Qi Zhenzhen shared her concerns with Consort An, who immediately grew serious. "Don't worry. His Majesty is not foolish, and Ah Nian is not easily deceived. Li An is already at the end of his rope and can't stir up any more trouble. Weren't Li An's subordinates all captured by Xie Chen in one go?"
At the time, Xie Chen couldn't do anything to Li An due to his status, but he had no such reservations about Li An's subordinates.
"Your Highness, a cunning rabbit has three burrows," Qi Zhenzhen said.
It seemed Li An was at a dead end now.
But what if he had a backup plan they didn't know about?
Consort An also hesitated for a moment, no longer as resolute as before. After all, Li An had been involved in the series of events that had occurred.
"I'll send someone to check on His Majesty," Consort An said.
About the time it took to brew two cups of tea, the messenger returned. "His Majesty is reviewing memorials and there is nothing else unusual. Li An is being guarded by the commander of the Imperial Guard and will be dealt with after His Majesty makes a decision."
"After you return to the manor, remember to tell Ah Nian that being vigilant is always good," Consort An reminded her with lingering concern.
Gu Sui'an, who had been lying comfortably, suddenly began to cry uncontrollably. Qi Zhenzhen picked her up and tried to comfort her, but it was no use. In a short while, the baby was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath, her little hands flailing and her little feet kicking.
She had never cried like this since she was born.
Qi Zhenzhen was at a loss.
Even the experienced old wet nurse from Consort An's palace couldn't soothe the baby.
Consort An summoned a physician skilled in pediatric ailments, who examined her thoroughly but found nothing amiss.
Yet, Gu Sui'an continued to cry.
[Crying alone won't work. You need to struggle outwards, to let your mother know you don't want to stay here. Otherwise, who knows how long this will go on.]
Gu Sui'an began to reach out and struggle towards the door of the hall.
Qi Zhenzhen finally understood her intention. "Your Highness, An'an probably wants to go home?"
Qi Zhenzhen tentatively carried her outside, and the crying gradually subsided. When they turned back, the crying intensified.
"This little girl..." Consort An was shocked.
Qi Zhenzhen apologized with a guilty look. "Aunt, I'll take Sui'an back then. Please inform my cousin for me."
"She has so many attendants around her; why must she leave with you? Don't worry about her. Go back quickly, so Sui'an doesn't get too tired from crying." Consort An urged, her heart aching at the sight of the little girl hiccuping as she cried.
Qi Zhenzhen bowed and took her leave.
However, even after exiting the palace gates, the little girl's crying had not completely stopped.
She was too young to cry continuously, so she would cry for a bit and then rest.
[If you stop, your mother definitely won't take it seriously.]
[If you keep crying, she will try to guess your thoughts.]
[It would be much simpler if you could talk.]
[No, that's not right. Even if you could talk, you couldn't explain what you know.]
[Your mother isn't stupid. If you keep crying, she's bound to figure it out.]
"An'an, do you miss Daddy?"
Qi Zhenzhen's casual remark immediately stopped Gu Sui'an's crying.
She even waved her little fists a couple of times.
So, was it really because she had been in the palace for too long and missed Ah Nian?
Qi Zhenzhen was amused and exasperated. "Your Daddy is busy right now. Once he's done, he'll definitely play with An'an."
After saying that, she felt that her explanation was useless. Such a young child, even if she showed some intelligence, couldn't possibly understand.
Unexpectedly, after Qi Zhenzhen finished speaking, Gu Sui'an cried even harder.
Qi Zhenzhen was completely bewildered.