Chapter 112 Preparations for the Southern Tour In fact, Cheng Qianyue had long harbored suspicions. Because…

In fact, Cheng Qianyue had long harbored suspicions. For the past two years, the Emperor had changed his ways and remained confined to the Forbidden City, not even visiting the Changchun Garden. In her eyes, the Emperor had always been very concerned with appearances and prestige; even with the previous debt incident, it was unlikely he would stay out of the palace for two years. Cheng Qianyue guessed that the Emperor was preparing something big. Now that Yinreng told her the Emperor was going on a southern tour, Cheng Qianyue thought she was truly astute, her guess was spot on.

But she didn't care what the Emperor wanted to do. She had been so depressed living in the Forbidden City for the past two years that she was finally able to go out and explore. In fact, she had never traveled far since she was born here. The farthest she had ever been when she was little was to go to the fields with her father and brother to collect rent. But after she grew up and entered the palace, she only ever went back and forth between the Forbidden City and the West Garden of Changchun Garden.

This southern tour was the first long-distance trip she had ever taken in her life!

That's right. Judging from what Yinreng said, he would only take her with him on the southern tour, so Cheng Qianyue was a little worried about Hongyan and the others. Because the children wouldn't be going with them; they would be staying in the capital.

Actually, Cheng Qianyue wasn't too worried about Hongyan and Hongchao, since Hongyan was already a big boy, and the two brothers lived together in the east backyard so they could look after each other.

But Moyaqi couldn't do that. She lived in the west front courtyard, and if Cheng Qianyue left, Moyaqi would be all alone in the courtyard. Although Moyaqi had a nanny and palace maids by her side, and other people left in the courtyard, there really wasn't anyone who could make decisions if something happened.

Let the nannies make the decisions? Ha, Cheng Qianyue had never even considered that. Mo Yaqi had two nannies: one was the wet nurse who had fed her years ago, and the other was the nanny who had cared for her since childhood. Although they had a long-standing relationship, Mo Yaqi was still too young. If she developed the habit of always listening to others, wouldn't she be easily manipulated in the future? And if it was just being manipulated, that would be one thing, but the real fear was being tricked and exploited.

Being a woman is already difficult enough, so we must stand up for ourselves so that we won't be bullied.

Furthermore, having lived two lives and spent so long in the palace, Cheng Qianyue deeply understands the nature of humanity. Should one place their hopes on the kindness of others, or on their own conscience? Between the two, she would definitely choose the latter.

Cheng Qianyue began to ponder whether she should find someone of some influence to give Mo Yaqi some leeway. But who should she choose? The Crown Princess?

The first person Cheng Qianyue could think of was the Crown Princess. But she quickly crossed that option off her mind. It wasn't because the Crown Princess was bad; to be honest, in Cheng Qianyue's mind, the Crown Princess had always been a very upright and good person. But that was precisely the problem. Mo Yaqi's personality had been raised by her to be too lively, and she was afraid she wouldn't catch the Crown Princess's eye—it goes without saying what kind of girl the Crown Princess liked; just look at the eldest princess and you'll know.

When Cheng Qianyue mentioned Princess Wulinzhu, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Over the years, whenever Cheng Qianyue met the eldest princess, she couldn't help but feel a surge of affection. The eldest princess's demeanor was simply as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze. But how to put it? If someone else's daughter was like that, Cheng Qianyue would never hesitate to praise her, but what if it were her own daughter? She really didn't want Moyaqi to become someone whose every move was measured with a ruler.

How many days in a lifetime can one live without restraint and be carefree? She couldn't bear to see Moyaqi tamed so early.

So Cheng Qianyue thought she should choose someone else. Then the image of Fan Gege appeared in Cheng Qianyue's mind.

Inside the Xiefang Palace, besides the Crown Princess, only Lady Li Jia, Lady Lin Jia, Lady Liu, and Lady Fan were present. Lady Li Jia, needless to say, clearly disliked her. Lady Lin Jia, though kind-hearted, had little connection with her. Next in line was Lady Fan, with whom she had a relatively good relationship. Although Lady Fan's status wasn't high, she was still a mistress, and nominally an elder of Moyaqi, so her presence wasn't considered out of line.

Once Cheng Qianyue made up her mind, she asked someone to invite Madam Fan over to ask. She thought that if Madam Fan felt it would be difficult to refuse, then she would have no choice but to shamelessly trouble the Crown Princess.

In the back courtyard, upon hearing the message, Madam Fan hurriedly put down the lucky pouch she was embroidering and stood up. Over the years, she had lived in the Xiefang Palace, where she had no worries about food or clothing, but she had felt rather lonely. So, she started embroidering lucky pouches on her own initiative, making one whenever she had free time, either for Cheng Qianyue or for the princes and princesses from the west front courtyard. After finishing them, she would have them offered up in the Buddhist hall.

She knew that Cheng Qianyue didn't like being disturbed, so she rarely went to pay her respects. Now, upon hearing the maid's message, she became excited. She wondered if the mistress of the house had something to ask of her.

Sure enough, she had only been sitting down in the west front courtyard for a short while when she learned of the entrustment. Madam Fan was overjoyed, thinking that she was now a useful person, and quickly agreed, "Don't worry, Master Cheng, I will definitely take good care of the Second Princess."

Seeing her confident agreement, Cheng Qianyue felt relieved and said softly, "Moyaqi's daily needs are taken care of by servants. I'm just worried that she won't adapt well when I leave. Besides, she's still young, and I'm afraid she might be taken advantage of if no one is watching her. Furthermore, if something really happens, it's still the adults who need to make the decisions. After thinking it over, there really isn't anyone more suitable than you, so I thought you could keep an eye on her for me while I'm gone."

Fan nodded hurriedly, almost as if he were about to reveal his true intentions.

A while later, Moyaqi came home from school and paused for a moment as she entered the house. Cheng Qianyue smiled and called her over. Seeing that Moyaqi's forehead was covered in sweat, she took a handkerchief and wiped it for her, saying, "Look how hot you are."

Moyaqi smiled sheepishly and said, "It was sunny today, and Anda taught me boxing, so I sweated a lot."

Cheng Qianyue then introduced to Mo Yaqi, "This is your mother-in-law Fan, who lives in the backyard. I saw her during the New Year and Lantern Festival this year, do you remember?"

Moyaqi immediately curtsied and said, "Greetings, Mother Fan."

Madam Fan smiled gently and agreed, gesturing for her to get up.

Cheng Qianyue repeated what she had just said in front of Mo Yaqi, and instructed her, "Your mother is going on a long trip and it's not convenient for her to take you with her. Your brothers live in the east courtyard, not with you. So if you have any problems, you can go to your mother, Fan, and she will definitely take care of things for you."

Moyaqi said "Oh" and obediently replied, "Mother, I understand."

Cheng Qianyue touched her forehead and said, "Good child." Then she told her to go back to her room to change her clothes.

Thinking that Cheng Qianyue might speak with the Second Princess soon, Madam Fan took her leave. Back in her room in the backyard, she still felt cheerful, her heart pounding.

Biluo, who was standing beside her, was also happy that Consort Cheng had entrusted such an important matter to Lady Fan. Seeing her mistress pacing back and forth like a butterfly, she smiled even more and poured a cup of tea for her, saying, "Princess, you have just said a lot of things. Have some tea to soothe your throat."

Only then did Madam Fan sit down. After drinking half a cup of tea, she said, "This is the first time Master Cheng has entrusted me with something, and it's even been through Second Princess." She spoke with obvious gratitude. For the past few years, besides doing needlework in her own room, she had secretly had people keep an eye on the west backyard, but she hadn't gotten anywhere. Now that she had another task, she felt like her stagnant life had been brought to a boil.

Biluo smiled, revealing her teeth, and said, "Master Cheng trusts the Princess." But she quickly frowned and said, "However, this servant is also quite worried, after all, the Crown Princess is still in Xiefang Palace." If Master Cheng entrusts them and the Crown Princess, wouldn't they be left in a precarious position?

Madam Fan snorted, "The Crown Princess wouldn't care about the Second Princess." She's not her biological daughter. Besides, the Second Princess skipped over the First Princess to study in the Imperial Study. How could the Crown Princess like her? I guess Master Cheng was considering this, which is why he entrusted the matter to her!

Thinking this, Madam Fan rubbed her hands together, eager to get to work. She thought that she herself wasn't anything special, but the Second Princess and the princes of the East Courtyard were. If anyone dared to take advantage of this opportunity, she would never let them or this chance pass.

Meanwhile, Moyaqi had washed her face and changed her clothes in her room. After finishing her homework, she went to the main room to find her mother. After sitting down, she asked, "Mother, where is the southern tour going? How long will it take?"

Cheng Qianyue told her that the southern tour would be all the way south, mostly traveling by canal and boat, but she didn't know exactly how long it would take, though it would be at least two or three months. She continued, "You must take good care of yourself while your mother is away. If the servants are disobedient, go to the backyard to find your Mother Fan." After all, Madam Fan was a mistress and someone she favored; even if someone wanted to slack off, they would have to consider whether they would be reported.

Moyaqi hadn't quite understood before, but she didn't want to say it in front of others. Now that her mother was here, there was nothing to hide. She said, "How could they be disobedient?" She thought that the people who served her had always been very obedient.

Cheng Qianyue said softly, "Mother is worried that without someone to give orders, they will neglect you, for example, they will not pay attention to many things, or they will not listen to what you say."

"They dare?" Moyaqi's brows furrowed instantly.

Hmm, why wouldn't I dare? A four or five-year-old child is so easy to fool.

Cheng Qianyue didn't explain further, only saying, "Your mother just told you to be careful. Besides, it must be so boring for you to live alone in the courtyard, right? Your mother was thinking you could go and play with your Aunt Fan."

That makes sense. Moyaqi stopped worrying about it and immediately grabbed Cheng Qianyue's arm, shaking it left and right: "Mother, when are you leaving? I can't bear to part with you."

Cheng Qianyue pinched her nose and said, "Mother will miss you too, but Mother will come back sooner or later. When I come back, I'll bring you some little hairpins and toys from outside, okay?"

Hehe, that's a great relationship.

Moya burst into laughter and darted into Cheng Qianyue's arms. Cheng Qianyue wrapped one arm around her waist and gently stroked her back with the other, thinking that this was the first time the children had been away from her. But it was good, it was a kind of training, and fledglings always had to face the wind and rain.