Chapter 424 Daily Life

Since returning from the Flower Valley that day, Jiang Huan has officially entered her late pregnancy.

As his body grew heavier, he became increasingly sleepy, often lounging on the couch or in a soft chair, holding a storybook, and as he read, his eyelids would droop and he would fall into a deep sleep.

Besides being prone to sleepiness, Jiang Huan's activity range was also greatly reduced.

Although Huo Lin did not explicitly forbid it, the palace servants around her were all on high alert, protecting her tightly. Even when she went to the Imperial Garden for a stroll, she was surrounded by attendants, afraid that there might be the slightest mishap.

Jiang Huan herself knew what was important, and most of the time she stayed quietly in Weiyang Palace.

Fortunately, she was not alone.

He Ling, Mingzhu, and Ayina all became frequent visitors to Weiyang Palace.

That afternoon, the Weiyang Palace was warm and cozy. Jiang Huan leaned against the soft couch by the window, her belly already noticeably protruding. Princess Mingzhu and Princess Ayina sat on either side of her, the three of them chatting animatedly.

"If you ask me," Princess Mingzhu said, pinching a piece of candied fruit, her little face scrunched up, "the children should never be like us, forced to read those classic texts all day long, it's driving us crazy! They should be able to play when they want, learn whatever they want, and grow up freely!"

Upon hearing this, Ayina scoffed and casually tossed a grape into her mouth.

"If you only know how to eat, drink, and have fun all day long, that's called being ignorant and incompetent. When you're older, come with me to the grasslands. The sky's the limit, and that'll be truly enjoyable!"

Jiang Huan was amused by the two of them and patted her belly, saying, "I think we should put all that aside for now. The most important thing is to learn how to cook first!"

Mingzhu and Ayina both froze and looked at her.

Jiang Huan continued speaking confidently, her face revealing her true foodie nature.

"Just think about it, if our son can develop excellent culinary skills in the future, the Emperor and I can just ask him to cook whatever we want. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I'm just being prepared, cultivating a little imperial chef from a young age to serve the Weiyang Palace!"

As the three chatted and laughed, He Ling arrived excitedly.

With a bit of dirt still on her face, she couldn't wait to announce as soon as she entered the door: "It's done! The batch of cold-resistant vegetables I planted seems to have really succeeded. Several of them have already sprouted!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan immediately perked up: "Really? Quickly take us to see!"

She was feeling bored during her pregnancy and was always most interested in these experimental fields.

Mingzhu opened her eyes wide with curiosity: "Sister He Ling, what good things have you grown this time?"

Ayina raised an eyebrow, her face filled with undisguised suspicion, scanning He Ling's mud-stained skirt and excited face back and forth.

"Growing vegetables? You? In the palace?"

She could hardly imagine that as the emperor's concubine, she would have to handle the soil with her own hands.

He Ling nodded vigorously, gesturing excitedly, "It's right behind here. I specifically chose a cold-resistant variety to try, and I didn't expect it to actually sprout. It's growing quite well!"

Jiang Huan immediately gestured for Xiao Zhao to help her up: "Quick, help me over there to take a look."

Although she moved slowly, she was in high spirits.

Mingzhu quickly came over to support her on the other side, and Ayina followed suit.

The group arrived at a small greenhouse set aside behind Weiyang Palace. Sure enough, in several plots of land, lush green seedlings had already sprouted from the soil, full of vitality, which was in stark contrast to the desolation outside.

He Ling squatted by the edge of the field, pointing to the different vegetable plots as if they were her own treasures: "This is an improved cold-resistant cabbage, this is a spring leek that was planted in advance, and this is... uh, a kind of melon seedling that I tried to graft. I hope it can withstand the spring cold."

Jiang Huan watched with great interest, nodding repeatedly, her gaze lingering on the vibrant greenery.

"Wow, these leaves look really thick. You're really something."

Mingzhu also lay down by the edge of the field and exclaimed, "It's so green and pleasing to the eye! It looks delicious!"

Ayina stood aside, initially just there to watch the spectacle, but looking at the neat and lush green nursery and then at He Ling, she couldn't hide her surprise.

"You...you actually managed to grow it?"

She stepped forward, squatted down, and carefully examined the seedlings. She even reached out her finger and very lightly touched a tender leaf, which was quite incredible.

"In our grasslands, at this time of year, everything outside is still withered and yellow, frozen solid. How could you grow such green vegetables indoors?"

"Aren't imperial concubines supposed to be enjoying flowers and playing musical instruments? How do you know this?"

He Ling was a little embarrassed by her question. She wiped the dirt off her cheek with the back of her relatively clean hand and gave a silly smile.

"I just like to think about these things. It makes me feel at ease if I can make more things grow in the ground."

The planting manual provided by the system was indeed reliable. Although the process was a bit tiring, I'm so happy to see the results!

Ayina stood up, looked at He Ling, her eyes filled with surprise as if she had discovered a new continent and a hint of appreciation.

She suddenly clapped her hands, the sound crisp and clear, carrying the enthusiasm of the children of the grasslands.

"You're really something. This spirit of yours is a bit like the daughters of our grasslands who earn their living through their own abilities. Come on!" she said, grabbing He Ling's wrist with such force that He Ling staggered.

"Don't stay cooped up in the house all the time. This princess will take you horseback riding. Let's get some fresh air on horseback, that'll be so much fun!"

Upon hearing the words "horse riding," He Ling's face turned pale instantly, and she shook her head vigorously.

"No, no, no, Your Highness, you mustn't! I... I can't ride a horse, I'm scared, I get motion sickness! I... I'd rather grow vegetables!"

Ayina wouldn't let her refuse; she grabbed her wrist and tried to pull her away.

"What are you afraid of? How can you be so timid? This princess will personally teach you, holding your hand and making sure you don't fall. Come on, come on, you'll see how good it is once you experience it!"

"Ahhh, no, Princess! Help, Your Majesty!"

He Ling screamed in fright and shrank back as fast as she could, almost hanging on the bamboo pole supporting the vegetable rack.

"I really can't do it, I'll fall, I'll get trampled to death, waaaaah... Farming is good, farming is safe, I love farming!"

Jiang Huan and Mingzhu were stunned by the sudden change in the scene. They then covered their mouths, their shoulders twitching slightly as they tried to suppress a laugh.

Wow, Ayina's enthusiasm is just too much to handle!

One was desperately trying to escape, while the other insisted on teaching. The scene was too beautiful to bear!

Mingzhu hid behind Jiang Huan, peeking out half her head to look at He Ling's disheveled and pitiful appearance, and muttered to herself.

"Sister He Ling is so pitiful, but... but pfft, it's so funny... hahaha."

Seeing He Ling so terrified, Ayina found it even more amusing. Instead of letting go, she increased her strength, trying to drag the limp He Ling away.

"Don't be afraid, I'll support you. If you fall, it's on me. I promise you'll be able to ride slowly for a couple of laps today."

"No! I don't want to learn to ride a horse! My seedlings! My seedlings haven't been watered yet!" He Ling screamed repeatedly, tears welling up in her eyes. She struggled with her hands and feet, almost kicking over a pot of newly sprouted vegetable seedlings next to her.

The palace servants wanted to laugh but dared not, and wanted to step forward to dissuade them but were restrained by Ayina's status. For a moment, chaos erupted outside the greenhouse, with chickens and dogs running wild.

In the end, He Ling still couldn't escape Ayina's clutches and was half-dragged and half-carried to the horse farm. Her cries of pain and pleas for mercy were heard all the way, which attracted the attention of the palace servants along the way, who covered their mouths and sneered.