Back in their own carriage.
Zhi’er looked adorable and well-behaved: "I had so much fun today, big brother, take me back to the palace!"
Bai Xuanmo raised his eyebrows: "Going back already? I still want to take you to the residence to play for a while. What if you hide from me next time, Little Ball?"
"I won’t! Following big brother around, I met such fun people. I can’t wait to go back and tell father that today, I met someone who cried and called me grandma!"
The little one said this with a proud lift of her milky white face, looking sweet and charming.
Hearing this, Bai Xuanmo couldn’t help but let out a mellow, low laugh.
"Alright, it’s settled. If big brother comes looking for you, Little Ball don’t hide, or big brother will feel sad."
Before returning to the palace, Bai Xuanmo bought several scallion pancakes for Bai Zhi’er to take with her.
Because she was so absorbed in playing, the little one forgot to return the Poisonous Insect and took it into the palace.
The day before Chinese New Year’s Eve.
The Emperor attends one more morning court session, and then the entire court will enter rest until the fifth day of the new year.
So today is the last day of the old year to attend court, with many matters urgently needing conclusion.
However, on this day, Bai Xilie couldn’t get up from bed.
In Ruizhu Palace, on Bai Zhi’er’s large bed.
Bai Xilie was sprawled out, sleeping soundly!
Last night, he came to tell his daughter a bedtime story and ended up lulling himself to sleep!
In the end, it was the little one who covered him with a quilt and shook her head in wonder: "An overly worrisome father."
By morning, Bai Zhi’er was already up. After washing up, she stood by the bed and looked at Bai Xilie, who was still in dreamland.
At the door, Eunuch Quan Xi’s anxious voice came, unable to urge but having to speak—
"Emperor, it’s time for morning court. Are you up?"
Bai Xilie didn’t hear a thing, still lost in his sweet dream.
Bai Zhi’er stood by the bed, extended her small hand, grabbed her father’s arm, and tugged.
"Father, wake up, the sun is shining on your butt, even Zhi’er is up, why are you still being lazy!"
Hearing his daughter’s voice, Bai Xilie replied groggily: "Good Zhi’er..."
He turned over and went back to sleep.
Bai Zhi’er tugged twice more: "Father, wake up and be the Emperor, if you don’t work hard, how will you support the children!"
Bai Xilie didn’t answer her this time.
Instead, he hugged his pillow tighter, muttering, "My dear, don’t run, I just want to see you, won’t force you to stay, don’t go! I’m so tired, please hold me."
Bai Zhi’er listened with wide eyes, patted her forehead with her little hand, and shook her head helplessly.
"Sigh, father is chasing mother around in his dreams again."
Thinking of Bai Xilie’s recent busyness and exhaustion.
Bai Zhi’er huffed and puffed, covering him with the quilt again.
She opened the door of Ruizhu Palace, where Qingmei was talking to Eunuch Quan Xi.
Seeing Bai Zhi’er come out, Eunuch Quan Xi looked delighted and peeked behind her: "Princess, has the Emperor risen? May this servant go in to serve him?"
Bai Zhi’er shook her little head: "Nope, father is too tired, let him rest well."
"Ah? But the morning court hasn’t been canceled in advance, the Ministers are already in the Jinluan Palace waiting."
Bai Zhi’er lifted her fiery red dress and stepped lightly over the threshold.
"I know, today Zhi’er will attend court on behalf of father."
Qingmei and Eunuch Quan Xi were both taken aback—