Chapter 12

The concubines had been eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the Crown Prince, but when they finally saw him, his attention was completely captured by the little vixen, Xiao Liangdi.

Not only that, but the Crown Prince actually offered to take her to the Empress's birthday banquet!

What kind of clout does she have?

The concubines felt as if they had swallowed a lemon, so sour.

Luo Qinghan stood up, preparing to leave.

The concubines all rose to see him off.

As Luo Qinghan passed Xiao Xixi, he asked lightly,

"Are you full?"

Xiao Xixi patted her little belly, thinking she could still eat a bit more, but when she met Luo Qinghan's gaze, she had a sudden inspiration—

The Crown Prince must have some other intention in asking this.

Well, if the boss wants to put on a show, she, as an employee, should naturally play along.

Xiao Xixi obediently replied, "Yes, I'm full."

Luo Qinghan nodded slightly, "Then let's go."

"Okay."

Xiao Xixi followed Luo Qinghan out.

As soon as they left, the women in Cuiming轩 instantly changed their expressions, and the atmosphere became oppressive.

Chen Liangyuan, clutching her handkerchief, said sourly, "His Highness the Crown Prince is going to the Empress's birthday banquet. Even if he doesn't take us, he should at least take Sister Bai. In terms of status, appearance, and character, Sister Bai is far superior to that Xiao Liangdi."

Bai Cefei lowered her eyes, hiding the turbulent emotions within, and coughed lightly.

"I'm tired and want to rest. You all carry on."

She left Cuiming轩 with the help of a palace maid.

Li Cefei, watching her leave, said disdainfully, "She's so jealous, yet she pretends to be calm and collected. How hypocritical!"

With that, she threw her handkerchief and walked away with a twist of her waist.

After leaving Cuiming轩, Xiao Xixi and Luo Qinghan slowed their pace.

Eunuch Chang saw that the Crown Prince wanted to speak to Xiao Liangdi and gently waved his hand, signaling the palace maids and eunuchs to step back.

In the past few days, Luo Qinghan had sent people to investigate the Xuanmen, but they found nothing.

The Xuanmen was truly too mysterious; few people knew about it, and tracking it down was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Luo Qinghan had to temporarily put aside his plans to investigate the Xuanmen and instead had people keep an eye on Xiao Xixi.

He wanted to see why she had entered the palace and why she was approaching him.

Noticing the Crown Prince's gaze lingering on her, Xiao Xixi lifted her face and asked proactively,

"Is there something you want to ask, Your Highness?"

Luo Qinghan countered, "If I ask, will you answer?"

Xiao Xixi replied without hesitation, "Of course."

"Where is the Xuanmen?"

"The Xuanmen is in the mountains. It's a very remote place, and ordinary people can't find it. Even if they manage to find it, they can't enter."

"Why?"

Xiao Xixi answered frankly, "Because they will get lost. The terrain in the mountains is very complex, and there are many traps set by the Xuanmen. If outsiders wander in, they will definitely get lost and eventually find their way out after circling around. As for those with ill intentions, they will be injured by the traps, and if they're unlucky, they might even lose their lives."

"Then how did you find the Xuanmen?"

"By intuition. I can sense which direction the Xuanmen is in, and I just follow my intuition."

Luo Qinghan looked into her eyes, his tone slightly probing.

"Can you take me to the Xuanmen?"

Xiao Xixi shook her head, "No, the Xuanmen has rules. Outsiders cannot be brought in, and breaking the rules will result in punishment. I don't want to be punished."

...

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