"Your Highness!" "Elder Brother!" "Cousin Chengji!"

Upon seeing Xiao Chengji and his two companions, the children greeted them warmly, making the atmosphere even more lively.

Xiao Chengrui immediately joined Xin Rui in teasing the fish, shouting and yelling. Xiao Chengyu proudly showed Mingyue and Xiaoyue her "General" cricket. Mingyue pouted: "Hmph, it must have been Cousin Rui who caught it for you! My 'Black Marshal' jumped into my basket by itself!"

Little Yue'er looked up at the insects and said in her childish voice, "Sister Yu, the insects... I'm scared..."

Looking at the chaotic yet vibrant scene, Xiao Chengji felt somewhat helpless, but still dutifully fulfilled his duties as the eldest brother, walking to the lakeside to remind him, "Cousin Rui, Rui'er, stay away from the water, be careful not to fall in." He then looked at Mingxuan, "Cousin Mingxuan, how are your studies going these days?"

Qi Mingxuan bowed like a little adult: "Your Highness, it's alright. My father has been teaching me the 'Wei Zheng' chapter of the Analects, and I've gained some insights." He was a year younger than Cheng Ji, but influenced by his father Qi Huaihe, he was calm and steady, and loved reading. He was a rare partner for Cheng Ji who could discuss academic matters with him.

Upon hearing this, Xin Rui retracted the branch and grinned, "Your Highness, don't worry, I'm watching! The edge of this pond is very shallow! Mingxuan, all you do is study, how boring! Come and see these fish, they're very fat!" He was agile and cheerful, with a lively and carefree personality, much like his uncle Xin Yunzhou in his youth. He was the "king of the kids" among the children, but he also listened to Xiao Chengji the most.

Just then, Lin Jingshu came over with two maids, carrying a large food box, and said with a smile, "Oh, everyone's here! Come and try the fresh fruit that Aunt Jingshu just had someone bring from outside the palace, as well as the newly made lotus flower pastries!"

The children immediately cheered and surrounded her. Lin Jingshu now frequently visits the palace to assist Xin Jiuwei in managing charitable affairs. She is very familiar with the children and always brings them many new toys and foods, which makes her very popular.

Everyone sat down in the pavilion by the lake to share snacks. Cheng Rui and Xin Rui were the fastest to grab them, while Cheng Yu and Ming Yue ate the delicate lotus-shaped pastries in small bites, comparing whose pastry had the prettiest flower petals. Xiao Yue'er was held in Xin Kui's arms, being fed small bites of mashed fruit puree. Xiao Chengji and Qi Mingxuan ate while quietly discussing the lessons the Grand Tutor had just taught.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, a cool breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms and the joyful laughter of children. At this moment, there was no strict distinction between ruler and subject, only the intimate bond between cousins. Xin Kui looked tenderly at the children and whispered to Lin Jingshu beside her, "Looking at them reminds me of our childhood."

Lin Jingshu smiled and said, "It's much more lively than when we were young! And we're much luckier." Her gaze swept over Xiao Chengji, who was surrounded by children, and she said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince truly has the demeanor of an elder brother; he will surely be a benevolent ruler in the future."

After having some snacks, the children were even more energetic. Cheng Rui suggested playing a "war" game, proclaiming himself "General" and asking Xin Rui to be his "vanguard." Ming Yue and Xiao Yue'er weren't interested in fighting and instead dragged Cheng Yu to catch butterflies and pick flowers. Xiao Chengji and Qi Mingxuan, on the other hand, said they wanted to play chess in the pavilion.

Xin Rui's eyes darted around, and he said to Cheng Rui, "What's the point of just the two of us 'generals' fighting? We need someone to be the 'enemy'! Mingxuan, Your Highness, you two come too!"

Qi Mingxuan frowned: "When two armies clash, it's not a game. We need military strategy and tactics..."

Xin Rui interrupted him: "Oh dear, all talk and no action! Come on, you and His Highness are on one side, and I and my cousin Rui are on the other. Let's see who has the better 'troops' here in this artificial mountain area!" As he spoke, he pulled up the reluctant Qi Mingxuan and went to beg Xiao Chengji.

Xiao Chengji was initially reluctant to participate, but seeing the expectant looks in his younger brother and cousins' eyes, and seeing Xin Kui and Lin Jingshu nodding and smiling to indicate that it was alright, he put down his book and said with a smile, "Alright, it's up to you. Just don't run far, and don't actually push or fight. The winner is the one who takes the jade pendant from the other's waist, how about that?"

The rules were simple, and the children immediately agreed. They split into two groups and, laughing and joking, rushed into the artificial rockery to begin their "battle." The maids and guards quickly followed, carefully watching over them, making sure not to disturb their young masters' enjoyment while ensuring everything went smoothly.

Inside the pavilion, Xin Kui and Lin Jingshu watched the children chasing and hiding among the artificial hills, listening to their excited screams and laughter, and smiled at each other.

“That’s more like a child,” Lin Jingshu said. “Studying and practicing martial arts all day long is too boring.”

Xin Kui nodded: "Yes. Her Majesty often says the same thing, hoping that His Highnesses can have a happy childhood. With Rui'er and Rui'er, these two mischievous little monkeys, taking care of them, Chengji and Mingxuan can relax a bit."

On the other side of the artificial hill, the battle raged fiercely. Although Xiao Chengji and Qi Mingxuan were rather quiet, one was composed and strategic, the other observant and meticulous; together they held their own. Xin Rui charged forward bravely, while Xiao Chengrui, taking advantage of his small size and agility, launched sneak attacks from all sides. Ultimately, the battle ended with Xiao Chengji cleverly drawing Xin Rui away, allowing Qi Mingxuan to seize the opportunity and remove Xiao Chengrui's jade pendant.

Although Xiao Chengrui was "defeated," he was not discouraged at all, shouting, "Let's fight again next time!" His little face was flushed and covered in sweat, but he was smiling very happily. Even the usually reserved Xiao Chengji had beads of sweat on his forehead, and his eyes shone with a rare light.

As the sun began to set, the children, tired from playing, were led back to wash up.

Inside Kunning Palace, Xin Jiuwei was listening to a female official report on palace affairs. Seeing the children return, she dismissed the official.

Xiao Chengji bowed respectfully and replied, briefly recounting his lessons and playtime with his younger siblings. Xiao Chengrui, like a little monkey, pounced on his mother, hugging her leg and chattering excitedly about his "battle" of three hundred rounds and his "narrow defeat" to his older brother and cousin Mingxuan. Xiao Chengyu also snuggled up, holding up a slightly wilted cricket, and whispered about picking flowers and watching fish with his cousin Mingyue.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!