CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 493: MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT IF ZHI’ER GETS SCARED?

An hour later.

Crying could be faintly heard in Xinyu Palace, where Su Yinling was.

Bai Zhi’er came with Qingmei to visit her and saw her wiping away tears.

"Aunt Yinling, the Imperial Physician just came by, are you okay?" The little one blinked her big, round, black eyes and asked.

Su Yinling leaned against the bed, rose gracefully to offer a greeting, though her lips remained pale.

"Thank you, Zhi’er, for your concern. Aunt is fine, just a little frightened. The Imperial Physician said I need some calming medicine."

As she spoke, she coughed a few times, clutching her chest.

Grandpa Su sighed by the side.

"Everything was fine, so why did you have to go to the lakeside in the rain?"

With a tone of grievance, Su Yinling replied, "Well, since it’s the start of summer, I thought I’d pick some lotus seeds to make a cooling soup for Zhi’er."

"Back in the village, it didn’t matter if it was rainy or sunny; there was never a problem. But this time, unexpectedly, I accidentally slipped into the water while stepping on the mud."

In a soft, gentle voice, Bai Zhi’er said, "Aunt Yinling, please don’t do anything so risky for my sake anymore. It makes everyone worry!"

Looking at her, Su Yinling couldn’t help but nod, though her eyes reddened again.

At this moment, Bai Xilie arrived in a hurry upon hearing the news.

His expression seemed somewhat unfriendly. Upon entering, he first looked at Bai Zhi’er to ensure his daughter was alright.

As soon as the Emperor arrived, everyone in Xinyu Palace hurriedly offered their greetings.

Su Yinling dared not be negligent and stood up as well.

"I heard you fell into the water while trying to pick lotus seeds for Zhi’er?" Bai Xilie approached her, his tone unreadable.

Su Yinling couldn’t discern his intentions, hesitated a bit, then replied, "I accidentally slipped in. The Imperial Physician said it was just a fright, nothing more pressing."

Bai Xilie held his breath, possibly about to say something reproachful.

But considering his daughter’s presence, he first said gently to Bai Zhi’er, "Zhi’er, could you wait outside for a moment, alright? Daddy needs to speak with your Aunt Yinling for a bit."

Bai Zhi’er blinked her big eyes: "Okay, but Daddy, don’t be too long. Aunt Yinling just fell into the water and still needs to rest!"

Bai Xilie smiled, "Daddy knows."

Only then did Qingmei accompany Bai Zhi’er out of the hall.

As soon as they left, Bai Xilie turned to look at Su Yinling.

His tone was rather stern: "Although you meant well for Zhi’er, what you did was truly inappropriate!"

"Yinling, you’re Uncle Su’s daughter. If any mishap were to occur, how am I to explain it to him?"

Bai Xilie’s tone was now suppressed with a hint of anger.

Upon hearing his words, Su Yinling’s face instantly showed panic: "Brother Lie, I was careless this time. Please don’t be angry."

Seeing the situation, Grandpa Su promptly got up, leaning on his cane and walking over with trembling steps.

"Emperor, my dear Ling girl meant no harm, she just loves the little princess too much. I will speak to her, please calm down."

Faced with the kindness of Grandpa Su, Bai Xilie’s stern expression softened slightly.

With his hands behind him, he said heavily, "I understand Yinling’s good intentions, but falling into the water was truly dangerous. If something happened, and it scared Zhi’er too, what then?"

Grandpa Su was anxious, fearing Bai Xilie would punish his daughter.

He nodded repeatedly, pleading, "The Emperor is right; it’s all our fault. I... I will definitely have a word with her!"

Su Yinling’s face was full of grievance.

She just wanted to make something for Bai Zhi’er to eat. Why did falling into the water result in Bai Xilie’s lack of understanding and rebuke instead?

Grandpa Su, being timid, almost burst into tears upon seeing Bai Xilie’s stern face.

"Emperor, in view of the friendship between me and your father, please forgive Ling girl this time. I... I will kneel to you."