Chapter 904

Tuan Tuan hugged her father's neck: "Daddy, I want to go see little brother!"

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at the daughter in his arms: "Go ahead, His Majesty just bestowed you a golden seal; you may play wherever you wish."

He set Tuan Tuan down on the ground.

Si Yu smiled: "Princess, please, the Empress has prepared many tasty treats for you!"

Tuan Tuan turned and waved: "I'll head home after I see little brother!"

The three brothers, Xiao Er, and Lu Qi all smiled and nodded.

Tuan Tuan, excited, grabbed Si Yu's hand: "Let's go!"

Si Yu paid respects to Prince Ning, then led Tuan Tuan to Fengyi Palace.

As soon as they entered, Si Yu released Tuan Tuan's hand, hurried to Murong Jin's side, and whispered in her ear: "Empress, the Seventh Prince has been made crown prince."

Murong Jin's expression shifted slightly.

She stepped forward, took Tuan Tuan's little hand, and led her to the table: "Have some snacks first; try them all, and let Si Yu bring you any you like when we return home."

Tuan Tuan climbed onto a chair and saw the table laden with honeyed plums, chestnut flour cakes… everything one could wish for.

"Thank you, Empress!" Tuan Tuan's little legs swung under the chair as she grabbed a pastry, cheeks puffing: "So delicious!"

Murong Jin sat beside her, smiling as she watched her eat with relish: "As long as you like it."

Tuan Tuan tried everything, then slid off the chair: "I want to go see little brother!"

"All right." Murong Jin rose, took her hand, and walked into the sleeping chambers.

Tuan Tuan ran to the cradle, clung to its edge, and peered inside.

Xiao Che's eyes were wide open, his tiny hands waving incessantly in the air.

Upon seeing her, Xiao Che broke into a grin.

Tuan Tuan reached a tiny hand in; Xiao Che immediately seized it, gripping tightly.

She exclaimed delightedly, turning: "Empress, look, he grabbed me! Does he especially like me?"

"Yes!" Murong Jin smiled, nodded, sitting beside the bed: "Che'er really likes you!"

"Empress," Tuan Tuan said while teasing Xiao Che, "Snow Tuan is having a great time at my place; Xiao Feifei and Xiao Jinyin aren't bullying it, so no need to worry."

Murong Jin froze for a moment.

"Snow Tuan? Oh, that's the lion cat she keeps."

From a palm-sized kitten it grew into a huge snow‑white cat; during the years His Majesty never set foot in Fengyi Palace, it kept her company for several years.

But since Xiao Che arrived, she had never once thought of it.

Murong Jin came to, gave a perfunctory nod: "That's good."

"How adorable little brother is!" Tuan Tuan stared at Xiao Che's pink face: "I'll go fetch Xiao Shi and Xiao Shi'er to play with him, okay?"

The smile on Murong Jin's face hadn't faded before she blurted: "No!"

Tuan Tuan lifted her head: "Why? Little brother can play with me, and also with them."

Murong Jin's eyes flickered, unsure how to explain.

Si Yu hurried: "Princess, the young prince should sleep; let's play with the two princes another day."

"It's also time for lunch." She glanced at the door: "Princess, the Empress has ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare many delicacies for you."

Tuan Tuan looked at Xiao Che in the cradle, his big round eyes wide open, clearly wide awake, showing no sign of wanting to sleep.

She found it odd, but didn't press further, just answered with an "oh."

Murong Jin rose, walked to her side, took her little hand, and headed out: "Come, I'll accompany you to lunch."

"Okay." Tuan Tuan obediently followed her out.

Murong Jin held her soft little hand, her thoughts churning.

His Majesty values this child so highly that, because she vouched for him, he actually shielded Old Seven, the mastermind who secretly harmed the heir.

No matter what, we must win her over and keep her by our side, making her Che'er's sister.

Only with this status can Tuan Tuan openly and rightfully protect Che'er.

Thus, when Old Seven tries again, Che'er will have a sliver of hope.

She tightened her grip on Tuan Tuan's hand, as if clutching the last lifeline.

The two came to the table in the main hall and sat down.

The table was already laden with dishes: honey‑glazed tofu, crab‑meat lion's head… all light, suitable for children.

Si Yu stepped forward, about to pick up chopsticks to serve Tuan Tuan, but Murong Jin waved her off: "I'll do it."

Si Yu lowered her head and stepped aside.

Murong Jin personally ladled a bowl of soup, pushed it toward Tuan Tuan: "Have a sip to warm your stomach."

Tuan Tuan picked up a tiny silver spoon, scooped a mouthful, sipped, her eyes lighting up: "This is sweet, really delicious!"

Murong Jin smiled, picked the most tender piece of fish belly, meticulously removed the bones, placed it in her small dish: "Try this fish, it's very fresh."

Tuan Tuan popped it in, hummed: "So tender! So fragrant!"

Murong Jin watched her eat happily, the corners of her mouth unwittingly turning up.

A moment later, her tone soft and casual: "Tuan Tuan, is Taiyuan Island fun?"

"Yes!" Tuan Tuan swallowed the lion's head, lifted her head, eyes sparkling: "It's huge! The mountains are full of deer, the sugarcane fields stretch as far as the eye can see!"

Murong Jin gave a slight nod, then ladled another bowl of soup: "How have you and the Seventh Prince been getting along there?"

"Third Elder Brother, he's awesome! Those red‑haired devils fled without even fighting!"

Murong Jin's chopsticks paused.

"Just retaking a lone island— the Imperial Navy could conquer Goryeo and Japan; why go to such trouble?"

But Old Seven insists on taking such a roundabout way.

Not spending a single soldier or pawn—just buying people's hearts.

All the glory from the Taiwan official's victory went to him alone.

Lao Qi is young, yet so scheming—how can this palace's Che Er possibly defeat him?

Murong Jin's smile didn't change as she slipped a piece of fish into Tuan Tuan's bowl, asking, "After the Red-haired Barbarians left, aren't the islanders all happy?"

"Of course! Third Elder Brother even waived their taxes!" Tuan Tuan picked up her spoon, scooped a ladle of soup and took a sip, saying, "They're overjoyed!"

Father said Third Elder Brother was right, and Imperial Uncle also likes those four characters.

Murong Jin's smile turned stiff: "What do you play every day on the island?"

"Third Elder Brother goes hunting with me every day!" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up as she spoke, she put down her spoon and gestured with her two little hands, saying, "Besides, with Father and the brothers, the mountains are a blast!"

We bagged plenty of pheasants, rabbits, and wild boar, then roasted them at night—so fragrant!

Murong Jin watched her lively gestures, her heart sinking lower and lower.

Ah, that's how it is! Lao Qi actually won over the Ning Prince's Mansion!

Prince Ning carries great weight at court, and his three sons all hold important positions now.

With the Ning Prince's Mansion's support, it's no wonder Lao Qi dares to overstep—he even privately issued a pacification notice.

This palace shows weakness, kneeling to beg His Majesty to name him heir apparent.

Now that he's the Crown Prince, will he really spare mother and son?

She drifted off in thought.

Si Yu furtively glanced at her fading smile, stepping forward: "Are you tired, Your Highness? Let me serve the princess her meal."

Murong Jin set down her chopsticks, gave a soft hum and forced a smile: "Be good, I'll have someone from the palace send you back once you're full."

She reached out to smooth Tuan Tuan's stray hairs at her temples, saying, "If you like it, eat more. And if you ever miss your little brother, feel free to come to Phoenix Etiquette Palace to see him."