His hands and clothes were covered in ink stains, making him look like a kitten just pulled from an inkwell.
The emperor couldn't help but laugh as he listened, his fingertips unconsciously touching the tip of his nose, and his earlobes turning slightly red.
He naturally remembered that embarrassing incident. Later, the late emperor was so angry that he ignored him for three days. It was his mother who secretly pulled him to a side hall and had a palace maid wash the ink stains off his hands little by little with warm water.
Then he squatted down and helped him pick up the scraps of paper. He would pick up one and say, "Look, how much thought and effort did our ancestors put into writing these words?"
Just like your favorite sweet cake, the chef has to knead the dough and steam it to create its sweet and fragrant appearance. This calligraphy is the same; it must be carefully protected and not ruined.
"When have I ever been like you, so quick to reprimand me with harsh words and a stern expression?" the Emperor Emeritus continued, his tone tinged with reproach.
"I was just telling you slowly, but you still remembered it for the rest of your life."
You never touched even half a scroll of calligraphy or painting in the Imperial Study again. You even told the eunuchs who were cleaning to "be gentle" when they wiped the scrolls.
Qi'er is just like you were back then, a child. How can you correct a child's mistakes by yelling at them? You have to make them understand 'why they were wrong' so they'll truly remember it."
The emperor was completely speechless, feeling that his mother's words were all reasonable.
He looked at the undisguised "disdain" in his mother's eyes, but he knew perfectly well that just now in the palace, he only remembered that Lin'er did not respect his teacher.
Moreover, as the Crown Princess, Qi'er lowered her head, her lotus-colored palace dress was crumpled in her hands, and she even breathed very softly, looking like a frightened little rabbit.
At that moment, he was only thinking that "the Crown Princess should act like the Crown Princess, and this appearance is really unbecoming," so he subconsciously frowned and even raised his voice a few decibels.
But when he turned his head, he saw the Queen Mother squat down, looking at Qi'er at eye level, with even the hairpins by her temples swaying gently.
First, take her little hand and say softly, "Qi'er knows how to admit her mistakes, so she's a good child."
Then slowly explain, "When the Master is lecturing in class, it's like when elders are talking at home during a meal. You have to wait until they finish speaking before you can speak, otherwise no one can hear you, which is very impolite."
At that moment, Qi'er's tense little body gradually relaxed, and the fear in her eyes slowly dissipated. When she finally nodded in apology, her voice was soft, but it conveyed a genuine understanding.
He realized then that he was partly to blame for his haste in today's events—he only remembered that he was the "Emperor" and had to uphold the rules.
But he forgot to act as "father" first, and forgot that Qi'er was still a child after all. Being too strict would only make her timid and she might not really understand where she went wrong.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager was considerate of his reputation and did not expose his shortcomings in front of the children, giving him a way out.
He quickly abandoned his imperial airs, put on a fawning smile, and stepped forward to firmly support the retired emperor's arm.
He applied very light pressure, as if holding a fragile treasure—his mother had mentioned a few days ago that her knees were cold and would ache on rainy days, so he dared not upset her.
"Your subject knows he was wrong. He was too hasty and only thought about the rules."
I forgot that Qi'er is still a child. I should speak to her gently, and teach her slowly, just as my mother taught me back then.
His tone was sincere, and even his smile softened.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry, or you'll hurt yourself. There are no urgent documents in the Imperial Study right now. The military reports from the Northwest have already been reviewed this morning, and the reports on the grain transport from Jiangnan have also been read."
Your son would like to accompany you for a stroll in the Imperial Garden and enjoy the fragrance of the osmanthus blossoms. A few days ago, the golden osmanthus trees by Taiye Pond were in full bloom, their branches laden with bright yellow blossoms.
A breeze blows, and the whole yard is filled with a sweet fragrance, making the air feel warm and cozy.
I heard the imperial kitchen steamed osmanthus cake today. Since we're tired from walking, shall we sit in that pavilion over there and try some?
The Emperor Emeritus glanced at him sideways, his eyes carrying a hint of disdain for his "lack of ambition," but the corners of his mouth subtly relaxed a little.
Her taut jawline softened a bit—the thing she couldn't stand most in her life was seeing her own son so submissive.
From bowing his head when he made a mistake as a child to now, as an emperor, he still comes over to beg for forgiveness; nothing has changed.
Just then, the night breeze swept through the palace walls, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms throughout the courtyard. The sweet aroma mingled with the faint scent of millet porridge wafting from the imperial kitchen in the distance.
It swirled on the window lattice of the Zichen Palace, then quietly slipped into the palace, circling around the hem of the two people's clothes.
The bronze bell at the corner of the hall struck softly, producing a distant "dong".
The tense, slightly reprimanding atmosphere gradually warmed up, and even the candlelight in the hall seemed softer than before.
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