Feng Fuce couldn’t help but sit up straight.
He feigned indifference: "What do you want him for?"
Bai Zhi’er shuffled the white bones laid on the ground with her little hands.
She puffed up her pink cheeks and held up a piece to examine it.
Her voice was sweet: "Hmm, of course I find it strange."
"Every time we meet, he can pick oranges for me, but here in the largest Orange Garden in the palace, there are no oranges!"
At this point, the little one turned her head: "Yikes? Brother Fu Ce, are there other places in this palace with orange trees?"
Feng Fuce pursed his thin lips, and his jawline tightened.
He pondered for a moment before saying: "In such a vast imperial palace, there should be other places, right?"
Bai Zhi’er seemed thoughtful.
After a moment, her big watery eyes curved into a smile.
"Regardless, Brother Fu Ce, can you help me find him? But, do it quietly, so Brother Juzi doesn’t know and get scared."
Feng Fuce nodded lightly, hesitating to speak.
He didn’t intend to ask, but couldn’t resist.
"If you find out that this so-called Brother Juzi has deceived you, would you... be angry?" Feng Fuce’s gaze was deep as he looked at the little one.
Bai Zhi’er thought for a moment: "What would he lie to me about?"
Feng Fuce paused: "For instance, if he is not a eunuch."
"Oh~ that’s okay!" The little one smiled sweetly, her pink cheeks soft, adorable: "He’s Zhi’er’s friend, no matter what his status is, it’s not important~"
Just then, anxious voices came from the doorway.
"Zhi’er! Uncle Three’s darling, are you alright?" Prince Kang’s booming voice was the most distinct.
Upon hearing this, Feng Fuce stood up, nodded to the little one: "I’ll remember what you said."
Bai Zhi’er immediately nodded, very happy: "Thank you, Brother Fu Ce!"
After speaking, Bai Xilie and the others rushed in quickly.
"Zhi Bao!" Bai Xilie was the first to rush over and hold the little one in his arms.
He glanced aside and saw Feng Fuce here.
Bai Xilie nodded, his tone quite appreciative: "Marquis Wan, I heard it was you who led people to rescue the Princess just in time."
"You have done a great service in this matter. When I return, I will think about how to reward you properly. You may withdraw for now."
Feng Fuce remained calm and composed, nodding slightly before making his exit.
At this moment, Bai Xilie finally felt lingering fear, looking at his daughter’s partially dry hair, he asked: "Did you get hurt anywhere? How did you fall into the dry well?"
Bai Zhi’er raised her face, warm and cheerful from the earth dragon’s smoke, smiling cutely: "Daddy, don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine, and together with Fifth Brother, we even saved a big sister."
She pointed to the white bones on the ground.
Both Prince Rui and Prince Kang stepped back in fright.
But Princess Rui, who was skilled in medicine, stepped forward to examine the remains.
She paused: "It seems she’s been dead for a few years."
Princess Consort Kang wondered: "Where is her head?"
"The head is here!" came a loud voice from the door, and Fifth Heir Bai Fengqing ran in with a skull held high, followed by several brothers.
Prince Kang grabbed Bai Fengqing’s collar: "Brat, I told you to take care of your sister; how did you let her fall into a well!"
Bai Zhi’er quickly piped up in her sweet voice: "Third Uncle, don’t blame Fifth Brother. He fell down with me accidentally while saving me!"
Only then did Prince Kang let go of Bai Fengqing, patting his son’s shoulder and changing his expression like a magic trick, smiling and nodding: "Well done, you should always stay by your sister’s side when she’s in danger."
Bai Fengqing knew his father’s temper all too well.
He shrugged, freed himself from Prince Kang’s hand, and placed the white skull on the ground.
Finally, he managed to piece together a roughly humanoid form.