Chapter 24 Time to Reel in the Net

Jun Ning was not joking. She was being serious.

There was nothing wrong with what she had said. Plus, it made sense.

Qiong Hua was intimidated by Jun Ning’s expression. She nodded quickly and said, “For the sake of our safety, I will listen to you.”

If Qiong Hua had known what had happened after Jun Ning had slipped out, and her so-called countermeasures, she would not have been so intimidated. Jun Ning would have gotten an earful if Qiong Hua knew everything

The two of them approached the small hole that Jun Ning climbed out of to sneak out. The hole was not very big, and it was hidden in the lush grass, so it was not easy to find.

Jun Ning wiggled out of the dog-sized hole easily, but it was more difficult for Qiong Hua.

In any case, Qiong Hua was an adult. No matter how thin and weak her body was, it was still much bigger than a child’s body. It took her a lot of effort to get out. Her body and fresh clothes became dirty as a result of her efforts, but she did not care.

The two of them patted the dust off their bodies and walked towards the imperial garden.

Fortunately, because of the hot weather, there were not many people on the way to the imperial garden. The two of them did not need to sneak around or hide from the palace maids. Soon enough, they arrived at the imperial garden.

The emperor coughed a few times before he spoke. ” Xiao Lizi, have you arranged everything?”

Emperor Yong Ning put down the bowl of Chinese medicine he had just finished, wiped the corner of his mouth, and questioned Xiao Lizi.

Out of context, this question was confusing. Other people might not have understood what Emperor Yong Ning was talking about. They would have taken some time to respond.

However, that was not the case for Xiao Lizi.

Xiao Lizi had served Emperor Yong Ning since he was a child and he had grown up withEmperor Yong Ning. No one knew Emperor Yong Ning better than he did. As soon as Emperor Yong Ning opened his mouth, he knew that he was going to ask about the planned ambush in the imperial garden.

“Your Majesty, the arrangements have already been made.”

“I only feel at ease when you’re handling things.” Emperor Yong Ning looked at Xiao Lizi with relief and put down the little girl’s shoes he had been playing with. Each shoe had a tiger head on the front. “It’s almost time to reel in that net. Let’s go.”

Emperor Yong Ning arose from the throne that had a golden dragon carved on it and slowly walked out of the palace.

Xiao Lizi followed behind him, his face full of grief.

Ever since the emperor found out that he had a daughter who was suffering somewhere without his protection, his health had been getting worse every day. He was walking slower with every step.

Xiao Lizi sighed.

With this faint sigh, they made their way towards the imperial garden.

On the way there, they ran into Concubine Liu. Her foot had not recovered yet, and she was walking with a limp.

Although it was very sunny and warm today, she did not seem to be aware of it. She was not even carrying an umbrella. Instead, she was holding a bowl of sour plum soup.

If it were any other time, Emperor Yong Ning would not have refused her, but today he had something important to do.

“Concubine Liu, please wait in the imperial study. I will have the soup when I return.”

After that quick pause, Emperor Yong Ning continued his journey. He was in a bit of a hurry.

Concubine Liu looked at his departing figure with some disappointment. She was about to stop him, but in the end, she did nothing. She continued to limp toward the imperial study.

When she arrived at the imperial study, she saw the red shoes with tiger heads on them that Emperor Yong Ning had been playing with. Her face fell.

“Princess, oh princess, do you know that your father is tirelessly looking for you? Be good and show yourself!” Concubine Liu silently prayed for the girl to be found. Her face was full of sincerity and did not hold the slightest trace of selfishness.