The four of them still ended up traveling together.
The Cold Palace was full of little dumplings from various countries looking for places to hide. Along the way, some brightened when they spotted Jiang Yingcheng, only to retreat with troubled expressions once they saw the entire procession behind her.
Today's hide-and-seek game came with a prize. Whoever stayed hidden until the very end would receive the prize the Little Princess herself had offered-
Hiding with so many people was obviously a recipe for getting caught.
Forget it, forget it.
The atmosphere in Jiang Yingcheng's group was rather peculiar, too.
As a palace native who was forever scampering all over the place, Jiang Xingran naturally took on the task of leading the way. Jiang Yingcheng and Luo Fuying walked arm in arm in the middle, while Sheng Shixu brought up the rear at Jiang Xingran's signal, preventing the little one from running off halfway.
Jiang Xingran appeared to be searching for hiding places, but in truth, all his attention had drifted to the little girl.
[Sigh...]
[Chengcheng could've just taken Luo Fuying straight to the Secret Chamber, but Seventh Brother and Brother Shixu insisted on tagging along...]
Although the little girl had not said it outright, her meaning-"dead weight"-was unmistakable, leaving him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Jiang Xingran led them to a fork in the path and took a step to the left.
[Oh no! Wrong way, wrong way! The Secret Chamber isn't in that direction!]
Jiang Xingran paused.
Ahead lay the Three-Way Junction. Narrow, winding paths twisted between several dilapidated buildings, extending in three entirely different directions.
He steeled himself and took a few more steps forward.
Seeing her seventh brother continue down his chosen path, Jiang Yingcheng was utterly miserable. *[Boohoo, why did Seventh Brother have to