Emperor Yong’an’s unexpected action sparked numerous speculations.

Of course, since it concerned Prince Zhennan’s manor, these speculations and even reactions couldn’t be brought to the surface.

Among them, the most uneasy was Wei Qiang.

Why had Father Emperor spared the youngest son of Prince Zhennan’s life?

Back then, eliminating Prince Zhennan’s manor had clearly been Father Emperor’s intention…

An ominous premonition hung over his heart, making him irritable all over, yet even his irritability could only be suppressed within.

Wei Qiang strode out of the hall doors.

Outside the hall, the cold wind was sharp as knives, and accumulated snow on the eaves reflected cold light.

Wei Qiang squinted uncomfortably and unconsciously looked toward a certain direction.

That was where Prince Pingnan’s manor was located.

Because of Luo’er’s death, he had developed a barrier with his birth father and birth mother, and was rarely willing to go there.

But at this moment, he very much wanted to hear his birth father’s explanation.

Had Father Emperor spared the youngest son of Prince Zhennan’s life because he regretted what happened back then?

The more Wei Qiang thought about it, the more uneasy he became, pacing anxiously.

In the end, however, he could only return to his sleeping quarters with a dark expression.

Father Emperor’s actions were too inscrutable—if he went to Prince Pingnan’s manor at this time, it would be too sensitive.

Better to remain still than to act rashly; he couldn’t throw himself into disarray.

Wei Qiang consoled himself, though the oppressive frustration weighing on his heart made his entire demeanor seem gloomy.

For a time, everyone in the Eastern Palace was filled with trepidation, even lightening their footsteps when walking.

Grand Commander Luo was equally surprised by Emperor Yong’an’s actions. Apart from shutting himself in his study for longer periods, his expression showed no abnormality.

Luo Sheng knocked on the study door.

“Father, it’s me.”

Hearing Luo Sheng’s voice, Grand Commander Luo quickly let her in.

“Does Sheng’er have something to discuss?”

Sheng’er had never liked reading since childhood and rarely came to this study filled with books—if she came, there must be something.

Luo Sheng set down the food box containing pastries and said, “Father, I heard that the guard who framed you is still alive?”

Grand Commander Luo was startled. Seeing Luo Sheng’s serious expression, he nodded. “Yes, he’s still alive. Why is Sheng’er asking about this?”

Luo Sheng frowned with a displeased expression. “Didn’t that person frame you? Now that the truth has come to light, why hasn’t he been punished?”

Grand Commander Luo smiled. “Is Sheng’er standing up for me?”

“I just think it’s strange—he dared to frame you, yet in the end he still gets to live.”

The corner of Grand Commander Luo’s mouth twitched.

Had Sheng’er been misunderstanding something all this time? Not everyone who offended him ended up dead.

He wasn’t that vicious.

“Sheng’er, you don’t need to worry about official matters.” Grand Commander Luo earnestly counseled.

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together. “When Father was in prison, I was worried sick.”

The smile at the corner of Grand Commander Luo’s mouth stiffened, and guilt arose immediately.

That’s right—when he was imprisoned, Sheng’er had worried so much about sending him food, passing messages, and even administering poison. Now that he was out, dismissing the child with a simple “don’t worry”—was that appropriate?

Absolutely not appropriate!

Having figured this out, Grand Commander Luo’s expression became serious, and he lowered his voice. “Sparing that person’s life was His Majesty’s intention…”

Luo Sheng’s eyes instantly widened by thirty percent—three parts surprise, seven parts curiosity. “Why?”

When she heard this news, she had pondered it.

A suspicious emperor would habitually consider all angles and leave himself a way out.

His Majesty’s choice to spare “Bao’er”—could it be as a trump card to use against Wei Qiang?

This trump card might never be used, but if during the long period when two tigers occupied one mountain the Crown Prince crossed one of His Majesty’s bottom lines, the orphan of Prince Zhennan would become a sharp weapon to knock the Crown Prince into the mud.

If so, His Majesty was currently already dissatisfied with Wei Qiang.

She had come to the study precisely to learn from Grand Commander Luo the extent of His Majesty’s dissatisfaction.

“The Imperial heart is unfathomable—this father cannot guess either.” Grand Commander Luo patted Luo Sheng’s shoulder. “Sheng’er, you just need to know that His Majesty wants to keep that person alive—you mustn’t cause trouble for him.”

A glimmer flashed in Luo Sheng’s eyes.

When it concerned His Majesty, Grand Commander Luo’s lips were tightly sealed—it seemed she wouldn’t learn anything. If she pressed further, it would only arouse suspicion.

She smiled with pursed lips. “Father worries too much. Even if your daughter wanted to trouble that person, I couldn’t find him.”

Grand Commander Luo thought about it and agreed, immediately feeling relieved.

He had truly feared Sheng’er would do something like charging into the residence where the youngest son of Prince Zhennan was confined.

The youngest son of Prince Zhennan—not knowing what he thought of, Grand Commander Luo’s brows furrowed.

“Father, I’m going back now.”

Grand Commander Luo came back to his senses and quickly nodded. “Go on, be careful not to slip on the way.”

After Luo Sheng left the study, Grand Commander Luo placed one hand on the food box that had been left behind and sank into contemplation.

What Luo Sheng was thinking about was also that youngest son of Prince Zhennan who had now leapt into the view of the entire court while under house arrest.

If everything developed as she wished, Prince Zhennan’s manor would eventually be exonerated, and that child would become the heir to Prince Zhennan’s manor.

But the real Bao’er was in the Grand Commander’s manor…

When that time came, how to return Luo Chen to his original identity would probably be another troublesome matter.

Lost in these thoughts, Luo Sheng momentarily zoned out, and her foot suddenly slipped.

A hand firmly grasped her arm.

Luo Sheng came back to her senses to see a face full of disdain.

“You even trip while walking.” Luo Chen frowned reproachfully.

Just when he thought Luo Sheng was somewhat reliable, he discovered her unreliability.

Almost sixteen years old, and tripping on flat ground to fall on her face—would it be proper for the coming and going servants to see?

“The road is slippery.” Luo Sheng’s expression remained unchanged as she shifted the blame to the flagstone path.

Luo Chen unceremoniously exposed this. “The snow has all been swept to the sides, and grass mats are laid on the frequently used paths.”

Luo Sheng tugged at her lips and changed the subject. “Where are you going?”

“Just going out to wander around.”

Luo Sheng silently looked at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen’s expression was somewhat awkward. With a straight face he said, “I’m going out now.”

Luo Sheng had a sudden realization. “Is it a date with a girl?”

Luo Chen was stunned and rolled his eyes in exasperation. “I’m only thirteen years old.”

What kind of date with a girl? If girls were all like Luo Sheng, or like Second Sister, or like Fourth Sister…

He’d rather be alone in peace.

To prevent Luo Sheng from wild guessing, the youth had no choice but to confess honestly. “I made plans with Xiao Qi to watch a monkey show together.”

“So you’re going to play with Xiao Qi—then go ahead, bring more servants with you.”

“I know.” The youth left quickly with furrowed brows, thinking to himself that Luo Sheng better not become as nagging as the concubines.

Thinking of the “enthusiastic care” from the concubines during the period when his buttocks were injured, Luo Chen shuddered and immediately quickened his pace.

Luo Sheng was quite gratified that Luo Chen and Xiao Qi were on good terms.

Twelve years ago on that night, two infants in swaddling clothes each found their destinies amid a storm of blood.

Twelve years later, fate allowed them to meet and become friends.

Thinking this way, she felt more confidence about the future.

What fate brought was not only cruelty, but also hope.

Wait a moment.

Luo Sheng’s footsteps paused as she belatedly realized something: it wasn’t yet time for school vacation, yet Luo Chen was making plans with Xiao Qi to watch a monkey show at this hour?

Had Xiao Qi skipped—class?