Chapter 253: Finding Ci Xin at Drunken Joy Pavilion

Chapter 253: Finding Ci Xin at Drunken Joy Pavilion

"So what? I have never believed in such things. Do you believe them?" Xiao Yin said.

"Your younger sister naturally does not believe them either, but brother, the hearts of people are fearsome, and their words even more so. The townsfolk aren't good at judging, and most of them are superstitious about these things. If too much is spread, the false becomes true," Xiaoyue said.

Xiao Yin glanced at Ruo Xi Baby, signaling Xiaoyue to listen to her daughter.

However, at this moment, Ruo Xi Baby was drowsy and about to fall asleep.

She had been dragged out of bed early in the morning by her uncle, and now she was truly tired and sleepy.

But feeling the gaze of her uncle and mother, Ruo Xi Baby mustered her spirits, looked at them, and listened to their analysis.

"It's good for Little Heart to go too. He needs to experience some hardship to grow," Ruo Xi Baby thought.

Little Heart has been missing for the past two days, not even attending the morning court. She didn't know where he was; her little heart was shattered.

"Right, I need to find Little Heart and comfort him!" Ruo Xi Baby thought, turning her head to look outside, pointing her little finger and babbling.

"Xier, do you want to go out?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Mm!" Ruo Xi Baby nodded: "Let's go find Little Heart!"

"Then let's go out for a walk," Xiaoyue said, glancing at the emperor, then informing him before standing up and carrying her daughter out.

As the carriage left the palace, Ruo Xi Baby seized the chance to nap.

She was truly sleepy; the little baby simply couldn't resist the drowsiness.

When Ruo Xi Baby woke up, before even opening her eyes, the aroma of roast duck filled her nose.

"I thought you were hiding in some corner grieving, but you ran here to eat and drink for two days?" Xiaoyue said lightly.

"Wine and meat can drown your sorrows. The more you eat, the more you forget the unpleasantness," Ci Xin said, tearing off a tender piece of duck meat and offering it to Xiao Xi'er: "Come on, Xiao Xi'er, have a bite."

"Ah!" Ruo Xi Baby was truly greedy. She opened her mouth, and as her mother pushed Ci Xin's arm away, she had already bitten and eaten the duck meat.

"This little glutton!" Xiaoyue laughed.

"Imperial Tutor, what is the next song? Would you like to order more?" Outside, a woman's voice was as gentle as water.

Ruo Xi Baby, with delicious roast duck in her mouth, turned her head to look around. She then realized she was actually inside a brothel.

"The music at Drunken Joy Pavilion is the best!" Ci Xin said with a smile, pointing ahead: "The beauties here are also the most beautiful!"

"You've been indulging for two days straight—haven't you had your fill of food and music?" Xiaoyue directly waved her hand: "Go down!"

"It sounds lovely, Yue'er, won't you give it a listen?" Ci Xin said.

"Weren't you always so carefree? Why are you acting so defeated now? Tsk, don't let me look down on you, Ci Xin!" Xiaoyue stood up with her daughter in her arms, gently patting her: "Let's head back to the palace. You might need to go to Yunzhou tomorrow."

"I've heard about the situation in Yunzhou, but let the people talk; it doesn't matter. Let it be," Ci Xin said.

"No, if the townsfolk's beliefs change and are controlled by those with ulterior motives, they will become even more dissatisfied with the court. Then, the world will be at the mercy of those villains, who can start trouble whenever they want," Xiaoyue said.

Ci Xin looked at Ruo Xi Baby, only to see her looking at him with disdain.

Xiaoyue handed her daughter to Ci Xin and said: "Xier is your disciple, aren't you going to take care of her? If the world falls into chaos, what will become of your disciple?"

"...I'm running away with my disciple!" Ci Xin reached out, picked up Xiao Xi'er, and stuffed another piece of duck meat into her mouth.

Though Ruo Xi Baby wasn't too fond of this guy, she wouldn't resist the duck meat.

"Little Heart, the court's in turmoil; I suspect Huang Lide is plotting something. I can't leave, so you have to go to Yunzhou. The matter of the Stone Dragon Emerges from Water, if I'm not mistaken, is probably related to the queen giving birth in two months. You'll need to handle it later!"

Ruo Xi Baby looked at Ci Xin, her little mouth moving in silent communication.

"Alright, let's go, no more listening to songs. Let's head back." Ci Xin stood up, holding Xiao Xi'er, and as he walked, he said, "But hey, Xiaoyue, you're covering the bill for me."

Xiaoyue looked at the bill brought by the servant and asked, "Was he alone?"

"Yes, madam, the Imperial Tutor was alone, and he was protective of his food, not letting anyone else have any." The princess had slightly altered her appearance before arriving; otherwise, a princess visiting a brothel would have caused quite a stir.

Downstairs, people were already gossiping, mistaking Xiao Xi'er for a woman searching for her husband.

Now, seeing Xiaoyue looking at the bill, the brothel's madam came forward and said, "Oh, my dear, you clearly don't know the Imperial Tutor's appetite. He eats three roast ducks in one meal, last night he had two pounds of beef with wine, and then a whole roast suckling pig. All these little side dishes were on the house!"

"Who is the most famous musician here?" Xiaoyue asked.

"It's Madam Ru, she just arrived recently and is very popular among the officials; her songs are delightful." The brothel's madam looked at Xiaoyue and said, "Madam, the Imperial Tutor is the most favored minister of our Emperor of Great Wei. If this child is his, you should discuss it properly with him and let him take responsibility. Don't push for marriage or a settled life with him. The Imperial Tutor is too handsome to ever settle down!"

"Thud!"

A muffled sound came from outside the room.

"What's going on?" Before Xiaoyue could react, the madam quickly ran to the railing outside.

"The stairs are bad, eaten by insects and gnawed by rats!" A figure was slowly descending the stairs, each step causing a crack in the stairs.

"Oh, Imperial Tutor, Imperial Tutor, please don't be angry! This commoner just can't keep her mouth shut, always spouting nonsense!" The madam wasn't stupid; she knew exactly what was going on with the Imperial Tutor, and she quickly ran over, saying, "Imperial Tutor, this commoner is just helping you. That woman, after all, isn't as beautiful as the princess. If she clings to you, it would be hard for you to get away. No matter which wealthy family she's from, if you marry her, how could you have so much fun when you go out to play?"

"Is that so? Princess, she says you would cling to me." Ci Xin finished with a smile, holding Xiao Xi'er, and walked out.

"Pr... Princess!" The brothel's madam trembled, almost falling backward.