The East Palace was where the Crown Prince resided, and unauthorized personnel were forbidden from approaching. Therefore, the palace maids and eunuchs here were all personally selected by Emperor Cheng, each one of them being tight-lipped and unlikely to reveal Crown Prince Xiao Jinheng's return.
Even though Xiao Jinheng had been living in Dashui Village for years, the East Palace had been kept spotlessly clean and tidy.
"Your Highness, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" Kong Xingzhuo approached Xiao Jinheng, asking with a smile.
Xiao Jinheng cast a cold glance at him. "Commander Kong, if you dare to keep me in suspense again, I'll forbid you from marrying for ten years!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "......"
My young master, you are truly ruthless.
Forbidding him from marrying for three years had already been cruel enough, and now ten years was even worse.
It would be better to just let him remain single...
"Your Highness, do you want to hear it?" Kong Xingzhuo grinned foolishly, his eyes disappearing in his joy.
Xiao Jinheng frowned and put down the bronze mirror. "What's the good news?"
"Your Highness, if I tell you, can you retract your previous words?" Kong Xingzhuo pleaded.
Seeing others in pairs, he also longed to find a partner...
Xiao Jinheng was slightly surprised. "Retract what words?"
What was with this fellow today, being so inexplicable?
Kong Xingzhuo rubbed his hands together. "It's, it's about you forbidding me from marrying, you see. If I really meet someone suitable, can I start dating them? When we get married is something for three to five years later, okay?"
Xiao Jinheng: "......"
What does this kid's head think about all day?
It's either dating or finding a wife. Can't you have any other pursuits?
"Alright, deal!" Xiao Jinheng nodded, crossing his arms. "Can you tell me now?"
Seeing that His Highness had agreed without even thinking, Kong Xingzhuo was ecstatic. "Your Highness, guess who I just saw?"
If the young master saw Sweet Baby right now, he'd be so happy he'd faint...
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinheng kicked him. "You scoundrel, are you still playing coy? Spit it out!"
"Your Highness, I just saw Sweet Baby, and Sister-in-law Shanshan is here too!" Kong Xingzhuo shook his head.
Xiao Jinheng's eyes widened in disbelief. "You, you said what? The little village girl entered the palace?"
How was this possible? Didn't the little village girl say she didn't want to come to the capital yet? How could she suddenly be in the imperial palace...
"Did you see wrong?" Xiao Jinheng asked suspiciously, his expression very serious. "If you dare to deceive me, I'll have you castrated!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "......"
He's getting more and more cruel.
How would he dare to joke with His Highness about such a thing? That would be seeking trouble.
"It's, it's true!" Kong Xingzhuo pointed outside. "Just now, I saw Princess Xinling taking Sweet Baby and Sister-in-law Shanshan to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. If you don't believe me, Your Highness, you can go and see for yourself!"
"Hall of Mental Cultivation." Xiao Jinheng's heart raced, and the joy on his face was unhidden.
Well, the little village girl must miss him. After all, they had never been apart for so long since they were young...
With that thought, he darted out of the East Palace and hurried towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Kong Xingzhuo was wiping the table with a cloth, completely unaware that the young prince had already left. He continued to mutter, "Alas, the bad news is that Sweet Baby seems to have encountered some urgent matter. Oh dear, that fellow is so anxious, it's like his house is on fire. Your Highness should hurry over and take a look. After all, something has happened to the old Yun family, and you can't just ignore it, right?"
"Huh? Your, Your Highness?"
"Where did he go?"
Kong Xingzhuo turned around. The vast hall was empty. Only a few young palace maids were gathered at the door, secretly glancing at Kong Xingzhuo and occasionally letting out girlish giggles.
Kong Xingzhuo: "......"
Good heavens, as soon as he heard Sweet Baby was here, even the East Palace couldn't hold you back.
If the Second Prince saw you running out so recklessly without even wearing your mask, what would happen!
Alas, love truly makes people foolish...
Kong Xingzhuo grumbled as he took out a mask and put it on.
As Xiao Jinheng's personal guard, he, along with Xiao Ying, Xiao Jun, and even Granny Jin, could not have their true faces seen, as it would cause a lot of trouble.
Xiao Jinheng ran all the way and directly into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Fortunately, there were very few people along the way, and no one noticed him.
Seeing the little village girl sitting on a long bench, holding a teacup, and swinging her little feet, Xiao Jinheng suppressed his inner excitement and slowly stepped forward, clearing his throat...
"Cough, cough, little village girl!"
"Hmm?"
Xiao Xitian paused for a moment, then turned to look. She saw the brat wearing a dark green brocade robe, a golden silk belt around his waist, his black hair tied up high, exuding an extraordinary presence.
It was just that his height was a bit... he couldn't quite fill out such a robe.
Before Xiao Xitian could speak, Xiao Xinling rushed over, pinched Xiao Jinheng's ear, and kept looking outside. "You little crybaby, Father Emperor told you to stay in the East Palace obediently. What are you doing running out? And without even wearing your mask, are you out of your mind?"
To meet Sweet Baby, you're taking too much of a risk...
"Oh, Elder Sister, hurry up and let go!" Xiao Jinheng pushed Xiao Xinling away, looking aggrieved. "I know what I'm doing!"
After speaking, he ignored Xiao Xinling and instead took Xiao Xitian's hand, feigning anger. "The weather is so cold, why did you come to the imperial palace?"
If she caught a cold and something happened, how heartbroken would he be.
Xiao Xinling: "......"
So sour.
Did you know how to date since you were just born? Your talent for it is maxed out.
Xiao Xitian smiled. "Sister-in-law Shanshan is taking care of me, so I'm fine!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinheng glanced at Du Tieshan and said gratefully, "Thank you, Sister-in-law Shan, for taking care of her on the way!"
Du Tieshan: "???"
Why did she feel like she was here to deliver a bride?
"It's, it's nothing. Sweet Baby is my little sister-in-law, of course, I have to take good care of her!" Du Tieshan twitched her lips.
Xiao Jinheng grunted and looked at Xiao Xinling. "Elder Sister, immediately arrange a superior guest room for Sister-in-law Shan, and prepare plenty of food and drinks. She must not be neglected!"
Xiao Xinling: "......"
Good heavens, you little brat, who are you ordering around here?
I'm not your palace maid.
But she had a good impression of Du Tieshan, so she pulled her away to rest...
"Little village girl, I'll take you somewhere. Let's go!" Xiao Jinheng put on his mask and then led Xiao Xitian's hand as they walked out.
Xiao Xitian blinked her big eyes, curiously asking, "Go, go where?"
Xiao Jinheng turned his head, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and said, "You'll know when we get there..."