IDWBE -Chapter 316 A Heavy Heart

From beginning to end, she had been watching from the side. Although Xiao Xizi brought his misfortune upon himself, seeing his lonely figure somehow stirred a pang of sympathy in her heart.

All their honor and disgrace depended on a single person. She feared that one day she might fall into complete obscurity, especially once youth and beauty faded.

Suddenly, she thought of the older palace maids—those who, as imperial favor flowed elsewhere like a river, wept alone until dawn.

She was just like them, maintaining the posture of a drowning person, only her head hadn’t yet slipped beneath the water.

Xiao Xizi had fallen out of favor, and in the Prince He Mansion, this was explosive news.

Almost no one would believe it. Everyone knew that Xiao Xizi thrived only because of the Prince’s favor.

So how could he suddenly fall from grace?

By the next morning, it was confirmed: Xiao Xizi had indeed lost favor. That morning, attending to the Prince was Xiao Guizi. Even after confirming the news, no one dared speak harshly to Xiao Xizi.

If favor returned later, who knew what would happen?

Thus, though secretly pleased, no one dared to kick him when he was down. Besides, he was still at the Empress’s side and hadn’t completely fallen yet.

Better to be cautious than recklessly foolish.

Yet this didn’t stop them from flattering Xiao Guizi, newly assigned to the Prince’s side.

At the same time, they marveled at his luck.

After years of servitude in the mansion’s side rooms, any man could have scolded or hit him, yet here he was, turning his fortunes around. Completely unpredictable—truly a matter of fate.

Consort Yuan’s morning routine differed from others. She ate breakfast first, then dressed and arranged her hair.

Now, sitting before a mirror, two maids behind her were styling her hair into a bun. She casually glanced at Xiao Xizi, bent over and holding a golden copper basin.

Seeing his dejected expression, she couldn’t help smiling. “I said it—you think the Prince would ever let you into my rooms? Clearly, you’ve made a mistake.”

“I am, after all, Your Highness’s servant,”

Xiao Xizi said with a wailing face.

“Don’t flatter me with such words,” Consort Yuan teased, “You’re just bullying me, a woman.”

“Your Highness jokes,” Xiao Xizi knelt with the basin.

Consort Yuan often spoke whimsically. He had long been accustomed to it. Like the Prince, she sometimes forgot she was the legitimate master and never considered whether her words were appropriate for a servant.

“You’ve really messed up this time,” Consort Yuan coldly said, “Wasting all these years following your Prince.

“Please punish me, Your Highness.”

Xiao Xizi knelt carefully, wary of sitting awkwardly and hurting himself—after all, he had just been beaten the day before.

“All my life, from the Crown Prince to Princes Pingchuan, Yong, and Jin, none are as gentle as he is. This child, though clever and mischievous, has no malice and is very easy to talk to. Yet you fools have learned to exploit this, growing increasingly lazy,” Consort Yuan sighed. “But as the mother knows best, he is not always so easy to deal with. Whoever deceives him or plays tricks—he will not forgive lightly. Even I, and the Princess, are the same.”

Her son had been precocious from a young age. Some things he understood instantly, some words he grasped immediately, and some matters could never be faked with him.

He simply could not be treated as an ordinary child. Otherwise, he would sulk for long periods, his cunning as sharp as a needle.

Despite her annoyance, she was pleased. Her son was clever!

Once, she had placed great hopes on him, never imagining he would turn out so unpromising.

“I know my mistake,” Xiao Xizi suddenly realized!

If not for being in front of the Consort, he would have slapped himself twice.

He knew the Prince’s temperament, yet stubbornly ran straight into trouble. Wasn’t that asking for death?

Consort Yuan smiled. “I’m in a good mood today. We’ll add two plays at the theater and invite the families of the Pengs and Pangs. It’s dull to watch alone, without company.”

Having spent time in Jinling City, she had met many officials’ families, who fawned over her. She was happier here than back in Ankang City.

The only unpleasant matter: the Xue family, her relatives, could no longer move freely. Her son had confiscated their property and executed Xue Tongji. Every coin spent now was stained with the Xue family’s blood and tears.

Better not to see each other at all.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Xizi set down the basin and went to summon the theater troupe.

Spring had arrived; the weather was warm and pleasant.

“It’s too dull to stay inside. Let’s go fishing,”

Lin Yi said, extending the tea cup in his hand. He waited a moment, then looked up to see Xiao Guizi still standing motionless and sighed.

“Your Highness,” Mingyue hurried over, took the cup, and placed it on the table. “I’ll prepare the fishing hooks right away.”

“Mm.”

Lin Yi nodded. Without Xiao Xizi by his side, it felt strange.

This Xiao Guizi was hopeless—stubborn and slow-witted.

At the gate, the theater troupe had already entered the mansion again.

Lin Yi felt troubled.

He regretted taking on too much in front of his mother, promising everything. She now spent money without restraint.

The troupe sang on stage. When entertained, she tossed handfuls of golden sunflower seeds. Not only that, she brought a bunch of old ladies to watch—eating, drinking, all costly.

He felt he could barely afford it.

Those without family wealth couldn’t endure such indulgence.

But there was no choice. After all, it was his own mother. He could only let her be.

Riding a donkey to the river, he cast the line, and a fish immediately bit.

“Perhaps it’s the warm weather; the fish are out,”

Lin Yi said, and shortly after, another crucian carp was caught.

“Your Highness is amazing!”

Xiao Guizi said happily.

“Sigh,” Lin Yi muttered, seeing Xiao Guizi still frozen in place. He had to remove the fish from the hook himself and re-bait it with a worm. His hands sticky, he washed them in the river and cast again with a sigh.

Watching the silly, gleeful Xiao Guizi, Lin Yi found himself missing Xiao Xizi—a pitiful thought, after just one day.

In the past, Xiao Xizi had done all the hard work; Lin Yi only enjoyed casting and reeling.