The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 1613 - 777 Aunt Meeting (two parts)_3

"Understood," said Xiao Hen.

Zhang Dequan smiled, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to the palace now."

Xiao Hen nodded.

After Zhang Dequan left, Xiao Hen lifted the curtain and looked towards Shangguan Yun who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, eating watermelon with a spoon, "Can Zhang Dequan be trusted?"

Shangguan Yun scooped another bite of watermelon, "Oh, he’s not a bad person."

Xiao Hen said, "So, can we keep those people outside?"

Shangguan Yun thought for a moment, "Let them stay for now. Zhang Dequan is the only one in the palace who won’t harm me."

...

Lingbo Academy.

A carriage was parked in the alley diagonally opposite it.

This alley was originally meant for the academy’s students to park their carriages, and this carriage, being the earliest to arrive, took the prime spot.

The coachman’s task ended here as the old wine-maker settled the fare.

The coachman left, satisfied with his payment.

The old wine-maker and the Dowager Empress remained in the carriage, waiting.

"Are you sure we’re waiting here?" asked the Dowager Empress.

The old wine-maker said, "Jingkong has classes at Lingbo Academy. He’ll be out soon, and Ahen will definitely come to pick him up. If Ahen doesn’t come, Jiaojiao surely will."

Yan Country’s summer is hotter than Zhan Country’s, and today was particularly stifling. Soon, the carriage turned into a steam box.

The Dowager Empress turned into a steamed shrimp, sweating profusely.

She leaned lifelessly against the carriage wall, "Didn’t it rain last night? Why did it get hot again so quickly?"

The old wine-maker fanned her; he too was drenched in sweat, "Yan Country is terribly hot. I wonder if the kids can handle it."

The Dowager Empress didn’t have the strength to speak; feeling heatstroke, she collapsed like a limp shrimp on her seat.

The old wine-maker couldn’t bear to see her suffer, "There’s a tea house right beside. Go have some tea, and I’ll wait here."

The Dowager Empress glared at him weakly, "Tea costs silver, doesn’t it?"

With Yan Country’s high prices, the children’s travel money must be tight; she had to save for Jiaojiao.

Of course, there’s another crucial reason—she wanted to see Jiaojiao first.

Even though it might not be Jiaojiao coming for Jingkong.

They waited from morning till afternoon, exhausted by the heat.

Finally, the Lingbo Academy started letting out, and the students, dressed in academy uniforms, came out full of vigor.

The Dowager Empress strained her eyes, "Why don’t I see any kids? Go find out if the Genius Class has finished."

The old wine-maker went.

Since the Little Princesses were almost kidnapped near the academy, the security had tightened considerably, particularly against those seeking information about the Genius Class.

The guard barked, "No inquiries about the academy allowed! If you don’t leave now, I’ll report you and have you arrested!"

There were indeed patrol officers newly assigned nearby.

The old wine-maker, being unregistered, couldn’t afford to fall into the hands of the officials. He wanted to say he was a relative of a student but glanced at his shabby attire and swallowed his words.

Throughout their journey, to avoid thieves’ attention, they dressed poorly and used the most rundown carriage.

The old wine-maker planned to ask around at nearby shops. As he turned to leave, he heard the guard instructing his colleague, "Keep an eye on that old man."

The old wine-maker’s lips twitched. Was he being mistaken for a thief?

What’s wrong with the academy in Yan Country!

Failing to gather any information, he had to wait: "Don’t worry. I checked at the inn. This is the only gate they can exit through after school. Jingkong will definitely come out."

"Stop talking and move aside!" The Dowager Empress harshly turned his face away and fixed her gaze on Lingbo Academy’s gate.

Finally, heaven rewarded their patience as a child, around ten years old, appeared.

Her eyes lit up, "The Genius Class is out!"

The Genius Class indeed had been dismissed.

But Jingkong and the Little Princesses were always the slowest, making Master Lu doubt reality.

The Little Princesses said to her classmate, "Jingkong, come play at my house today!"

Jingkong asked, "Where is your house?"

"Um... over there!" The Little Princesses pointed in the direction of the Imperial Palace (according to her), "I’ve been to your place so many times, but you’ve never been to mine!"

Jingkong thought that was reasonable.

"Alright then, but I need to inform Master Cheng first."

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