After two days, Bai Xilie returned to his busy political duties.
Prince Kang repeatedly submitted requests, hoping to take Zhi’er back to the Imperial Mansion for a day, saying that the several children at home all missed their younger sister.
He pleaded many times, and Bai Xilie, considering that he himself had no time and feared little Zhi’er might feel bored,
simply agreed to Prince Kang’s request.
However, Bai Xilie arranged for twenty members of the Imperial Guard, along with Qingmei and four other Palace Attendants, to accompany them.
He also instructed Prince Kang to return his precious daughter before it got dark.
Prince Kang agreed without hesitation.
After breakfast, Bai Zhi’er waved her little hand to her father and left the palace with Prince Kang to visit the mansion.
It wasn’t her first visit, but every time, the entire family of Prince Kang would welcome her with great excitement.
To avoid boring the little one,
Prince Kang, along with Princess Consort Kang, his eldest son Bai Yaoyu, and his second son Bai Daoyan, all accompanied Bai Zhi’er to play hide and seek.
This was her favorite game, which she often played with Qingmei in the palace.
The little one slipped away from the sight of the Palace Attendants, trotted on her tiny feet to the backyard, ready to find a picturesque spot to hide.
She inadvertently entered an exquisitely beautiful little courtyard.
The small bridges and flowing water added a touch of elegance.
But for some reason, there was not a soul in sight.
Bai Zhi’er decided to hide here!
However, she saw a sneaky figure emerge from the house in the courtyard.
The person, looking about eight years old, hunched over, slowly sneaked out with their back toward Bai Zhi’er, quietly closing the door.
"What are you doing here, huh?" Her cute little voice suddenly appeared behind the boy.
Bai Fengqing let out a frightened scream.
He turned around, breathing heavily with lingering fear.
After realizing it was just a little girl who looked like a carved jade doll, Bai Fengqing finally exhaled a relieved breath.
"You scared me to death! Why do you walk without making any sound!"
Bai Zhi’er blinked, looking at the boy who had a slight resemblance to Prince Kang.
He had a robust face, with large eyes that radiated intelligence.
Bai Zhi’er chirped, "There was sound, I walked over the bridge and even snapped a tree branch!"
"You..." Bai Fengqing was about to argue with this little bundle,
when suddenly, voices could be heard from the courtyard entrance.
His expression changed: "Oh no!"
Bai Fengqing grabbed Bai Zhi’er’s little hand and pulled her to hide behind a clump of bushes.
A maid, gently assisting a gracefully elegant woman, slowly walked over the water bridge.
"Concubine, if you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t have gone to pay respects to the Madam. You see, the Madam wasn’t in her room, we came for nothing, and she won’t even remember your good intentions!" the maid prattled on.
The concubine smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned.
"Paying respects to the Madam is customary; even if she’s not present, I mustn’t disrupt tradition."
The maid huffed, "Only you’re so good-tempered. The Madam clearly doesn’t favor you. She can’t win the Prince’s heart herself, yet she blames you."
"Lixiang, don’t speak ill of the Madam. Being able to serve the Prince is my blessing. I have no other desires but for the Prince to be happy."
After finishing, she followed the maid into the house.
Bai Zhi’er heard the little boy beside her let out a "hmpf."
He muttered in a lowered voice, "Pretentious little fox spirit! Wait till my mouse frightens you!"
Bai Zhi’er blinked her long lashes, eyes clear and innocent.
She had seen fox spirits before, and they were far more beautiful than that woman.
Two terrified screams came from inside the house—
"Where did this dead mouse come from!"