The Emperor took the teacup with a highly satisfied expression.
Nowadays, he favored the life of an ordinary family.
Having children and grandchildren gathered around his knees, filial sons and daughters by his side, and a gentle, considerate wife.
It would just be even better if his eldest son's face wasn't as dark as a door god's.
The Emperor was in a rare good mood today, so he decided not to hold it against his eldest son.
The Emperor took small sips of his tea.
The tea was his favorite Longjing, brewed with snow gathered from plum blossoms last year.
Longjing steeped in snow water carried the crisp, cold fragrance of plum blossoms.
"Mhm! This tea is quite good today!"
The Emperor could not help but offer a word of praise.
Noble Consort Li instantly beamed with joy.
"I brewed it especially for Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty likes it, my hard work collecting the snow water last year was not in vain."
Seeing the excited smile in the corners of Noble Consort Li's eyes, the Emperor gently patted the back of her hand.
"You have worked hard, my beloved consort!"
"As long as Your Majesty likes it, my hard work is nothing."
"Your Majesty attends to a myriad of state affairs every day. This is all I can do for Your Majesty."
Noble Consort Li excitedly grasped the Emperor's hand, as if she had obtained a precious treasure.
The Emperor was greatly pleased!
Warmth and comfort give rise to lustful thoughts.
Squeezing the soft hand in his palm, with her familiar sweet fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose, the Emperor's mind began to wander.
"Imperial Father, if there is nothing else, your son will take his leave."
Xiao Yi's cold voice shattered the romantic atmosphere in the room.
Feeling a bit guilty, the Emperor immediately let go of Noble Consort Li's hand.
"I still have memorials to review. You may all withdraw."
Looking at her empty hand, Noble Consort Li felt a momentary sense of disappointment.
However, she quickly adjusted her composure.
Noble Consort Li stood up and curtsied to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, then I shall return to my palace first. I still have a small jar of Plum Intoxication wine there. I couldn't even bear to give it to our royal son when he asked for it."
Sitting below, Prince Ling was somewhat dissatisfied with Xiao Yi for spoiling the mood. However, since the Emperor had spoken, he had no choice but to leave.
Hearing his mother mention him, Prince Ling immediately chimed in with a face full of smiles.
"Imperial Father, I have been begging for Imperial Mother's Plum Intoxication for a long time."
"Imperial Mother said that she brewed it with her own hands specifically for Imperial Father!"
On the other side, upon hearing the Emperor's dismissal, Xiao Yi bowed and immediately wheeled his wheelchair out of the hall.
His back revealed a sense of loneliness and isolation.
The Emperor looked at the consort beside him, who was as delicate and beautiful as a flower, and at Prince Ling, whose face was full of deep affection.
In his heart, he inexplicably felt a bit guilty.
He was the one who had asked Xiao Yi to stay and eat with him.
As a result, halfway through, Noble Consort Li and his second son arrived together.
They also said they wanted to accompany him and enjoy the happiness of family.
The Emperor had exactly that intention, so he agreed.
He originally thought that they were a family, and as a family, they should naturally be harmonious.
He completely forgot about his eldest son's background.
But what did he do wrong?
It was all this eldest son's fault!
To actually show him such a long face!
At this thought, the Emperor's originally good mood immediately plummeted to rock bottom.
He waved his hand at Noble Consort Li and Prince Ling.
"Alright, you two may also withdraw."
"Second son, don't run around all day when you have nothing to do."
"Take advantage of your time resting to properly educate your children."
"To raise without teaching is the father's fault. With Yun'an's manners, how can he take on great responsibilities in the future!"
The Emperor's words made both Prince Ling and Noble Consort Li's eyes light up simultaneously.
Prince Ling put on a look of bitter remorse.
"Imperial Father, you are absolutely right!"
"When I return, I will definitely educate An'er properly!"
The Emperor waved his hand, picked up the memorial at hand, and began to read.
Noble Consort Li and Prince Ling bowed and withdrew.
Noble Consort Li led Prince Ling far away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation before speaking.
"Your Imperial Father is right. Not only An'er, but Ning'er's etiquette also needs to be properly taught."
Prince Ling nodded.
"Imperial Mother, this is also the purpose of my visit to the palace this time."
"I would like to borrow an old nanny from you to teach them the rules."
"Anning, Funing, and the other children can all be taught together then."
Hearing this, Noble Consort Li nodded.
"Alright, Nanny Rong by my side has the best grasp of etiquette."
"I will have her follow you to your estate."
Noble Consort Li whispered a few words to a maid beside her, and the maid hurriedly left.
Prince Ling was overjoyed and cupped his hands toward Noble Consort Li.
"Thank you very much, Imperial Mother!"
Noble Consort Li gently patted Prince Ling's arm.
"You are my royal son; naturally, I will help you."
"It just so happens that Nanny Rong can also help you manage your backyard when she goes."
"You are someone destined for great things. You cannot be hindered by trivial matters in the inner courtyard."
Prince Ling nodded, "I have made Imperial Mother worry."
Noble Consort Li held Prince Ling's hand, "Only when you are well, can I be well."
A knowing light flashed in the eyes of both mother and son.
After a short while, the maid who had just left walked over with a stern-faced nanny.
Nanny Rong arrived in front of Noble Consort Li and curtsied.
"Nanny Rong, you will follow Prince Ling out of the palace. I leave the affairs of Prince Ling's estate in your hands."
"Prince Ling is busy with many things; he must not be disturbed by matters of the inner estate."
"Yes, this old servant understands!" Nanny Rong replied.
Having achieved his goal, Prince Ling bid his farewell.
After all, this was the palace, and there were many spies around. It was not suitable for him to stay too long.
Although Noble Consort Li was reluctant to see him go, she understood her son's situation.
Prince Ling left with Nanny Rong, and Noble Consort Li returned to her own palace, which needs no further mention.
As Xiao Yi wheeled his wheelchair out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yun Xiao walked over.
"Your Highness." Yun Xiao bowed and stepped behind to push the wheelchair.
"Go to Kunning Palace," Xiao Yi instructed in a low voice.
"Your Highness?" Yun Xiao was somewhat surprised.
"Let's go," Xiao Yi leaned against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.
Yun Xiao pushed the wheelchair toward the abandoned Kunning Palace.
The wheelchair rolled over the path, occasionally making a sound.
Everything was eerily quiet.
Kunning Palace, once glorious, had now become a cold palace.
Before even reaching Kunning Palace, Xiao Yi opened his eyes.
Every brick and tile here came to life in his memory.
He had once raided bird nests here;
He had once drawn pictures on that stone;
He had once climbed this tree;
He had also crawled through that dog hole...
Xiao Yi only felt a harsh sting in his eyes.
He forced his eyes open, not daring to close them.
For fear that if he closed them, he would never dare to open them again.
Yun Xiao pushed Xiao Yi to the entrance of Kunning Palace, and Xiao Yi pushed the doors open.
With a creak, the doors opened.
Yun Xiao pushed the wheelchair inside.
Inside Kunning Palace, the ground was covered with fallen leaves. As the wheelchair rolled over them, it made crisp, crackling sounds.
Xiao Yi looked up at the large tree overhead.
This tree was rather strange; it actually shed leaves in the summer.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi heard faint voices coming from the backyard.
Xiao Yi raised his hand, signaling Yun Xiao to go to the backyard.
Yun Xiao pushed the wheelchair in the direction of the sound.
From the backyard came not only the sound of low whispers but also crisp laughter.
