Chapter 341: Plotting Against the Princess

Chapter 341: Plotting Against the Princess

"Hmph, a refined and gentle prince? He’d be torn apart by wild beasts!" Xiaoyue said.

"Gotcha, Auntie!" Xiaoyu Heng understood. He walked over and leaned next to his aunt, saying, "Auntie, why not marry Imperial Doctor Wen?"

"Whack!"

Xiaoyue directly slapped the back of Xiaoyu Heng's head.

"Ouch, Auntie, what if you knock some sense out of me?" Xiaoyu Heng rubbed the back of his head and said.

"It’d be better if you stopped overthinking things." As Xiaoyue spoke, she glanced at her daughter sleeping on the bed. She turned her head and said, "Wen Xu deserves someone kinder and more gentle!"

"Oh, Auntie’s not exactly gentle!" Xiaoyu Heng said.

"What?" Xiaoyue frowned at her nephew, feeling like giving him another slap.

Ruo Xi Baby woke up from a long nap to find it was already dark outside.

The moment she opened her eyes, Nanny Gui picked her up, changed her diaper, cleaned her up, and dressed her before carrying her to the dining room.

Mo Jingyu brought over a bowl of rice cake he’d made himself.

"Xier, I spent the day learning from Nurse Jin. Go on, give it a try!" Mo Jingyu said.

"Yum!" Ruo Xi Baby immediately opened her mouth and took a big bite.

She was all smiles.

Elder Brother Jingyu really came through. His rice cake tasted just like Nurse Jin’s—so good!

"Have some more!" Mo Jingyu fed the baby rice cake, his voice soft and gentle.

He held the baby with one arm, letting her sit on his lap, leaning slightly, and feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Even Shui Qianqiu and the others couldn’t help laughing.

"Who knew such a young boy could be so great with kids!" Shui Qianqiu said.

"Is this boy a royal prince?" Wang Shi asked.

"This is Mo Jingyu!" Xiaoyue said.

"Mo..." Shui Qianqiu's expression slightly stiffened, then he nodded: "The seventh prince of Xiyue—I’ve heard he’s a rare young genius. Truly!"

"Mm," Xiaoyue nodded, agreeing with Shui Qianqiu's words.

Ci Xin watched Mo Jingyu feeding Ruo Xi Baby, his brow twitching slightly, as if he were thinking...

"Hey, do you think this kid might grow up and whisk Xier away?" Ci Xin asked Wen Xu.

"As long as he treats Xier well, we’ll just keep an eye on her!" Wen Xu said.

Shui Qianqiu didn’t exactly enjoy the meal either.

The Lan family was gone, and with one family missing, the Five Elements Clan was no longer complete.

So, this year's Water Chestnut Picking Competition would have to be adjusted again.

"By the way, where is Miss Liu?" Wang Shi asked curiously. "I saw her come back in the evening, how come she went out again?"

"Oh, she took Lin'er out shopping!" Ci Xin said.

"General Yuan Hui and Miss Hongmei are out too!" Shui Qianqiu said.

"Yes, General Yuan took Hongmei out of the city; they might not return today!" Ci Xin added.

"Outside the city?" Shui Qianqiu muttered.

"Lately, it’s been quite unsafe outside the city, so it’s best to be cautious!" Wang Shi said.

"Not exactly, but recently, a group of refugees has been spotted outside the city, and they’ve been robbing travelers. When you arrived, it was likely because it was daytime and your group was large, so they didn’t dare make a move—otherwise, it could have been disastrous!" Wang Shi explained.

"As the Great Clan Elder of the Five Elements Clan, hasn’t Shui Qianqiu handled this?" Xiaoyu Heng asked.

"Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t want to deal with it, but it’s impossible. By the time I arrive with my men, they’ve usually scattered. They usually scatter and regroup at specific times. Our Five Elements Clan has been patrolling extensively, but we’ve found nothing and even suffered losses!" Shui Qianqiu said.

"Oh, this piques my interest!" Xiaoyu Heng said.

"Heng'er, don’t act recklessly. This is outside Chizhou City—if there’s no trouble, don’t stir any up!" Xiaoyue said, then added, "General Yuan has brought three thousand cavalry, but they’re here to build embankments, not to meddle in Chizhou’s affairs—so don’t act rashly!"

This is the common rule of the Great Wei Empire, and indeed, the entire world.

The army has designated areas for combat, protection, and operations. Without a request for aid, one must not interfere in other regions’ affairs.

So, even if Yuan Hui brought cavalry, they won’t act without direct orders from the princess or prince.

Of course, if the princess or prince is in danger, they’ll prioritize rescuing them.

"I just want to go out and look around—I’m not planning to cause any trouble!" Xiaoyu Heng said.

"Oh, Shui Qianqiu and his wife are quite wicked, Mother. Why don’t we grant their wish and take the baby out of the city to play?" Ruo Xi Baby grabbed her mother's clothes, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her mother.

Xiaoyue looked down at her daughter, smiled, and tapped her little nose, saying, "What’s this? Missing your brother?"

"Yes!" Ruo Xi Baby nodded eagerly.

"The little princess is so clever and adorable—look, she’s already so mature and can answer questions!" Wang Shi immediately said.

Ruo Xi Baby turned to look at Wang Shi, then turned back and sighed softly: "Most likely, her husband poisoned her. The slow-acting toxin has already seeped into her bone marrow, and she’ll probably die from heart failure."

Xiaoyue heard her daughter's thoughts, her eyelids drooped, then she looked up at Wang Shi and smiled, saying, "Madam, why don’t you join us later for a trip outside the city? I’ve heard that for the water caltrop picking competition, both the city and its outskirts have been beautifully decorated."

"I..." Wang Shi glanced at Shui Qianqiu.

"Then, Madam, you should accompany them. It’s the princess’s invitation—you must attend to her properly!" Shui Qianqiu said.

Wen Xu, who had been silent on the side, seeing the conversation between Wang Shi and Xiaoyue, also said, "I was supposed to study medical books tonight, but why don’t I join you instead!"

"Good!" Xiaoyue nodded.

Though Wen Xu’s skills are modest, he’s still capable of defending himself and taking down a few foes.

After a quick meal, Ruo Xi Baby was carried by her mother into the carriage, where Ci Xin and Wen Xu also sat, while Xiaoyu Heng and Mo Jingyu rode ahead on horseback.

"Jingyu, why do you think Auntie wants to come out in the middle of the night? There’s nothing interesting out here!" Xiaoyu Heng looked around and said.

"To find ghosts!" Mo Jingyu said slowly.

"Ah?" Xiaoyu Heng looked around warily.

"The Five Elements Clan is planning to target the princess!" Mo Jingyu fell behind, Xiaoyu Heng also pulled the horse's reins, slowly approaching Mo Jingyu.