"You must never do that again!" the Princess Consort of Pingyang instructed.
"Why?" Duoduo didn't understand.
"Just listen to me!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's mind was a mess right now, and she didn't know how to explain it to Duoduo.
"Alright," Duoduo replied obediently.
Seeing Duoduo's dejected look, the Princess Consort of Pingyang rubbed the little girl's head.
"Tomorrow, Mother will have someone stew that fish for us to eat."
Duoduo immediately cheered up.
"Okay!"
The mother and daughter went into the house. Lianxin saw that the clothes Duoduo had just changed into were wet again.
She felt a bit confused.
"Lianxin, have Lüzhu bring another set of clothes over."
"Yes, milady."
Soon, Lüzhu came over with clean clothes.
"Take the Princess to the side room for a bath."
Lüzhu complied and led Duoduo to the side room.
Only then did the Princess Consort of Pingyang sit down by the window to recall everything that had just happened.
Should she wait for the Prince to return and tell him?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang weighed her options.
Finally, she decided not to say anything.
This matter would be put to rest.
Perhaps Duoduo had just touched some pastries.
And the smell of the pastries had attracted the fish.
Yes!
That must be it!
The Princess Consort of Pingyang convinced herself.
After Duoduo came out of the bath, the Princess Consort of Pingyang kept her close by her side.
In the evening, the Prince of Pingyang, who had been out all day, finally returned.
He had gone into the mountains with Lingfeng to inspect the iron mine.
On the way into the mountains, Lingfeng had carried the Prince of Pingyang on his back both in and out.
The iron mine was exactly as Lingfeng had described—massive.
There was a mountain behind the estate, and from the halfway point down, it was entirely made of iron ore.
The estate manager had already had his men dig a sizable cave, developing about a third of it.
The Prince of Pingyang thought of the pile of weapons in the villa.
"Lingfeng, has Lingyu written back yet?"
"To answer Your Highness, not yet," Lingfeng replied respectfully.
"What about Lingxiao and the others?"
"Lingxiao said he will send someone over immediately."
"Your Highness, the estate manager's private forging of weapons won't stay hidden for long."
Lingfeng looked worried.
"Have Lingxiao send some people over with a batch of inferior weapons to swap with this batch when the time comes."
The Prince of Pingyang pondered for a moment.
"Yes." Lingfeng understood the Prince of Pingyang's intention.
"Also, dispose of all the estate manager's men from before."
"Ask among our people and see if anyone has a background as a blacksmith."
"If there are, have them rush over here posthaste."
"Furthermore, we shouldn't stay here long. We will return to the manor tomorrow."
"Leave the hidden guards here to watch over this place. No one is allowed to approach. Violators will be killed!"
The Prince of Pingyang's words were filled with ruthlessness.
"Yes," Lingfeng bowed his head.
After arranging everything, the Prince of Pingyang returned to the villa.
Hearing that the Prince of Pingyang had returned, the Princess Consort of Pingyang and Duoduo both went out to greet him.
"Your Highness, you've returned?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pulled Duoduo along and walked over to curtsy to the Prince of Pingyang.
"Mm, rise."
The Prince of Pingyang looked at the older and younger figures, both smiling sweetly, and his heart stirred slightly.
The way they looked right now was exactly like an ordinary family.
He, as the head of the household, went out to earn a living, while his wife and daughter waited at home for his return.
Coming home after a tiring day, his virtuous wife had already prepared dinner.
His lively daughter chattered merrily around him.
"Father, I caught a fish today! Right in the courtyard, and it's super duper big!"
"Mother said she'll stew it tomorrow to nourish your body, so you have to drink two extra bowls of soup!"
Upon seeing the Prince of Pingyang, Duoduo's little mouth babbled on, spilling everything she had done.
The Prince of Pingyang gripped the armrests of his wheelchair.
He quietly observed Duoduo.
"You went to catch a fish today?"
Only then did Duoduo belatedly realize she had let the cat out of the bag.
No wonder her mother kept winking at her just now.
Duoduo obediently lowered her head.
"I was wrong. Mother already scolded me today!"
"Yes, Your Highness, I have already punished the servants who were attending her.
"Duoduo has also realized her mistake. You must be hungry, Your Highness. I will have the servants serve the meal right away."
After saying that, the Princess Consort of Pingyang hurriedly went to arrange for the servants to set the table.
The Prince of Pingyang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
He had only said one sentence, and his wife had hurriedly interrupted him.
Just how afraid was she that he would punish Duoduo?
The Prince of Pingyang looked at Duoduo expressionlessly.
"Your mother says you know you were wrong? Do you know where you went wrong?"
Duoduo obediently admitted her fault.
"I shouldn't have played in the water. It's dangerous!"
Looking at the well-behaved Duoduo, the Prince of Pingyang shook his head.
"Incorrect."
Duoduo looked up in confusion.
"Incorrect? But that's exactly what Mother meant!"
The Prince of Pingyang slowly shook his head.
"It is because you lack the ability to protect yourself."
"The ability to protect myself?" Duoduo muttered to herself.
"Correct!" the Prince of Pingyang instructed Duoduo.
"Think about it. If you knew how to swim, would your mother still be worried?"
Duoduo tilted her head and thought for a moment.
"No," she replied.
"Knowing how to swim is just one part of the ability to protect oneself."
"The core of it all is having the capability to keep yourself from harm whenever you encounter any dangerous situation."
With the Prince of Pingyang's explanation, Duoduo understood.
"Father, what must I do to gain the ability to protect myself?"
Now that Duoduo understood, she naturally wanted to possess this ability.
"You want it? Then learn properly from Lingfeng!"
"Train through the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter. You are not allowed to miss a single day!"
"Okay," Duoduo replied softly.
"Your Highness, dinner is served."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked over, pushed the wheelchair, and headed toward the dining hall.
Duoduo also helped push the armrest of the wheelchair.
The Prince of Pingyang thought of his own legs, and his hands gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly.
Duoduo felt a large hand suddenly grasp her small one.
She looked up and flashed a sweet smile at the Prince of Pingyang.
The Prince of Pingyang suddenly relaxed.
After dinner, the Prince of Pingyang told the mother and daughter of his arrangements.
"The matters here have been dealt with."
"Tomorrow, after breakfast, we will return to the manor."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was a bit surprised.
"So soon?"
She thought they would stay for at least a few days, but they were heading back after only four days.
Disappointment also showed on Duoduo's face.
She hadn't played enough yet!
Seeing the crestfallen looks on his wife and daughter's faces, the Prince of Pingyang twitched his fingers.
"I have arranged for someone to renovate this estate."
"When it is the Princess Consort's birthday, we will come back and stay for a few days."
"By then, many of the melons and fruits will be ripe."
Duoduo's eyes lit up, and she looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"Mother, when is your birthday?"
"At the end of next month." The Princess Consort of Pingyang's eyes grew slightly teary.
The Prince actually remembered her birthday and had even arranged the itinerary in advance.
Duoduo counted on her fingers.
She counted back and forth on her ten fingers a few times; it seemed a bit far away.
The Prince of Pingyang looked at Duoduo and frowned slightly.
It seemed he needed to teach Duoduo arithmetic.
"Father, what about my fish?"
"Mother said she was going to stew it for you to eat tomorrow."
Duoduo suddenly remembered the fish she had caught.
