Li Yuexi, holding a bowl, said to Xu Di, "My aunt told me to tidy up our luggage, as she will be returning to the capital with us before the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xu Di and Li Yuexi were to return to the capital ahead of schedule. Yue Qingchuan had made it clear to Xu Di that with his current level, passing the provincial examination would not be a problem. The key was to see how he performed in the palace examination. If he did well in the palace examination and entered the first class, that would be the best outcome. However, Xu Di was not yet twenty years old, and his writings were full of youthful vigor, which was incomparable to those who had been immersed in literature for decades. Whether he could enter the first class depended on the emperor's decision.

Yue Qingchuan felt that the capital city could obtain various information in advance, so he suggested that Xu Di return to the capital city to take the exam. It just so happened that Xu Ru was preparing to take the children back to her parents' home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, so she could travel with Xu Di.

Xu Di said, "Just take care of the sorting. By the way, have you arranged for someone to send something to Liaodong?"

Li Yuexi said, "I calculated the days, and it's a bit early to send it over now during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The weather is still a bit hot. I just wrote a letter to my parents-in-law and sent it over. I'll wait a few more days until the weather cools down a bit before sending someone to deliver the things."

Xu Di nodded and said, "And don't forget about your father-in-law either. Do you have enough money? If not, just come to me for more."

Li Yuexi laughed and said, "That's enough, that's enough. Isn't all your money with me? I'll just come back to you when I need more. Where are you going to find it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Di smiled and said, "I'm a man in charge of the household. How can I manage without having a few ways to make money? Don't worry."

Li Yuexi and Xu Di had agreed on this from the beginning of their marriage: one would take care of the home while the other would take care of the outside world. Xu Di would be responsible for earning money to support the family, while Li Yuexi would stay at home to be a good wife and mother.

It wasn't that Xu Di didn't support Li Yuexi leaving the inner quarters. Li Yuexi was a native of ancient times, and not only had she received this kind of education from a young age, but more importantly, this was what she had seen since childhood. It wasn't just her parents, but also the people around her, including Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci. Xu Rao was busy with his career outside, while Chen Zhaoci stayed at home. However, because of her excellent medical skills, Chen Zhaoci often went out to see patients, but she really didn't use her medical skills to make money.

Li Yuexi blushed slightly, picked up the bowl and drank the ginger soup. Xu Di quickly pushed a bowl of water in front of her, which she drank in a few gulps before wiping her mouth.

Xu Di said, "Go ask Uncle Li to find a good piece of Taishan stone so we can take it home and give it to Grandma."

Li Yuexi agreed, thought for a moment, and said, "Last time I went to the street, I saw a lot of small stones with nice patterns. I was thinking I might as well buy a few more to take with me when I visit my relatives. It would be a nice little gift. What do you think, my husband?"

Xu Di replied with a smile, "These things still require a lot of care from my wife."

Li Yuexi put away the used bowls in the kitchen, then remembered that she hadn't finished making the shoes for her parents-in-law, so she took her sewing basket and went to the yard.

There was a sycamore tree in the courtyard, and under its shade was a small table and two small stools. Li Yuexi found it uncomfortable to sit on the stools, so she made two cushions and put them on top.

After Li Yuexi sat down, she quickly started threading a needle. Xu Di saw his wife doing needlework under the shade of a tree in the courtyard through the open window, and couldn't help but smile. He picked up the book on the table and continued reading.

As dusk fell, lanterns were lit in every corner of the palace.

Emperor Liang Cheng emerged from the imperial study, stood on the steps gazing at the lights near and far, and said to Chen Wufu, who was attending him, "Go to the Empress's palace."

Chen Wufu agreed and waved to a little eunuch behind him. The little eunuch hurried to the Empress's palace to report the news. Emperor Liang Cheng led Chen Wufu along the palace road toward the Empress's bedroom.

Halfway there, Emperor Liang Cheng stopped, and Chen Wufu quickly stopped as well. Emperor Liang Cheng stared at something for a long time before letting out a soft sigh and asking Chen Wufu in a low voice, "Wufu, has there been any news from Yuan'er?"

Chen Wufu bowed his head and reported, "Your Majesty, they have already arrived in Liaodong."

The emperor nodded and continued walking forward with his hands behind his back.

The Empress's palace gates were already open, and servants knelt in the courtyard to greet her.

Emperor Liang Cheng saw the Empress standing at the door, took her hand, and entered the room. Seeing the food already laid out, he smiled and said, "A-Lian, you've made my favorite dishes."

Empress Gu Lianxin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this was all made by the Imperial Kitchen. I dare not take credit for it."

The two sat down, and the emperor waved for the servants to leave. The empress knew that the emperor had something to say.

The Emperor said, "Yuan'er has already gone to Liaodong with Wu Muyue."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes welled up with tears. The Emperor offered her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, but she quickly took the handkerchief from him and said, "Your Majesty, I have been impolite."

The Emperor sighed and said, "It's not the Empress's fault; it's my fault as the father for not raising my child well."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress stood up in surprise. The Emperor waved his hand and said, "Ah Lian, please sit down and let me tell you slowly."

The Empress was the birth mother of the Second Prince. Originally, she thought that her child, being the legitimate son of the Empress, would naturally inherit the throne. However, as her child grew up and developed his own thoughts and ideas, the Empress realized that, without her knowledge, her child had become someone she no longer recognized.

With several children but only one throne, the Second Prince is already caught in the middle. Even if he doesn't fight for it, he won't end up well. In recent years, the Second Prince has been openly and secretly fighting with his eldest and third brothers. He even participated in the war in Hexi that shocked the whole country a few years ago.

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