"Father... left the Imperial Palace?" Little Bun tilted his head up, trying his best to keep his voice steady. But a thin layer of moisture had already welled up in his round, almond-shaped eyes, shimmering startlingly bright under the light of the palace lanterns.
'He had his suspicions, but he couldn't help but ask again. What if it wasn't true? What if his own father hadn't abandoned him?'
A eunuch standing beside him lowered his head, his voice respectful yet tinged with pity. "Your Highness, the Emperor... how would we servants dare to pry into His Majesty's whereabouts?"
Li Yan took a deep breath, his heart sinking with certainty. He gritted his teeth and said, "So he did leave the Imperial Palace..." 'And he didn't take me with him...'
