novelraw Chapter 774 - 753 Princess
Chapter 774 - 753 Princess
Fengyu rode her little white horse, leisurely enjoying the breeze, casually strolling through the spring scenery, and smiling as she watched Xie Xun chasing butterflies with Ruyi in his arms, while Xie Jue took Princess Mingzhu hunting in the mountains. Ruyi initially wanted to tag along too, but he was too young, and Xie Jue and Xie Xun didn’t feel assured. So they let him play in the forest behind the stables. Fengyu loved these tranquil days, carefree and worry-free. If her grandmother, mother, and others could also come to the manor, it would be perfect—a true family reunion.
Ruyi grew tired of chasing butterflies, so Xie Xun and Fengyu took him to the mountain stream to catch fish. The early spring weather carried a slight chill, but the bright sunshine added a touch of warmth. Little Ruyi rolled up his sleeves, stood on a rock, and gripped a wooden stick sharpened by Xie Xun, aiming it at the plump fish in the creek. Unfortunately, the little guy couldn’t target the agile fish precisely, and he enviously watched as Xie Xun speared one fish after another. Ruyi’s competitive spirit flared up; he lifted his robe and prepared to step into the water.
Fengyu hurriedly intervened, "No, the water’s too cold! Stay on the shore. Zhixu, don’t tease him."
Xie Xun laughed as he quickly came over to soothe Ruyi, having deliberately provoked the little one’s resolve. "You truly are one of our family—such a strong will to win!"
So competitive at such a young age, determined to outdo his little uncle.
Xie Xun hugged him from behind and held his hand, teaching him how to spear fish. With Xie Xun’s guidance, every attempt was spot on, making Ruyi clap joyfully and chase after the fish with enthusiasm.
Fengyu tested the water temperature and refused to let him enter the stream, only allowing him to play while standing on the rocks. Ruyi speared two fat fish with Xie Xun’s help, and eagerly showed them off to Fengyu.
Fengyu cheered him on, "Ruyi is amazing! Tonight we’ll have fish soup."
"Yes, yes! They’re so plump; they must be delicious."
Xie Xun watched Fengyu trying to spear fish on her own, becoming more determined after each setback. Amused, he asked, "Ayu, do you want me to teach you?"
"No! I want to catch them myself!"
Fengyu wasn’t skilled at this kind of pursuit; even after an hour, she hadn’t managed to catch a single fish, despite the creek being teeming with them. She didn’t seem to care about winning, though—Xie Xun and Ruyi had caught five or six fish each. Ruyi even began categorizing them: "This one’s the dad; that one’s the mom; these are their kids—a neat, complete family."
Xie Xun, "..."
Fengyu, "..."
So, will you still have the heart to eat them tonight?
After catching fish, Xie Xun took Ruyi running all over the mountain. This season, some wild fruits were already ripening. Though not as abundant as in summer and autumn, spring offered its share of tangy and sweet fruits, which were particularly tasty. This was Ruyi’s first experience enjoying such rustic fun, and he played to his heart’s content, filling an entire basket with fruits. Normally, he would sleep for an hour in the afternoon, but at the manor, he was bursting with energy, dragging Xie Xun along to play.
Xie Jue wouldn’t indulge him in such rambunctious activities; only Xie Xun did. With Xie Jue departing for Sannan soon, he initially planned to have Ruyi live with the Feng Family, letting Old Mrs. Feng care for him for a few months. His reasoning was that Old Mrs. Feng had raised Feng Shu and Fengyu wonderfully, giving them genial dispositions. The Feng Family’s single heir had also achieved great success; surely entrusting Ruyi to the Old Mrs. Feng’s nurture would be wise. But if he were left under Xie Xun’s care for several months, Ruyi might become more unruly, picking up Xie Xun’s unrestrained ways entirely.
Xie Jue returned to the manor with Princess Mingzhu, bathed in golden light and bearing an abundant harvest. Mingzhu, worthy of her Beiman heritage, was a born huntress who had brought down two wild rabbits.
One rabbit was still alive, though its leg was injured. She had deliberately brought it back for Ruyi to raise as a pet. Ruyi loved furry animals; he already had a puppy named Fuman. Now, with the addition of a little bunny, he was utterly delighted. The Imperial Physician checked over the rabbit and confirmed it was in good condition, not opposing Ruyi raising it.
"You should raise bunnies in pairs; wouldn’t one be too lonely?" Fengyu asked with a light laugh.
Mingzhu patted her chest and said, "Tomorrow I’ll go into the mountains and catch another one for little brother."
"Great, great! I want to go too!" Ruyi jumped in enthusiastically. The two of them huddled by the cage playing with the bunny, while the rabbit that had been shot earlier that day was roasted for dinner. Everyone had a rabbit leg, which they devoured happily.
Xie Xun couldn’t resist teasing Ruyi, "Ruyi, does the leg taste good?"
"It’s delicious, so tasty..."
"Then once your bunny grows up, we’ll roast it too."
Ruyi, who was busy biting into his leg, froze for a moment, then shook his head stubbornly, "No! Don’t eat my bunny—nobody is allowed to eat my bunny!"
"But rabbit tastes so good. Ruyi is eating it so happily; little uncle is jealous."
Ruyi suddenly felt the meat lose its flavor. He stared at Xie Xun with wide eyes, then—with a hint of grievance—bit off one final mouthful before offering his partially eaten rabbit leg to Xie Xun. "Fine... then you can have my leg."
Xie Xun, "..."
Fengyu and Xie Jue burst into laughter. Ruyi was simply the cutest, a true bundle of joy in the family. After dinner, the group accompanied the children for a digestive stroll at the manor’s large hot spring pool. Fengyu and Mingzhu went to enjoy the hot springs, while Xie Jue and Xie Xun took Ruyi to soak. It was Mingzhu’s first time experiencing hot springs.
The cold, icy Beiman had no hot springs, and though the palace in the Capital City had bathhouses, they weren’t the same as natural hot springs. Mingzhu stretched out her limbs, feeling utterly relaxed and allowing the day’s hunting fatigue to dissipate. In truth, Mingzhu was fond of being close to Fengyu. She drifted over to her side and said, "Aunt, there’s something I want to ask you."
Fengyu, hair loose and eyes closed, was resting peacefully when Mingzhu swam over. The young girl wore only a thin undergarment. Her figure was slender, her smile radiant, and she bore all the makings of a beauty, which Fengyu couldn’t help but admire.
"What is it?" Speaking to Mingzhu and Ruyi always softened Fengyu’s voice.
It seemed the young Princess Mingzhu was troubled by something, her tone filled with distress. "Am I truly Father’s daughter?"
Fengyu’s heart skipped a beat, though her expression remained composed. She gently caressed Mingzhu’s face, "Why would you ask that?"
Who had been gossiping indiscreetly behind their backs?
"My little brother looks so much like Father, and also like Uncle. Anyone can tell they’re family at a glance, but Mingzhu doesn’t resemble them at all." Mingzhu frowned sadly. She loved her mother, her grandmother, and now her father and brother’s family, too. They all got along wonderfully; her little brother was adorable, her father learned and talented, her uncle humorous and charming, and her aunt gentle and kind. Every member of the family was dear to her!
"It’s because Mingzhu looks like your mother," Fengyu said tenderly. "You’re the Princess Mingzhu of our dynasty, the treasure of our family. Of course, you’re your father’s daughter. Everyone’s looks are decided at birth—some resemble their fathers, others their mothers, and some don’t resemble either."
"But..." Mingzhu bit her lip, struggling to find the words. Fengyu knew that Lan Ningzhen and Xie Jue had made their private arrangement long ago, with Mingzhu officially recognized as Xie Jue’s daughter. Though she had suffered many prejudices before, Fengyu truly hoped that now, as a Princess, she wouldn’t still face ridicule or scorn from others.