The Emperor met with Qi Xiao in the front hall of Chengqian Palace. By the time Qi Xiao arrived, he noticed that Princess Dunsu's palanquin was already outside the palace. Qi Xiao found it amusing, figuring that the princess must have also received the news and become worried.

Following the palace servants into the inner chamber of the front hall, the Emperor was chatting and laughing with Princess Dunsu. Seeing Qi Xiao enter, he smiled, "Xiao'er, you've come at the right time. Help me persuade your aunt. She's been staying in the palace quite comfortably, yet insists on returning to the princess's manor."

Princess Dunsu said with a smile, "Staying in the palace is naturally nice, but I'm still worried about those children. The prince consort spoils them too much. In the half month I've been away, who knows how mischievous they've become."

"My brother-in-law has a gentle temperament and treats the kids kindly, which is good. Don't be like me," the Emperor pointed at Qi Xiao and chuckled. "Usually, because I'm a bit strict with these brothers, as soon as they grow up, they can't wait to leave the palace and establish their own residences, as if staying in the palace all these years has constrained them too much. But what happens when they really leave?

"Xiao'er is still alright, but Hua'er behaves terribly, causing chaos in his entire household. I've already told the Empress that since Hua'er needs to recuperate from his injury in the palace anyway, he doesn't need to leave after he recovers. He can continue living in his Zhaoyang Palace to calm his mind."

Princess Dunsu sneered inwardly while maintaining a calm expression. Very well, Qi Hua has already lost enough face these days. If she were the Emperor, she would also quickly summon him back to keep an eye on him, otherwise who knows what other embarrassing incidents he might stir up.

However, Qi Xiao was not so optimistic. He coldly smiled as he waited for the Emperor's next words.

Sure enough, the Emperor continued, "As for Xiao'er... you should also return. You are certainly better than your younger brother, and I trust you. But I don't trust others. Like this time... fortunately, it was only your carriage that was hit. But what about next time? Xiao'er, you are the Crown Prince, the heir to the nation. You cannot afford the slightest mishap. It's better for you to come back and live here, which will also put my mind at ease."

Qi Xiao inwardly gave a faint smile. It seemed the Emperor had also guessed that he was behind it.

This matter involved the Court of Judicial Review, the Feng household, and Lingnan, and no clues were left behind afterwards. This made the Emperor even more wary. The Emperor didn't know how far Qi Xiao's reach extended. To monitor him and clip his wings, trapping him in the palace was indeed not a bad plan.

Before Qi Xiao could speak, Princess Dunsu laughed, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Qi Xiao is about to come of age. How can he still live in the palace? Your Majesty, you dote on Xiao'er, but this... will easily lead to some unsavory rumors. I don't agree. The imperial clan... I'm afraid they also won't consent to it."

The Emperor chuckled, "Sister, you misunderstand. I'm not asking Qi Xiao to return to his Haiyan Palace. Qi Xiao is grown up now and can move into the Eastern Palace."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Princess Dunsu's face instantly faded a few degrees. She slowly set down her teacup without responding. Back then, she and Qi Xiao had gone to great lengths to avoid having him go to the Eastern Palace and instead establish his own residence outside the palace.

As long as it was within the inner city, whether in Haiyan Palace or the Eastern Palace, there would be too many restrictions and all sorts of inconveniences. It just so happened that because the Eastern Palace had a bit of "history", Princess Dunsu had never let Qi Xiao move in there.

The previous Crown Prince who had lived in the Eastern Palace was Emperor Wen's older brother.

Back then, that Crown Prince had committed a crime and took his own life in his bedchamber. Afterwards, the Eastern Palace had fallen silent.

Even when Emperor Wu was the Crown Prince, Emperor Wen did not let him move in there. So up until now, for over fifty years, the Eastern Palace had remained empty.

Princess Dunsu pursed her lips and smiled, "The Eastern Palace has been uninhabited for a long time. Moving in just like that may not be good. Your Majesty also said that Xiao'er is the heir to the nation and cannot afford the slightest mishap. If something there were to disturb him, how could that be good?

"Your Majesty, don't say I have a woman's limited perspective. Even back then, Father Emperor did not approve of Emperor Wu entering the Eastern Palace. At that time, we didn't know what happened with the Imperial Uncle, but Father Emperor was aware. In Father Emperor's over twenty years on the throne, he always kept the Eastern Palace empty. I think there must be a reason behind Father Emperor's decision. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

The Emperor gave a faint smile. Princess Dunsu really knew how to talk, even bringing up Emperor Wen to pressure him. He nodded, "That's true... But sister, you also said that Xiao'er is not young anymore. Continuing to stay in Haiyan Palace is really inconvenient..."

"Then let's not move again," Princess Dunsu glanced at Qi Xiao with a smile. "Your Majesty just dotes on the Crown Prince too much. He's so grown up now, how could he not take good care of himself? Besides... back when building a residence for Xiao'er, Your Majesty spent so much silver. Many of the palace's treasures accumulated over the years were used on his estate. Now suddenly not living there anymore... it would be a pity."

The Emperor seemed to be persuaded and nodded. Princess Dunsu let out a sigh of relief. Qi Xiao inwardly sneered coldly. Did Princess Dunsu think this was the end of it? Hehe... he feared this was only the beginning.

Sure enough, the Emperor looked at Qi Xiao dotingly and said, "Then let's listen to your aunt. Continue living outside. It's just... for such an incident to occur before, it seems the servants in your household are unfit. Fu Hailu..."

Fu Hailu hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down. The Emperor smiled, "Bring over those few people the Imperial Household Department recently selected for me."

Princess Dunsu's heart sank. She turned to look outside the hall. Before long, Fu Hailu led in two men and two women. The group paid their respects together. Fu Hailu smiled, "These two palace maids entered the palace last year and have long learned the rules. These two guards entered the palace the year before last. They have been diligent and honest these past few years, and are steady."

The Emperor nodded with a smile, "The servants specially picked by the Imperial Household Department for me should be quite useful. Xiao'er... take them back with you when you leave the palace today. Since you're unwilling to return, having a few more capable people by your side will put me at ease."

Qi Xiao inwardly chuckled. The Emperor had really put in a lot of thought to place a few people beside him. He understood in his heart that the Emperor had become suspicious because of this incident. It was only due to lack of evidence that he couldn't punish Qi Xiao.

These few servants were a warning to him. Qi Xiao knew he couldn't refuse, so he didn't waste words and bowed to express his thanks.

Princess Dunsu had not expected the Emperor to be using a diversionary tactic earlier. She had just refuted the matter of having Qi Xiao return to the palace, so at this juncture, it was not good for her to obstruct the Emperor from giving people again.

Princess Dunsu swept a glance over the two palace maids, beautiful as flowers, and smiled faintly, "These two girls are not bad. Come forward and let me have a look at you."

Two palace maids came forward, bowing to Princess Dunsu. Their graceful curtsies were enchanting, but unfortunately Princess Dunsu was not a man and was not swayed by such charms.

Princess Dunsu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "There are no female relatives in the Crown Prince's residence, and the maids are all managed by Jiang Deqing. But there are some matters that still require a lady of the house to handle. The Crown Prince is young, and I am not at ease. So I will say a few more words today."

Princess Dunsu's heart was burning with anger, and her tone had lost its usual kindness. "The Emperor has assigned you to serve the Crown Prince, not to do rough work. You are bestowed by the Emperor, so you have a more dignified status than others upon entering the residence. The Crown Prince also dares not make you work too hard. It will be fine to do some needlework and such activities on a daily basis, but..."

Princess Dunsu smiled slightly. "There's no need to be too meticulous. The Crown Prince has been accustomed to being served by eunuchs since he was young and does not like maids entering and leaving his bedchamber all day long. So you don't need to serve him there. Also... hehe, since you are bestowed by the Emperor, I presume you are all sensible. But since we're on this topic, I'll say a few more words...

"The Crown Prince has not yet married. His room must be clean and tidy. You should also put your thoughts in the right place and not cause any trouble that would disgust me. I'm telling you in advance, the Emperor is benevolent, but I am a ruthless one. If something really happens, I will have no choice but to be the bad guy, so as not to put the Emperor in a difficult position."

Princess Dunsu had the intention of marrying her youngest daughter to Qi Xiao, so she particularly disliked these palace maids. If the Emperor had really bestowed a few maids to serve Qi Xiao, that would have been fine. But these two palace maids were exceptionally beautiful, with charm in their eyebrows and eyes. They were clearly not easy to handle!

The previous incident with Bairen showed that Qi Xiao was already sexually aware. Bairen was not a big deal and could not cause much trouble. But girls were different. If they became pregnant with Qi Xiao's child, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Qi Xiao had no parents and would certainly place great importance on blood relatives. He was young after all. Once he knew he had offspring, how could he bear to let go?

Although Princess Dunsu's daughter might not necessarily marry Qi Xiao in the future, even just as Qi Xiao's aunt, Princess Dunsu would never allow Qi Xiao to have an illegitimate child born before a legitimate one.

The two flowers had originally listened to Fu Hailu's previous teachings and had the intention of making a name for themselves in the future. They did not expect that before even entering the residence, they would be reprimanded by Princess Dunsu in front of Qi Xiao.

Their faces did not look too good, but they were constrained by etiquette. Whatever Princess Dunsu said, they had to respond obediently, which was very embarrassing.

Princess Dunsu felt much better after venting her anger. She smiled at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, so I won't stay long."

The Emperor made way, and Princess Dunsu said indifferently, "I will be leaving the palace soon, and I have quite a few things to pack." After saying that, she left with her entourage. The Emperor knew that Princess Dunsu was angry with him but did not take it to heart, thinking that he would appease her later.

The people who should have been given had been given. The Emperor's goal was achieved, so he did not speak further with Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao kowtowed and left the palace with his group.

There were two more people on the way back. The two guards were not a big deal, but the two palace maids could not be exposed. However, Qi Xiao did not allow them to ride in his carriage. Left with no choice, Jiang Deqing called for a small carriage from the palace to transport the two palace maids separately.

On the way back, it started to snow gloomily. Qi Xiao summoned Jiang Deqing into the carriage. Jiang Deqing hurriedly thanked him for the favor and entered the carriage to serve.

Seeing Qi Xiao's dejected state, Jiang Deqing persuaded in a low voice, "Your Highness, don't be troubled. They are just two young girls. Although they are bestowed by the Emperor, as long as they are treated well and not beaten or scolded, there's no need to pay attention to them."

Qi Xiao shook his head. "Why are you all worried about them... What's there to be troubled about those two? They are women after all. If they don't behave, I'll just say that I have already used them. I'll confine them to the back courtyard. What else is there to worry about? I'm actually more troubled by those two..."

Qi Xiao lifted the carriage curtain and stared fixedly at the two guards riding on horses beside his carriage. He said in a low, disgusted voice, "The Emperor sent them to be righteous spies. Many things will become more difficult to handle... Forget it, I'll think of a way."

The snow fell heavier and heavier. By the time Qi Xiao returned to his residence, the ground was already covered with a thick layer of snow. The servants in the residence had been waiting outside for a long time. Seeing Qi Xiao's carriage arrive, they hurriedly came forward with umbrellas and cloaks.

Qi Xiao let the crowd escort him inside. After passing through the Chuihua Gate, Qi Xiao turned his head and glanced at Jiang Deqing. Jiang Deqing understood and turned to the two palace maids with a smile, "You two ladies, please follow me."

The two had just experienced Princess Dunsu's fierceness in the palace and had become much more obedient. Although they could see that Qi Xiao was too lazy to pay attention to them, they did not dare to say anything. They bowed and followed Jiang Deqing.