The palace maid who pushed the door open wore an expression full of arrogance. Cheng Yunmeng instinctively turned to look at Jiang Yingcheng at the doorway, thinking this person was the attendant maid sent to fetch her back.
The next second, a childish voice brimming with disdain rang out—
[Ew, this auntie is so ugly and has such a sour face. Chengcheng dislikes her.]
Cheng Yunmeng felt the urge to laugh but her heart began to sink.
Since this wasn’t someone coming for the Little Princess, only one possibility remained—
They were here to cause trouble.
Cheng Yunmeng quickly nudged Jiang Xingran standing in front of her, signaling him to apologize immediately before the opportunity vanished.
Yet Jiang Xingran remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.
Cheng Yunmeng grew anxious watching him.
Suddenly—
[Ohhh, this person is a palace maid from Noble Consort Rou’s palace but wants to pretend she was sent by Qing Guifei?]
Cheng Yunmeng froze for a moment before suddenly understanding.
Today would definitely not end well.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have used someone else’s name to summon her. This way, if her injuries were discovered later, witnesses would only say she was taken away by Qing Guifei’s palace maid.
[Aren’t they afraid Auntie will expose this?]
Cheng Yunmeng lowered her eyes gloomily.
How would she dare speak out?
She had neither power nor influence, nor any chance to meet the Emperor. Such things had happened too many times before—she had long grown accustomed to it.
[Don’t be afraid, Chengcheng will protect Auntie!]
Cheng Yunmeng jolted, sharply raising her head.
The little one clenched her fists, proactively stepping forward to hug the woman’s leg. When she looked up, her round eyes curved into two beautiful crescents as she preemptively declared: “I recognize you! You’re a palace maid from Noble Consort Rou’s palace!”
Miao Xi stiffened, her arrogant expression freezing completely before swiftly transforming into panic: “How dare you spout nonsense?!”
She had only recently arrived at Noble Consort Rou’s palace. Precisely because of this, Noble Consort Rou thought she wouldn’t be easily recognized and had sent her here today. But if her identity was exposed, she’d surely face severe consequences upon returning!
She reached out to push away the little creature clinging to her, but before her hand could touch the child’s shoulder, a voice called from inside the room: “Little Highness, please come inside quickly. The wind outside is chilly—mind you don’t catch cold.”
Miao Xi’s breath hitched.
This was actually a Little Highness?
She’d previously heard that the Seventh Prince came from humble origins and had a withdrawn personality, with no siblings willing to approach him.
How could she be so unlucky today to directly encounter one?
It’s fine, don’t panic.
Miao Xi comforted herself inwardly.
So what if she’s a princess? There were many princesses in the palace—who would dare not give Noble Consort Rou face?
Jiang Yingcheng turned her head and responded crisply but still refused to let go.
Miao Xi made a pained expression, attempting to reason with Jiang Yingcheng: “Little Highness, please have mercy and release this servant. I’m here under Guifei Niangniang’s orders to invite Zhaorong Niangniang for a conversation at the palace.”
The courage she’d mustered moments earlier dissipated completely.
No matter how immense Guifei Niangniang’s power might be, she wouldn’t confront a princess over a mere palace maid.
How could she dare make enemies for Guifei Niangniang and offend a princess without authorization?
Jiang Yingcheng grinned widely again.
Her smile was as enchanting as a little fairy’s, yet her words sent a violent shiver through Miao Xi: “You just tried to push Chengcheng, and Chengcheng saw it all.”
Miao Xi: “……”
Miao Xi was on the verge of tears.
Fortunately, Lan Zhaorong spoke up just in time: “Xingran, quickly take your sister inside. Be careful not to let her catch a chill.”
Miao Xi’s eyes lit up.
Yes, yes, yes!
Please take the Little Princess inside!
Anywhere would do, as long as she wasn’t clinging to her!
Jiang Xingran walked out of the room with heavy steps, stopping beside the two of them, and slowly extended his hand toward Jiang Yingcheng.
Jiang Yingcheng had initially wanted to cling stubbornly for a while longer, but seeing her Seventh Brother’s solemn expression, she obediently placed her hand in his palm and followed him step by step into the room.
Just before entering, she couldn’t resist turning back to make a funny face at Miao Xi.
Miao Xi felt as if she had been granted a pardon and no longer put on airs, quickly explaining her purpose—
Of course, still in the name of Qing Guifei.
Cheng Yunmeng nodded, not bothering to tidy up much, and stood up to follow the other person out, already preparing for the worst in her heart.
However, as soon as she steadied herself, she saw her usually taciturn son resolutely step in front of her, while a warm little hand carefully grasped one of her fingers from the other side.
It felt like being gently brushed by a soft feather.
She lowered her head and met the little one’s sparkling gaze.
“Chengcheng will protect Auntie!”
Cheng Yunmeng was slightly dazed.
This was the second time she had heard such words—the first time was in the little one’s inner thoughts.
It had been too long since she had heard anything like this, even though Xingran often acted this way.
But she couldn’t drag the little one into this muddy mess.
Cheng Yunmeng crouched down, meeting the little one’s overly clear eyes, and was about to refuse when she heard a familiar voice—
[Auntie, don’t be afraid. Chengcheng came out for a walk with Changshun Uncle today! We’re playing hide-and-seek, and he’s waiting outside for Chengcheng to find him!]
Cheng Yunmeng’s pupils contracted sharply.
Changshun Uncle.
Was it that highly favored Changshun Gonggong by the Mingze Emperor’s side?
Soon, the gate of Pinfang Yuan opened once more, and the figures of two adults and two children emerged from behind it.
The palace maid leading the way immediately headed toward the right, but the other three did not follow.
Cheng Yunmeng, holding a child in each hand, paused at the entrance to observe, feeling quite uncertain about the content of Jiang Yingcheng’s inner thoughts.
Yet her resolve was firm—if the Mingze Emperor’s favorite was not here, she would risk punishment from Noble Consort Rou to persuade the little one to go back!
But—
Just because she could hear the other’s inner thoughts, she had naively assumed that the little one would never lie to her.
Yet, at this age, children’s imaginations run wild, and they often struggle to distinguish fantasy from reality.
What if the person who came with her today wasn’t the influential Changshun Gonggong, whose status was so crucial to her?
Cheng Yunmeng couldn’t stop her mind from racing until she saw Changshun Gonggong in person.
[Found him!]
The little one’s inner voice suddenly rang out, and Cheng Yunmeng looked up abruptly.
Changshun Gonggong was emerging from a hidden thicket with a few others, smiling cheerfully as he walked toward them.
Tears welled up in Cheng Yunmeng’s eyes.
To think…
To think I could actually be saved!
She looked down at the pink-clad little dumpling who kept waving at Changshun Gonggong, wishing she could immediately scoop her into her arms.
Heaven must have witnessed how bitterly she had suffered all these years, and thus sent down this little fairy to rescue her…
Changshun Gonggong approached the group, first paying respects to Cheng Yunmeng and Jiang Xingran, then beaming with paternal warmth as he said to Jiang Yingcheng, “Little Highness, weren’t you saying you wanted to catch someone? How come you ended up hiding in Niangniang’s courtyard instead?”
Still holding Cheng Yunmeng’s hand, Jiang Yingcheng stretched her other hand toward Changshun Gonggong in a clear “hold hands” gesture, cooing sweetly, “Uncle Changshun, come with us~”
The little one chirped brightly while subtly tattling: “This auntie said Qing Fei Niangniang wants to invite us over for a visit~”
Miao Xi: ???
Miao Xi: !!!