Zhang Yan was so delighted that his belly shook three times.
"Thank you, Emperor!"
"Alright, if there’s nothing else, you may leave!"
"Yes! Your humble servant shall take his leave!"
With that, he saluted and backed out.
...
Over here, Zhao Junyao almost cheerfully finished reviewing the remaining memorials.
Afterward, he didn’t even bother with his evening meal and hurriedly went to Duanning Palace.
Inside Duanning Palace.
Xia Ruqing was also busy.
The weather had turned cold.
Ever since the two children learned how to walk, they always preferred being outside and refused to come indoors.
Especially tonight, being the fifteenth.
The stars were sparse in the moonlit sky, casting a clear glow across the ground.
Though it was somewhat cold, the moonlight was actually quite beautiful.
The two children were even more unwilling to return, despite all the persuasion from the Palace Maids, eunuchs, Sisters, and the Wetnurse Nanny.
This made Xia Ruqing quite anxious.
"Aren’t you cold?" she asked.
Henger and Yeye raised their rosy faces proudly.
"Mother Consort, we’re not cold!"
"We’re gentlemen!"
"We are... gentlemen!"
With that, they continued playing outside.
Xia Ruqing felt a headache from anger.
"Fine, fine, you’re so tough!"
"If you don’t want to come in, then freeze out there!"
Saying so, she stormed inside with Zi Yue, leaving only the Sisters outside to watch.
Once indoors, Zi Yue hurried to soothe her.
"Your Highness, the Little Prince is still young, just a bit too playful; please don’t get angry!"
Xia Ruqing frowned bitterly, rubbing her forehead.
She couldn’t say anything.
She just wanted more and more to have a daughter to warm her heart.
"Too naughty!"
She could already foresee, in the next two years before their enlightenment.
These two little rascals would cause so many troubles.
The most crucial thing.
From one to three years old, it’s a time when little boys are at their naughtiest.
She couldn’t really be too harsh with them.
Honestly, she really wanted to give them a good spanking, right?!
"What’s wrong?"
A deep and familiar voice sounded.
Followed by a familiar scent of ambergris.
Zi Yue and the others quickly knelt to greet.
"Greetings, Emperor!"
Xia Ruqing, however, was somewhat slow to react, stunned for a moment before getting up.
By then, Zhao Junyao was already standing before her.
He grabbed and lifted her, asking again.
"What’s the matter here?!"
Xia Ruqing felt a bit aggrieved.
With a pout, she slammed her fist against his chest.
"You say it!"
Seeing this, Zi Yue and the others quietly retreated.
Soon, only the two of them were left indoors.
Zhao Junyao caught her hand and smiled.
"Did those two make you angry again?"
Xia Ruqing closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again, gritting her teeth.
"See how cold it is outside now, and what time it is!"
"Yet they refuse to come inside!"
What if they catch a cold?!
Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao laughed.
"I thought it was something serious, turns out it’s because of this!"
"Let them freeze if they want to freeze!"
"Qingqing, you weren’t like this before!"
He remembered the time with Chenchen.
Qingqing did often leave things be, even played with Chenchen often.
Now, why has she become so... cautious?!
Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.
"Really? No way! Haven’t I always been like this?"
She cupped her face, pinching it from side to side.
"Am I getting old?!"
Growing more tight-lipped, more petty, more conservative?!
No way!
Zhao Junyao glared at her.
"Nonsense, how old are you?!"
"Alright, don’t overthink. Come over, I have good news for you!"
"Good news?! What good news?"
She looked surprised and expectant.
Zhao Junyao looked at her, but suddenly wasn’t in a hurry.
Leisurely, he sat down on the board-bed and said calmly.
"Will you not even serve tea? I haven’t had dinner yet!"
The underlying meaning being, you don’t show any care for me!
Xia Ruqing quickly smiled apologetically.
"Your humble servant is guilty, a moment of negligence, Emperor forgive me!"
She said, hurriedly preparing tea at top speed.
Then she smiled and leaned in again.
"Emperor, what’s your good news?"
Zhao Junyao took a sip of tea, nodding in satisfaction.
Then he said.
"It’s about Xia Jingfeng!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up a bit more.
"Really? Did he write to me? How’s he doing now?!"
"Emperor, quickly tell me!"
She hadn’t heard from her brother in so long, she was anxious!
Seeing her like this, Zhao Junyao didn’t bear to keep her in suspense.
He recounted Xia Jingfeng’s dedicated efforts over more than a year to find suitable crops for the common people.
Finally, he added.
"If this succeeds in the end!"
"Thousands upon thousands of common people will be spared from the plight of hunger and cold, they can all have enough to eat!!"