This explanation could be considered reasonable, so Qiong Hua no longer doubted. She believed Jun Ning’s words.
However, she didn’t eat the chicken leg; instead, she secretly hid it away, planning to save it for Jun Ning’s next meal.
Jun Ning was really too thin; she hoped he could gain a bit of weight to look more like a boy.
Yet, when it was time for Jun Ning’s next meal and he saw the chicken leg again, he didn’t eat it. He insisted on Qiong Hua eating it. When Qiong Hua refused, he threatened to starve himself by not eating any meals in the future to force her to eat.
In the end, that chicken leg was eaten, but Qiong Hua and Jun Ning shared it, each eating half.
Not only would Jun Ning threaten her, but she would also threaten Jun Ning.
Afterwards, the palace became slightly unsettled.
Members of the Imperial Guard were searching everywhere for the child who had played a prank near the Imperial Kitchen on Emperor Yongning and the Imperial Chefs that day.
Emperor Yongning issued a deadly command, stating that no matter how much time or cost it took, the person must be found and brought before him.
To find a child should not be too difficult by reasoning.
Because besides princes, princesses, and various companions, there generally were no other children in the palace.
Since it wasn’t a prince or princess, they should start the search from the companions.
However, despite checking all the companions, not a single two or three-year-old boy was found.
Moreover, Jun Ning’s face was covered with flour that day, making it impossible to tell his original appearance, thus making it even harder to find him.
It was no different from searching for a needle in a haystack.
To find him now requires searching palace by palace.
No one could say when it would be the Cold Palace’s turn.
After hearing about this, Jun Ning decided to keep a low profile and no longer sneak out during the day to find food. Instead, he chose a time every night to slip out, take a stroll, and bring back some food.
Every time his mother saw the delicious food he brought back, she would interrogate him once. Initially, he fabricated various lies to deal with her, and fortunately, they worked.
However, one lie needed countless more to cover it.
Gradually, Qiong Hua sensed something was wrong and started questioning him more thoroughly.
Jun Ning was interrogated daily to the point where he forgot what he had originally said, thus failing to cover up the lies he had told, as Qiong Hua noticed.
Ultimately, he could only truthfully explain to his mother where the food had come from.
However, he only confessed where he got the food, and said nothing about his prank on the Imperial Chef and Emperor Yongning.
Qiong Hua was already frightened enough just hearing this.
"Listen, dear, if you dare sneak out again, don’t consider me your mother anymore."
Qiong Hua was very serious, not joking or simply trying to scare Jun Ning.
Jun Ning, feeling aggrieved and confused, asked, "Mother, why can’t I sneak out even a little bit? I really don’t want to eat those cold and hard flatbreads every day."
Qiong Hua did not immediately answer but instead hugged Jun Ning tightly in her arms. After a while, she choked on her words, saying, "Because your mother doesn’t want to lose you; she wants you to grow up safely."
If Qiong Hua had truly said these words to a two or three-year-old child, they might not have understood the problem.
But Jun Ning’s consciousness and comprehension were not those of a typical two or three-year-old.
He clearly understood the meaning behind Qiong Hua’s words.
There were people outside the Cold Palace who wished him harm.
Who this person was remained unknown for the time being. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝
But since those people outside were looking for him, it was wise for him to remain cautious at this time.
Until the commotion from this incident passed, Jun Ning obediently stayed in the Cold Palace without running around.
Those searching the various palaces—to some extent—seemed to automatically overlook the Cold Palace, as its door was never knocked by them.