The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Gu Zhanghua had calmed down and felt a little regretful for losing his temper with the princess. When he heard from the secretary that the princess had come to him and wanted to apologize to him, he regretted it even more. He took the secretary to the bridal chamber and happened to see everyone in the mansion standing in front of the princess. The princess had something to say.

Gu Zhanghua thought about it and didn't move forward. He pulled the secretary aside and listened quietly.

Zhao Xuan didn't see Gu Zhanghua and Shishu. She first smiled gratefully at the servants in the mansion, and then looked at Qing'e.

"Qing'e, you are the personal maid of Concubine Shu, so you must know my background. To put it bluntly, although I am a princess, I grew up in the palace, without a father or mother to love me. Anyone can slap me or kick me. Qing'e, do you think my background is not as noble as yours?"

When Qing'e heard what Zhao Xuan said, she was so scared that she quickly knelt on the ground.

"Princess! Please forgive me! I dare not be compared with you!"

"It's nothing, it's the truth, you get up first!"

Qing'e looked up at Zhao Xuan, and seeing that Zhao Xuan looked calm, she stood up tremblingly and stood aside.

Zhao Xuan looked at everyone.

"So when I entered the palace, I felt close to you. Although you serve me and the prince, you are my family! I am not a princess to begin with. Being able to become a princess is a blessing from heaven!"

Zhao Xuan said this and looked at Qing'e again.

"Last night, I was the one who made the decision. I ate and drank with everyone else, all at the same table. If anyone broke the rules, it was because I, the princess, didn't set an example. If anyone was to be punished, I should be the first one to receive the beating!"

Qing'e was trembling and unable to speak. Her legs went weak and she was about to kneel down and apologize.

"That's enough! Stop kneeling! Aren't you tired of kneeling all the time? It makes me dizzy just watching you!"

The secretary standing by couldn't help laughing when he heard Zhao Xuan say this.

Only then did Zhao Xuan see Gu Zhanghua and Shishu standing not far away.

Zhao Xuan nodded gently at Gu Zhanghua, then said to the others, "I understand everything. I appreciate your kindness. Last night, the prince went to bed early, so I made the decision without authorization. Today, we must follow the rules of the palace. If the prince doesn't allow it, we really can't have this meal."

Everyone immediately looked at Gu Zhanghua with anticipation.

Zhao Xuan also stood up, walked to Gu Zhanghua, and asked, "Prince, do you think it's okay?"

Seeing everyone looking at him eagerly, Gu Zhanghua thought to himself that since the day the Crown Prince had the accident, there had been no family dinners in the palace. He usually ate alone or accompanied his mother. It was indeed not so lively. The princess had a miserable life since childhood, and it was natural for her to want to get familiar with the people in the mansion as soon as possible. And it was a bit of an exaggeration for him to lose his temper with the princess. This meal could be regarded as an apology.

Gu Zhanghua nodded and said, "Okay, go get ready, but this won't happen again, this is the only time!"

First, Zhao Xuan clapped her hands in joy, and then everyone realized: This thing! It's done!

Qing'e watched as everyone cheered and ran away, muttering in her heart: The prince dotes on the princess too much. For the princess, he even disregards the rules of the palace. Should she report this to Concubine Shu?

Zhao Xuan then walked up to Qing'e, took her hand affectionately, and patted it: "Qing'e, you have served Consort Shu in the palace for many years. She is not easy to serve, right?"

Qing'e was startled. She pulled her hand away and shook it vigorously, not daring to tell the truth. "I'm happy to serve you! Madam Shufei is such a kind person! This servant...do you need your help in preparing anything?"

"Just prepare your stomach and wait for the food!"

When Qing'e heard this, she smiled awkwardly and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they had obtained the prince's permission, everyone felt a little uncomfortable with Gu Zhanghua's presence, unlike last night when they were with the princess and felt at ease.

Gu Zhanghua saw it, ate a few mouthfuls, and left with the servant. Zhao Xuan saw this and remembered that she had to return the dagger to Gu Zhanghua. She hurried back to the house to get the dagger and chased after him. She saw Gu Zhanghua stopped by the lake in the garden and muttered to the servant beside him:

"I don't know when we can have a meal together as a family... I really miss the years when my prince was still around. Father would always find various excuses to bring everyone together..."

The secretary smiled as he remembered something. "I remember one time, everyone's birthdays and holidays were used up, and Your Majesty couldn't think of any other names. So, I'm asking you, Xiaowu, when is the birthday of your most adorable cat, Qiqi?"

The secretary deliberately imitated Emperor Xia's voice, which made Gu Zhanghua laugh.

"Yes, there was a time when I knew that Father wanted to have another dinner together, but Qiqi was picked up, so I made up a birthday for her and did it that very day! Father immediately beamed and kept praising me for being sensible! But having dinner together was secondary. Back then, our family was together, chatting, reciting poems and painting. Father would even sing when he was in the mood, and my mother would dance with him and serve as his secretary. Just imagine how lively and happy we were then..."

When Zhao Xuan heard this, she felt even more guilty towards Gu Zhanghua. She quickly walked behind Gu Zhanghua and called out, "Prince!"

Gu Zhanghua turned around and saw Zhao Xuan, and asked, "So soon, have you finished eating too?"

Zhao Xuan took out the dagger and handed it to Gu Zhanghua, apologizing proactively: "I was careless and said the wrong thing during the day. Don't blame you for being angry. This dagger is returned to its rightful owner! You take it!"

After Zhao Xuan finished speaking, she noticed Shishu staring at the dagger in confusion. She quickly retracted the dagger, coughed, and said carelessly, "Also, I still owe you an apology. It was my fault for stabbing you back then. This dagger is for you..."

"No, no, no, I was wrong at the beginning..."

Zhao Xuan winked at Gu Zhanghua, but Gu Zhanghua didn't quite understand and subconsciously took the dagger, took out the scabbard from his sleeve pocket, inserted the dagger into the scabbard, and then looked at Zhao Xuan with gratitude.

"I was impulsive during the day..."

"Stop! I already told you I don't blame you! Your sister is so good to you. I also hope she can live well in this world. I hope you can find her and reunite with her as soon as possible!"

Zhao Xuan looked at Gu Zhanghua with pity, and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. She tried to speak in a gentle voice and persuaded him, "Your Highness, you don't have to worry too much about her. Perhaps when the time comes, your sister Xuan will appear before you. There's no point in overthinking it! Look at how thin you are. Your collarbone is sunken. I think you can even raise a small goldfish in it if you fill it with water..."

As Zhao Xuan spoke, she pressed Gu Zhanghua's collarbone with her hand. Gu Zhanghua instantly shuddered all over, shivered, and took a few steps back.

"Princess...Princess..."

Zhao Xuan kindly asked, "How about I accompany His Majesty to enjoy the moon in the garden? What do you think?"

Gu Zhanghua saw the tenderness in Zhao Xuan's eyes and alarm bells rang in his heart. They had agreed to be a fake couple, so why was this princess playing real games with him every day?

"No need! Princess, you can enjoy it yourself. I have a headache, so I'm going back first!"

After Gu Zhanghua finished speaking, he ran away. Shishu touched his head and went to chase Gu Zhanghua.

Zhao Xuan felt a little confused.

"Strange, why is it that when I talk to him nicely, he acts like a mouse seeing a cat? He runs away faster than a rabbit."