"Mother Consort!"
"Mother Consort!"
The three of them each sought their own mothers.
Xia Ruqing was suddenly and unexpectedly bumped into by two little rascals.
She helplessly rubbed her temples.
She didn’t need to look; just a sniff told her they were covered in mud.
She had long since become accustomed to it.
But opposite her, Consort Cheng Pin’s expression suddenly turned a bit unpleasant!
"Honghong, what is this..."
Yeye rushed forward, proudly speaking to Xia Ruqing.
"Mother Consort, Yellow Bean fell into a mud pit, and Second and Third Brother and I fished it out!"
Mud pit...
Xia Ruqing held her forehead and looked to the heavens. Where did this mud pit come from?
That was where she planted lotus roots, lotus roots!
Truly a bother for Xiao Zhu Zi!
Consort Cheng Pin wanted to scold but couldn’t find a reason.
She could only clap twice on Honghong’s back as punishment!
It didn’t hurt at all.
The Second Prince giggled.
"Mother Consort, Yellow Bean is so fun, it even licked my palm!"
Saying that, he raised his little hand high.
The Second Prince was already two and a half years old, speaking clearly and logically.
Consort Cheng Pin, however, gave him an annoyed look.
"You! All you know is play!"
"Next year, when you start schooling, if you know nothing, beware the teacher spanking you!"
Honghong looked very aggrieved.
"Mother Consort!"
"Honghong doesn’t want to go to school; why don’t other kids have to work so hard..."
He saw Big Brother leave early and return late every day.
Always in a rush, he felt scared and didn’t want that!
Consort Cheng Pin pretended to be angry.
"Not wanting to go to school will make you a fool, and you’ll be laughed at!"
"I’m not a fool!"
"Mother Consort, I’m not a fool!"
"Then you have to go to school..."
The Second Prince: "..."
Looking at the sky, it was almost noon.
The children were all muddy.
Consort Cheng Pin then took her leave.
Xia Ruqing also ordered someone to take the children inside to change clothes.
Henger and Yeye didn’t resist.
They lowered their heads and went quietly.
Soon, only Xia Ruqing was left in the courtyard.
She basked in the warm sun, squinting a bit.
Her gaze fell on the local chronicles.
Suddenly an idea popped into her mind.
"To truly broaden your horizons, go see the common folk of the Great Chu Dynasty!"
As the saying goes: water can float a boat but also capsize it.
Even if born in a privileged royal family, one must never forget their roots.
This is how you broaden your horizons, indeed!
Deciding, she went inside.
At noon, Zhao Junyao came to dine,
After the meal, when the two were lounging on the couch for a nap.
Xia Ruqing brought up her desire to take Chenchen out of the palace for his birthday!
"Emperor!"
"Chenchen is four years old and hasn’t had a proper birthday celebration. This year there’s time!"
"I also wish to leave the palace to see off Second Aunt and Cai Yang!"
"I wonder if..."
She was somewhat tentative.
One should know.
Only the Emperor has the privilege of traveling incognito.
Consorts are not allowed!
Either they don’t go out, or they receive favor and leave grandly.
Slipping out quietly breaks the rules.
Thus, she felt a bit guilty.
Zhao Junyao glanced at her.
"Out of the palace for his birthday?"
Never heard of it; it’s a bit novel.
Xia Ruqing nodded.
"Chenchen started schooling a year ago, rising early and studying hard!"
"I fear he might study himself into a fool!"
"Just want to take him out for a look!"
"Fields and villages, ordinary people, everywhere to explore!"
Zhao Junyao nodded.
"Your intention is good, but he’s still too young..."
Would he understand those things?
Xia Ruqing shook her head.
"He has to see, just take it as a distraction!"
"Emperor!"
She pleaded pitifully.
Zhao Junyao was utterly helpless.
"Fine!"
"When have I ever denied your requests?"
"Thank you, Emperor!"
Xia Ruqing was filled with joy and excitement!
"Alright, let’s sleep for a while!"
Zhao Junyao tiredly rubbed his temples.
Xia Ruqing quickly massaged him and asked quietly.
"Is it still about the crops? Hasn’t it been a long time? It should be... almost done!"
"It’s not that easy," Zhao Junyao remarked casually.
"Indeed!"
"You must take care of your health, Emperor!"
"I’ll make some nourishing soup for you later!"
Zhao Junyao ruffled her hair playfully and teased.
"I don’t want the soup. You should promptly give birth to a little daughter for me. Just one look at her, and I won’t feel tired anymore!"
Xia Ruqing was somewhat amused and exasperated.
He was serious and authoritative just a moment ago.
How did he become so frivolous in the blink of an eye!
As she was pondering this, she suddenly felt her body become light.
"Ah!"
The next second, she found herself in his embrace.
"Sleep!"
"Oh!"
Looking at his handsome profile, Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly closed her eyes, not daring to look further, and went to sleep.
...
Three mornings later.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
An inconspicuous carriage departed from the rear gate of the Imperial Palace.
Bypassing the main road.
It journeyed along a small path towards the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion.
The mansion was already bustling.
The Madam and the Second Miss were leaving, so the servants naturally had to carefully pack their luggage.
Seven or eight carriages stood at the mansion’s gate.