"Your Highness, please stay in the palace. The Emperor said he would send you back after the New Year..." Eunuch Zhao sighed.
If he let the Crown Prince leave privately, the Emperor would surely tear him to pieces later.
As a mere servant, he couldn't possibly defy the Emperor's decree.
Xiao Jinheng's face darkened, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "Now that the village child and the Yun family are in danger, should I just stand by and do nothing? I can obey my father in everything else, but not this time!"
Although he had been sent out of the palace at a very young age, over the years he had heard about his second brother's methods.
He was an incredibly cunning and vicious person, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Even with the Eastern Palace occupied, he and Consort Xian had tried various ways to have him removed, even killed, to seize the position of Crown Prince for themselves.
The old Yun family treated him like their own son, taking meticulous care of him. If he didn't drive away Xiao Jinfeng, how could he face the village child in the future?
"Your Highness, forgive this servant's bluntness, but even if you return to Dashui Village now, it will be of no use..." Eunuch Zhao was sweating profusely, and he softly persuaded, "It would be better to inform the Emperor first and let him decide. Preferably, send hundreds of Imperial Guards to protect the old Yun family!"
"Commander Kong has been dispatched to the northern frontier. Your only trusted confidantes left are Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun. To speak plainly, what's the difference between these two hidden guards and that imbecile? How do you plan to contend with Prince Ming?"
Xiao Ying: "..."
Who are you calling an imbecile? My combat power is astonishing! As long as I'm here, who dares to lay a finger on His Highness?
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinheng's gaze became more resolute than ever, "No, I will handle this matter myself!"
He knew the Emperor Cheng's temper best. As his youngest and most favored son, the Emperor would never allow him to return to Dashui Village alone into such a messy situation.
Eunuch Zhao looked helpless, not knowing what to say.
The Crown Prince's intention was for him to help conceal this matter.
"Xiao Ying, prepare everything immediately. We will leave the palace at night!" Xiao Jinheng commanded.
Xiao Ying scratched his head upon hearing this, "Your, Your Highness, aren't you planning to bring Granny Jin along?"
His Highness had grown accustomed to Granny Jin's cooking over the years, and she was the only one who took care of his daily life. If they left in such a hurry, how would His Highness manage his life...
"Isn't the food made by Sister Guihua delicious?"
"Aren't the sweet potatoes and potatoes steamed by Sister Shanshan and Aunt Yun tasty?"
"Isn't the pickled vegetable soup stewed by Sister Huaihua delicious?"
Xiao Jinheng's triple question completely stunned Xiao Ying.
Eunuch Zhao couldn't help but lick his lips. The food made by the Yun family was indeed delicious. Even their pickled vegetables were sweet and sour, several times better than what the imperial chefs made.
It was just a pity that the specialty products the Emperor and His Highness had brought back from Dashui Village were all gone.
Only a few sticky rice cakes remained, and the Emperor counted them finger by finger every day.
"Then, then this subordinate will go and prepare!" Xiao Ying nodded and scurried out.
Seeing Xiao Jinheng start packing his luggage, Eunuch Zhao panicked, "Oh dear, Your Highness, you, you can't leave! If you suddenly disappear, the Emperor will flay me alive!"
Eunuch Zhao was the most trusted eunuch by Emperor Cheng. Ever since Xiao Jinheng had secretly returned to the palace, the Emperor had assigned him to serve his son.
Who would have thought this rebellious child would now secretly return to the village?
"Eunuch Zhao, rest assured, I will leave a letter stating that this matter has nothing to do with you, and that I knocked you out and secretly left the palace!" Xiao Jinheng said seriously.
Eunuch Zhao: "..."
Your Highness, are you playing house? Would the Emperor believe such a statement?
If he were then charged with deceiving the Emperor, it would be disastrous.
Xiao Jinheng packed his luggage, walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a letter, which he handed to Eunuch Zhao. "Hold this carefully!"
Eunuch Zhao bit his lip, indicating that he did not want to deceive the Emperor.
Just then, a slender figure walked into the hall from outside.
Xiao Jinheng turned his head and saw Xiao Xinling walk in leisurely, with her hands behind her back.
"Imperial Sister?" Xiao Jinheng felt a bit troubled.
If Imperial Sister found out about this, she would definitely pester him to go along.
Upon seeing this, Eunuch Zhao's heart leaped with joy, and he quickly stepped forward to bow, "Your Highness Princess..."
If the Princess could persuade the Crown Prince, perhaps he wouldn't leave?
Xiao Xinling let out a 'hmm' and glanced at the large and small bags on the table, raising her eyebrows. "Oh? Little Crybaby, why are you packing your luggage? Are you planning to go out and play?"
"Your Highness Princess, the Crown Prince, he, he..."
"Cough, cough!"
Before Eunuch Zhao could finish speaking, Xiao Jinheng coughed lightly and glanced at Xiao Xinling, "What brings you here, Imperial Sister? Didn't Father Emperor say not to come to the Eastern Palace when you have nothing to do, to avoid suspicion?"
Eunuch Zhao: "..."
Just keep lying!
Xiao Xinling blinked her beautiful eyes and pinched Xiao Jinheng's cheek, "What, Imperial Sister can't even come to see you? Tell me, where are you going with all these bags?"
"Oh, Imperial Sister!" Xiao Jinheng pushed Xiao Xinling away, rubbing his chubby little face. "I'm not going anywhere, you should leave quickly!"
"Really?" Xiao Xinling narrowed her eyes.
"Of course, it's true. When have I ever lied to Imperial Sister?" Xiao Jinheng said with a serious expression.
Eunuch Zhao was completely disheartened.
Xiao Xinling wasn't that foolish. She knew that whenever the little crybaby lied, his ears would turn red.
Now, seeing that his ears were almost as red as braised pig ears, it was clear he was fabricating a story.
However, to find out what her brother was up to, Xiao Xinling had to suppress her doubts for the time being and pretend to be unconcerned. "Since that's the case, I'll believe you this once. I'm leaving!"
Xiao Xinling waved her hand and then walked out humming a little tune.
As soon as she left the Eastern Palace, she called over Granny Gao and happily gave her a few instructions.
Just as Xiao Xinling left, Empress Xiao, accompanied by Granny Qian, came to see her son.
Every time these family members visited the Eastern Palace, they had to do their utmost to conceal their presence and avoid being discovered.
The moment he saw the Empress, Eunuch Zhao's eyes overflowed with hope again.
Who would have thought that he would be dismissed by Xiao Jinheng with just a few words?
"Your Highness, this servant heard that it's snowing heavily in the Heyang County area, and the blizzard is like knives. It's getting cold, you should reconsider before departing!" Eunuch Zhao tried to persuade Xiao Jinheng to stay.
"No need for Eunuch Zhao's concern, I can take care of myself!" Xiao Jinheng said while drinking egg custard and checking the items he was carrying.
There was no shortage of banknotes, but he also needed to bring enough food and daily necessities for the journey.
As night fell, three figures arrived at the foot of the palace wall and, using the cover of darkness, quietly flew away.