Just at that moment, the imperial physician summoned by the eunuch arrived.
Under the Mingze Emperor’s indication, Changshun Gonggong stepped forward intending to guide Jiang Yingcheng aside for examination by the elderly physician. Unexpectedly, she naturally slipped her hand into his palm—the small fist was no larger than the steamed buns he usually ate, soft and cool to the touch, yet it startled him profoundly.
Their posture resembled a grandfather holding his granddaughter’s hand in the snow, the grandfather bending down to firmly grasp the playful little girl’s hand lest she slip.
Changshun cautiously glanced back at the Mingze Emperor’s expression.
The emperor’s indifferent gaze merely swept over them briefly before turning away emotionlessly.
Having attended to the Mingze Emperor’s daily needs for years, Changshun breathed a sigh of relief.
That expression meant the emperor didn’t mind.
Thus emboldened, he took the Little Princess’s hand and led her toward a corner: “Your Highness, mind your steps.”
Jiang Yingcheng looked up at the sound, her round eyes sparkling as she gazed at Changshun for a moment before suddenly breaking into a wide grin.
Changshun’s heart melted at this adorable smile. Just as he was about to speak, a milky child’s voice suddenly rang in his ears.
[Ahhh, this uncle’s palm is so warm.]
[He even called the imperial physician for Chengcheng just now—Chengcheng likes him!]
Changshun jolted in surprise, his eyes scanning the surroundings in confusion.
The Little Princess was the only young girl present—the voice could only be hers.
But…
He had been watching her face the entire time and was certain her lips never once moved!
Was this sorcery?!
Suppressing his alarm, Changshun continued walking as planned.
Though his ears unconsciously inclined closer toward the Little Princess.
Completely unaware of Changshun Gonggong’s actions, Jiang Yingcheng was happily chatting with 007 in her mind.
007 dutifully provided introductions: [Changshun—the longest-serving chief eunuch attending the Mingze Emperor, deeply trusted by His Majesty. Unfortunately, he has ill fate. One careless misstep led to him being framed by vile subordinates, resulting in death by bleeding from all seven orifices.]
She stole a glance at Changshun Gonggong, struggling to imagine what this kind old man would look like bleeding from all seven orifices.
Jiang Yingcheng quietly negotiated with 007 in her mind: [Is there any way to prevent this uncle from dying by bleeding from all seven orifices?]
Just as Changshun had delivered the Little Princess to the imperial physician—her walking over obediently on her own—his hand hung empty in the air. As he prepared to withdraw it, her next mental exclamation froze him completely.
What bleeding from all seven orifices?
Bleeding from what orifices?
Who was bleeding?
Changshun’s ears rang with static.
[Ah!] the Little Princess mentally exclaimed again.
Changshun immediately dismissed all distractions, focusing intently on her thoughts.
[So he’s the one who poisoned uncle!]
Changshun swiftly followed the Little Princess’s gaze to where a newly arrived eunuch stood meekly with lowered eyes, lost in thought.
Rage ignited in his heart.
You wretched creature! So you’re the one trying to poison me?!
Just wait—I’ll find an opportunity to skin you alive when we return!
【Okay, okay, I get it! I’ll run over and deliberately trip in front of him later, then tell Father Emperor he tripped me so Father Emperor will kick him out of the palace!】
Changshun froze for a moment.
The Little Princess’s milky voice was filled with an innocence completely unaware of worldly affairs, yet it warmed his entire being in this snowy landscape.
Where did this Little Princess come from? How could she be so heartwarming!
A fond smile spread across Changshun’s face, and he couldn’t resist the urge to pat the Little Princess’s fluffy head.
As this thought crossed his mind, he unconsciously raised his hand. When he came back to his senses, he caught the Mingze Emperor’s gaze from the corner of his eye.
Panic surged in Changshun’s heart, and he closed his eyes in despair.
Don’t bother, Little Princess. This humble servant probably won’t live long enough for anyone to poison me.
The Mingze Emperor turned his head back, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The accompanying eunuch had already confirmed it—the cufflink found in the snow had indeed fallen from the trembling eunuch. Moreover, Jiang Huaian had been subtly trembling ever since that person was dragged out.
The Emperor tapped his finger rhythmically against his leg.
The currently known information was:
He could indeed hear Jiang Yingcheng’s inner thoughts.
From the current situation, most of those kneeling on the ground likely couldn’t hear these inner thoughts, though Jiang Xingran’s reaction seemed somewhat unusual and required further observation.
Jiang Yingcheng appeared to be conversing with someone—someone with the ability to foresee the future. This ability wasn’t limited to just himself; it could even predict Changshun’s fate. A rather useful ability indeed.
A thought suddenly sprouted in Jiang Yan Chuan’s mind.
If she could truly know everyone’s deeds, she would undoubtedly save him considerable trouble in court affairs as well.
“Y-Your Majesty!” A trembling yet sharp cry interrupted his thoughts.
The eunuch who had dropped the cufflink was now forced to his knees, tears streaming down his face mixed with unmelted snow.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant only accidentally bumped into Her Highness the Princess! I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy!”
His entire body trembled uncontrollably, nearly breaking free from the guards restraining him.
The Mingze Emperor had fought battles for years. While he had brought unparalleled glory to Da Rui, what he was most famous for were his terrifying interrogation methods—each one capable of making people wish for immediate death to escape endless torment.
In the icy winter snow, the eunuch was drenched in cold sweat from sheer terror.
“Accidentally,” the Mingze Emperor, who had somehow appeared above him, repeated the word as if hearing something amusing. “You accidentally bumped into Yingcheng, yet Huaian lectured Xingran for half the day because of it.”
The implication was too clear, startling Jiang Huaian into immediately kowtowing again. “F-Father Emperor, your son was too anxious and mistakenly trusted a villain! I truly thought Old Seven caused Little Eleven to hit her head! I just wanted to stand up for Little Eleven…”
The fear in Jiang Huaian’s heart surpassed even the eunuch’s.
He knew how much his father despised fraternal conflict. The princes who had engaged in such behavior in the past hadn’t met good ends. His only consolation now was that his mother held a high position in the palace—his father probably wouldn’t deal too harshly with him.
Secret regret filled Jiang Huaian’s heart.
When he had taken action earlier, he had carefully scanned the surroundings and hadn’t seen Father Emperor’s figure at the time, which was why he had dared to target Seventh Brother so recklessly. He just didn’t know when Father Emperor had arrived at the scene or how much of what had just happened he had witnessed…
Now, he could only shift all the blame onto that eunuch, firmly insisting that he had been misled, in hopes of receiving lenient treatment.
Jiang Yan Chuan let out a faint, ambiguous chuckle. When he spoke again, his voice carried no discernible emotion as he merely repeated Jiang Huaian’s excuse: “Impatient…”
Jiang Yingcheng was so anxious she was hopping on her feet.
[Don’t believe him, beautiful father! He was the one who sent someone to push me down, trying to frame Seventh Brother!]
As she continued, her voice gradually filled with grievance.
[He… he also never had anyone tend to my wounds. It hurts so much!]