Chapter Forty-Eight: Crown Prince, You're Flaunting Your Wealth Again

“Does Yunbai really have to go as well?” Su Jingluo was indeed rather worried about Yunbai.

“Of course. But there’s no need to be afraid. Even if she discovers you weren’t affected, what can she do? If she dares harm you again, I will see her dead,” Xiao Jingxuan’s gaze grew sharp as a blade.

“It’s all right. Yunbai can go, and so can Mother. If anyone bullies Mother, they’ll regret it,” Yunbai’s little head suddenly popped up between them, joining the conversation.

Su Jingluo pressed her forehead, thinking, Child, you always show up exactly when I’m most anxious.

These past days, Su Jingluo had been patiently teaching Yunbai about the goodness and beauty in the world, trying to steer him away from resorting to poison at every turn.

Yet, when it was time to leave, Yunbai, dressed in fine clothes, still grabbed his belt pouch filled with poisonous insects and potions.

“Put that thing down for your mother this instant,” Su Jingluo scolded, having chosen a simple outfit in muted colors for herself early that morning as she came to check on Yunbai. She didn’t care for elaborate finery—it was uncomfortable—and rarely wore intricate ornaments. But she had dressed Yunbai in vibrant attire: a brilliant red robe trimmed with gold brocade, making the five-year-old look strikingly spirited. However, when she saw him pick up the pouch of poisons, she began to panic.

Yunbai pouted and reluctantly set the pouch down, but as soon as Su Jingluo turned her back, he slipped it into his sleeve. Obedience was simply out of the question. Yunbai had secretly vowed to protect his mother. At five years old, if he couldn’t use poison, what else was he supposed to do—brandish a broadsword?

The atmosphere in the carriage was a bit awkward. Xiao Jingxuan seemed uncharacteristically uneasy, glancing outside by lifting the carriage curtains from time to time. Su Jingluo remained silent. Yunbai kept clutching his sleeve, afraid his mother would discover the contraband pouch.

Only after getting out did Su Jingluo realize that today’s banquet was not in the palace, but at a royal villa. This allowed the guests much more freedom than the constraints within the palace walls.

As soon as Xiao Jingxuan alighted, he was immediately surrounded by people. Lin Feifei, clearly experienced at such gatherings, alighted from another carriage and flitted among the noble ladies like a butterfly.

Su Jingluo, meanwhile, had to maintain her act as someone addled by mind-control. She glanced at Yunbai, their hands still clasped, and wondered if it looked bad to be seen with a “foolish” mother. Fortunately, Xiao Chengze had been waiting at the entrance, one foot tapping impatiently as he waited for Yunbai.

“Yunbai! Yunbai! I—I’m over here!” Xiao Chengze called out enthusiastically, waving as he hurried over and grabbed Yunbai’s hand.

Yunbai tried to pull away, clearly uncomfortable, but the little crown prince was a stout, sturdy child and Yunbai couldn’t quite break free.

“I’ll take you to see the ponies! Can you ride? Do you have your own colt?” Xiao Chengze’s habit of showing off was just incorrigible.

Yunbai’s face darkened as he tried harder to extract his hand, but to no avail.

So, the rich heirs of old played with horses instead of carriages. No matter—her own son was a young lord; it was only natural for him to ride as well. Su Jingluo made a mental note to see about getting him a horse too. If other children had one, so should hers. She nodded to Yunbai, encouraging him to get acquainted—after all, soon enough he would have his own steed. Off you go, my boy.

Yunbai still looked uneasy, so Su Jingluo discreetly gave him a little push. Getting closer to the crown prince could only be a good thing; it would give Yunbai another powerful ally in the future. Still, Yunbai had never ridden a horse before, so she sent Ruihuan along with him.

Now Su Jingluo was left alone. Who couldn’t play the fool when needed? Lin Feifei, meanwhile, was positively radiant, finally able to hold her head high, convinced that Xiao Jingxuan was ignoring Su Jingluo, who was, after all, “a fool.” Lin Feifei threw herself into spreading the word that the Princess Consort was an imbecile.