Chapter 728: Please, Your Majesty, ascend the platform

Xiao Lin jumped in fright; this voice was……Tuan Tuan?

He looked around anxiously, but there was no one! He clutched the cloth tiger in his arms even tighter.

"Eleven! I'm inside your cloth tiger! Hurry up and let go!"

Hearing this, Xiao Lin turned pale, his whole body shrank into the wide carriage seat; his little arm loosened, and the cloth tiger rolled out of his embrace.

He hastily reached out to grab it, but only touched the cloth tiger's tail.

"Ouch! You hurt my butt by dropping it."

"Eleven, I told you to let go—why did you let go?"

Xiao Lin stared wide-eyed at the cloth tiger: "Tuan, Tuan Tuan? Are you really inside my little tiger?"

The cloth tiger lay still, but Tuan Tuan's voice came from inside again: "Yes! Little Eleven, I'm hiding in your cloth tiger! Is it fun?"

"It's fun, it's fun." Xiao Lin lifted the cloth tiger up to his eyes, staring intently: "Tuan Tuan, can you see me?"

"Can't see!"

"Oh." Xiao Lin's little mouth pouted, feeling disappointed—Tuan Tuan couldn't see him.

Seeing his expression, Tuan Tuan chuckled: "It's because the screen on your face is blocking the view!"

"The screen?" Xiao Lin blinked, then realized: "Oh, it's the crown pendants on my head."

He immediately broke into a smile, gently set down the cloth tiger, lifted his hand to lift the crown pendants: "Like this?"

"That'll do! I'm uncomfortable like this; please help me sit up!"

"Oh, okay!" Xiao Lin hurriedly propped up the sideways cloth tiger, then lay forward on the carriage seat, one hand holding up the lifted crown pendants, face to face with the cloth tiger.

"Tuan Tuan, did you shrink? My little tiger is so small—how did you get inside?"

"I don't know either! I used a bead, said a phrase, and just went in!"

Xiao Lin poked the cloth tiger's face with a little finger.

Tuan Tuan wondered: "Why are you poking me?"

Xiao Lin withdrew his finger: "It's really fun! My little tiger is Tuan Tuan!"

Tuan Tuan urgently warned him: "You must absolutely not let anyone know I'm here!"

"Mm-hmm!" Xiao Lin nodded vigorously: "I've got it!"

"Tuan Tuan, do you know where my Mother Consort is?"

"I do! I've even seen her!"

Xiao Lin's spirits lifted: "Where is she?"

"In the Splendid Countenance Palace—don't worry, she's doing fine!"

"Those two villains had an old granny watching her, and she even gave them a big slap!"

Xiao Lin laughed happily: "Great! I haven't seen her in ages."

"She even wanted me to come see you, to ask if you've been eating well."

"Uh," Xiao Lin's little face fell, "no, without Mother Consort, nothing tastes good."

"Why? When my dad and mom aren't around, I eat just fine."

Xiao Lin looked envious: "Tuan Tuan, I wish I could be like you."

"Yikes!" Tuan Tuan suddenly exclaimed.

"What's wrong, Tuan Tuan?" Xiao Lin jumped in fright: "Are you coming out?"

"No! Where is that fake-death pill? It's not in my stomach, is it?"

"No! No!" Xiao Lin hastily shook his head: "Don't be scared, Tuan Tuan."

"It's tiny—Mother Consort sewed it onto the tip of the little tiger's tail, leaving a thread; I can pull it out anytime!"

"Oh wow, that's great—I thought I'd have to cut open my belly!"

Xiao Lin's head shook like a rattle drum: "Even if you were in the little tiger's belly, now you are it—I wouldn't rip open your stomach!"

Tuan Tuan was delighted: "Eleven, you're really nice! By the way, are you scared now?"

Xiao Lin then realized: "Oh no, I'm about to sit on the city wall soon—I forgot!"

Just thinking about it made his eyes well up again; he gazed tearfully at the cloth tiger before him: "I'm scared, Tuan Tuan—I'm really scared!"

"Don't be scared—I'm here to keep you company, aren't I?"

Xiao Lin nodded: "I just forgot I had to go to the city wall."

"That's right! I'll definitely protect you—I won't let those two villains bully you!"

Xiao Lin's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Tuan Tuan! With you here, I'm not afraid."

The imperial carriage slowly stopped; Xiao Lin hurriedly sat up, gently lifted the cloth tiger, and placed it steadily against his chest.

Outside the carriage came a medley of noisy sounds, quite clamorous.

Xiao Lin's heart pounded, his little hand continuously rubbing the cloth tiger's head.

"Eleven, why isn't anyone coming to tell you to get down? What are they doing?"

"I—I don't know either."

Outside, the deputy general dismounted his horse and swiftly charged up the city wall.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Prince Qing turned his head, frowned: "Where is the Empress Dowager?"

The deputy general dropped to one knee, voice trembling: "The Empress Dowager was taken… taken away by the Ninth Prince's ghost!"

"Who?" Prince Qing exclaimed, astonished.

"The Ninth Prince's… ghost!"

Prince Qing's face turned ashen instantly: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

I speak the truth in every word! I saw the Imperial Guard of Hua Rong Hall with my own eyes!

They say the Ninth Prince's ghost even had a white fox with horns on its head!

When that ghost raised its hand, the east side of Hua Rong Hall flooded, and even an old woman inside was publicly cut down!

Prince Qing clenched his teeth silently—what ghost! Xiao Ran wasn't dead at all! He actually ran into the Palace to pose as a god and play tricks!

Prince Chen asked lightly, "No problem, His Majesty?"

The deputy general hurriedly reported, "His Majesty's sedan chair is just below."

Prince Chen gave a slight nod, "Bring him up."

"Yes!" the deputy general rose, turned, and left.

Prince Qing struck the parapet with a heavy palm: "Xiao Ran! He betrayed him!"

Prince Chen smoothed his cuff: "As long as the Emperor is still alive, Consort Rong is of no consequence; it's merely a short performance for Xiao Jieyun."

Prince Qing suppressed the anger in his chest: "Brother Wang, you are right."

Soon after, Xiao Lin, assisted by two junior eunuchs, stepped down from the sedan chair and slowly climbed the city wall.

Prince Chen and Prince Qing gave him a quick once‑over.

Crown Pendants hid his face, the Dragon Robe was heavy, and the little Emperor, clutching a cloth tiger, looked like a delicate doll.

The guards knelt and performed the salute one after another, while Prince Chen and Prince Qing merely gave a casual bow, not even bending their waists.

"His Majesty, please forgive me," Prince Chen smiled, "I am wearing armor today, so I cannot perform the salute."

Xiao Lin raised his eyelids, glanced at his forced grin, and remained silent.

Prince Qing raised his hand, pointing at the Dragon Throne on the high platform, his face eager for a show: "Today the two armies will clash; please His Majesty ascend the platform to steady the troops."

Xiao Lin timidly nodded, clutching the cloth tiger, climbed the platform step by step, and took his seat in the Dragon Throne.