119 Chapter 119
◎Running.◎
Life in Ganquan Palace was much more comfortable than in Weiyang Palace. His Majesty the Emperor had more time for leisure and entertainment, and Liu Ju did not have to go there to attend lectures all the time, so he had more free time. He developed the habit of getting up early every day and jogging in the evening.
The pregnant Liu Yuan was also brought here to escape the summer heat. When Liu Ju went out for a run, he would occasionally run into them taking a walk. At first, Liu Yuan was amazed at his way of exercising, but later, after discovering that it could indeed improve her physical strength, she asked Cao Xiang to run with him as well.
Cao Xiang had never stopped practicing archery, horse riding, and swordsmanship, but he had never tried this novel form of exercise, so after hearing Liu Yuan's words, he hesitated for a moment.
Liu Yuan assumed he was unwilling, so he said, "Aren't you going to the battle with your uncle and cousin Qubing? Hurry up!"
Cao Xiang then followed Liu Ju in running, but the reason he ran was not because he believed in jogging as a form of exercise, but because he wanted Liu Ju to do him a favor.
After hearing that the court was recruiting soldiers and horses, Liu Yuan urged Cao Xiang to ask the emperor to let him follow the Marquis of Changping or the Marquis of Guanjun when the court sent troops next time.
But Cao Xiang was unwilling to do so. He wanted to wait until Liu Yuan gave birth to a child before going, otherwise he would be worried.
But Liu Yuan had a different opinion. Last year, when her cousin Qubing went to war, he left behind his pregnant cousin-in-law. If she could do it, then so could she! She even told Cao Xiang not to be so useless!
After Liu Ju knew about their disagreement, he raised his brother-in-law's score to ten points - the full score was one hundred points. Then he was speechless, because the army would set out in the spring of next year. According to the time when his sister became pregnant, she must have given birth to a child by then.
Then he thought again, military missions were confidential, so it was no wonder they didn't know. Liu Ju couldn't speak directly, so he just said, "Cousin, just follow my sister's advice."
Cao Xiang panted and understood what the prince meant. He said breathlessly, "Yes... Thank you... Prince..."
Liu Ju said: "...you should stop and rest."
Cao Xiang was finally able to stop and take a breath. He breathed deeply, not looking at the prince's slowly receding figure.
I just ran slowly for a distance, why am I so tired?
Why is he the only one so tired, while the prince seems to be fine?
Cao Xiang didn't understand. Was he even worse than the Crown Prince, a child? Or was running really good for strengthening the body?
With such doubts, Cao Xiang joined Liu Ju in jogging.
One day, Huo Qubing and Wei Qing were ordered to come and test the telescope. They happened to see Liu Ju and Cao Xiang jogging in the evening. Huo Qubing asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what are the Crown Prince and the Marquis of Pingyang doing?"
Liu Che smiled and said, "As for running, my son thought it would strengthen his body. I think it has some use. When he was practicing sword with me the other day, he could last an incense stick longer than at the beginning of spring."
Huo Qubing nodded thoughtfully: "I understand."
Liu Qi was surprised and asked, "Why? Is the Champion Marquis still using such a stupid method?"
Huo Qubing said, "Your Majesty, I have noticed that Huo Guang is not very skilled in riding, archery, or horsemanship. I have urged him to practice for a while, but he has not seen much success. Since Your Highness the Crown Prince's method is effective, I would like Huo Guang to try it as well."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qing also said, "Since Your Majesty says it's effective, I'll go home and have my boys try it."
"Oh, Zhongqing is fine, but Qubing..." The Emperor said mysteriously, "Then you must go and talk to Juer in person, otherwise, your little cousin will probably get angry."
Huo Qubing asked in confusion, "Your Highness...why are you so angry?"
Liu Che suppressed his laughter and shared his son's thoughts with others: "I'm afraid that now that you have a brother, you will forget about this little cousin of yours."
Huo Qubing was stunned. He remembered that he had discussed a similar topic with Liu Ju before, but the person involved at that time was...
"Hmm?" Liu Che sensed something was wrong and hurriedly asked, "Something's wrong! Qubing, tell me quickly, what did Zier tell you?"
Wei Qing also looked at him curiously.
Huo Qubing: "..."
It doesn't matter if it comes to others, he can still cover it up, but for His Majesty and my uncle... he will definitely tell the truth.
So, His Majesty the Emperor and the General heard an interesting discussion between the two children. After listening, two of them laughed out loud, while the other held back his laughter.
The one laughing loudly was, of course, the Emperor. "Oh, Qubing has loved pretending to be an adult since he was little. And there are times when he can be so amusing. Zhongqing, did you know that?"
Wei Qing suppressed his laughter and nodded: "I know."
Huo Qubing asked in surprise, "How did my uncle know?"
Wei Qing smiled and said, "At your age, just like you are now, your thoughts can be seen through at a glance."
——The general obviously has some filters when it comes to his nephew.
Huo Qubing recalled the past. Perhaps it was because he was too young at the time, or perhaps it was because many things about close people are always easy to forget. He could only remember that his uncle treated him the same way all the time, and there was no difference even though he had a biological son.
Thinking of this, he was suddenly stunned. This was something he had never thought of before he became a father.
Indeed, my uncle must have seen it a long time ago, so even though he had his own child, he still treated me the same way as always. He was telling himself that how I treat you has nothing to do with whether I have a child or not. I will treat you the same even if I have my own child.
"Uncle." Huo Qubing called in a low voice.
Wei Qing smiled, patted his shoulder, and teased him: "If you cry in front of His Majesty, he will laugh at you."
"It's true that I haven't seen someone cry because of illness for many years. It's not bad to cry a little." His Majesty the Emperor said with interest.
Huo Qubing: "..." I really don't want to cry.
Huo Qubing wanted to escape: "Your Majesty, I will go find the prince right away." As he said this, he handed the telescope in his hand to his uncle.
Wei Qing took it, but the Emperor had more to say: "I have another question. Did Erer really say that he is not stingy?"
Huo Qubing was puzzled, but he nodded anyway: "Your Majesty, I did say that."
Liu Che said meaningfully: "Oh."
Oh what? Your Majesty is playing a guessing game again, Huo Qubing thought.
However, if His Majesty did not want to say it actively, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing would definitely not ask, but... His Majesty suddenly blinked and coughed.
Wei Huo: "..."
This is what I mean by asking.
Wei Qing then asked seriously, "Your Majesty, do you think that Er'er is being sarcastic?"
Liu Che nodded with a stern face: "I asked him several times, but he refused to admit it. But when he saw Huo Guang, his eyes fell on him, which shows that he cares about him very much. This child is sometimes too sensible."
At the end of his speech, His Majesty the Emperor sighed, feeling deeply distressed and full of love for his son's understanding.
Huo Qubing: "..."
He didn't think so. At least the prince who spoke to him at that time was definitely telling the truth. As for Huo Guang...
Liu Ju had only met Huo Guang once, and that was at Huo's house, so it was difficult to tell who Huo Qubing was.
Huo Qubing could not control the relationship between the emperor and his son, but he had a way to find out what was going on between Huo Guang and the prince.
Therefore, Huo Qubing said, "Your Majesty, how about I take Huo Guang to see the Crown Prince? Please take Huo Guang for a jog?"
Liu Che didn't understand his purpose for a moment: "What... do you want to do?"
Huo Qubing said, "If your Majesty is right, it is not good to make His Highness feel uncomfortable. Since this involves me, I will send Huo Guang to Your Highness and see what Your Highness thinks. Your Majesty will naturally know His Highness's attitude."
Liu Che smiled and said, "That's easy to handle. However...if Ju'er really doesn't like him, aren't you afraid that Ju'er will embarrass your brother?"
"This is the least thing to worry about." Huo Qubing smiled faintly.
Liu Che smiled and nodded.
…
When Huo Qubing took Huo Guang to see Liu Ju, Huo Guang only knew that his brother asked the prince to take him for a run, and Liu Ju only knew that his cousin asked him to take Huo Guang for a run. The other two knew nothing about it.
So, this was a really strange thing for these two people.
Huo Guang was initially puzzled: "It's just running, brother. I can do it myself. There's no need to trouble His Royal Highness."
Huo Qubing said, "By being with the prince, you will both have company."
Huo Guang: “…”
He had only met the prince once, so the prince probably didn't need his company.
But the eldest brother is like a father, and the Marquis of Guanjun was very dictatorial at this time. He made the final decision: "I will take you there after the prince finishes his run this afternoon."
Huo Guang said: "...Okay, brother."
Liu Ju also had a question mark on his mind. How could he let him run with Huo Guang?
Huo Guang is not a three-year-old child. He is older than himself. Does he still need someone to take care of him?
If they were afraid that Huo Guang would be bullied, he was the brother of Marquis Guanjun. The playboys, nobles and dignitaries in Chang'an City were not so arrogant.
Unable to figure it out, Liu Ju decided to agree for the time being, thinking of asking quietly later when he could avoid Huo Guang.
Liu Ju smiled and said, "My cousin's request is naturally acceptable."
Huo Qubing said solemnly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Huo Guang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Liu Ju looked at Huo Guang and smiled. "I get up early every morning and go for a run before returning to eat. It's usually around sunrise, but later is fine. When do you wake up?"
Sunrise refers to around five in the morning.
There was no way around it. There was no nightlife in ancient times, so it was not easy to develop good work and rest habits. Although Liu Ju had a mobile phone, it had too few functions and he was too lazy to use it when he had nothing to do.
Huo Guang hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I woke up early too. I will come on time tomorrow."
Liu Ju smiled and said, "There's no fixed time. It doesn't matter if it's later."
Huo Guang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Liu Ju looked at Huo Qubing again and said, "Cousin, I am going to have dinner with my mother. Would you two brothers come with me?"
Huo Qubing thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, it's been a while since I last saw the Queen. I should go and pay my respects to her."
Since his brother agreed, Huo Guang had no chance to refuse. He could only bow again and say, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Liu Ju jokingly said, "Mother doesn't see us anymore. She only has my sister in her heart and eyes."
Huo Qubing said, "I will pass this message on to the Queen."
"Cousin..." Liu Ju said helplessly, "How come you can't tell a joke from another?"
Huo Qubing said, "Who knows if it's the truth?"
Liu Ju was even more helpless: "You have also been infected by the old man."
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