"Great-grandfather, our watermelons have been stolen again."
“Yes, great-grandfather, we counted them last time we came, and there were still thirty left. Today there are only twenty-nine left. They must have been stolen again.”
There were a total of thirty-five watermelons in this garden. The two children and Mr. and Mrs. Nangong Ling ate two in the past few days, so there are still thirty-three left.
In fact, not only can the two children count, but even Mr. and Mrs. Nangong Ling, after tasting the watermelon, would unconsciously count it every time they came over, thinking that with these watermelons, the summer heat this year would surely be reduced.
To everyone's surprise, one watermelon would disappear almost every day for several days in a row without any reason. When Nangong Ling and his wife heard what their two children said, their brows furrowed deeply.
Logically speaking, it was impossible for a thief to enter the princess's residence, let alone steal watermelons, and only one at a time. Thinking of this, Nangong Ling and his wife couldn't help but exchange a glance, and a look of understanding flashed in their eyes. They realized that the only person who could do such a thing, and who would do it, was that person in the palace.
It must be said that the Nangong couple knew Emperor Beichen quite well. Inside the imperial study, Emperor Beichen took the watermelon from Chu Yun's hand, but still complained.
"That Princess Changning, really! Before she left, she knew to plant watermelons in the garden of her princess residence. Why didn't she mention planting some in my imperial garden? It makes me have to go to the princess's residence to get them every time I want to eat them. It's like I, an adult, am fighting with two little children for food!"
Hearing Emperor Beichen's words, Chu Yun couldn't help but secretly purse his lips, thinking to himself, "My Emperor, this isn't just a resemblance; it's practically fighting with two children for food, and not just fighting, but stealthily fighting for it."
Because Emperor Beichen always had Chu Yun pick the watermelons whenever he wanted to eat them, the servants in the princess's residence didn't notice that the watermelons were missing, even though Chu Yun was skilled in the craft. They only knew that the watermelons were missing, but didn't know when they went missing.
"Can you count them? How many are left in the garden?"
Chu Yun was still inwardly despising his own emperor when he suddenly heard the question and quickly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I counted them, and there are still twenty-nine. However, when I left the Princess's residence just now, I saw the General's carriage. I suppose the two children went to pick watermelons."
"Hmm! So, there are still twenty-eight left. It's a bit few, but if we eat sparingly, we can still get through this sweltering heat!"
Chu Yun: ...Why do I suddenly feel that my emperor is so shameless!
Just as Emperor Beichen took out his dagger and cut the watermelon open, he heard the palace servants outside announce that the Empress and several concubines had arrived.
Looking at the watermelon in front of him, Emperor Beichen couldn't help but sigh, thinking to himself, "Well, I have to give away half of it again."
Actually, the Empress and her entourage came today to try their luck. They thought it was unusually hot today, and they never expected the Emperor to eat watermelon. But they were right. Sure enough, each of them got a slice and left satisfied.
He scooped up a spoonful and was about to put it in his mouth when he looked up and saw that there was someone standing in front of him, looking at him with admiration.
Upon seeing Consort Ru's appearance, Emperor Beichen coughed lightly before asking a question.
"What? One piece isn't enough? Want more?"
The woman before him, Consort Ru, was Princess Ruyue of Nan Jing. Upon hearing Emperor Bei Chen's question, she nodded hurriedly, then shook her head.
Seeing the person in front of him nodding and shaking his head, Emperor Beichen couldn't help but feel a hint of doubt in his eyes. However, before he could ask, Princess Ruyue spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I think you are amazing! Everything in Beichen is so delicious, especially this watermelon. I have never eaten such a delicious fruit before. Eating such delicious food reminds me of my father, the Emperor."
"My father is almost fifty years old now, and he has never tasted anything so delicious! Your Majesty, could you please send someone to deliver one to my father? Just one will do, so that my father may know that in this world, besides sweet potatoes, there are things that are even sweeter and tastier!"
Seeing the admiring look in the eyes of the person opposite him, and hearing the words that praised him to the skies, Emperor Beichen's vanity was instantly satisfied, and he actually spoke up.
"One isn't enough, we need at least two!"
Actually, Emperor Beichen wanted to say five, but fortunately he stopped himself at the last minute and changed his mind.
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll write a letter to my father right away. I want to tell him that I not only have delicious food in Beichen, but Your Majesty also treats me very well!"
Watching the people jog away, Emperor Beichen couldn't help but feel annoyed. Why did he agree? Now there are two less watermelons, and he will have to eat two less himself. However, when he thought about how the King of Nan Jing would look like he had never seen anything like it before when he ate the watermelon, the annoyance in his eyes dissipated a little.
Emperor Beichen didn't care that Nan Jing would use the seeds inside watermelons to grow watermelons, since this thing was just fruit, not food, and couldn't be eaten as a meal.
Emperor Beichen then sent Chu Yun to pick two more watermelons from the princess's residence. Watching the watermelons being sent away, he looked regretful, thinking to himself that he would have to eat two less. At this moment, Emperor Beichen seemed to have forgotten that the watermelons in the princess's courtyard were not his at all; the ones he ate were stolen.
The next day, worried that the watermelons would be stolen again, the two little ones begged Nangong Ling and his wife to go and check if any watermelons were missing. When the two little ones counted three times and there were still only twenty-six watermelons, the couple were so angry that they almost burst into tears.
"Great-grandfather, two more have been stolen! That scoundrel is despicable! Let's report him to the authorities, catch him, and make sure the Emperor gives him a good spanking!"
"Yes, we must complain to Uncle Emperor and make him find that bad guy and give him a good beating."
Seeing that the two little ones' eyes were red with anger, Nangong Ling and his wife couldn't help but feel sorry for them. But if they asked the emperor for help to catch the watermelon thief, were they supposed to make him spank himself? However, seeing how angry the two little ones were, they still tried to comfort them.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. Tomorrow, your great-grandfather will definitely ask the Emperor to find a good way to catch that bad guy."
"Yes, alright, stop crying. Tomorrow your great-grandfather will definitely tell the Emperor to catch that bad guy and give him a good beating. Now these watermelons are ripe, let's pick them all, take them back to the General's Mansion and hide them, then the bad guy will definitely not be able to find them!"
As they spoke, the two couldn't help but exchange a glance. The couple were truly afraid of Emperor Beichen. They figured that if they didn't take back the General's Mansion soon, they might not be able to save the remaining twenty-odd people.
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