"My brother and I have clearly memorized everything, but the Tai Fu still won’t let us go out and play!"
"Exactly!"
"Tai Fu is so mean!"
Xia Ruqing: "..."
Zhao Junyao: "..."
Both expressed frustration, eager to vent but without a reason.
After a long silence.
It was Xia Ruqing who began to lecture them sternly.
"No matter what, knocking over the Tai Fu is wrong!"
"Our Great Chu Dynasty has always respected teachers and valued education. Disrespecting your teacher is a bad behavior, do you understand?"
Henger and Yeye are very smart.
They quickly bowed their heads and admitted their mistake.
"Father, Mother, we’re sorry!"
Xia Ruqing happily said.
"Admitting your mistake makes you good children!"
"Tomorrow, go apologize to the Tai Fu, okay?"
The two little buns, eager to survive, quickly agreed.
"Okay!"
Xia Ruqing let out a long breath.
"Emperor, they’ve acknowledged their wrongs, do you see..."
The two little buns heard this and quickly looked at their father.
Their faces were filled with pity, remorse, and seeking forgiveness.
Of course.
If you include the pitiful face of Yellow Bean in the distance, that’s four faces.
Zhao Junyao was rendered speechless.
Surrounded for just a moment, he completely surrendered.
"Very well!"
"I won’t pursue this matter any further!"
"But... don’t let it happen again!"
"Hooray, hooray!"
The little buns cheered.
Xia Ruqing was also very happy and seized the opportunity.
"Since you’ve memorized the books taught by the teacher!"
"Mother will reward you with a day off to play outside with Yellow Bean!"
The two little buns were so thrilled, they were about to cry tears of joy.
"Mother, Mother!"
"Mother, you’re the best!"
The two little buns rushed to snuggle into her embrace, wanting to kiss her cheeks.
Xia Ruqing was so happy that her tears almost fell.
She hugged the two kids, giving each a fierce kiss before letting them go.
"Dress warmly, don’t catch a cold!"
"Got it," the little buns replied happily.
"Don’t worry, Your Highness, we are here!" Sister Jiang and Sister Liang assured.
Xia Ruqing was completely at ease then.
After the kids, palace attendants, and sisters all left.
Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Junyao looked at her and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Qingqing"
"I only said not to pursue the matter, I didn’t say they get a holiday!"
"You..."
"Emperor!"
Xia Ruqing teased.
"They’re still so young, I’m just softhearted!"
"Besides, didn’t the children memorize the books already?"
"Why can’t they balance work and play?"
Zhao Junyao raised a stern brow.
"Balance work and play?" That’s a good term.
But...
Other noble sons might manage it, but not the Royal Family’s Offspring!
There is no reason.
They must be strong, the strongest!
If you can’t govern the kingdom, others with ability will replace you.
Why should you govern the kingdom, instead of someone more capable?
Xia Ruqing lowered her head.
"Emperor! I understand!"
"Just this once, it won’t happen again!"
Zhao Junyao looked at her solemnly.
"Really?"
Xia Ruqing nodded emphatically.
"Really! I promise!"
Zhao Junyao’s expression finally eased.
"That’s more like it!"
He held her close and spoke softly.
"Actually, how could I not feel softhearted?"
"But I know, feeling that way now would harm them!"
"If they work hard now, their future will be much easier!"
The Royal Family’s environment is tricky and complex, no one knows it better than he.
Xia Ruqing nodded obediently.
"Emperor, I understand!"
"It’s good that you understand!"
...
November passed in the blink of an eye.
It was now the twelfth lunar month.
Xia Ruqing’s due date arrived.
Especially during the latter half of the month, close to the New Year.
Her belly was as big as a balloon ready to burst at any moment.
The child inside her moved restlessly, as if impatient to be born.
Zhao Junyao usually spent time with her after court sessions.
Then he would go to the Imperial Study Room to review documents.
If there were fewer documents, he would join her for lunch.
If there were many, he’d tell her to dine alone.
But he would still send someone to watch over her.
She wasn’t allowed to eat too much, too little, or anything inappropriate.
Childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell.
Even with two experiences under her belt, he was still fearful!
Xia Ruqing felt a little uneasy but understood it was all for her good, so she said nothing.
On the seventeenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
It was snowing outside again.
Xia Ruqing lay in bed, sighing.
"This year’s snow is indeed plentiful; next year will surely bring a good harvest!"
Zi Yue massaged her legs while laughing.
"A good harvest is such a blessing, every household can eat well without fear of hunger!"
"It truly is good!"
Xia Ruqing chuckled.
Feeling the child inside kick her again.