After spending some time with Emperor Kangxi in the Qianqing Palace, Mingxiu left first. After all, the Qianqing Palace was where the Emperor worked, and she shouldn't stay there for too long.

Stepping outside and glancing at the sky, Mingxiu led Luzhu directly towards Yuqing Palace. The child had just been punished by being forced to recite her lessons; she wondered how she was doing.

Mingxiu felt sorry for Yinreng when she remembered his miserable expression as he left.

When Mingxiu arrived at Yuqing Palace, she saw the servants standing outside. When Yinreng's head maid, Wulan, saw Mingxiu coming, she quickly went to greet her.

"Your Highness, what brings you here? His Highness the Crown Prince is busy right now and probably doesn't have time to see you," Wulan said somewhat awkwardly after stepping forward and bowing to Mingxiu.

Mingxiu shook her head. "It's okay, I'll just take a look and won't bother him."

“Yes,” Wulan said, leading the way to Yinreng’s small study. As soon as they reached the front, they heard the sound of “Ula Ula” reciting a text coming from inside.

It was clear from their voices that they weren't alone. Mingxiu walked forward and, sure enough, saw the three of them sitting in front of the desk, each one of them diligently memorizing their lessons, but all of them looked distressed.

Seeing that Mingxiu could only sigh, and noticing that the three of them were reciting quite earnestly, Mingxiu did not go up to disturb them. She simply greeted Wulan and went back to Yonghe Palace.

"Prepare some snacks and drinks for them when we go back later. I don't think tonight will end very early." Mingxiu thought of the book that Yinreng was carrying and felt scared. She told Lüzhu to quickly prepare some things and send them to him. Although she couldn't help them complete their punishment, she could at least keep an eye on them from some angles.

After giving the instructions, Mingxiu sat in the room, recalling what Kangxi had told her. After thinking for a moment, she went to her desk and picked up paper and pen.

Although she didn't expect her brother to help her in the future, he was, after all, the original owner's brother, and he often wrote letters to show his concern.

Mingxiu had long regarded him as her younger brother, and she would always help him if he needed it.

He picked up the letter he had written, blew on it gently, prepared some things, and then had it sent directly out of the palace.

Over the years, they have continued to correspond. Because of the favors Mingxiu had given to her family, her father had never dared to go too far, and her stepmother also wouldn't go too far, but there were always some areas where she wasn't very attentive.

So Mingxiu was able to inquire about it, or rather, she inquired about it herself.

I hope he can pass the exam this time.

Mingxiu felt a warm feeling when she thought about the letters her younger brother had written in the past.

Regardless, the younger brother still missed his own brother.

After the matter was already distributed, Mingxiu felt idle and wanted to find something to do. Finally, she remembered that the lotus flowers in the Imperial Garden should have already produced seeds.

Thinking of the fragrance of lotus flowers wafting through the courtyard, and the delicate scent of lotus seeds, Mingxiu felt a little itchy.

This time, not wanting to stay in the palace, he took Green Bamboo and headed towards the Imperial Garden.

The lotus pond is not inside the Imperial Garden, but rather on the side of the Imperial Garden near the Peony Pavilion.

When Mingxiu arrived with Luzhu, she saw that the lotus flowers in the lotus pond in front of the Peony Pavilion were in full bloom, some pink and some green. A breeze blew by, and the lotus flowers in the whole courtyard seemed to be dancing, accompanied by their fragrance.

Mingxiu closed her eyes and took a deep breath; the air felt so good.

Every day I go to pick lotus flowers, returning late at night on the long islet. When playing in the water, I must not see the water, lest my red lotus petals get wet.

Mingxiu gently placed her hand on her forehead and gazed into the distance, but sadly, there were no lotus-picking girls in sight.

Upon hearing this, Green Bamboo laughed. "Which poem did Your Majesty just recite? It didn't mention any lotus-picking girls. Besides, if Your Majesty wants a lotus-picking girl, this servant can reluctantly play the part." Green Bamboo cleared her throat lightly as she spoke.

Mingxiu chuckled and pointed at Green Bamboo with her finger. "You really know how to flatter yourself, but it's true." Mingxiu turned her head and pretended to examine Green Bamboo carefully. "With Green Bamboo's appearance, even the brothers on the banks of the Cailian River would probably be stunned."

Green Bamboo blushed deeply, rubbed her fingers together, and looked at Mingxiu somewhat embarrassedly, "Your Majesty."

Haha, Mingxiu, Yuqing, and Yulan burst into laughter when they saw the green bamboo blushing.

Seeing Lüzhu's annoyed expression, Mingxiu bent down, picked the nearest lotus flower, and stuffed it into Lüzhu's hand.

"Come, come, here's a little lotus flower for you. Don't be angry, little lotus-picking girl," Mingxiu said with a smile.

Green Bamboo's already flushed face turned even redder. Holding the lotus flower in her hand, she was at a loss for words. Although her mistress often joked around, she was still not used to such a bold topic, and besides... Green Bamboo thought of a figure, and her face grew even redder.

Mingxiu and the others did not notice the unusual behavior of the green bamboo. After laughing and joking for a while, they saw that there was a boat next to the pond. They excitedly pulled people along, ready to go to the middle of the pond to pick fresh lotus seeds themselves.

In the lotus pond

Mingxiu sat alone at one end of the boat, while Lüzhu sat on the other side.

"Quickly, quick, grab a basket and pick more. Let the kitchen make you something delicious today. Fresh lotus seeds are the best. It's perfect for us to enjoy this." As she spoke, Jingming Xiu threw the basket in her hand into Luzhu's arms, then leaned back, propped herself up with her hands on her back, crossed her legs, and looked up at the sky.

Since no one was rowing, the boat drifted with the wind. Green Bamboo was picking lotus pods beside her. Mingxiu looked at the lotus leaves above her from time to time, closed her eyes, felt the gentle breeze blowing by, and felt the fragrance of lotus leaves. She parted her lips slightly.

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