The Empress Dowager confidently let Princess Lianchun take Xiaosui away, while she herself sat in the Great Hall waiting for the wife of the Duke and Xiao Ning’Er to come and pay respects.

The Emperor, on the other hand, was worried about Xie Pan’Er, so he went to Wanhua Palace to see her.

"What exactly happened? How did Xiaosui’s mouth manage to say your eyes were irritated by the wind and sand?"

The Emperor sat next to Xie Pan’Er right after entering.

Xie Pan’Er was having someone fetch a basin of clean water to wash her eyes, and the Emperor nonchalantly took over the maid’s work, personally helping Xie Pan’Er cleanse her eyes.

The palace maidens of Wanhua Palace were terrified by his actions, but before they could panic, the Emperor glared at them, signaling them to leave.

Xie Pan’Er heard the Emperor’s voice and was startled, quickly standing up to pay her respects, but the Emperor grabbed her arm, forcing her back into her seat.

"Ever since I was injured, it has always been you taking care of me. Without your meticulous care, I wouldn’t have healed so quickly. The Imperial Physician even said, it’s all thanks to your merit!"

When the Emperor spoke these words, his voice was gentle, his warm breath nearly brushing against Xie Pan’Er’s face.

She was a bit nervous, and also a bit uneasy. Letting go of Ji Youzhi was something she couldn’t do; that young man’s smile was so bright, and he was always sincere with people. When investigating cases, he was always precise and thoughtful.

His family was all kind-hearted, and missing out on such a good family, was her future truly going to be spent in the cold and complex Imperial Palace?

Xie Pan’Er’s mind wandered with many thoughts, and unconsciously, the Emperor leaned closer, puckering his lips gently to blow air into her eyes, the warm breath stirring everything Xie Pan’Er had deliberately suppressed!

"Alright, blink your eyes and see if the tears will continue to flow."

As he set down the handkerchief, the Emperor softly said to Xie Pan’Er.

Xie Pan’Er blinked, her eyes meeting the Emperor’s tense and expectant face!

"Are the tears no longer flowing?"

"Does it still hurt?"

Xie Pan’Er shook her head, her cheeks suddenly blushing.

The Emperor felt moved, his heart pounding, unconsciously reaching out his hand, swallowing hard, unable to control his emotions any longer, he lowered his head and leaned towards Xie Pan’Er...

Xie Pan’Er was completely stunned, her eyes widened, her body stiff and unsure what to do!

The Emperor was equally dazed. For his first interaction so intimately with a woman, especially in such an unexpected situation, he had no experience whatsoever.

Coming to his senses, he suddenly released Xie Pan’Er, awkwardly blurting out, "I... I apologize! I... I crossed the line with you, miss..."

Xie Pan’Er was bewildered, not daring to cast another glance at the Emperor, and without a word, she covered her face and ran away...

Emperor: "..." Seems like... seems like I’ve acted like a rogue!

The feelings between the Emperor and Xie Pan’Er quietly developed, leading to mutual disturbances.

At this moment, Xiaosui was cheering in the Warehouse.

"Such a beautiful luminous pearl! Suisui really wants one. If there was one in my room at night, I wouldn’t have to call Yunxiang and Yun Duo for the lamp when I wake up to pee."

Xiaosui gazed innocently at the large pearl on the shelf, drooling!

Nanny Xiao’s heart tightened; could this mean Chang Rongshun and the Princess have taken a liking to this pearl?

Heavens, please don’t let it be as she feared!

Miss Ning’Er from the Duke’s Mansion has wanted this luminous pearl for many years. Every year on Miss Xiao’s birthday, she would enter the palace, subtly mentioning this luminous pearl, hoping to take it.

Yet every time, the Empress Dowager would tactfully refuse.

Nanny Xiao prayed that Chang Rongshun and the Princess Shunhe had not really set their sights on this pearl!

However, her prayers were ignored, as she heard the voice of Princess Lianchun.

"Take down that luminous pearl for Suisui to play with!"

"Ah..."

Nanny Xiao was stunned, her body trembling as if she hadn’t heard, claiming the wind was too strong. Yet with a mere glance from Princess Lianchun, she felt she should kneel and beg for mercy.

For the sake of preserving herself, Nanny Xiao hurriedly took down the luminous pearl and handed it to Xiaosui!

Xiaosui held the luminous pearl in his hands, delighted!