That night, the Duke of Lu escorted Jing Jiu and Gu Qing into the Imperial Palace.
Consort Hu had received word beforehand. She washed Jing Yao thoroughly, used no perfume or powder, dressed him in plain-colored clothes, and waited in the hall.
When Zhao Layue had gone to South River Province years ago, the owner of the Precious Tree Residence had groomed himself in the same way. It had to be said that the world's impression of Green Mountain Immortal Masters was always so rigid... and correct.
Jing Jiu was clearly more satisfied with the Little Imperial Prince today than on his previous visit. After only a few words, he had the matron take him inside to sleep.
His mother had given Little Imperial Prince Jing Yao reminders for so long that he was inevitably somewhat nervous. When he finally took his leave, his voice even trembled slightly on the words "Patriarch," making him look exceedingly adorable.
Jing Jiu glanced at Gu Qing.
"He wasn't pretending," Gu Qing said. "The Imperial Prince is much cleverer than before."
Only someone truly clever would refrain from playing clever little tricks.
Consort Hu really was not clever. She paused before understanding what Jing Jiu and Gu Qing meant, then cast Gu Qing a grateful look.
Then she turned to Jing Jiu and asked nervously, "Does this mean you're taking him to Green Mountain?"
As his mother, she naturally could not bear to send him to Green Mountain for arduous cultivation at such a young age. But she understood even better that, with Jing Xin now confined, her son had become the target of every arrow. Everyone wanted to reach into this hall. Rather than live here in constant fear, it would be better to go far away.
"I only came to put your