Evening had arrived.
FangFang was enjoying her bath, washing away all the traces of flour and cooking oil from her little body. With Aunt Tong's help, she splashed water over herself, happily enjoying the warm bath.
In her mind, she couldn't wait to finish bathing and get ready for dinner with her beloved adopted parents.
Meanwhile, in the study room, Prince Li was using the remaining time to review the preparations for their secret operation that night.
The operation was connected to the Crown Prince's return. They had been keeping an eye on him for a long time, and now that he had returned, they needed to seize this opportunity before it was too late. However, they also had to proceed with extreme caution.
In TanTan's room, she was also taking a bath, with XiaoRue helping her and QingQing keeping her company.
TanTan had deliberately asked QingQing to stay with her so they could discuss their plan to sneak out to the black market that night.
Her original plan was simple: XiaoRue would disguise herself as TanTan and pretend to be sleeping in the room while TanTan and QingQing slipped out.
However, after they had successfully fooled ManQi once before, TanTan wasn't sure he would fall for the same trick a second time.
Before attempting anything, she would have to behave normally and avoid arousing suspicion, especially during dinner.
When dinner time arrived, everyone in the Li family gathered in the dining room.
QingQing, as their guest, had also been invited to dine with them. However, she preferred to eat with ManQi in the servants' dining room.
TanTan actually wanted to ask XiaoRue to find out what ManQi would be doing that night so they could make their escape plan more carefully. But before she could ask, QingQing immediately volunteered to help.
XiaoRue was clearly unhappy about it. Nevertheless, she quickly accepted the task too, although she refused to admit that her eagerness had more to do with jealousy than duty.
"I am XiaoJie's loyal servant! How could I possibly trouble QingQing XiaoJie with my own duties?"
QingQing simply smiled. She didn't try to stop XiaoRue. Instead, she encouraged her.
"Of course! We can work together."
And with that excuse, QingQing still chose to dine in the same room as XiaoRue and ManQi.
The servants' dining room presented a rather unusual sight that evening.
ManQi sat in the middle, with XiaoRue on his right and QingQing on his left.
The other servants couldn't help whispering among themselves as they secretly watched the unusual arrangement.
ManQi tried his best to ignore them. Although he was somewhat embarrassed by the attention, he was actually quite pleased to have the chance to eat with XiaoRue.
Unfortunately, QingQing seemed determined to make the meal anything but peaceful.
She kept throwing questions at him.
"What kind of food do you like, ManQi? What about your favorite color? And what kind of girl do you like?"
ManQi, who was accustomed to eating alone, found the questions rather exhausting. He also felt uncomfortable knowing XiaoRue was watching him being interrogated like this.
"Miss QingQing, I hope you don't mind, but I prefer to enjoy my meal in peace."
"All right. Go ahead and eat. I won't ask you anything else."
QingQing smiled sweetly.
"Thank you."
But even after she stopped talking, ManQi still felt uneasy because she hadn't stopped staring at him.
He tried to ignore her by turning his attention elsewhere, only to find XiaoRue sitting quietly beside him.
She had barely touched her food and didn't seem to have much appetite.
ManQi became concerned.
"XiaoRue... are you all right?"
XiaoRue was startled.
She had been trying to figure out how to ask about ManQi's plans for that night. Asking him directly might make him suspicious.
But when she glanced at QingQing, the latter gave her an encouraging gesture.
Taking a deep breath, XiaoRue finally gathered her courage.
"I... I need to talk to you."
ManQi widened his eyes.
He hadn't expected such a statement from her.
"Okay... What is it?"
"...Not now. Tonight!"
She hesitated before continuing.
"Do you... have any plans?"
"Tonight?"
ManQi was caught completely off guard.
A request to meet him at night?
He hadn't expected XiaoRue to be so bold.
Seeing the sudden change in his expression, XiaoRue became nervous too. She wondered whether he had misunderstood her intention.
"Don't get the wrong idea! I... I just want to talk. But if you don't want to, that's fine too..."
"Oh... No! I mean, I'd love to!"
ManQi hurriedly clarified.
"It's just that I have some work to do tonight. How about tomorrow morning? I should still have some free time before I leave for the delivery job."
He genuinely regretted having to turn her down.
But XiaoRue immediately seized the opportunity to change the subject.
"Ah... It's fine. So, you have something to do tonight with Prince Li? All night?"
"Yes. It might take the entire night to finish."
"I see..."
QingQing, who had been observing the two of them, couldn't resist joining the conversation.
"What kind of work could possibly take the entire night? Some secret investigation?"
"Well, that's confidential, Miss QingQing."
"Hmm... So mysterious!"
QingQing turned toward XiaoRue with a mischievous smile.
"XiaoRue, don't you think a man full of secrets is very attractive?"
XiaoRue had no idea how to respond. Her face turned red immediately.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Miss QingQing! I... I think I'm finished eating."
She quickly picked up her food and left.
"XiaoRue...?!"
ManQi was surprised. He called after her, hoping she would stay.
QingQing watched her leave and smirked.
"She really can never be honest about her feelings, can she?"
ManQi shot QingQing an irritated look. He clearly wasn't pleased that her teasing had driven XiaoRue away.
He stood up as well.
"Wait! Where are you going, ManQi? You haven't finished your food!"
QingQing reached out and touched his sleeve, but ManQi politely moved away.
"I'm no longer hungry, Miss QingQing. Excuse me."
With that, he walked out, leaving QingQing alone with her meal.
She looked down at the food and sighed.
"Ah... Those two! Now even the food doesn't taste delicious anymore."
In the main dining room, TanTan was quietly eating while trying to ignore Prince Li's persistent gaze.
Why does he keep staring at me? Does he suspect something?
She also wanted to find out Prince Li's schedule for that night, but she had no idea how to bring it up.
I can't just ask whether he's busy tonight, can I? That would sound far too suspicious...
Just then, Aunt Ma came over and served the remaining rice ball soup that TanTan had made with FangFang earlier.
FangFang immediately turned toward Prince Li, her eyes wide with excitement.
"YiFu! It's delicious, right? It is, isn't it? Isn't it?"
She looked like an eager little puppy waiting for praise.
Neither TanTan nor Prince Li could help smiling at her expression.
"It's delicious."
Prince Li paused before turning his gaze toward TanTan.
"I never knew you could cook, HuaMuTan."
There was a hint of suspicion in his voice.
TanTan was startled.
HuaMuTan never cooked?! Am I about to give myself away because of this?
She quickly tried to answer as naturally as possible.
"Actually... I just don't like cooking too often. It's tiring. But today was special. I only did it for FangFang."
Prince Li smiled inwardly.
The more I see this woman, the more certain I become that she isn't HuaMuTan.
And strangely enough, that thought pleased him.
He turned toward FangFang and spoke gently.
"Then, FangFang, you should thank your YangMu for making this meal for you."
"Yes, YiFu!"
FangFang stood up and bowed politely toward TanTan.
"Thank you, YangMu!"
TanTan smiled at her.
Yet she couldn't help noticing something unusual about Prince Li. The way he spoke to her and looked at her seemed softer than before.
After FangFang finished her meal, she suddenly turned toward TanTan.
"YangMu, I want to sleep with you tonight!"
TanTan hadn't expected the request.
"...T-Tonight?!"
Her voice rose involuntarily.
Prince Li immediately noticed her reaction and gave her a sharp look.
FangFang nodded innocently.
TanTan quickly calmed herself. She understood why FangFang wanted to stay with her tonight. It was the night her parents had died, and FangFang probably didn't want to be alone.
She couldn't bear to reject the little girl.
However, she glanced toward Prince Li, secretly hoping he would forbid FangFang from staying with her this time.
"Well... if your YiFu gives permission...?"
Prince Li smirked.
"Since when do you need my permission?"
TanTan could only respond awkwardly.
"...You're the master of this mansion. How could I dare make such a decision without your permission?"
"Oh? Really?"
Prince Li raised an eyebrow.
"Can I, YiFu?" FangFang asked again.
Prince Li smiled at her.
"Of course, FangEr. You may sleep with your YangMu."
"No!"
The word escaped TanTan's mouth before she could stop it.
Both Prince Li and FangFang looked at her in surprise.
FangFang's expression quickly turned sad.
"YangMu... You don't want me to sleep with you?"
Usually, he doesn't like FangFang getting too close to me. Why is he acting differently this time?!
TanTan was suddenly in a difficult position.
She quickly tried to think of an excuse.
"No... It's not like that, FangFang. It's just..."
She suddenly pretended to cough.
"Cough! Cough! YangMu isn't feeling very well. I might be catching a cold, and I don't want to pass it to you, sweetheart. So maybe tonight isn't a good time for you to sleep in my room."
"YangMu is sick?"
FangFang looked worried.
Prince Li, on the other hand, seemed rather amused by TanTan's performance.
He couldn't help wondering why she was so determined to reject FangFang's request.
She doesn't want FangFang to stay in her room tonight? Does that mean she has something else planned for the evening?
Prince Li stood up and approached TanTan.
What... What is he doing?
TanTan became increasingly nervous as he stopped right in front of her.
He raised his hand and gently touched her forehead.
When TanTan looked up at him, he gave her a knowing smirk.
She hadn't expected him to check her so boldly.
He knows! Ahh, stupid, stupid TanTan! I should have known that excuse wouldn't work!
"YiFu... Is YangMu all right?" FangFang asked curiously.
Prince Li turned toward her.
"Don't worry, FangFang. Your YangMu is just tired."
FangFang looked at him sadly.
"So... I can't sleep with YangMu tonight?"
Prince Li smiled, but his gaze remained on TanTan.
"On the contrary, you must sleep with your YangMu. YiFu has some work to do tonight, so you can help me take care of her. Make sure she gets a good night's sleep. Can you do that?"
FangFang immediately brightened.
She seemed proud to have been given such an important task.
"Yes, YiFu! I'll take good care of YangMu!"
FangFang smiled happily at TanTan.
TanTan forced herself to smile back, but inside, she was practically screaming.
No! If FangFang sleeps in my room, sneaking out will be almost impossible! Ugh... What am I supposed to do now?!
Meanwhile, Prince Li seemed quite pleased with what he was seeing.
Unfortunately, he had an important task to attend to that night.
Otherwise, he would have been more than happy to take care of this HuaMuTan himself.