The moment Yue Rong returned to the servant quarters, Hua Lin quickly grabbed her hand.
"What happened?" Hua Lin asked anxiously.
"Is His Highness angry because the children called him father? Did he scold you?"
Yue Rong shook her head gently.
She pulled Hua Lin down and made her sit on the mat. Her hands trembled slightly.
"There's something I must tell you," Yue Rong said quietly. "You're the only friend I have here. You must promise to keep this secret."
Hua Lin blinked stunned by her sudden seriousness. "I promise."
"I trust you," Yun Rong continued. "You don't gossip like the other maids, and you've shared your own life with me. That's why I'm telling you."
She took a deep breath.
"Mimi is right. Prince Xian Rong… is their father."
"What?" Hua Lin exclaimed in shock.
Yun Rong quickly covered her mouth.
"Lower your voice. Even the walls have ears."
Hua Lin stared at her, stunned. "You mean… the prince's children are hiding here? And you're working as a maid?"
"I had no choice," Yun Rong whispered. "Please help me. Tomorrow night, I'm escaping with him."
"Escaping?" Hua Lin asked, confused.
"He's afraid his father won't accept us," Yun Rong said softly. "He fears being disowned."
Hua Lin reached out and squeezed her hand. "Whatever you need, you can count on me."
The Next Day
Mimi searched the servant quarters from corner to corner, with Hua Lin following behind her.
"They're not here," Mimi muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. "Where could they have gone?"
Earlier that day, in Princess Moyin's residence, her four-year-old son Rong Zhe was playing happily in the garden. Mimi and Lili were with him, laughing as they chased each other among the flowers.
After a while, Rong Zhe stopped and looked at Mimi curiously.
"You said Uncle Xian Rong is your father," he said slowly.
"Yes," Mimi replied firmly.
At that moment, Princess Moyin stepped into the room.
"Who did you say your father is?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp.
"They're my friends, Mama," Rong Zhe said quickly. "They're from the servant quarters."
Princess Moyin frowned slightly. "And you brought servant children into my chamber?"
Rong Zhe walked up to her confidently. "They're not just servants. They're my cousins. Uncle Xian Rong's children."
Princess Moyin laughed softly and rubbed her swollen belly.
"Don't be silly," she said. "How could your uncle have children in the servant quarters? Have you ever seen him with a woman?"
Before Rong Zhe could answer, a maid entered and bowed.
"Princess, it's time for dinner."
She turned to the children. "Take them back to the servant quarters."
As the maid led Mimi and Lili away, Princess Moyin took Rong Zhe's hand and walked toward the dining hall.
Prince Rong Yuan had just returned from the countryside with his personal assistant when a palace guard hurried toward him.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," the guard said, bowing deeply. "My prince, there is an urgent matter I must report."
Seeing the seriousness on the guard's face, Prince Rong Yuan knew it was no small issue.
"What is it?" he asked.
"My prince… there is a woman in the servant quarters with twin children who claims that Prince Xian Rong is their father."
"What?!" Prince Rong Yuan exclaimed.
"Whose children?" a sharp voice demanded from behind.
They all turned. The Emperor was approaching.
"Father," Prince Rong Yuan said hurriedly, bowing. "You are here."
The Emperor tapped his shoulder lightly. "How was your journey?" he asked calmly.
"Fine, father." Rong Yuan replied.
The emperor's gaze then shifted back to the guard.
"What children?" the Emperor asked.
The guard froze, words failing him.
"Speak," the Emperor thundered.
"I… there are rumors spreading through the palace," the guard stammered. "That the servant woman's children are… Prince Xian Rong's."
Before anyone could speak, Princess Moyin arrived, smiling.
She bowed respectfully to the Emperor, then turned to her husband. "Welcome back, my prince," she said softly. Then she leaned closer and whispered, "I have something urgent to discuss with you."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Is it about the children who claim to be Xian Rong's?"
Princess Moyin stiffened.
"I want to see the woman and her children in the Inner Study," the Emperor said coldly.
"Now!"
He turned to Prince Rong Yuan. "Bring your brother here immediately."
Without waiting for a response, the Emperor strode away, his robes sweeping behind him__ leaving tension and fear hanging heavy in the air.
Yue Rong was still searching for a way to secretly send word to Prince Xian Rong that the children were missing when Hua Lin rushed in, holding Mimi and Lili by the hands.
"Where have you been?" Yue Rong cried, panic flooding her voice. She pulled the children close, her hands trembling as she touched their faces. "You children will be the death of me…"
"A guard brought us back," Hua Lin said quickly. "He said Princess Moyin ordered that the children be returned to the servant quarters."
"What?" Yun Rong gasped.
Before she could say more, the chief maid entered, her face dark and stern.
"I told you to take these children away," she said sharply. "But you refused to listen."
"No," Yun Rong said hurriedly. "I sent word home. My brother will come tomorrow to take them. Please, just one more day__"
"I think it is already too late," the chief maid cut in coldly.
"What do you mean?" Yun Rong asked, her heart pounding.
"The Emperor has demanded that you and the children present yourselves immediately."
"What?" Hua Lin exclaimed.
Yun Rong felt the blood drain from her face. The room spun slightly as fear rooted her to the spot.
Have they found out? she thought.
"Well?" the chief maid snapped. "Should the Emperor be kept waiting?"
She grabbed Mimi's wrist firmly and reached for Lili. Lili's small fingers curled tightly into her sleeve, her eyes wide and fearful, her steps slow and unsure.
"It's okay," Yue Rong whispered quickly, forcing a calm she did not feel. "Stay close to me."
Outside the women's servant quarters, two guards were already waiting.
Without another word, they began the walk.
Each step felt heavier than the last. Yue Rong's chest tightened as they moved through the long palace corridors. Her thoughts raced__of Prince Xian Rong, of escape plans unfinished, of secrets now standing at the edge of ruin.
By the time they reached the Inner Library, her legs felt weak, but she straightened her back.
For her children, she could not fall.