Translator: 549690339
Jiang Ning hugged him, wiping away his tears, and gently said: âDonât cry, Xiaoqian. Your Fifth Imperial Uncle didnât betray his promise on purpose; he was forced to make that choice.â
âI hate Third Imperial Uncle and Third Aunt. They stole our home.â
âShh, you canât say such things in the palace.â Jiang Ning used a handkerchief to wipe away his tears. âEven if your Fifth Imperial Uncle is not the Crown Prince, he still loves you the same.â
Li Tingqian said: âI want to live with Fifth Imperial Uncle and Little Aunt.â
âWhen you grow up, you can move out of the Imperial Palace and live wherever you want.â
Being the emperorâs eldest grandson and so young, the Emperor would never let him leave the palace.
After coaxing him for a while, he finally stopped crying and sat by Jiang Ningâs side, holding a food box and snacking.
Gradually, his smile returned.
As it got darker, Jiang Ning estimated that Deshan would be awake now and must be frantically searching for them. She told Xiaoqian that she would take him back to the Supreme Palace.
Xiaoqianâs smile vanished in an instant.
He stopped eating the snacks.
His little head drooped.
âWhatâs wrong?â Jiang Ning asked with a smile.
âLittle Aunt, I donât want to go back. Little Aunt, Can I go out with you?â Li Tingqian pleaded with his big eyes.
Jiang Ningâs heart softened, but she had no right to take him out of the palace.
Without permission, they couldnât even leave the palace gates.
âBe good, Xiaoqian. I canât take you out of the palace on a whim. If you want to leave, Iâll ask your imperial grandfather tomorrow. If he agrees, I can take you home.â
Li Tingqian obediently nodded and followed her back to the Supreme Palace.
As Deshan massaged his neck, he anxiously looked around. Seeing Jiang Ning and Li Tingqian return, he immediately approached and glanced at Xiaoman.
Xiaoman was calm and collected.
She didnât care about anyone except Seventh Miss.
If anyone dared to provoke her, they would get another punch.
At the entrance, Xiaoqian still looked back and said eagerly, âLittle Aunt, donât forget to ask imperial grandfather tomorrow.â
âI definitely wonât forget.â
âYour Highness, letâs go back. The Princess Consort is waiting for you,â the eunuch Deshan bowed and said, taking Xiaoqianâs hand and walking into the Supreme Palace.
Li Tingqian shook off his hand and gloomily followed.
Upon returning to his living quarters, Princess Consort Ma was already waiting.
âYour Highness, have you said anything to the Princess Consort of Yu?â she asked coldly.
Her temperament was completely opposite to the warmth she displayed in public.
Li Tingqian replied, âNo.â
âNo? Then why didnât you let Deshan follow you?â
âDeshan is useless. He couldnât even beat Xiaoman. Itâs not my fault,â Xiaoqian said.
Princess Consort Ma said: âYour Highness, since the Emperor and Empress entrusted us with your upbringing in the East Palace, we cannot spoil you excessively lest you develop bad habits. Since you were disobedient today, youâll stand in the courtyard for an hour and miss dinner. This is for your own good, so that others canât say we failed to teach you proper etiquette.â
âI wonât stand,â Li Tingqian refused. âDo you dare hit me?â
âYou are the esteemed emperorâs eldest grandson; how could I lay a hand on you?â The Princess Consortâs face was cold. âBut donât forget, your Fifth Imperial Uncle is guarding the Imperial Mausoleum. If you misbehave, the Crown Prince only needs to lift a finger to end his life. Your Little Aunt will face the same fate too.â
Li Tingqianâs little face turned deathly pale.
His mouth tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes.
âWhat are you waiting for? Go stand now!â the Princess Consort shouted. âFrom now on, youâre not allowed to meet Princess Consort of Yu, and if you do, you must not talk nonsense. Or else you know the consequences!â
She stretched out her hand and pushed him hard.
Li Tingqianâs tiny body staggered and fell to the ground..n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om