The Empress's bedchamber.
The Crown Prince had just reached the door when he heard a commotion inside-
"Well? Have you found her?"
"Your Majesty, no..."
"Have you searched the Imperial Garden and checked with His Majesty?"
"We've searched everywhere. His Majesty has sent people to look as well, but no one has seen the little princess..."
"Your Majesty, this is all my fault. I failed to watch over the little princess. If anything happens to her, I can only atone with my life..."
The Crown Prince looked down at Little Xiyue in his arms. "Do you know what you did wrong?"
Little Xiyue stiffened, then pouted. "I know..."
Hearing his voice, the Empress looked up. Her expression eased when she saw the Crown Prince at the door.
She walked toward him. "Crown Prince, what brings you here?"
Then she spotted Little Xiyue in his arms and breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness she was safe.
She lifted her gaze. "Did she run off to find you?"
"Mother."
The Crown Prince replied, "She ran off on her own to find Little Imperial Uncle."
The Empress took her into her arms and gave her bottom a few swats.
She scolded, "You naughty child! If you wanted to find your Little Imperial Uncle, you should have told Nanny Fang and the others first.
"Look how worried everyone was!"
It was the first time Little Xiyue had been spanked, and in front of everyone, too. Mortified, she pressed her lips together, tears welling in her eyes.
Nanny Fang's heart ached at her aggrieved expression. She hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it wasn't the little princess's fault. I failed to watch over her. If you must punish someone, please punish me."
Seeing that Nanny Fang, who had always doted on her, was about to be