novelraw Chapter 773 - 752: Little Flower
Chapter 773 - 752: Little Flower
After Xie Jue’s diplomatic trip was finalized, the preparations for the envoy were also completed. He finally extricated himself from his busy governmental duties and brought Mingzhu and Ruyi out of the palace, planning to take them to the countryside Hot Spring Villa for a few days of rest.
Xie Xun, feeling envious, wanted to take Fengyu along as well. With his Second Brother leaving for several months, how could they not have a family gathering before his departure? The awkward part, however, was that Xie Xun still had morning court sessions to attend. Although the harem was calm and Fengyu had little to do, she could leave the palace without issue. Xie Xun, in typical unrestrained fashion, felt that ever since ascending the throne, he’d been tirelessly devoted to his duties, far too overworked. He decided to skip court for three days and dumped all his government affairs onto the Cabinet, slipping out of the palace with Fengyu and heading straight for the horse training grounds before Lin Helin could stop him.
Lin Helin, "..."
Even Fengyu thought Xie Xun was going too far. Offending Lin Helin or offending Xie Jue would lead to the same consequences, but Xie Xun cared more about spending time with them. He even promised Lin Helin that he’d give him a ten-day leave when Lin Helin got married. Although Lin Helin was somewhat irritated, he didn’t act out. Xie Xun was still measured in his actions, bringing along Zhang Boxi and a few hundred Forbidden Army guards as escorts, ensuring there were no safety concerns.
In truth, the emperor’s absence didn’t cause any major disruption. The governmental framework established through reforms during the new dynasty under Xie Jue, Lin Helin, and Xie Xun ensured that affairs of state were well-managed. Unless there was a border emergency or a catastrophe, there was no need for Xie Xun to personally intervene. The Cabinet could handle everything. When Xie Xun stayed in the palace, he managed affairs both large and small, but when he wasn’t present, the Cabinet could step in and ensure order was maintained.
Xie Jue simply went along with it!
Ever since Xie Xun ascended the throne, he’d indeed been incredibly busy. With the surrender of the Beiman and the implementation of new policies, even his marriage afforded him only three days of leave. He truly needed a long break. Being diligent on an ordinary basis, the Cabinet, while expressing minor complaints when he shirked responsibility, wasn’t thrown into chaos. After all, the emperor only indulged himself for a few days, and they were capable of managing in his absence. It wasn’t as if he were a self-indulgent, decadent ruler.
When Mingzhu and Ruyi arrived at the manor, they instantly burst into happy frolics. Mingzhu, at an age full of energy, galloped about the horse grounds on her little pony. Ruyi, watching from the side, squealed eagerly and stomped his feet, shouting to his sister to take him along. Being too young to ride alone, Ruyi couldn’t help but pout. Mingzhu, a genuine Beiman Girl, grabbed Ruyi without hesitation, seated him in front of her on the saddle, and took off at a gallop.
Dongxue and Xia Zhu were so frightened their souls nearly left their bodies, especially when Mingzhu spurred her horse faster. They feared Mingzhu might lose her grip on Ruyi, causing him to tumble off.
"Princess, you’re too bold! Come down, come down, slow down..." Dongxue and Xia Zhu chased after them, terrified that Ruyi might fall. Yet Mingzhu, riding too quickly, couldn’t hear their cries. The guards nearby were also alarmed, and two of them mounted their horses to follow closely. If the horse lost control, they were prepared to step in and save the children.
Fortunately, the little pony was gentle in temperament and had been trained extensively by Mingzhu, so it didn’t lose control. However, it was Ruyi’s first time riding at a gallop. He found the whole experience thrilling and yet uncomfortable at the same time.
"Brother, fun, isn’t it?"
Overstimulated, Ruyi rubbed his sore legs with a pitiful expression, crying out in pain. Mingzhu, distressed, nimbly dismounted and carried him down. Ruyi twisted his waist, aching all over.
Mingzhu knelt down and rubbed his sore legs. "Still hurt?"
"No more, Sister." Little Ruyi showed not a trace of shyness. "Sister, quickly teach me how to ride—I still want to ride."
Despite the mild pain, he had recovered his spirits quickly and found the whole thing exciting instead of scary.
Dongxue and Xia Zhu were utterly panicked but didn’t dare stop him. Fengyu had instructed them never to forbid Ruyi from doing whatever he wished, nor should they tell him what he could or couldn’t do. Ruyi was still young, and as he grew, he would naturally learn discernment. For now, they were to prioritize his joy and allow him to express his liveliness.
Mingzhu, clever and quick-witted, noticing the maids’ worries, said, "There’s a little hill in the back with lots of flowers. Let’s pick a bouquet for Auntie and chase the butterflies there."
"Good idea, let’s catch butterflies!"
Ruyi, easily distracted, didn’t insist on more horseback riding. Mingzhu took his hand, leading him to pick flowers and chase butterflies.
When Xie Jue later finished packing and came to look for the children, Mingzhu and Ruyi had already gathered a bouquet of flowers. Mingzhu had tucked a small red flower into Ruyi’s tiny topknot, and Ruyi, mimicking her, had done the same for Mingzhu, pinning pink flowers into her hair. As soon as Ruyi saw his father approaching, he picked the most beautiful, bright red flower and ran toward him.
"Daddy, Daddy, this is for you..." Ruyi’s soft, sweet voice was irresistible, and Xie Jue couldn’t help but smile as he crouched down. The Shadow Guard had already informed him of the earlier horseback-riding incident involving Ruyi and Mingzhu.
Ruyi, no doubt a military general’s son, had shown remarkable composure for a first-time rider. Despite whining about the discomfort, he hadn’t expressed the slightest fear. Xie Jue affectionately patted his head in approval.
Just as Xie Jue was about to take the flower, Ruyi attempted to stick it into his hair. Realizing his son’s intention, Xie Jue abruptly stood up, leaving Ruyi stretching on his tiptoes in vain, holding the flower with a bewildered expression. "Daddy..."
Xie Jue refused to allow anyone to stick a flower in his hair, even in the privacy of the manor, far from prying eyes.
"Daddy doesn’t like it?" Ruyi’s dark, shining eyes brimmed with anticipation. Xie Jue, glancing sideways, noticed Xie Xun approaching and, with a smile, said, "Go give it to your Little Uncle."
"Okay!" Ruyi’s small legs carried him toward Xie Xun. Laughing heartily, Xie Xun spread his arms wide and scooped him up. Ruyi tucked the little flower into his topknot.
"Little Uncle, you look so pretty with the flower!"
"Of course! Your Little Uncle is so handsome, even a sackcloth robe would suit him." Xie Xun winked at him, completely unfazed by the ostentatious little flower his nephew had tucked into his hair.
Xie Jue, "..."