"Uncle Xiao, what kind of criminal is that? A thief?" Baozi was, after all, an innocent child.
A criminal escorted by a high - ranking official of the second rank certainly wouldn't be a mere thief.
Xiao Tian shook his head. "No. See the official in charge of the escort? He's the General of Divine Might of the second rank."
He had recognized this man and also guessed the identity of the prisoner.
"Uncle Xiao, do you know him?"
"Yes. His name is Qiao Ye. He's been stationed in Fujian and is somewhat well - known."
"Did Uncle Emperor summon him back to the capital?"
"Yes. At his rank, he's not allowed to leave his post without an imperial edict." Xiao Tian stroked Baozi's head. "You've remembered everything I've taught you. That's good."
As they were talking, Yi Qing and Zisu had finished ordering and called out to Xiao Tian. "Do you think the dishes I've ordered are enough? Come and add a few more."
Xiao Tian instructed Baozi, "Don't lean out. Be careful not to fall off the building."
After getting a positive response from Baozi and seeing that he just obediently pressed his little head against the window, Xiao Tian then turned around to order with confidence.
The dishes he ordered were also Yi Qing's usual favorites, so Yi Qing raised her eyebrows proudly at Zisu—Humph, let's see if there's any chance between her and Xiao Tian!
Zisu thought her childish and ignored her while playing with a teacup in her hand.
"Come and sit down. Let him watch on his own." Yi Qing pointed to the seat beside her and casually picked up the menu board. Unexpectedly, she was scratched by a splinter on the edge of the menu board.
There were no paper menus here. All the dish names were carved on a very thin wooden board and then carefully painted with golden ink, looking rather ostentatious.
"Why are you so careless?" Hearing her hiss in pain, Xiao Tian quickly took the menu board from her and reached out to check her finger, which she had already pressed with a handkerchief.
"It's okay." Yi Qing shook her head. "It's just a light scratch. The skin is just broken."
Xiao Tian's hand covered the back of hers. His hands were large, with long and slender fingers and neatly trimmed, rounded nails. His palms were rough, like sandpaper rubbing against the skin, yet warm and reassuring.
Oh no, Yi Qing. It's just a hand touch. How can you have so many daydreams? How eager are you for Xiao Tian!
Because he was concerned about her, Xiao Tian didn't think his actions were overstepping the boundary and still insisted, "Let me have a look. You can't take even a minor injury lightly. I once saw..."
However, he remembered that Yi Qing was a doctor and had seen far more patients than he had, so he didn't continue.
Zisu said coolly from the side, "Quickly let him have a look. If you don't, the wound will heal. How can he show his concern for you then?"
Hearing this, Xiao Tian immediately realized that his behavior was too intimate. He withdrew his hand as if electrocuted and sat upright.
Yi Qing stared at Zisu with a murderous look and silently mouthed, Just you wait!
This light - bulb! She brought Zisu out for dinner, but Zisu was so oblivious. Next time, let her starve at home. She really couldn't be soft - hearted. Humph!
Xiao Tian's ears turned red again. He didn't dare to look at Yi Qing, let alone the sharp - tongued Zisu—afraid that she would say something sarcastic and make him lose face. So he could only stare at Baozi.
"Baozi, come here. Uncle Xiao will take you out to wash your hands."
But Baozi seemed not to hear and just lay motionless in front of the window.
Xiao Tian called out again, "Baozi?"
Baozi started muttering to himself. As for what he was saying, Xiao Tian couldn't hear clearly because of the distance.
Xiao Tian looked at Yi Qing, feeling a bit nervous.
Unexpectedly, Yi Qing was calm and even smiled at him, making a shushing gesture. This also allowed Xiao Tian to see that there was indeed only a superficial scratch on her index finger.
"He's watching people talk." Yi Qing whispered. "Don't disturb him. He'll come back after he's had his fill of the show."
To be precise, Baozi was memorizing. He was using this method to briefly remember the conversation he saw.
Xiao Tian remembered that Baozi knew lip - reading. Even though it wasn't the first time he knew about it, there was still a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Sure enough, after a while, Baozi turned around and ran over with quick steps. He grabbed Xiao Tian's hand. "Uncle Xiao, come quickly."
Xiao Tian was a bit stunned but then stood up and followed him to the window again.
"Uncle Xiao, that man, the one you said was Qiao Ye, just talked to the prisoner." Baozi pointed outside with his chubby little finger.
"What did he say?"
"He said, 'Prince Zhen, I didn't expect you to return to the capital in this way. Unconvinced? You have to accept it even if you're not. Do you still think you're a high - and - mighty prince? You're just a prisoner now and can't order this general around anymore.'"
These words were nothing much.
But the following content made Xiao Tian's eyes turn deep.
Baozi repeated the content word by word.
"Do you feel wronged? It's useless. You can't bear the crime of plotting against the current emperor. Just wait. You're doomed!"
"I'm innocent!"
"You're not. Ever since you took my concubine, you should have known that all this would be your retribution."
"You gave her to me."
"I gave her to you, and you dared to accept?"
"Qiao Ye, you villain! Don't think I don't know you're behind all this."
"Yes, I'm behind it. What can you do about it?"
"You dared to poison the tribute! You were also involved in handling those tributes!"
"Go ahead and investigate. If there's a problem, it's on me. Hahaha. It's a pity you won't have such a chance in your lifetime! Go to hell with all your doubts!"
After Baozi finished saying all this, he looked up at Xiao Tian and asked, "Uncle Xiao, what does 'Prince Zhen' mean? Is he a prince?"
The title of "Prince Zhen" was really a strange one.
"Prince Zhen. 'Zhen' means steadfastness and integrity." Xiao Tian said slowly, still in great shock and unable to snap out of it immediately.
These words couldn't have been fabricated by Baozi.
"Uncle Xiao, is Prince Zhen innocent? Should we go and tell Uncle Emperor?"
Xiao Tian said, "Let me think about it first."
"If he's innocent, I think we should help him." Baozi was indignant.
Hearing their conversation, Yi Qing waved to Baozi. When he came over, she pulled him to sit beside her and encouraged him, "Baozi is right."
She might have become worldly and sophisticated, hesitating to help an old person for fear of not having enough money to pay for any possible compensation. But she always knew how important it was to protect the child's inner integrity and kindness.
It was okay to be worldly and sophisticated in the future, but it was too early for that now.
"Xiao Tian?" Yi Qing called out to the thoughtful man. "We've got nothing else to do anyway. Tell us something about Prince Zhen?"
Xiao Tian frowned tightly. "I haven't had much contact with Prince Zhen, but I've heard that he has an impulsive and violent temper. He often beats and scolds his servants and even his wives. It's said that his three wives all committed suicide because they couldn't bear his tyranny."
"Scumbag." Zisu spat out the sunflower seed shell in her mouth.