Chapter 36: Eunuch, Must We Be So Blunt?

"A Jin, how are you?" Eunuch Gao turned immediately to Nanny Jin after giving his orders.

"I'm fine; it's not too painful. Don't worry, let's get the Princess and the young county mistress into the palace first!" Nanny Jin shook her head and said.

Seeing that the Princess and the young county mistress were safe under Dong Ju and Baiyu's protection, both Nanny Jin and Eunuch Gao heaved a sigh of relief.

"Escort the Princess and the young county mistress into the palace quickly!" Eunuch Gao ordered. The armored guards led the way as Xiaoyao, carrying her daughter, got back into the carriage. Baiyu personally drove the carriage toward the imperial palace.

As soon as the carriage entered the palace, Xiao Yin strode over to it.

"Your Majesty!" Baiyu jumped down from the carriage first.

Eunuch Gao also ran to the emperor and knelt before him with a thud.

"Your Majesty, all those bandits have been captured. This servant will interrogate them thoroughly and find out who is behind this!" Eunuch Gao said.

"Is anyone injured? Is Xiao Xi'er alright? Is the Princess Royal alright?" The emperor asked three questions in quick succession, leaving Eunuch Gao no time to answer.

"Your Highness, I'm fine!" Dong Ju jumped down from the carriage first, lifted the curtain, and carried her daughter out.

"Blood? Where did it come from? Xiao Xi'er..." Xiao Yin, the undefeated warlord who never blinked an eye on the battlefield, paled instantly upon seeing the blood on Xiaoyao's dress.

"I'm fine. This blood is Nanny Jin's. Your Highness, please send someone to take Nanny Jin to the Imperial Hospital!" Xiaoyao told the emperor.

"Guards, escort Nanny Jin to the Imperial Hospital immediately for treatment. Use only the best medicines!" the emperor commanded.

Nanny Jin was taken away directly. Xiaoyao glanced at Eunuch Gao and said, "Eunuch, you should go with her. I'm worried about Nanny Jin's injuries."

"Yes, this old servant will go right away!" Eunuch Gao paused, then looked gratefully at the princess and hurried after the carriage.

Xiao Yin took his niece from Xiaoyao's arms, looked down, and said, "Thank goodness Xiao Xi'er is unharmed!"

"Tsk, does my uncle really love me, or does he know something? Why do I feel like we haven't seen each other in ages? He has so many children of his own!"

The great demon from her past life never trusted anyone, so she remained skeptical even now, seeing the emperor's affection for her.

Xiao Yin was momentarily stunned, somewhat amused yet perplexed.

He did love this niece, after all, his sister Xiaoyao had been doted upon by him since childhood. Even if she hadn't visited him for years, he never blamed her much.

By extension, he naturally adored his niece as well. However, he was more interested in what his niece knew about Great Wei's future.

Would it fall within three years, with Shangguan Jinghong being the culprit?!

If some things could be foreseen, perhaps he could save Great Wei and protect his sister and mother.

During today's court session, Xiao Yin listened to the prime minister discussing the heavy snow in the north and the insufficient supplies for border troops, as well as the chancellor mentioning the empty treasury. While listening, his mind wandered to Xiao Xi'er's words.

Xiao Xi'er could see evil spirits and recognize bad people.

"Our young county mistress is truly blessed. Those bandits were swept up by a tornado and fell down with broken limbs. Not one of them was left unscathed!" Dong Ju said proudly yet angrily.

Xiao Yin nodded lightly, further confirming his niece's abilities.

When he carried baby Ruo Xi to the Nourishing Heart Palace and rested for a bit, and after Xiaoyao washed off the blood and changed clothes, she heard her brother's shocking decision.

"These days, the Shangguan residence must not be peaceful. You and Xiao Xi'er should stay in the palace. Tomorrow morning, I want to borrow Xiao Xi'er for a while!" Xiao Yin said.

"Your Highness, your intention is..." Xiaoyao stared wide-eyed at her brother.

"Today, I heard about the incident on the streets of the Imperial City. Think about it, since Xiao Xi'er's birth, how many incidents have occurred around you, yet you've emerged unscathed. Clearly, Xiao Xi'er is a lucky charm!" Xiao Yin explained.

On this point, Xiaoyao agreed.

Her daughter's abilities were considerable. She hadn't mentioned that Lin'er's poison was cured by Xiao Xi'er, fearing it might scare her brother and mother.

"But... so early, Xiao Xi'er will definitely be sleeping!" Xiaoyao hesitated.

Look, the baby is sleeping soundly now, with long lashes, a rosy face, and a cute little mouth. How adorable!

"Tomorrow morning, I'll hold court at the Moon Reflection Palace." Xiao Yin, always decisive, gave no room for refusal, even to his sister.

In the Imperial Hospital.

Eunuch Gao was outside, helping Wen Xu prepare medicine while glancing inside.

"Don't worry. My father's medical skills are beyond doubt, Eunuch Gao," Wen Xu teased. "Hey, Eunuch Gao, I heard you bought a large house ten miles outside the city!"

"That's because... this old servant thought that when I grow older and can't serve the emperor anymore, I'll leave the palace early and not burden others!" Eunuch Gao explained hastily.

"Hehe, Eunuch, won't you be lonely living alone?" Wen Xu asked.

"Physician Wen, you're single, yet you seem to know a lot! I bet you have someone you like, which is why you haven't married!" Eunuch Gao smiled and said, glancing sideways at Wen Xu.

"Eunuch, must we be so blunt?" Wen Xu pouted.

"See, you can say anything about me, but you can't stand it when others say things about you!" Eunuch Gao finished, still anxious, and stretched his neck to look inside. "Why is it taking so long? I remember there were three arrows embedded in the carriage wall, and they didn't seem poisonous!"

"Don't worry. When Nanny Jin was brought in, I checked her. There's no major issue!" Wen Xu reassured Eunuch Gao.

It wasn't until nightfall that Nanny Jin was carried to the Fu Shou Palace on a wooden board by two young eunuchs.

For decades, Nanny Jin had served the empress dowager and lived in the annex of the Fu Shou Palace.

"Why did it take so long?" The empress dowager, having dinner with her daughter, heard the commotion outside and knew Nanny Jin had returned. Mother and daughter put down their chopsticks and went out to check.

Ruo Xi's baby had eaten her fill and fallen asleep again. Perhaps because she had used her spiritual energy on the street during the day, she was particularly exhausted and sleepy today.

Xiao Ruilin, who was by the Empress Dowager's side, also climbed down from the chair. Mama Jin had always protected and taken care of him at the general's mansion, and this little one also felt concerned for Mama Jin.