There was nothing Auntie Lan could do now. Without the king’s permission, no one could rehire Jin Xiaoxi.
Since she could not console the boy, she had to talk to the king.
Huo Yunshen had just finished a meeting with some state guests. Upon returning to the Triumph Palace he saw Auntie Lan waiting for him by the gate together with Little Grape.
Huo Yunshen came and asked, “What’s going on? Why are you both here?”
Auntie Lan felt embarrassed and said. “Your Majesty, it’s your call. His Highness insists on seeing her!”
Huo Yunshen knew who Auntie Lan was referring to and could not help frowning.
Little Grape got hold of his clothes and raised his head to ask, “Daddy, can you bring Auntie Xiaoxi back? You promised me that when I was fine she would be back. When is she coming back? Can you take me to her?”
Huo Yunshen felt very annoyed upon hearing the name. But he managed to calm down and squared himself in front of his son. “Hengheng, daddy cannot take you to Auntie Xiaoxi now, because Auntie Xiaoxi… she went to a faraway place and won’t be back any time soon.”
Huo Yunshen made an awkward excuse in order not to take his son to the woman.
Auntie Lan wondered secretly, Your Majesty, is that the best excuse you can think of?
Huo Yunshen thought he could convince the boy. But Little Grape was very smart and could not be messed with.
He did not believe it and said angrily, “You are lying, daddy! Auntie Xiaoxi never went to any faraway place! It’s you not taking me to her! Bad daddy!”
Little Grape stamped off and ran away in anger.
“Your Highness!” Auntie Lan tried to stop him but failed.
She turned to Huo Yunshe and sighed. “Your Majesty, His Highness is very smart. You cannot mess with him. We need to think of a solution.”
Huo Yunshen seemed sullen and said coldly, “In short, she is never coming back!”
It was undoubtedly so. Then he entered the palace resolutely.
Auntie Lan sighed again. In that case she could only find the little prince and try to comfort him.
…
But she did not want to provoke him since he was recovering from the surgery. Auntie Lan tried her best to please him.
But he was not taking it and refused to listen.
She could not stand his crying. The king said that Jin Xiaoxi was never coming back. But he did not say that they could not go to her. It seemed Auntie Lan had to betray the king for once.
She had an idea. So she told Little Grape, “Your Highness, don’t be sad. As long as you behave yourself, Grandma Lan can take you to Auntie Xiaoxi.”
Hearing this, Little Grape blinked with tears in his eyes and asked, “Really?”
“Of course. I’ve got Auntie Xiaoxi’s number. I can call her and make an appointment.”
Little Grape was thrilled and urged, “Grandma Lan, please call right now.”
“Ok, ok. I’ll call her now. But promise me you will never tell His Majesty about it. We are going to meet her on our own. Remember?”
“Yes. It’s a secret,” Little Grape answered.
“That’s right. It’s a secret.”
Then Auntie Lan called Jin Xiaoxi and told her about the situation. She was surprised that Jin Xiaoxi actually agreed to meet them.
…
