Chapter 136 Everyone in the capital is a good person.

The commotion of the Duke of Dingguo's family wailing and crying even reached Emperor Xiao Jing.

"The Marquis of Changsheng specially sent New Year's gifts from the north, which startled my aunt and the old lady."

After Shen Zhong recovered from his injuries, Marquis Changsheng specially allowed him to return with the caravan.

Father, in the past, weren't the gifts sent by the Marquis of Changsheng in the capital?

"Why is General Huangfu so eager to send it all the way from the north again?" the Seventh Prince asked curiously.

Emperor Xiao Jing smiled.

What else could it be?

Chang Shenghou was also a cunning old fox.

"Tell me why? Think about it carefully!" Emperor Xiao Jing looked at his youngest son, whom he had temporarily dragged back.

The seventh prince thought about it carefully.

"He should thank his uncle for sending him the defense map of the thirteen cities on the northern border!"

Emperor Xiao Jing nodded.

"That's right, you're right about one thing."

"Did you only get one part right? Are there any others?" The Seventh Prince tilted his head and asked Emperor Xiao Jing.

Emperor Xiao Jing patted his head.

"Well, it's quite good that you can think of something."

As for the rest, you'll gradually learn as you grow up.

Xiaoqi, you need to know that everyone is selfish and only thinks of themselves.

Don't think too badly of people, but don't think too highly of them either, okay?

The seventh prince nodded as if he understood, and then hugged Emperor Xiao Jing's arm and began to act coquettishly.

"I only know that my father is good to me."

And... Mother!

Emperor Xiao Jing was stunned. Looking at his youngest son, who was rubbing against his arm and acting spoiled, something in his heart suddenly shattered.

Now, the only person in the entire palace who can truly trust me is probably my youngest son...

"Little Seven, your mother loves you, your father loves you, and your aunt loves you too."

"Don't worry, your father will protect you." Emperor Xiao Jing rarely said such words.

The Seventh Prince nodded, and then began to play with the jade pendant on Emperor Xiao Jing's waist.

“I know that my father loves me, and my aunt also said that all I need to do is trust my father.”

My father will definitely protect me.

"Your aunt said that?" Emperor Xiao Jing was taken aback.

"Yes! My aunt told me that if something happens in the palace, the first thing to do is to find my father."

"Only my father will protect me wholeheartedly. As long as I don't make any big mistakes, he won't be angry no matter what happens," the Seventh Prince said casually.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiao Jing felt much more at ease.

But she still managed to put on a slightly angry expression.

"Is this why you dared to peek at those storybooks? And they're all from the martial arts world? Where did they come from?"

The seventh prince's eyes widened in surprise.

"Father, how did you know?"

"How did I know? I put it right next to my pillow, and you still say how I knew?"

You...

Just as Emperor Xiao Jing was about to say a few more words to the Seventh Prince, Wu Youde quietly entered.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived!"

"Let him in! Seventh Prince, behave yourself and don't go. I have other matters to attend to!" Emperor Xiao Jing said, pulling the Seventh Prince, who was trying to run away, while ordering Wu Youde to summon the Crown Prince.

As soon as the Crown Prince entered, he saw the Seventh Prince tugging at Emperor Xiao Jing's sleeve with a wronged expression.

"Father, I don't want to go, I don't want to listen to monks chanting sutras."

"You must go. It'll be a good opportunity for the masters to chant sutras for you and calm your current temper."

Your Highness, five days from now is the late Emperor's birthday. In addition to the Buddhist rites prepared in the palace, there will also be a prayer ceremony at Bao'en Temple.

You will have three days to take Xiao Qi with you on my behalf.

"Remember, keep a close eye on this lad, make sure he listens to the Buddha's teachings properly, and stops being so unruly," Emperor Xiao Jing said to the Crown Prince with a smile.

The crown prince smiled and agreed.

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince hurriedly tugged at Emperor Xiao Jing's sleeve again.

“I told my aunt that I would go with her to the estate in the suburbs of Beijing in two days. I can’t break my promise.”

"Then have someone tell your aunt to postpone their departure by a few days until you return, and then they can go together." Emperor Xiao Jing remained unyielding.

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince quickly looked at the Crown Prince.

"Brother Crown Prince, please plead for me too! I'll bring you some delicious snacks from outside the palace next time!"

The crown prince smiled and quickly waved his hand.

"Father is the Son of Heaven, his words are law, how can he change his orders so easily!"

Emperor Xiao Jing smiled, but the smile on his face faded slightly.

The Seventh Prince always remembered that he could only be a good son in front of Emperor Xiao Jing.

"Father..."

"Go to my storeroom and pick out a couple of things. Pick whatever you like."

Those ancient books are not allowed to be touched, understand?

"Go and pay your respects to your mother. Tell her I'll have dinner over there." Emperor Xiao Jing patted the Seventh Prince's head.

The Seventh Prince could only utter an "oh" before heading off to Emperor Xiao Jing's storeroom to select items...

The Crown Prince watched the Seventh Prince leave with a hint of envy.

"Your Highness, it's almost the end of the year. Have all the summaries from various departments been submitted yet?" Emperor Xiao Jing quickly regained his majestic demeanor.

It's as if the kind father I just saw was just a figment of my imagination...

The crown prince was startled and quickly bowed to Emperor Xiao Jing.

"They've all been presented. The Prime Minister said he'll streamline them in the next couple of days and then present them."

Emperor Xiao Jing stroked his beard and nodded.

Prime Minister Xu is quite adept at handling these political affairs, so I don't need to worry about them.

"What about the military affairs in the north and south? Have the year-end rewards been decided?"

"We are currently negotiating with Anguo Public Transport, and it is estimated that a decision will be made in the next two days."

......

It's under that little bridge, not too far from where spring is just around the corner.

Because of the cold weather, many beggars are huddled here.

Despite the cold weather, some kind-hearted merchants still gave these beggars some clothes they didn't wear.

With firewood and straw laid out under the bridge, and the beggars wrapped in clothes given to them, they weren't too cold.

The fifth son of the Jiangning Textile Commissioner was also among this group of beggars.

At this time, he was also dressed in tattered clothes, and his face was dirty.

Two days ago, after he jumped off the carriage of the Marquis of Changsheng, he found a secluded place and dressed up like this.

It was the chivalrous man who escorted him to the outskirts of Beijing who reminded him.

He had just dressed up as a beggar when he was spotted by two other beggars.

"New here? No food?"

"Yes! He's new here. His family suffered a disaster, and he had nowhere to go, so he went to stay with relatives in the capital, but his relatives have already moved away."

As soon as he finished speaking, a beggar handed him a stick and a broken bowl.

"Come join us, and you can get a decent meal every two days."

However, you must be obedient and not run around..."

And so, the Fifth Young Master became one of the beggars in the capital.

The Fifth Young Master sighed more than once.

Aside from those heartless people in my own family, there are still more good people in this world!

Even the beggars in the capital are so humane...