Ten days later, Xiao Rongche, who had been inspecting the southern waterways, also returned to the capital.
Upon learning of the birth of the Third Prince, his expression became just as awful as Xiao Rongyan's.
What disappointed both of them the most was the Emperor's promise before they left the capital: that they would be rewarded for their achievements.
They originally thought this meant the restoration of their titles as Princes of the First Rank. Instead, what Xiao Chengjing bestowed upon them were mere silks, satins, antiques, and jade artifacts—things that could not compare to actual power and status.
Twenty days after the Third Prince's birth, the third pregnant concubine in the palace gave birth to the Second Princess.
Before Xiao Rongche and Xiao Rongyan even had a chance to catch their breath, the Fourth Prince was born five days later.
During the New Year period, joyous news poured out from the imperial palace one after another.
From the end of the eleventh lunar month to the Lantern Festival of the following year, a total of six princes and seven princesses were born in the palace.
Xiao Chengjing, whose lineage had previously been thin, instantly found his family tree flourishing.
Looking at the rewards the Imperial Household Department had just delivered to the front hall, Song Jinzhao let out a heavy sigh. "They're finally done giving birth."
Six princes were enough to satisfy Xiao Chengjing's appetite. In his joy, the leave of absence he had previously promised to grant Song Qiming arrived right alongside the imperial edict.
It was a four-month leave to visit family in their hometown. Upon his return, he would be immediately promoted to an Imperial Academy Compiler of the secondary sixth rank, a promotion speed far exceeding that of others.
The court officials knew clearly in their hearts that the Emperor's favor toward Song Qiming was due to the Linghui County Princess, Song Jinzhao, so no one raised any objections.
After all, imperial heirs were also a matter of state, and of the utmost importance at that.
Song Gaoli, who had come to the door carrying gifts, looked at Song Qiming as he packed his belongings and sighed helplessly.
"Your official rank is higher than mine, yet I didn't expect that in the end, I'd be the one unable to go back."
Ever since entering the Ministry of War, Song Gaoli hadn't had a single peaceful night's sleep.
The Ministry of War had previously been the Prince of Ying's sphere of influence. After Xiao Rongyan left the capital, Wu Jianzheng did not hesitate to raise his broadsword and start slashing.
They say a new official lights three fires upon taking office; his fire burned for three whole months.
Within half a year, the number of people transferred out or demoted in the Ministry of War exceeded half of its personnel.
From when he first entered the Ministry of War as an observer to learn the ropes, to now firmly sitting in the position of Secretary of the Bureau of Armaments, Song Gaoli's hairline had receded by more than just a little bit.
Song Qiming smiled and said, "I'm just basking in my sister's reflected glory. Otherwise, how could I get such a long leave and still have my position kept for me?"
"But are you sure you don't want us to conveniently bring Uncle Dazhuang and the others over to see you along the way?"
Unlike Song Jinzhao and her brother, Song Gaoli's parents were still alive and healthy, and he was the only grandson whom the whole family fully supported.
Not seeing each other for such a long time, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they missed him madly, and there would surely be plenty of idle gossip in the village.
Song Gaoli sighed and shook his head. "Better not. It's convenient when you bring them over, but on the way back, they'd need a merchant caravan to escort them. The journey is too far; I wouldn't feel at ease."
He had originally thought that being an official in the capital would allow him to bring his family over to live together, but after taking office, Song Gaoli discovered the truth.
As long as one stuck to their principles, the salary of a low-ranking official was very meager.
Especially in the capital, everything was expensive. Housing and land prices were outrageously high. After half a year, he could still only afford to rent a house.
He genuinely couldn't quite afford to support his family if he brought them over.
It was better to use the salary he had saved up to let his parents buy more farmland in their hometown to rent out.
Living off collected rent would always be more comfortable than living a penny-pinching life in the capital.
Compared to a journey of over a thousand miles, a four-month vacation really wasn't considered long.
With the white tiger leading the way, four-year-old Song Anhao took turns sitting on the backs of three different horses. When he came, he had been sleeping soundly in the carriage; this time, riding on a tall horse, he found everything novel.
Although they only traveled during the day, riding horses was faster than driving a carriage, so Song Jinzhao and her group smoothly arrived at Xining City in a month and a half.
With the warm sunlight shining on her, looking up at the familiar city gates, Song Jinzhao, who hadn't returned in two years, unexpectedly felt a sense of trepidation upon nearing home.
Seeing a group of people approaching on horseback, the city guards had just braced themselves when they spotted a tiger wearing red clothes sandwiched between the horses.
He rubbed his eyes uncertainly.
"Am I seeing things? Why is there a tiger?"
Another guard, eating a flatbread in his hand, turned to look at him. "How could there be a tiger? I think your eyes are playing tricks on you. It's definitely a dog."
After saying that, he followed the other's gaze. A white tiger face, previously hidden by a red hat, was exposed. The flatbread in his hand fell to the ground with a smack.
Both of them widened their eyes in terror. It really was a tiger!
"There's a tiger!" With a scream, the surrounding guards rushed over with their weapons.
Song Shixue looked down and realized that the hat worn on Xuetuan's head had gone askew at some point, revealing half of a tiger face.
She quickly dismounted, hugged Xuetuan's neck, and shook her head at the guards. "Don't be afraid. This is my family's pet. It doesn't bite."
The guard holding his sword had hands that wouldn't stop shaking. Hearing the little girl say the tiger was her pet, he found it simply unbelievable.
How could anyone raise a tiger as a pet? That was way too bold.
The guard who had dropped his flatbread shook his head frantically. "A tiger is a fierce beast! You cannot enter. Leave immediately."
Sensing their hostility, Xuetuan wanted to open its mouth and roar, but Song Shixue, who had her arms around its neck, pinched its jaws shut.
"No, your disguise failed. You can't make a sound now."
Having been scolded, Xuetuan aggrievedly buried its head in Song Shixue's chest.
I wasn't even being fierce. Master is speaking so loudly.
Seeing the white tiger acting spoiled in the little girl's arms like a dog, the guards looked at each other in dismay.
Was this actually a tiger or a dog?
"What's going on?" Seeing the city guards pointing swords at people, Constable Zhao, who had come to patrol, ran over with his men while shouting.
"Miss Song!" Looking up and seeing a familiar face on horseback, Constable Zhao widened his eyes in pleasant surprise.
Remembering Song Jinzhao's current status, he quickly dropped to one knee, cupped his fists, and lowered his head.
"Greetings to the Linghui County Princess. Greetings, Lord Song."
The city guards holding their swords froze, looking up at Song Jinzhao. She was a County Princess?
The swords in their hands fell to the ground. Their knees went weak, and they hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy.
"Greetings to the County Princess. This lowly one had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive us, County Princess."
Constable Zhao raised his head and glanced at his trembling subordinates. Noticing the white tiger being held by Song Shixue, he was surprised but also guessed most of what had happened.
He pleaded on their behalf, "County Princess, these men were all recently transferred here and are unaware of your abilities. If they have offended you in any way, please forgive them."
Song Jinzhao didn't mind the minor incident that had just occurred. She said gently, "It is a small matter. The pet we brought looks a bit fierce, so it's normal for them to be cautious. Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, County Princess." The guards kowtowed on the ground. After getting up, they carefully retreated to stand by the base of the wall.
After standing up, Constable Zhao wore a smile on his face.
"Has the County Princess just returned from the capital?"
Song Jinzhao nodded. "We haven't returned to the village yet. We wanted to stroll through the city first."
Constable Zhao reached out and cleared the way. "Please, County Princess. Please, Lord Song."
Song Shixue put Xuetuan's hat back on properly, tying the strings to ensure its head and face would remain covered.
