CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 56: THIS WRETCHED GIRL IS PRETTY CAUTIOUS...

Nangong Mo at this moment was like a ’qualified blind man,’ completely oblivious to the white-eyed glance Yun Ran floated towards him.

The Empress Dowager squinted her eyes with a smile, "Jiulang is right, Yue, since you’re here, stay for a few more days, accompany your Imperial Grandmother well, hmm?"

Yun Ran: "..."

Can she say no?

"In the past, Jiulang was far away at the border. It was difficult for me to see him even once in a year! Looking back at those eleven years, I only saw him five times!"

"Each time, it was just a hurried meeting and then he would return to the perilous border. I could only gaze longingly at the moon from thousands of miles away, worrying about his safety, my heart like being cut by a knife."

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but shed tears at the sad memory.

Yun Ran’s heart clenched, realizing how difficult their grandmother-grandson reunions had been!

Unable to resist, she went forward to hold the Empress Dowager’s arm, softly comforting her:

"Imperial Grandmother, don’t be sad! Now that His Highness is back in the capital, you can summon him to the palace anytime you wish to see him."

"Since you can’t bear to part with us, we’ll stay a few more days, until you get tired of us, okay?"

Her words made the Empress Dowager break into a smile, she reached out to pat Yun Ran’s hair, full of affection, "Such a thoughtful child! I am happy! Happy for Jiulang too!"

As they spoke, Mrs. Hong came in holding a tray, filled with brocade, silver thread, needle and thread, drawings, and other items.

"Empress Dowager, I’ve brought everything you asked for."

"Good, good! Now, thread a needle for me, I haven’t done needlework in a long time."

Yun Ran looked at the tray, then at the Empress Dowager, "Imperial Grandmother, are you... making clothes for His Highness?"

Isn’t that pattern a bit too cute?

"Not for him, I’m planning to make some beautiful little clothes for my future imperial grandson～"

"???"

"..."

Yun Ran’s mouth twitched, her mind in chaos.

Where did this imperial grandson come from...

The Empress Dowager patted her hand, smiling kindly, "Although it’s a bit early, time flies, and I’m preparing in advance."

Yun Ran: "..."

Is it really just a bit early?

"Imperial Grandmother is absolutely right."

Suddenly hearing Nangong Mo’s voice, Yun Ran really wanted to rush over and slap his head.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed, "You two are not much help here. The weather is nice outside, why don’t you both go for a stroll in the garden."

"If you get tired, take a nap, it’s okay to wake up late, I’ll have lunch sent to you."

Yun Ran: "..."

Was it just her imagination?

She felt there was more to the Empress Dowager’s words, not just about sleeping...

Nangong Mo cooperatively turned his wheelchair towards the door, still reminding her:

"Lin Wanyue, catch up quickly."

Yun Ran: "..."

[I’ll catch up and slap you to the ground, face down! So hard that you can’t get back up!]

Nangong Mo: "..."

...

Yun Ran pushed Nangong Mo directly to the pavilion where he fed fish that day, placing a small basket full of fish food into his arms.

"Your Highness, just feed the fish here, okay?"

With that, she turned around dashingly.

But was pulled back by Nangong Mo.

She stumbled, looked back, and shot him a glare, "Let go of your paw."

"Where are you going?"

"I’m just taking a walk, enjoying some flowers."

Nangong Mo’s gaze lingered on her face momentarily, then he reminded her in a subtle tone, "Don’t run around, be careful you don’t get caught and have your legs broken."

Yun Ran: "..."

[This bastard! Can’t he wish me well just once?]

"Your Highness, what are you saying! I am Princess Qin, who dares break my legs? Only I can break others’, alright?"

Maybe there are people in the palace she can’t beat, but she can run!

Her qinggong has recovered about 60%, running for her life is not a problem.

Her words seemed to please the man, his thin lips curved into a captivating smile.

"Is this what they call a dog relying on its master’s power?"

Yun Ran: "..."

[Who are you calling a dog? Are you polite? Bastard!]

After Yun Ran’s figure disappeared, Nangong Mo summoned Feng Xuan, instructing him to protect her in secret.

Feng Xuan initially wanted to say that as Nangong Mo’s personal shadow guard, his primary duty was to protect his safety.

But... he swallowed the words that came to his mouth, and with a flicker, he followed her.

Yun Ran wasn’t actually going to admire flowers; she wanted to explore some things about Nangong Mo’s birth mother.

But, she gained little.

She found out that the palace personnel who knew the secrets of those years were all secretly dealt with, and now there were few in the palace who knew what really happened back then.

But this also indicated that the matter was a royal scandal that was heavily concealed.

If it wasn’t severe, why would the once-emperor-favored Nangong Mo be disfavored?

Yun Ran decided to think of another way.

There are no walls in the world that do not leak air; if she can’t find answers in the palace, she will go outside the palace to search.

The ever-shadowing Feng Xuan felt troubled, unsure whether he should inform Nangong Mo about Yun Ran’s secret inquiries into his mother’s affairs.

The matter of the Imperial Concubine was a heavy blow to the master back then.

After years of battlefield slaughter, that scar was slowly buried by the wind and sand, hidden deep within time.

He could see that the master really treated the princess differently.

Now that she is secretly investigating the matter, he is uncertain of her intentions.

If she were an enemy, it would hurt the master...

Despite many considerations, years of following had etched loyalty and transparency deep into his bones.

Feng Xuan still reported the matter to Nangong Mo.

Nangong Mo’s eyes only flickered slightly, his expression remaining calm and composed.

For some reason, he inexplicably trusted that the girl was merely curious and had no ill will toward him.

If she wants to know about his past, he will find a way to tell her.

...

At night, the stars shone like water, the moon cold and the wind eerie.

Yun Ran occasionally snuck a glance at Nangong Mo to see if he had fallen asleep.

Though Nangong Mo had his eyes closed, he was fully aware of her little movements.

It seemed that if he didn’t fall asleep first, this girl wouldn’t plan to sleep tonight?

Helpless, Nangong Mo soon ’fell asleep.’

Yun Ran listened to his even breathing, observing secretly for a while longer.

[He shouldn’t be pretending to sleep, right?]

Nangong Mo: "..." This cautious girl?

Yun Ran watched a bit longer before extending a paw to wave in front of Nangong Mo’s eyes, whispering to him:

"Nangong Mo? Your Highness? Bastard? Nangong Wuchi? You dropped your silver!"

"..."

[No reaction?]

[Seems like he’s really asleep!]

Yun Ran carefully got up, took out a brocade box and opened it, the light from the luminous pearl instantly illuminated the entire space.

With one hand holding the luminous pearl, she quietly lifted Nangong Mo’s quilt.

Gently grabbing his trouser leg, she slowly started to roll it upwards...