meal had felt like chewing wax, and she had muddled through it in a daze.
Now, thinking back, it seemed there had been significantly more meat dishes than usual.
Fang Zhaoyi suddenly turned her gaze to Jiang Yingcheng, who was currently clinging to Changshun Gonggong and acting spoiled.
An absurd yet plausible idea suddenly surfaced.
Could it be…
Before she could figure it out, Changshun Gonggong greeted her and then led the little one away.
Outside the courtyard stood the same soft sedan chair from yesterday, its bright yellow curtains appearing even more conspicuous in daylight. Changshun Gonggong guided Jiang Yingcheng inside before proceeding slowly toward Xianyang Palace.
Fang Zhaoyi unconsciously tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.
While this matter could bring infinite possibilities, the dangers the little one would face had also multiplied.
Her gaze remained fixed on the sedan chair until it disappeared from her sight.
Inside the sedan, Changshun had thoughtfully prepared many sweets for the Little Princess, along with various toys children her age would enjoy, ensuring she wouldn’t be too bored during the journey.
Zhuyun Pavilion was quite far from Xianyang Palace. On his way over, Changshun had thought that if everything the Little Princess had revealed through her inner thoughts proved true, Fang Zhaoyi wouldn’t be far from being promoted to Noble Consort.
After all, His Majesty intended for the Little Princess to visit his palace more frequently. Having such long travel delays would inevitably be inconvenient.
After a while longer, the sedan chair came to a stop outside Xianyang Palace.
The moment the sedan landed, Jiang Yingcheng burst out like a little cannonball, instantly filling the courtyard with soft, joyful laughter.
“Father Emperor~” Jiang Yingcheng called out as she ran, her voice milky and sweet.
Yet her inner thoughts were completely unrestrained, bearing no resemblance to the word “demure.”
[Handsome Father Emperor, Chengcheng is here!]
But the moment she ran into the same hall as yesterday, she abruptly stopped in her tracks.
Just like the day before, five elderly men in official robes stood before her handsome father emperor. Though the room was filled with people, it was utterly silent—there hadn’t been a single sound before she entered.
Jiang Yingcheng stood frozen, somewhat at a loss.
[Why are there five more?]
Although five uncles had been here yesterday too, she had arrived first and even felt a bit of pride as the host.
But today, her handsome father emperor had already been with the uncles for some time, and she wasn’t sure if she would interrupt his important matters.
Jiang Yan Chuan took in Jiang Yingcheng’s reaction, amusedly watching the little one’s embarrassed expression for a while before leisurely chuckling and speaking: “Come to Father Emperor.”
Jiang Yingcheng pattered over with quick, light steps.
Jiang Yan Chuan personally bent down to lift the little one onto the couch as he had yesterday.
But the moment he reached out, he noticed something unusual.
The little one’s stomach was noticeably bulging, clearly stuffed with something.
Seeing that her father emperor had discovered the items in her belly, Jiang Yingcheng giggled delightedly.
She stood in the open space before Jiang Yan Chuan, pulling out the contents one by one and proudly arranging them all on his lap.
They were all the snacks she had scavenged from the sedan chair.
Jiang Yingcheng’s eyes curved into crescents: “Father Emperor eat~”
[Chengcheng found them all in the sedan chair~ Chengcheng didn’t sneak a single bite~]
Jiang Yan Chuan’s movements paused slightly as he looked down for a long moment.
The sweets nearly covered his entire lap.
Changshun always acted with great discretion. Worried that the child might get cavities, he never prepared too many sweets. The treats on his lap were likely all that was in the sedan chair.
Despite her fondness for these little snacks, she had managed to resist eating even one.
Jiang Yan Chuan expressionlessly gathered the pastries onto the small table beside him, lifted the little one to his side, and then nudged the tea snacks he had prepared for her closer to her hand. “Chengcheng, have some too.”
Jiang Yingcheng instantly broke into an even brighter smile.
[Ahh, Chengcheng really does love her beautiful Father Emperor the most!]