Emperor Yongning said again, "If my daughter is found, I think she would be obedient, cute, and a bit silly."
If Jun Ning heard these words, he would definitely say, "Ahem, you might have misunderstood me! Obedient? Cute? Silly? Sorry, he doesn't know how to write those three characters."
All he knew now was to quickly tell Jun Yu about his need for rapeseed and then leave immediately.
The Dog Emperor was currently too old to see people clearly, but he wouldn't stay blind forever. Given some time, he would definitely realize that he was dressed as a woman to meet Jun Yu.
By now, Xiao Lizi already felt something was amiss.
The playmate chosen for the Seventeenth Prince, upon entering the palace, shouldn't they first pay respects to the Empress? Why come to this cave?
Xiao Lizi privately investigated, and it seemed this cave was the Seventeenth Prince's secret base, where he usually came quietly by himself, stayed for a while, and left alone. Nobody knew about it.
The way these two, one big and one small, openly came over was very strange.
"Your Majesty, there's something off about that palace maid and little girl."
Emperor Yongning rolled his eyes at Xiao Lizi, who immediately knelt in fear, "…Your Majesty."
"What's so off about it? It's just a little girl, and she looks about the same age as the Seventeenth. What could she possibly understand?" Emperor Yongning sneered, "Don't use an adult's view to assess children; their world is simple and pure."
Emperor Yongning firmly believed that the little girl was just going to play with the little Seventeenth, nothing to doubt.
But Xiao Lizi still felt it wasn't that simple.
He heavily kowtowed to Emperor Yongning, saying, "Your Majesty, just in case, shouldn't we go and have a look?"
"We won't go." Emperor Yongning said in an uncompromising tone, "The little Seventeenth doesn't usually like to talk and is quite introverted. It's hard to come by someone his age to play with him. This is a good thing. Besides, it's their first meeting; do you think it's appropriate for us adults to interfere?"
This...
Emperor Yongning seemed in good spirits and answered his own question, "It's not appropriate. If we spoil it, it would be bad."
"Why would it be bad?" Xiao Lizi was puzzled, "If he loses one playmate, we can find another! There are plenty outside the palace."
Upon saying this, Xiao Lizi noticeably felt the Emperor's entire aura turn colder as if a treasured possession he favored was ruthlessly taken from him before it could reach him.
Xiao Lizi broke out in a cold sweat, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and secretly observed Emperor Yongning's expression, seeing that he kept staring at the little girl without retracting his gaze, with a touch of affection. He instantly understood why.
Your Majesty wasn't just finding a playmate for his son. He had hidden intentions, he liked that little girl and wanted her to get along well with the Seventeenth Prince, hoping she could stay by the Seventeenth Prince's side. That way, he could often see that little girl and alleviate his longing for his daughter.
After figuring this out, Xiao Lizi quickly amended his previous statement, saying, "That little girl is quite good; she's the most suitable person to be a playmate for the Seventeenth Prince. It was just me being shortsighted."
Hearing these words, the coldness on Emperor Yongning finally dissipated.
Meanwhile, Jun Ning felt uneasy about the persistent, scorching gaze directed at his back, fearing that if he delayed any longer, Emperor Yongning might notice something.