Seeing her mother say this, Chenchen also found it hard to decline further.
He simply said,
"Then, Mother, please don’t prepare too much. Tai Fu teaches that as a prince, I should understand the people’s hardship and practice thrift!"
Xia Ruqing felt a little sour inside, but she still smiled and agreed.
"Got it, you may go now!"
Chenchen cupped his hands in salute.
"Thank you, Mother! I will go study now!"
"Go on!"
Chenchen respectfully bowed and retreated.
After sending off Chenchen,
The smile in Xia Ruqing’s eyes vanished instantly, leaving only loneliness and distress.
He’s not even four yet.
In modern times, he’d still be in kindergarten, worrying about eating, drinking, and perhaps wetting his pants at night.
But now, her child, her Chenchen,
must know so much?
For a moment, Xia Ruqing really regretted giving birth to him.
Everything would have been fine without having children.
Even if she hadn’t given birth, the Emperor wouldn’t have treated her poorly; she would still lead a good life.
But why did she have to bring them into the world, letting them suffer?!
The more she thought about it, the more upset and sad she became.
She sat by the window, looking at the freshly picked water lotus on the windowsill, lamenting the passing seasons, her tears almost falling.
Zhao Junyao rarely entered without notice.
But who would have known he’d walk in on such a scene?
He felt a strange pang of heartache.
Qingqing must have heard those palace rumors.
She must think that I intend to take that Commandery Princess as a consort and is thus heartbroken and jealous.
Ridiculous, how could that be?!
Although his harem indeed could accommodate many women, there was no need for a foreigner, right?
If that Prince Jin really wanted to choose a son-in-law, he could choose anyone, except me.
After all...
She’s just a Commandery Princess, not a Princess.
To match her with a Royal Family’s Offspring would be more than enough.
Zhao Junyao had thought through all the words.
He even drafted comforting words in his mind twice.
Only then did he walk over and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, intending to console her gently.
Unexpectedly, Qingqing suddenly turned her head.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
She bowed with reddened eyes.
Zhao Junyao then naturally embraced her shoulders and helped her up.
"Stand up quickly, how did you know I was here?"
Xia Ruqing wiped her tears and said,
"Only you are permitted to use ambergris, what do you think?"
Zhao Junyao was enlightened.
"Oh!"
He nodded, pulling her to sit down.
Zhao Junyao began to compose his emotions.
He must speak sincerely, he must make her believe him.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing,
After sitting beside the Emperor on the bed, was racking her brain for a reason.
The reason for her crying.
She definitely couldn’t say it was because she felt sorry for her son.
Otherwise, Zhao Junyao would surely laugh at her, or say she’s immature or something.
So, she couldn’t let him know.
Then...what reason should she come up with?
Zhao Junyao, having prepared himself emotionally, began to comfort her gently.
"Qingqing, I won’t marry that Commandery Princess. You really don’t need to be sad!"
Xia Ruqing: "..."
She was a bit excited internally, and now she had a ready-made excuse!
This was truly heaven helping her!
What was she waiting for? Go along with it!
So, she wiped her tears and nodded.
"Your Majesty, you are right, I believe you!"
"I was just confused for a moment and listened to the rumors, but...it won’t happen again!"
Zhao Junyao was very satisfied.
"That’s good! I really thought you were hurt!"
Xia Ruqing smiled through her tears, quickly shaking her head and acting coy.
"Not at all!"
...
Some men, when it comes to feelings, can be as oblivious as can be.
But Xia Ruqing felt rather thankful in her heart.
Thankfully he was oblivious, otherwise, she wouldn’t have had an excuse!
Zhao Junyao had originally planned to have lunch at Zhaochen Palace.
But seeing Qingqing so upset, he decided to stay and have lunch with her.
After making up his mind, he directly instructed Li Shengan.
"Go tell the small kitchen to make some dishes that Qingqing likes today!"
Xia Ruqing was startled.
Oh no! The small kitchen is making nutritional meals for my son? What dishes are they going to make for me?!
Will this be exposed?
No! It shouldn’t be!
What does sadness have to do with having lunch with her son, right?!
Xia Ruqing quickly calmed her emotions, then smiled and said.
"Your Majesty, today Chenchen doesn’t have to go to school, so I had them make his favorite dishes..."
Initially thinking Zhao Junyao would be angry, unexpectedly, he waved it off casually.
"That’s fine! It’s perfect for us as a family to dine together!"
Since Henger and Yeye were still young, they wouldn’t be included!
Xia Ruqing was speechless, nearly in tears.
Ah!
With the Emperor staying, the Little Bun was even more tense.