Having successfully abducted the Four Seasons Beauties and Little Dumpling, they had absolutely no concept of keeping a low profile. The moment they left the palace, they swaggered straight toward the dock, boarded the prearranged boat, and then...
...sailed grandly down to Jiangnan!
"Your Highness, is it really okay for us to be so conspicuous? What if the emperor’s men come after us?" Spring looked worried, silently scolding herself for getting swept up and leaving the palace with the two young royals.
Still, even if they hadn’t come along, it’s not like they could have stopped His Highness.
"Relax. With Mother here, no one will chase us." Little Dumpling sprawled comfortably on the soft couch, hair loose and robe trailing, looking unusually refined and charming for his age.
Who knows how many hearts he’ll break when he grows up.
Spring and Autumn quickly bowed their heads, while Summer and Winter were much bolder. Unlike the anxious Spring and Autumn, they happily explored the boat as soon as they boarded, quickly figuring out every detail.
"Your Highness, I found fresh grapes in the cabin—would you like to try them?" The plump, purple grapes glistened in a crystal dish, looking irresistibly delicious.
Little Dumpling, like Serena Feng, loved grapes but disliked peeling them himself. Summer and Winter already knew this; both knelt nearby, ready to peel grapes for him, but before they could, Sweet Dumpling came over.
"Summer, Winter, you go ahead—I’ll do it..." The seven-year-old Sweet Dumpling already carried the poise of a little beauty. Every gesture was graceful, with the noble elegance of a true lady, yet she had a liveliness and charm that far surpassed those sheltered young misses who never left their rooms.
Little Dumpling saw Sweet Dumpling come in and smiled, scooting over to make space for her.
Sweet Dumpling carried the grapes, sat cross-legged on the low couch, and began peeling them for Little Dumpling—feeding him one after another.
"My sister is so thoughtful. Whoever marries you someday will be blessed." Little Dumpling ate with obvious satisfaction, grape juice running down his chin, but he didn’t care at all...
"Brother, am I good?" Sweet Dumpling looked at him with bright, expectant eyes—clearly up to something.
Little Dumpling raised an eyebrow, resigned, and sat up: "Go on, what do you want in return?" He knew Sweet Dumpling’s pampering always came with a price—whoever married her would be in for trouble.
"Brother, don’t look so tragic, like I’m about to kill you or something." Sweet Dumpling pouted, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
Little Dumpling couldn’t do anything about his precious sister and just put on a smile: "Go ahead, Lily—if I can do it, I’ll promise you anything."
"Brother, you’re making it sound so heroic. I’m not some villain!" Sweet Dumpling played innocent, and Little Dumpling fell for it—he pinched her cheek and said, "Lily’s all grown up, she even knows what ‘heroic’ means. I’m so proud of you."
Sweet Dumpling gritted her teeth but didn’t slap his hand away. She’d been pinched on the cheek by plenty of people growing up, so she was used to it. Still, Little Dumpling couldn’t bear to hurt his beautiful little sister, so he quickly let go.
Sweet Dumpling flashed a sweet smile, then flopped into Little Dumpling’s arms and made her request: "Brother, can I borrow ten thousand taels of silver?"
"Ten thousand taels? What do you need so much silver for?" Little Dumpling didn’t refuse—he just worried Sweet Dumpling would waste it.
"I’ve got my eye on a medicinal herb. That uncle said if I have ten thousand taels, he’ll sell it to me." Sweet Dumpling glowed with excitement talking about her favorite herbs.
"What kind of herb costs ten thousand taels?" Little Dumpling may not be a doctor, but he’d picked up quite a bit by osmosis. Still, he’d never heard of an herb worth that much.
"Uh... it’s a poisonous herb," Sweet Dumpling whispered. Afraid he’d refuse, she quickly added, "Brother, it’s really special—and it’s alive! I want to give it to Grandpa Guo. Please lend me the silver, I’ll pay you back! Once I give it to Grandpa Guo, I can study it with him too."
"Sweet Dumpling, did you forget what Dad said?" Little Dumpling was sure now—convincing her to study medicine had been a mistake. Now she cared more about herbs than her own brother.
If he lent her the silver for a herb, their parents would definitely have his head when they got back.
"I haven’t forgotten." Sweet Dumpling widened her eyes, feigning innocence. "It’s not for me—it’s for Grandpa Guo. Please, brother, say yes?"
"I’d have to be crazy to trust you." Little Dumpling lightly tapped her head twice. "We’re basically fugitives right now, so don’t go causing trouble. If Mom and Dad find out I bought you a poisonous herb, we’re both doomed."
"You’re the fugitive, not me—I haven’t done anything." Sweet Dumpling was ready to throw her brother under the bus for the sake of her precious herb.
"You’re my accomplice! I couldn’t have left the palace without you."
"I was forced! Father and Mother will definitely believe me." Sweet Dumpling lifted her head proudly. "If we get caught, you’re doomed. At worst, I’ll just be punished with copying texts—I’m not scared."
"You... you little ingrate! After all I’ve done for you." Little Dumpling clutched his chest dramatically, looking wounded. Sweet Dumpling immediately softened, hugging his arm and begging, "Brother, brother, I’m sorry... Lily was wrong. Please spoil Lily one more time and lend me the silver, just this once—I swear."
"You’ve sworn way too many times. I’d be an idiot to believe you."
"Brother, don’t be like that! Fine, from now on, whatever you say, I’ll listen to you." Sweet Dumpling was willing to sell herself for ten thousand taels!
With her begging like that, what else could Little Dumpling do? He gave in, got off the boat, and took Sweet Dumpling to buy the poisonous herb. Whether it was worth it, he didn’t know—he hadn’t spent his own silver anyway.
The owner of the poisonous herb was a down-and-out wanderer. Little Dumpling swore he’d never met the man, but when the seller saw them, he acted like he’d seen a ghost. He handed over the herb and left in a flash—much too fast for Little Dumpling to catch.
"A Jianghu master? Is there something wrong with this herb?" Little Dumpling’s first thought was that someone was scheming against them.
He couldn’t help it—as the empire’s only heir, plenty of people wanted him dead.
"Don’t worry, young master—the herb is fine. That man... he’s an old acquaintance of Master and Madam." Summer’s eyes reddened at the sight of the man’s downfall.
Who would’ve thought that the once-famous lord of the First Manor had fallen so far, reduced to gathering herbs to survive? For those who once served him, it was a heartbreaking sight...
"An old acquaintance?" Little Dumpling glanced at Summer, saw her mood, and didn’t ask further.
His parents had far too many old acquaintances—he couldn’t possibly know them all.
Last time, when he went to Westlyn with his adoptive father, he’d seen two obviously distinguished men hiding in the crowd. His teacher said they were Father’s old friends; and out on the grasslands, that perfectly ordinary couple—his teacher said they were Mother and Father’s old friends too...
His parents’ old acquaintances were everywhere!