Chapter 455: Jiang Danhe Has Gone Astray

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xiaoguo took his backpack from him and the two of them arrived at the main entrance. As expected, the carriage was still parked at the same spot.

“I found a random reason to keep the carriage parked here.”

Xiaoyi was hiding in the carriage all this while. Zhuang Zhuang cleverly found an excuse and asked the unsuspecting coachman to remain at the same spot.

Because it was his first time doing this, Zhuang Zhuang was a bit nervous and didn’t want anyone to see him. After getting out of the car, he immediately came to find Xiaoguo to discuss the next steps.

“My son is so smart…” Xiaoguo was overjoyed to hear Zhuang Zhuang’s words.

When Zhuang Zhuang heard his mother praise him, he felt so happy that he blushed.

Xiaoguo smiled and suddenly realized that something felt wrong.

…..

If Zhuang Zhuang abducted Xiaoyi, wasn’t she an accomplice?

“Mother, what reason should we tell the coachman?”

Zhuang Zhuang had come up with an excuse saying he had a gift for Xiaoyi, and asked the coachman to wait at the door while he went into the house to get it. What should he say next?

“You don’t have to lie. Just be direct.”

The coachman was from the palace. It was better for him to see Xiaoyi and know his whereabouts. This way, Shao Zhan wouldn’t worry about his son either.

“Will the coachman take Xiaoyi away by force?”

Zhuang Zhuang asked nervously.

“No,” Xiaoguo said firmly.

He wouldn’t dare to. Xiaoyi was the crown prince. At most, he would rush back to the palace and report it to Shao Zhan. He had no right to take this matter into his own hands.

Xiaoguo didn’t know if Xiaoyi had left a message when he came out. After all, he was a mischievous little kid who had run away on a whim. Any parent would feel worried in such a situation.

After becoming a mother herself, whenever Xiaoguo saw mischievous children, she couldn’t help but worry and feel concern for them.

When Zhuang Zhuang heard his mother’s reply, he heaved a sigh of relief. Xiaoyi was really too pitiful. He really couldn’t bear to leave him alone.

He had wanted to return home this morning, but Xiaoyi begged him and even kicked up a fuss. He was unwilling to let him go. Therefore, Zhuang Zhuang had no choice but to wait until evening.

When it was almost sunset, Xiaoyi reluctantly let him go as the sky was turning dark.

Recalling the look in Xiaoyi’s eyes before he got into the carriage, how could Zhuang Zhuang bear to leave him behind? Hence, he agreed to his bold request.

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang came to the carriage and stopped the coachman from bowing. Then, they called Xiaoyi to come out of the carriage, right in front of the coachman.

The coachman looked at the crown prince with widened eyes and immediately rushed back to the palace in a daze. At this moment, he still couldn’t figure out how the boyhad gotten into his car without him noticing. No, no. He couldn’t bear the responsibility for this. He had to hurry back and report the incident.

“Why is he taking so long? Is Zhuang Zhuang back yet?”

Xiaoguo had mentioned earlier that she couldn’t wait any longer, and was going to pick Zhuang Zhuang up at the door. But she hadn’t returned after so long. Hence, Jiang Danhe couldn’t wait any longer and came out to look for them.

When Jiang Danhe saw Xiaoguo walking towards him by herself, he frowned instinctively. “Zhuang Zhuang hasn’t returned yet?”

“He’s back, he’s back.”

Xiaoguo took his hand and gestured for him to relax. “He went back to the house to put away his luggage, but he didn’t come back alone.”

Jiang Danhe frowned again. He was smart enough to guess the meaning behind Xiaoguo’s words. “Did Xiaoyi come back with him?”

Seeing the other party nod, Jiang Danhe said helplessly, “Prepare two more seats. We’ll start dinner slightly later.”

“Okay.”

” Wait a minute, why did he say two seats?”

Zhuang Zhuang already had one seat set aside for him. She only had to make one space for Xiaoyi.

Xiaoguo was about to ask him why there was a need for two extra seats when the other party spoke first.

“You can go in first.”

“Then where are you going?” Xiaoguo looked at him strangely. Hadn’t he come out looking for her?

“I am going to… wash my hands.”

Jiang Danhe said calmly, not daring to look into Xiaoguo’s eyes.

Xiaoguo narrowed her eyes and smiled. “I think you’re going to look for Zhuang Zhuang.”

Jiang Danhe rubbed the tip of his nose in embarrassment. “I’m not…”

Looking at the other party’s increasingly red cheeks, Xiaoguo didn’t stop smiling. She didn’t believe his words. “Why? Do you miss him?”

“Hurry up and go back first. I’m just going to wash my hands.”

Jiang Danhe refused to admit it and insisted, “Boys should go out and explore. How can they stick to their parents all day long? Besides, he has only been away for a few days… Just go back first. I’ll return soon.”

Xiaoguo wanted to tease him a little more, but he didn’t give her a chance. Seeing that she wasn’t leaving, he threatened, “If you don’t leave, I’m going to kiss you.”

“!!” Xiaoguo was shocked by his words. She subconsciously looked around to make sure that there was no one around, before saying shyly to him, “How annoying…”

Xiaoguo suspected that he had been reading some strange books lately. Otherwise, why would he speak so cheekily and playfully all the time? This man had been led astray!

Seeing that she was not budging, Jiang Danhe took two steps forward. Xiaoguo was so frightened that she ran away without looking back.

Just moments ago, she was still saying that he didn’t mean his words. In the next minute, she was running as if there was a ferocious beast behind her.

Jiang Danhe was completely charmed by her cuteness. Thinking about his plans for the night, he didn’t dare linger and headed straight to his room.

“Zhuang Zhuang, Zhuang Zhuang, I’m coming for you…”

After a long time, Jiang Danhe finally arrived with Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi.

Xiaoguo smiled at him. “Didn’t he say that he wasn’t going to look for Zhuang

Zhuang…?’

Jiang Danhe coughed guiltily and sat down beside her.

Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi had not made an appearance for a long time as they were having a good time in the palace. As soon as they entered the house, they told everybody about their activities over the past few days.

The preparations for the New Year’s Eve dinner were done. Xiaoguo and the others also did their best to help out in the kitchen. They knew that the two chefs were under a lot of pressure. Besides preparing their share for dinner, the chefs also had to cook for all the soldiers in the residence. The workload was pretty big. And since today was a special day, the dishes could not be too simple.

Thanks to the help of Xiaoguo and everyone else, the two chefs managed to survive this ordeal.

Someone from the kitchen came over and asked when the food could be served.

All of them turned to look at Jiang Danhe at the same time.

Earlier on, they had already asked him the same question, but Jiang Danhe had told them to wait. When asked for the reason, he only gave a secretive look.

The sky outside was gradually turning dark. Firecrackers had been heard since dawn. As night fell, every house was lit up with fireworks.

Xiaoguo and the others witnessed for themselves the extravagance of the people in the capital.

At this moment, a huge firework soared into the sky and burst with a loud bang, exploding into dozens of smaller fireworks that bloomed at the same time. The colorful display looked like a spariding sea of flowers.

“Wow…”

The few people who were admiring the fireworks in the courtyard couldn’t help but exclaim. It was a beautiful sight.

I

“Whose house did that come from?

Ruyi asked curiously. Such enormous fireworks must cost a lot of money.

Looking like he had received some sort of signal, Jiang Danhe first instructed the kitchen to serve the dishes before he explained to the rest, “Those are fireworks from the palace.”

“The fireworks signify the start of a meal, and they will be set off for a long time until dinner is over.”

“Wow…”

Ruyi watched the fireworks exploding continuously in the sky with her mouth agape. She was completely enjoying the extravagant display. Even from such a far distance, she could see the fireworks so clearly. If she was watching the display at a closer distance, it would be even more magnificent.

“When are we going to set off our fireworks?”

Li Shouji couldn’t wait to show everyone the fireworks he had prepared.

“After dinner,”

Ruyi quickly responded to his question. It would be so perfect to stay up late to watch the fireworks after dinner and enjoy them while spending the New Year’s Eve together.

“You can set off your fireworks after dinner. Set off some other ones before dinner starts.”

As soon as Xiaoguo finished speaking, Shu Botong immediately added, “Then let’s do it now. I’ll go.”

“Count me in.” Not to be outdone, Li Shouji immediately raised his hand.

…..

“And me!”

After expressing her interest, Ruyi also took the opportunity to raise Qin

Anming’s hand. “Brother Anming will set off one firework too.”

Qin Anming smiled without objecting, since having fun was the priority today.

“And us!”

Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi also raised their hands high, trying to get in on the action without anyone noticing.

“You guys can forget it!”

To their dismay, everyone objected in unison..