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Back then, he hid behind the scenes and never needed to show himself, only catching a glimpse of her from a distance once. But her aura was so distinctive that if he could see her again, he was certain he would recognize her.

Just as he was about to lower the curtain, a glimpse of the carriage behind him from the corner of his eye felt off.

Although there were other carriages on the road at this time, he just intuitively felt that something about that carriage wasn’t right.

These days, he always felt like someone was following him. No matter where he went, it seemed like a pair of eyes was constantly watching him, putting him on edge and filling him with a sense of crisis.

But when he meticulously searched, he couldn’t find anything. He even sent people to secretly follow him and look for those watchful eyes, but up to this day, they found nothing. In the end, he could only attribute it to the stress he’d been under recently, making him suspicious of everything.

He looked back carefully, only to see that the carriage behind him had turned the corner.

Chastising himself for being overly suspicious, Guo Neng dropped the curtain and said to the coachman, "Head to the Imperial Academy."

Better safe than sorry, he thought; he might as well check it out.

The coachman, not daring to waste words, acknowledged the instruction and spurred the horses forward with a clip-clop, passing the second intersection straight on without heading towards the Guo family’s residence.

As they moved forward, the crowd thickened, and the carriage slowed, which made Guo Neng fidgety. He occasionally lifted the curtain to look outside.

After Uncle Ma guided the carriage around the corner, another brother took over the tailing.

The thoroughfares in the Capital were uniformly laid out, with routes leading in all directions. Even after turning a corner, it was only a matter of taking a big detour to come back at the next intersection.

Quickly changing his disguise while driving, he aimed to overtake the other carriage at the following few intersections. Just then, someone came running from behind, shouting his name.

He looked back and saw it was his subordinate, Wang San, who had long legs and was good at running errands.

Able to eat ten steamed buns in one sitting, he had endurance to spare.

Young Master arranged for Wang San to shuttle back and forth to facilitate message exchange and provide timely support in case of emergency.

Fearing that something had come up, he pulled the reins to a halt.

Inside Canglan Court.

Lian Hua excitedly described her grand ambitions to Nanny Qi, "...Nanny, when my child is born, it’ll be just in time for his maternal grandparents to have been found, and he will be blessed.

His eldest uncle is great at studying, his second uncle practices martial arts, and his third uncle.

.. uh, is very good at thinking up fun activities.

In short, whether he wants to study or play, anything is possible. As his mother, I approve."

Nanny Qi listened with mixed feelings, unsure how to respond. She feared dampening the young girl’s enthusiasm and also feared the girl would take her dreams too seriously.

Whether it’s a princess or a prince being born, they must be raised within the palace, not free to run around and play everywhere like the children among the folks.

Especially for a prince, it’s much harder than the life of ordinary children.

At a young age, they have to go the Southern Study Room for their studies, regardless of rain or shine, and before reaching the prescribed age, they can’t leave the palace to set up their own household without the Emperor’s grace.

The young girl was simple-minded, only thinking about playing. Well, that could be corrected over time. It was rare for the young girl to be this happy today.

Ever since she had seen her relatives, the young girl had come over in high spirits to seek her out. Nanny felt deeply content and warmed to know that after meeting her family, the young girl hadn’t forgotten about her old nanny.

Smilingly, she listened to the young girl talk about her encounter with her Clan Aunt, but something about the direction of the conversation felt off.

Wasn’t it said that the Emperor was currently looking for the young girl’s family, and there had been no news yet?

Why is the young girl sure she will be able to see her family the year after next?

The writing isn’t even on the wall yet; no one knows where they are. If the search goes well, she might see them soon, and if it goes slowly, there should still be news before long. So why is she certain it will be the year after next?

How strange, I thought, and on asking, it turned out that the Clan Aunt of the young girl had said so.

My sense of weirdness grew stronger as I reflected; there must be something they feel they must hide from the young girl. From His Majesty’s behavior to the actions of the young girl’s Clan Aunt, it was clear to see.

In a moment of distraction, the young girl brought up the issue of upbringing for the child in her belly, and we were now discussing the present.

It’s not easy to give an opinion on this; if she really wanted me to speak, according to the young girl’s reasoning, there were issues everywhere.

Nanny Qi didn’t speak, and Lian Hua didn’t mind. She touched Yuan Yuan’s belly while saying, "I really envy him; he has so many uncles. I don’t have any uncles. When I asked my mother, she also said there were none, alas..."

She sighed wistfully as she spoke. She envied her schoolmates, who visited relatives during festivals, played at her grandparents’ houses, and received bountiful rewards each time—a substantial amount of Pocket Money indeed. Alas, such envy!

Nanny Qi didn’t like her sighing and replied, "Don’t you have three brothers to keep you company?"

Always jumping around like a monkey, she hadn’t liked such girls before, but after seeing the young girl, her views had changed. Girls raised in this manner were innocent and pure, sincere and kind-hearted, without so much cunning or malice.

Take Xue Wanjun, for example. Isn’t she from a noble family, born and bred as a young lady? Just look at how distorted her nature has become, two-faced, with a deep and vicious mind—those who are with me prosper; those who are against me perish. How can one get along with such a person?

Lian Hua listened with joy and agreed with a smile, "That’s true. They all love me dearly, my three brothers, the best brothers in the world. I’m not envious anymore. I have them."

A row of little white teeth beamed as she smiled.

Nanny Qi touched her head with amusement and scolded playfully, "In the future, have a few more like your three brothers, teaching them to be respectful and loving brothers."

Having heard bits and pieces about the young girl’s family, I knew she had a very happy childhood, doted on by everyone. No wonder she was so well brought up, endearing and smart, worldly without being worldly-wise.

Lian Hua smiled sweetly while hugging Nanny Qi’s hand coquettishly, "Oh, Nanny, let’s wait for the one in my belly to be born first. I will teach him well; don’t worry. I’ve prepared everything."

As for how many children she would have, she hadn’t thought about that yet, hadn’t considered that far ahead. If she remembers, she’ll ask His Majesty how many he wants.

Xiao Jizi, on the side, listened with a heart full of trepidation, for he alone understood the deeper meaning behind Lian Hua’s words—that when she said she was prepared, she truly was.

Thinking of the "Complete Collection of Encouragement-to-Learn Poems," his feelings grew complicated...

"Yes, yes, yes," Nanny Qi thought Lian Hua was prepared to welcome new life and couldn’t help but look at her affectionately, finding her more and more endearing. She indeed was a treasure.

She had no idea that Lian Hua was thinking far ahead, beyond everyone else. While the Emperor and Nanny Qi were still looking for a suitable wet nurse, Lian Hua had already completed the child’s early education plan.

The two of them chatted warmly and intimately.

Pang Ya approached the door and gave a bow, "Master Lian, Nanny, lunch is ready. Shall we serve now, and where would you like it served, here or in the Side Hall?"

Lian Hua’s brows curved happily as she looked outside, "Oh my, time flies when talking with Nanny; it’s already time for lunch. Nanny, wherever you’d like to eat is fine, right here or over by the Side Hall."