novelraw Chapter 347 - 315: Mid-Autumn Festival, a Rare Chance to Sleep In (Second Update)
Chapter 347 - 315: Mid-Autumn Festival, a Rare Chance to Sleep In (Second Update)
The typically quiet horse track was unusually lively today.
The riding instructor stood on the high observation platform and witnessed the hunting process of the Eldest Prince.
"Your Highness, there’s a rabbit on the left."
"Your Highness, there’s a wild pheasant on the right."
"Your Highness, in front, there is..."
"Shut up!"
In the next moment, the horse suddenly swerved underneath, directly throwing the two of them off. Luckily, it was in a dense grass area; otherwise, serious injuries would have been unavoidable.
Having encountered this for the first time, Zhao Xi sat upright, observing the already far-running auburn horse, frowning deeply.
Song Yuanbao rolled his eyes secretly, "I did say there was a fresh pile of horse dung ahead that could slip, but you insisted I shut up."
...
The riding archery practice didn’t go as planned; the cleanliness-obsessed Zhao Xi returned to the palace for a bath. The rest of the time was switched to reading, and Song Yuanbao was punished to transcribe the Heart Purification Scripture. If he dared to utter a single irrelevant word, he would transcribe it again.
He lost count of how many times he was punished. Right now, he wished he could split himself into eight parts, each with two extra hands.
—
Yuanbao has been in the palace for nearly a month now. During this month, Song Wei continued his routine at the government office; Wen Wan kept attending school; Granny Song spent her days talking about her eldest grandson.
Feeling uneasy, Wen Wan privately asked Song Wei to inquire about Yuanbao’s situation when he entered the palace to meet the Emperor, at least bring back some tidbits to ease the mother-in-law’s worries.
On this day, Song Wei entered Qianqing Palace to meet the Emperor. Before he even mentioned it, Emperor Guangxi proactively spoke up, "Song Hanlin has truly raised a good son."
Ever since Song Yuanbao became a companion in the palace, every detail from Yutang Palace was reported to Emperor Guangxi daily.
Through this, Emperor Guangxi learned that his son’s palace, once cold and desolate, had become a hub of constant commotion, with new happenings every day.
Knowing nothing about the affairs of Yutang Palace, Song Wei could only respond with consideration upon hearing Emperor Guangxi say this, "Yuanbao’s nature is too lively. Making him a companion may disrupt the Eldest Prince."
"That’s exactly right." Emperor Guangxi nodded, "That son of yours is indeed too noisy. He’s only been in the palace for a short time and has already stirred up trouble."
Song Wei: "If that’s the case, then..."
He intended to suggest letting the Eldest Prince find someone more suitable to enter the palace.
Before he could finish his sentence, Emperor Guangxi interrupted him, "Song Hanlin doesn’t need to blame himself too much. Song Hao is already thirteen years old; let him take responsibility for his actions. I’ve already ordered that he stay in the palace to clean up the mess. When he’s finished, then he can leave. You don’t have any objections to this arrangement, do you?"
Upon hearing this, Song Wei maintained his usual demeanor. He understood Yuanbao’s lively nature but knew he wouldn’t act recklessly. Emperor Guangxi’s words were somewhat exaggerated. "As long as the Eldest Prince doesn’t mind his disturbance, Yuanbao, as a servant, should naturally obey the ruler’s command."
—
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhao Xi had a day off.
Song Yuanbao happily got a good night’s sleep.
Early in the morning, a carriage was waiting outside the Imperial City Gate to take him home to reunite with his family.
Mr. Cui personally came to escort him, only to discover that Song Yuanbao hadn’t yet awakened.
Not only Song Yuanbao; even the Eldest Prince, who typically started his early reading at dawn, was still indulging in sleep.
Mr. Cui glanced at the tightly shut doors of the main hall and side hall.
He knew the Eldest Prince tended to sleep in on festival holidays, but Song Yuanbao needed to leave the palace today. If he also overslept, wouldn’t it delay the hour, and he might miss going home?
Mr. Cui turned his gaze to the young attendant serving Zhao Xi, instructing him, "Go wake up Young Master Song in the side hall."
The young attendant hesitated, "Isn’t that inappropriate?"
"What’s inappropriate?"
It was Song Hanlin himself who proposed letting Young Master Song return home for Mid-Autumn. The Emperor gave the order yesterday, and today they came to Yutang Palace to pick him up.
Mr. Cui didn’t expect the situation to be like this.
Seeing the young attendant still standing still, he glared, "Go quickly!"
Pushed to action, the young attendant reluctantly went to the side hall and knocked on the door.
Song Yuanbao, half-asleep, was suddenly awakened, feeling annoyed, and quickly dressed to open the door.
The young attendant, seeing him still sleepy-eyed, reminded him, "Young Master Song, Mr. Cui is here to take you back home."
Only then did Song Yuanbao suddenly remember that today is Mid-Autumn, and he’s supposed to go home.
Hurriedly washing and dressing, Song Yuanbao quickly tidied himself up and exited the side hall, specially glancing at the direction of the main hall. Seeing its door still closed, he asked the young attendant, "The Eldest Prince is still asleep?"
The young attendant nodded, "There are only a few days off in a year. On those days, the Eldest Prince won’t get up early."
"When he asks later, just tell him I’ve gone home."
After Song Yuanbao finished speaking, he followed Mr. Cui out of Yutang Palace. They boarded a sedan chair to exit the Imperial City and then transferred to a carriage, heading straight for the Song Mansion.
Knowing that her eldest grandson would return today, Granny Song had already instructed the kitchen last night to buy more good dishes.
Unlike the cold and quiet palace, as soon as Song Yuanbao stepped through his family’s front door, he felt the strong festive atmosphere.
He went to Rong’an Hall immediately.
Granny Song went to the kitchen to help. Old Song and Song Wei were talking in the main room, while Wen Wan and Song Jiao, each holding Jinbao’s hand, had just returned from a stroll in the garden.
Upon seeing Song Yuanbao, Song Jiao called out, "Big brother," and Wen Wan turned her head with a smile on her face, "Yuanbao is back?"
Song Yuanbao stepped forward, "Mom, are you and Dad on vacation?"
Wen Wan nodded, "On such an important day, of course, we have to take a break." She added, "Your grandmother has been looking forward to your return, waiting so long that her eyes have turned green."
Song Yuanbao scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, "There are many rules in the palace, and besides, the Eldest Prince’s schedule is tight. Usually, I can’t get away."
Wen Wan observed him closely. Perhaps the meals in the palace were good; he hadn’t lost weight, though he didn’t look too spirited, with quite heavy dark circles under his eyes.
"Have you not been resting enough?"
It’s said that the Eldest Prince rises every morning at the hours before dawn to begin his studies.
This kind of schedule can barely be maintained for a day or two, but over the long term, it’s truly exhausting.
Song Yuanbao waved his hand, "I’ve gotten used to it after being in the palace for more than a month."
Wen Wan felt some heartache for him, but Yuanbao was in the palace by imperial decree, and he couldn’t just quit. She sighed quietly, powerlessly admonishing him, "Take good care of yourself in the palace."
Song Yuanbao told her not to worry, saying that the palace servants took great care of him.
Wen Wan hadn’t had any bad premonitions lately, and after hearing Song Yuanbao’s words, she felt slightly relieved.
Jinbao looked up at Song Yuanbao and suddenly said, "Brother, hug."
Song Yuanbao’s heart melted at his voice, and he quickly bent down to pick up the little fellow, asking him if he’d been listening to their parents and eating and sleeping properly.
Jinbao nodded eagerly, rubbing his small face against his brother’s shoulder affectionately.
The group entered the main room of Rong’an Hall one after the other.
Hearing the commotion, the conversation between Old Song and Song Wei abruptly stopped.
Song Wei turned to look at Song Yuanbao holding Jinbao, who was behind Wen Wan, and smiled gently, "How does it feel after a month there?"
"It’s... alright!" Song Yuanbao placed the little fellow on a round-backed chair, answering Song Wei while adding, "Apart from getting up too early and not getting enough rest, I’ve learned quite a bit following His Highness."
The person has too many good qualities besides being overly strict.
At least in this month, Song Yuanbao learned self-discipline in many areas.
Song Wei said, "Throughout history, princes like him have been rare. While being a companion to the prince is tough, following him allows you to receive an education superior even to that of the Imperial College and get exposed to people and things you’ve never encountered before, greatly benefiting your future growth."
Song Yuanbao agreed with this sentiment.
His father was right; he indeed gained a lot of knowledge in the past month.
...
Soon, Granny Song returned from the kitchen, holding a box of pastries that were made early yesterday morning and were just right to eat today.
Seeing her eldest grandson, Granny Song beamed and began asking all sorts of questions once she sat down.
Having not seen his grandmother for a long time, Song Yuanbao answered every one of her questions, appearing especially well-behaved.
Upon learning that her eldest grandson got up to study before the early morning light, Granny Song was heartbroken and asked Song Wei if the arduous task could be relinquished.
Song Wei didn’t speak but looked at Song Yuanbao.
In fact, it wouldn’t be that difficult to relinquish it; he had ways to deal with Emperor Guangxi, but the most crucial thing was to see what Yuanbao wanted.
Song Yuanbao shook his head vigorously, "Grandma, I am willing to enter the palace as a companion to the Eldest Prince."
His serious demeanor was completely different from how he behaved in front of Zhao Xi.
"You’re worn out, aren’t you?" Granny Song reproved him lightly.
"Truly, although it’s tough, I can learn a lot," this was the truth in Song Yuanbao’s heart, "and the Study Room is a more advanced place than the Imperial College. How could I give up the Study Room and go back to the Imperial College?"
"Well, that’s true." Granny Song pondered for a moment, then asked if he could discuss with the Eldest Prince about waking up a bit later, as people who stayed up late only put out their lights in the middle of the night. If this went on for a long time, even an iron body couldn’t withstand it!
Old Song said, "Our grandson is there to serve the Eldest Prince, not the other way around. You aren’t shy to say anything you dare."
"I’m just worried about my grandson, aren’t I?"
"No matter how worried you are, this isn’t the way to express it," Old Song said sternly. "The Prince himself can wake up, but our Yuanbao is too precious to rise? Have you thought about what will become of the Third Son’s future situation if this gets to the Emperor’s ears?"
Wen Wan was about to say a few words when Duan Yan rushed in from the front yard, "Master, Mistress, the son-in-law is here."