"Father, do you mean that?"
A blazing light instantly burst into Chu Lange's eyes, which had held no hope a moment before.
"As the Son of Heaven, my word carries the weight of nine bronze cauldrons."
Seeing this, Chu Wenzong could not help covering his forehead with his hand.
The fright his daughter had given him was finally over.
To be fair, he and his wife bore some responsibility too. They had failed to notice that their daughter had developed feelings for the guard at her side.
"Ahem... since that's all settled, and... it's getting late, shall we go set off firecrackers?"
After watching the drama unfold for so long without any of the flames reaching her, Chu Youning felt relieved.
"Wait a moment."
Realizing that tonight's visit to the Princess's Residence had been a setup from beginning to end, Chu Wenzong let his gaze travel between the two of them again.
"So... were the things in Ge'er's residence really put away out of frugality, or... did they go somewhere else?"
Chu Youning immediately sat a little straighter.
Her eyes fixed squarely on Chu Lange.
Chu Lange's brain whirred through several frantic revolutions. Finally, with guilt written all over her eyes, she gave a sheepish chuckle and poured Chu Wenzong a cup of tea. "I... sold them all."
"Sold them?" Chu Wenzong's eyes instantly widened. "The palace covers everything you eat, wear, and use. How could you still be short of money?"
"Well... didn't it all go toward food and keeping this face of mine looking good?"
Chu Lange gave him an eager smile.
Chu Wenzong's gaze then settled meaningfully on Chu Youning's face.
At that moment, Chu Youning sighed helplessly and cursed inwardly, What a pig of a teammate.
"So Ge'er's money... all ended up in my imperial sister's