Hearing this, Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.
Chu Ning gave Xu Shu a cold glance and said flatly, “After dinner, it’s time for Yu’er to return to the palace.”
At the words “return to the palace,” Xiao Yu’s expression slowly darkened.
Back to the palace… and he would be alone again.
Cold and quiet… all by himself…
Jin Anhao nodded in agreement with Chu Ning. “We snuck out in the first place. If the teacher can’t find us, he’ll definitely be furious.”
“I…” Xiao Yu wanted to say something, but at that moment the Grand Tutor’s voice came from outside.
“You still know I’ll be angry! You brats actually dare…!”
The five little ones turned toward the sound and saw the Grand Tutor storming in, holding a teaching ruler, his face full of anger.
Their expressions immediately changed. The teacher… how did he get here?
Feng Jingge quickly worried that in his rage, the Grand Tutor might reveal the little emperor’s identity. She coughed lightly to remind him.
“Cough.”
The sound instantly drew the Grand Tutor’s attention.
He paused and hurried to the bedside. “Your Highness, are you alright?”
The children quickly stepped aside and stood in a line, lowering their heads. “Teacher…”
That single word made the Grand Tutor even more furious.
He turned around, pointing the ruler at them. “You little brats, I really want to—!”
Feng Jingge: “…”
She had finally drawn his attention away from them so they could escape. And now, one word “teacher” brought it all back again.
They deserved the scolding.
Bringing the little emperor out of the palace secretly—these kids were bold.
The Grand Tutor, shaking with anger, turned back to Feng Jingge to complain.
“Your Highness, look at these boys. In just a few days of teaching, they’ve emptied the bird nests in the bamboo grove at South Upper Courtyard!”
“Climbing roofs, jumping walls, playing hide-and-seek!”
“Who is more troublesome than them?!”
Xiao Jinghan glanced at the five children. Indeed… quite troublesome.
Feng Jingge: “…”
The Grand Tutor pointed at Xu Shu. “This one is the ringleader.”
Xu Shu looked unconcerned.
“Chu Ning—strategist.”
Chu Ning remained expressionless.
“Li Jie—sharp-tongued mocker.”
Li Jie looked proud and aloof.
“And the remaining two just follow along!”
Xiao Yu: “……”
Jin Anhao: “……”
The Grand Tutor, finished listing them, looked at Feng Jingge. “Your Highness, since they’re here, please think of a way to discipline them.”
Feng Jingge: “…”
She had no choice—otherwise the Grand Tutor might explode.
After thinking for a moment, she came up with an idea.
The Grand Tutor wasn’t entirely convinced when he heard it.
“Your Highness… will this work?”
“They’re children. At this age, they’re easily tempted. Let them suffer a little hunger while being tempted by food—I think it’ll work.”
The Grand Tutor reluctantly agreed. “Alright then.”
Soon, a barbecue rack was set up in the courtyard. Charcoal burned hot, and marinated meat was placed on the grill.
With a sizzle, the aroma of roasted meat filled the entire courtyard.
The five children stood in a line against the wall, holding horse stances.
The tutor paced around them with the ruler, striking whoever was not standing properly.
Xiao Yu, unused to such punishment, trembled as his legs weakened and his face turned pale.
Xu Shu stood steadily—he had martial training.
Chu Ning’s face darkened.
Jin Anhao looked like she was about to cry.
Li Jie remained arrogantly composed.
But as the aroma of grilled meat drifted over, they all became restless.
They kept swallowing their saliva.
“Xiao Yu, your imperial uncle is ruthless,” Xu Shu gritted his teeth.
“He’s actually punishing us like this just because the teacher told him to,” Jin Anhao complained.
“I want to eat skewers…” he whispered.
Chu Ning glanced over. “Then wait until they’re ready.”
Jin Anhao brightened. “Really?”
Li Jie immediately interrupted, “Chu Ning means you’re dreaming.”
“…”
Xu Shu snapped, “Li Jie, can you shut up?”
Li Jie sneered. “What, can’t handle the truth?”
Chu Ning coldly warned, “If you don’t stop talking, you won’t eat anything.”
Feng Jingge sat in a chair, resting her eyes, listening to their chatter.
She couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Still talking while being punished.
Good thing the Grand Tutor left earlier—otherwise he’d be fuming again.
A skewer suddenly appeared in front of her.
She looked up.
It was Xiao Jinghan.
“Not spicy. You can eat it.”
Feng Jingge took it and glanced at the children. “That’s enough. Let them eat and then send them home.”
Xiao Jinghan raised an eyebrow. “Annoyed?”
Before she could answer, he sat beside her. “This is Xiao Yu’s first time sneaking out since he was old enough to remember. He won’t want to go back so early. Let him stand a bit longer.”
“Hm?” Feng Jingge frowned. “First time?”
Xiao Jinghan explained, “Royal children need permission to leave the palace, and he didn’t have it. When he was younger, I took him out twice.”
Feng Jingge’s brows tightened further. “So you two actually had a good relationship before.”
“Then how did it become so strained?”
Xiao Jinghan glanced at Xiao Yu. “Perhaps… I hold resentment.”
Feng Jingge: “?”
There’s more to this?
“Tell me why,” she asked curiously.
Xiao Jinghan looked at her. “Do you know my title?”
“Xian?” she guessed uncertainly.
Then she added, “Honestly, I’ve never even heard of it.”
Xiao Jinghan said calmly, “That was a title I personally requested.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
As they talked, the five children stared at the two sitting side by side.
Xu Shu frowned. “Xiao Yu, look—your imperial uncle and that Miss Feng are sitting so close. Do you think… they like each other?”
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