The villain prince is three and a half years old

"Why is the Ninth Prince here?" she asked. "Didn't Consort Xiao stop you?"

"They can't stop us!" Xia Jing raised his head proudly.

How could a group of adults be unable to stop a child? Could it be that Xiao Zhaoyi had some ulterior motive...

Thinking of this, Hui Jing paused. Another Zhaoyi might have been able to stop him, but Xiao Zhaoyi had few servants in her palace, and that little Tianzi from yesterday was spineless and lacking in courage, so he couldn't keep anyone under control.

"I'm here to bring some snacks to my aunt." Xia Jing reached into his arms, carefully took out a handkerchief, and placed it on Huijing's legs.

Huijing unfolded her handkerchief, revealing two mung bean cakes inside.

She suddenly remembered what the little prince said yesterday. He said he would bring jujube flower cake to thank her.

Looking at the little prince again, he timidly avoided her gaze, lowered his head, and said guiltily: "There is no jujube flower cake today, only mung bean cake."

"The mung bean cakes are also excellent. Thank you, Ninth Prince, for the gift." Huijing held the little prince in her arms, feeling both happy and distressed.

I was happy that the little prince still remembered to bring me some cakes, but I felt sad that he only had mung bean cakes!

Although mung bean cake is not bad, the ingredients are cheap and the preparation is simple. It is a folk food that ordinary palace maids can eat during festivals. Those guys in the imperial kitchen actually used mung bean cake to appease the prince!

Chapter 8: Aunt Hui, conquered!

The mung bean cake was wrapped in a handkerchief and pressed down, which looked terrible. It also tasted not very good because it had been steamed for too long.

Huijing had just eaten the cakes sent by the Imperial Household Department last night. Compared to those, this mung bean cake was not good at all.

But these two mung bean cakes made Huijing much happier than the box of cakes last night.

After eating a piece, Huijing noticed that the little prince in her arms swallowed his saliva. After all, he was a child, and he got hungry and greedy quickly.

She picked up the remaining piece and put it into her own mouth instead of giving it to the little prince.

The little prince's eyes suddenly became empty.

She smiled, asked the little prince to sit aside, went into the inner room, and took out a food box.

The food box contained various snacks, which were delivered by the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department that morning. They were not as rich as last night's, but much better than the mung bean cakes.

The food box has three layers in total, one layer of lotus cake, one layer of jujube flower cake, and one layer of red bean crystal cake.

"Here, Your Highness, have a try." She picked up a piece of lotus cake and stuffed it into Xia Jing's mouth.

Xia Jing had prepared some exaggerated praise, but when the pastry entered his mouth, he couldn't say anything.

He didn't know whether it was because this body didn't eat enough good food, or because the palace's pastry chef's skills were too superb, but even with his taste buds used to eating modern pastries, he actually felt a revelation.

"Delicious!" His words were simple and his emotions were sincere, and he looked at the remaining pastries eagerly.

This isn't the time to be polite. Being polite creates distance; asking for something in return builds a closer relationship. Just like during surgery, you're more reassured by a doctor who's given you a red envelope than one who hasn't.

It’s definitely not because of greed!

Huijing pinched another piece of jujube flower cake and a red bean crystal cake, fed them to Xia Jing, and closed the food box.

It’s not that she couldn’t bear to do so. If she wasn’t afraid of Xiao Zhaoyi’s misunderstanding, she would be willing to give the entire food box to the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince was not allowed to eat much because it was difficult for him to digest. Moreover, according to ancient medical concepts, eating until 80% full was the healthiest. There was even a rule in the harem that the princes could not eat too much and had to be hungry at all times. However, this rule was only strictly adhered to by concubines from small families.

The food box was carried back to the inner room. Huijing came back and saw the little prince frowning and looking unhappy. She thought he was sad about the snacks.

"Wait until Your Highness digests it before eating." Huijing comforted.

"Okay." Xia Jing smiled, then suddenly put it away, "I'm not thinking about that."

"What is Your Highness thinking about?" Huijing asked curiously.

Xia Jing didn't think about anything. He was just looking at the character panel. Huijing's intimacy was still 69. 69 to 70 is a hurdle and it is not easy to cross.

Fortunately, he hasn't used up all his tricks yet.

He lowered his head, his brows furrowed again, and counted on his fingers: "Aunt saved me, I gave her mung bean cakes, and she gave me delicious food. I don't have that many good things to give her."

Hui Jing was speechless and gently stroked his head. "Your Highness's thoughtfulness has made me extremely happy. Everything I have comes from the Emperor. The Emperor is your father. If you want to eat, you can come and eat. You don't need to give me anything."

Half of these words came from the heart, based on the master-servant concept, and the other half was to seduce the Ninth Prince to come more often.

Huijing is 39 years old this year. Women of this age outside the palace already have many children and grandchildren, but she has nothing. When she sees Xia Jing, a well-behaved child, she feels particularly pity for him.

"Really?" Xia Jing was surprised.

"Really." Huijing smiled.

"Mother Hui is so kind!" Xia Jing hugged her neck. In the palace, "Amu" and "Niang" refer to mother, not "Mom".

"Mother" is a respectful title for older women, and is also used to refer to wet nurses and nannies. Emperor Kangning had five mothers, three of whom are still alive.

This title, which was not limited in number, made Huijing's face change drastically.

Hui Jing was shocked: "What did your Highness call me?"

"Mother Hui." Xia Jing put his hand on Hui Jing's cheek. "Mother Hui is so nice, of course I should call her mother."

He opened his character panel again. "Mom" meant something like this in the palace, but not in Huijing's hometown. The same name always has different meanings in different times and places.

I don’t believe Huijing can withstand such a powerful move!

Huijing was in a trance. She was from the frontier, and in their place, "mama" could also be used to address mother.

Her heart was surging, and the maternal instinct that had been suppressed for more than 20 years was boiling over. She dreamed of having a child who could call him mom.

but……

"Your Highness, you absolutely cannot do that!" She grabbed Xia Jing's shoulders, her eyes serious.

Xia Jing was not surprised, as Huijing had also retorted in the game.

"If Your Highness is willing, you can just call me nanny. The word 'mother' is absolutely not allowed." Huijing spoke quickly, fearing that if she spoke slowly, she would regret it.

How could she take advantage of the Ninth Prince when he treated her sincerely? How could she, a palace maid, have such thoughts?

However, she still had a little selfish thought. The title "Mammy" was more common in the palace, and in her hometown, it could also be used to refer to the grandmother in the family.

In front of Xia Jing, on the translucent panel, Huijing's intimacy value suddenly changed.

[Intimacy: 69 → 76]

He surpassed Xiao Tianzi in an instant!

This value will continue to grow slowly until it reaches around 80, where it will stagnate. Of course, this is under the condition of careful maintenance. If you ignore it later, this sudden increase in intimacy will also drop rapidly.

76! This value is enough for Huijing to contribute in a losing situation!

Rongpin can't reach Jingyixuan for the time being, so she can develop slowly. Who should I choose as my next target?

Xia Jing was filled with joy. She hugged Hui Jing and called her sweetly, "Mammy."

Huijing was so overjoyed that her hands pressing on Xia Jing's back were shaking.

After playing with their nanny until noon, Xia Jing and Xiao Tianzi returned to Jingyixuan together.

Xiao Yue and Yi Qiu stood in front, wanting to scold this disobedient child and punish Xiao Tianzi, but Xia Jing pretended to be stupid and acted coquettishly, and the situation was easily resolved.

Looking at Xiao Tianzi's loyalty, it has increased a little bit.

Xiao Tianzi looked at the Ninth Prince with admiration. The Ninth Prince was kind and righteous, and could always save him from danger!

As for how water and fire came about, this is not something a servant should think about carefully.

Xia Jing touched his chin, feeling that he had found a bug that could quickly increase loyalty.

However, this is not a game after all, but reality.

He and Xiao Yue sat on chairs as Yi Qiu brought in their lunch. There was a fixed quota for lunch, and the imperial kitchen didn't dare tamper with it. It was just a little colder, and the ingredients were inferior to those in other palaces.

These are all trivial matters. After Xia Jing finished eating, he basked in the sun in the yard, thinking about what to do next.

Open the map first!

On the 3D map, only the area near Jingyixuan and the laundry department were lit, and there was a large cloud of fog waiting for Xia Jing to dispel.

Perhaps he had run too long in the morning and exhausted his young body. The more he lay down, the more sleepy he felt and he fell asleep.

There was no wind today and the temperature was mild. Xiao Tianzi brought a thick blanket and wrapped him in it. Then he and Yi Qiu went to take care of the trivial matters in Jingyixuan.

The sun moved a little to the west. Xia Jing was half asleep and half awake when he heard some movement in the east side hall.

Xiao Yue lived in Jingyixuan alone, and there was also a beautiful lady named Yu. Xiao Yue lived in the main hall, and beautiful lady Yu lived in the east side hall.

Two palace maids from the east side hall passed by and whispered to each other without paying attention to Xia Jing who was sleeping on the bamboo chair.

Xia Jing listened for a while and found out that it was Concubine Rong who summoned Concubine Yu.

He scoffed. This Rongpin is only starting to make plans now? It's already too late!

Chapter 9 Let’s deal with the minions first

That evening, as the sun was about to set, Huijing sent away the palace maids from the laundry department and sat by the bed waiting.

Her palms rested on her thighs, holding a handkerchief, rubbing it unconsciously. This was the handkerchief that the Ninth Prince used to wrap mung bean cakes, which she had washed and dried.

She made up her mind to tell Xu Zhongde about the Ninth Prince and let her father-in-law protect the little prince.

The dinner from the Shangshenjian was delivered, but it was already dark, and Huijing still hadn't waited for Xu Zhongde today.

The young eunuch walked in carrying a food box: "Godmother, the emperor is in a good mood today, godfather must serve..."

From the moment the young eunuch entered the room, Huijing knew that Xu Zhongde would not come tonight.

She didn't let it go like she had last night, but instead stood up and asked the eunuch, "Is he free later?"

The young eunuch was stunned: "Just wait until the emperor falls asleep."

"That's good, take me to wait for him!" Huijing tidied her appearance.

"Okay, godfather will be happy to see godmother!" The young eunuch led the way with surprise and arranged for Huijing to wait in a remote room.

The sound of the night watchman's drum rang out, and Huijing finally saw Xu Zhongde.

They had supper together, and Huijing told him about the Ninth Prince.

Xu Zhongde was Emperor Kangning's personal eunuch and the chief eunuch under the emperor. He had spies in the palace and had heard about the conflict between Concubine Rong and Concubine Xiao, but he didn't care.

Neither Rongpin nor Xiao Zhaoyi are favored, so there is no need for them to bother His Majesty.

He obtained more detailed information from Huijing, and after comparing it with his memory, he confirmed that the Ninth Prince was not lying, and agreed to Huijing's request.

The next morning, when he was helping Emperor Kangning wash and have his meal, he told him about this matter.

The story was told skillfully, with details given of Concubine Rong's faults, clearly stating what kind of ruler was used and how many times she hit him. However, the part where Xiao Yue took action was briefly mentioned, with only a fight being reported, and one of Xiao Zhaoyi's maids being beaten until bloody.

Emperor Kangning thought for a moment and gave instructions.

……

Xia Jing woke up early and knew that Concubine Yu from the East Side Palace would definitely cause trouble today, so he was worried.

He didn't expect that Concubine Yu got up even later than him. She didn't come out of the east side hall until noon and wandered into the main hall.

Xiao Yue received him and was surprised.

She was Zhaoyi, the owner of Jingyixuan. Lady Yu was just a beauty, a head lower than her. According to etiquette, she should come to pay her respects every morning, but Lady Yu never came.

Why did you come here today? And—she was dressed so flamboyantly. This blue palace skirt was made of cloud silk, the same brocade robe that Jing'er wore back from the laundry house.

"Sister, why do you still look so bad? Is it because the servants are negligent?" Lady Yu looked as if she was concerned about Xiao Yue.

"Nothing, it's just an old illness." Xiao Yue shook her head. "Why are you interested in coming here today, sister?"

"I missed my sister, so I came to see her."

Yu Meiren's words sounded fake. Xiao Yue dealt with her just asking her to leave quickly.

Lady Yu, however, talked incessantly, from health preservation to the weather, and then to matters of family and country, and rumors about the harem.

The topic became more and more sensitive, and Xiao Yue had to concentrate fully, for fear of saying something wrong and being convicted for her words.

She was in poor health and tired quickly.

Lady Yu saw this and was delighted.

Yesterday, Concubine Rong called her over and said a lot of things, the implication of which was that she should find a way to deal with Xiao Yue.

She thought hard all night and, with the help of others, came up with a shady plan.