Chapter 17
It was already dark when Xu Xiaoman came back. It was time for Duoduo to go to bed, so he went through Youye Gate to the East Factory. He ran into the patrolling Jinwu Guard Captain and asked casually, "Have you seen Wang Yuanyuan?"
"No, Lord Xu. Eunuch Wang followed the young master to the Xuanzheng Hall this afternoon and has not returned yet." The captain of the Jinwu Guard bowed.
Xu Xiaoman nodded and thanked him. He turned around and headed to the Xuanzheng Hall. His daily life was trivial and his memory was not very good. He was not unlucky, or he thought of things one by one, but sometimes his intuition was particularly sharp.
Subconscious intuition.
For example, I just asked Wang Yuanyuan where she was.
So, let's avoid a wasted trip. Wang Yuanyuan didn't go back to the East Factory, so Duoduo must not be there either. Xu Xiaoman told his men to go back and rest, and I can go there by myself.
"Yes, Lord Governor."
The subordinate clasped his fists and left.
Xu Xiaoman went to Xuanzheng Hall alone. He could see the stars in the sky when he looked up. He looked in the direction of Xuanzheng Hall again, puzzled. He muttered, "This is really weird. Usually Zhongyun goes to Zichen Palace after dark. Duoduo has never been to Xuanzheng Hall. Why did he stay so late today——"
Zhong Yun wouldn’t beat the child, right?
The Nine Thousand Year Old Man changed his face.
...No way, Zhong Yun is not such a person. Jiu Qian Sui thought so with a ferocious look on his face, and soon he arrived in front of Xuanzheng Hall. The white jade pillars were hung with lights, and under the eaves at the entrance of the hall, Wang Yuanyuan was leaning against a pillar and dozing off out of boredom.
The Nine Thousand Year Old came closer and stared at him.
When Wang Yuanyuan opened her eyes, she was startled by the enlarged ghost face in front of her. She leaned back and saw that it was Xu Xiaoman. "What are you doing?"
"How about Duoduo?" Xu Xiaoman asked.
Wang Yuanyuan: "He came here right after school. I heard from Zhao Erxi that he ate three plates of snacks, did some homework, fell asleep on the couch, and ate another bowl of - uh, hodgepodge after waking up. It was Xiao Duofu who specifically asked for it. It contained milk, longan, peanuts, kidney beans, and taro paste."
Very detailed.
Xu Xiaoman had nothing to say, Wang Yuanyuan did a perfect job.
He came closer.
Wang Yuanyuan leaned back, and Xu Xiaoman came closer. Wang Yuanyuan was about to squeeze into the pillar. She didn't understand what was wrong with Xu Xiaoman today. "What are you doing? Just ask if you have something to say. Why are you getting so close to me?" If the emperor saw it, he would find fault with him again.
"..." Xu Xiaoman curled his lips, "You are a eunuch, what can I do?"
Wang Yuanyuan wanted to scold the eunuchs, saying, "What's wrong with that? Who isn't a eunuch?" But then Xu Xiaoman laughed and said, "I'm a eunuch too. We're two eunuchs."
He acted as if he had made a shocking discovery, and the eunuch sounded really powerful. Wang Yuanyuan: …
Xu Xiaoman is really awesome.
He was speechless and no longer angry.
After the joke, Xu Xiaoman lowered his voice and asked seriously: "Zhong, did the emperor hit Duoduo? Did Duoduo cry today?"
"No, Xiao Duofu has both food and drink." Wang Yuanyuan also answered seriously. She didn't understand: "Why are you asking this?"
Xu Xiaoman heaved a sigh of relief, pretended to be calm, put his hands behind his back, took a step away from Wang Yuanyuan, and said in a profound way: "You don't understand."
How could Wang Yuanyuan understand the painstaking efforts of a single eunuch without a wife?
Now that he asked Wang Yuanyuan, it doesn't mean he doesn't trust his daughter-in-law Zhong Yun.
After saying that, Jiu Qian Sui admired his own wit and walked into the hall in a very casual manner. Wang Yuanyuan, who was leaning against the pillar, was confused. Did Xu Xiaoman's look just now mean that he was stupid?
Who is stupid after all?
I also forgot to mention that this morning, Xiao Duofu's homework was not only stolen but he was also punished to stand in the corner.
The Ninth Prince did not need to be summoned to enter the Xuanzheng Hall. Emperor Ningwu had given special permission. There was nothing he could do about it. Xu Xiaoman entered the main hall, but there was no one there. However, he could hear voices through the curtain in the side hall. He walked over and saw the eunuchs and palace maids waiting at the door. They saluted him.
"Hello, Lord Xu."
Xu Xiaoman pressed his finger to make a shushing gesture. He wanted to eavesdrop, but the room went quiet for a moment, and then the son's voice came out: "Dad is back."
The eunuch opened the curtain.
Xu Xuanfu wore a pair of slightly larger soft-soled shoes and ran to the door in a slippery manner like a small boat. When he saw his father, he happily threw himself into his father's arms. Xu Xiaoman hugged him tightly and stroked his hair.
The father and son laughed foolishly.
"Dad, you have worked hard. Have you eaten?" Xuanyufu looked up and asked.
Xu Xiaoman was so moved that her eyes were filled with tears. "I haven't eaten yet."
"Very good!"
Xu Xiaoman:? Do you want to take back the feeling of being touched?
"My uncle and I didn't eat either. I woke up in the afternoon and finished my homework when the light was good. My uncle asked me if I was hungry and wanted to prepare the meal. I said I wasn't hungry and wanted to wait for dad to come back and eat together." Xuanyu Fu finished speaking.
Xu Xiaoman:! I was so moved that I made lots of PiuPiuPiu.
"Wang Yuanyuan said you ate a hodgepodge."
It took Xuanfu a while to realize what his father was talking about. It was a dessert bowl, a hodgepodge, and he didn't refute or correct his father. He happily said, "Uncle ate it too."
Emperor Ningwu stepped forward and looked at the father and son hugging each other. He said expressionlessly: "It tastes good, but it's a bit too sweet for you." He understood Xiaoman's taste.
"Zhao Erxi is setting the table." His tone was a little low.
“Yes.”
The father and son finally let go, but they still had a lot to say. Xu Xiaoman was busy all day and sat down on the couch casually. The eunuch brought a hot towel and Emperor Ningwu personally handed it to the Ninth Prince.
Xu Xiaoman took it naturally, wiped his face, neck and hands.
Zhong Yun was itching to touch her, so he waved and took a hot towel, walked around behind Xiaoman, and carefully wiped her neck. Xu Xiaoman leaned back in comfort, as if her ticklish spot had been pinched.
Many blessings: ...
If fathers are too loving, their children will really be like dogs.
Fortunately, I am a cute and lively puppy, hehe.
After simply wiping it, Xu Xiaoman drank a sip of hot tea. Before he asked Duoduo why he came here today, Zhao Erxi came in and said: Your Majesty, dinner is ready.
"Let's eat."
The family of three moved to the outer room. The eunuch serving the meal tested for poison. Emperor Ningwu waved his hand to stop the eunuchs from serving him. Zhao Erxi asked them to leave and he stood in a corner to serve them.
The table was full of food, including steamed, fried, boiled, meat and vegetarian dishes.
All the food Xu Xiaoman likes to eat is placed in front of him, all of which are meaty and spicy. Zhong Yun’s dishes are mostly seafood, fish and shrimp, and light and refreshing stir-fried seasonal vegetables. And Duo Xinfu: I like them all!!!
"Are you used to eating this, Duofu? Just tell me what flavor you like and let Zhao Erxi write it down so you can prepare it next time you come." Zhong Yun said lightly.
Although Zhong Yun pretended to be expressionless and cold, Xu Xiaoman, who slept in the same bed with him, still noticed something was wrong - why did Zhong Yun suddenly care so much about Duozi?
Something is wrong.
"Uncle, I like everything you and dad like to eat." Many of Fu's words were sincere, with a bite of spicy food and a bite of refreshing vegetarian food, really like a perpetual motion machine.
Zhong Yun nodded and thought: It's his and Xiaoman's child.
Xu Xiaoman was suspicious, thinking deeply, and asked: "Why did you - Duoduo come here today? Is there something wrong?"
"Father, what else is there to say?" Xuan Duofu put down his chopsticks and swallowed the food in his mouth. With a 'very aggrieved' expression, he said: "This morning, Master Hu punished me to stand for an hour."
"Ah!" Xu Xiaoman looked as if the sky had fallen.
Zhong Yun: ...This kid is complaining again.
"It's not that Duofu did anything wrong. Yesterday I asked Duofu about her homework, you took it and I read it, but then I forgot to send it back..." Emperor Ningwu took the blame for his wife.
Xu Xiaoman had an expression as if the sky was falling, and began to feel guilty as he listened. He didn't even dare to look at his son. The boy had clearly finished his homework, and wrote it so well, but because he wanted to show off, he was punished for the whole morning without even knowing it. He must be so wronged and aggrieved.
The more I thought about Xu Xiaoman, the more I felt sorry for him.
"Duoduo, Daddy is sorry for you. Daddy took your homework and forgot to return it."
Manyu Fu was so confident that he acted like a spoiled child and said, "Dad, you have to buy me toys and a kite during my holiday. You promised me that."
"Okay, okay, daddy will apologize to you. The day after tomorrow when we go out to play, daddy will buy you whatever you want." Xu Xiaoman agreed readily.
Manyu Fu was shocked: "Is he going to have a day off the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes." So Jiu Qiansui has been very busy recently.
Xuanyifu is so happy. The last time I went back to school for "recuperation", I didn't even remember when the holiday was. The dinner, which was already delicious, is now twice as delicious. I am so happy.
When Xu Xiaoman saw that his son was so happy, all his guilt disappeared completely.
Duoduo is really easy to coax.
Looking at Zhong Yun again... No wonder Zhong Yun is so concerned about Duoduo today, it turns out it’s because of this matter.
Huh~ Jiu Qiansui breathed a sigh of relief. He was overthinking it. Zhong Yun would definitely not find out.
Everything is written on the face of the 9,000-year-old Emperor Ningwu: ...
This fool.
After dinner, Xuan Duofu stayed in Xuanzheng Hall for a while. His two fathers were talking outside, so he stretched himself out like a pancake on the soft couch in the warm room, waiting for his father to call him home to sleep. Xuan Duofu got up from the couch with his eyes half open. Erkang said, "Dad, dad, remember to put my homework in my bag."
Xu Xiaoman: ...
"Dad knows, it won't fall this time."
Xuanyifu opened his eyes and smiled mischievously. The father and son looked at each other and laughed. I don't know what they were laughing at, but they thought it was funny. Zhongyun saw everything. A fool and a little fool, they were all his family.
Xu Xiaoman carried his son's schoolbag. He had clearly put the homework in it, but he still put his hand in again after leaving the gate of Xuanzheng Hall to check again - when did the Ninth Thousand Years Old Master of the Eastern Depot become so procrastinating and indecisive.
Zhao Erxi ordered his carriage to return to the Zichen Palace.
However, the emperor did not use the dragon sedan tonight. The dragon sedan followed with ceremonial guards behind, and the guards in front led the way. Emperor Ningwu walked in the middle, and next to him were the chief eunuch of the East Depot and his family, who were extremely favored and trusted by Emperor Ningwu.
Taking a walk on the way can help digestion. Zhong Yun has been a quiet and steady person since childhood. In the past, the Empress Dowager had intentionally taught him to be upright, because Zhong Yun is the legitimate son of the Empress, and the Emperor values him. As a future king, he must not be noisy, as he will make mistakes if he talks too much.
In addition, Zhong Yun is extremely intelligent and cannot get along with his "younger brothers" of similar age.
It was just a sudden change. It turned out that his mother was willing to think that his father favored him and believed that he would be the next king of Dasheng. In fact, his "good father" was afraid of the Zhao family behind his mother. The smarter he was and the more he wanted to share his father's worries, the more afraid and suspicious his father became.
They lay dormant for many years, and when something happened, they were all killed.
After that, in the sky and the abyss, Zhong Yun's personality changed from being taciturn to being extremely unfeeling.
But Xu Xiaoman is not like that. Xu Xiaoman does not like to live a life of bitterness and resentment. No matter how hard life is, he can live it happily. Although he is talkative and nagging sometimes, he respects Zhong Yun and never forces Zhong Yun to talk more.
Then the guard of honor, the Nine Thousand Year Old Man and the boy chatted.
"Dad, I had milk tea at Uncle's place today. It was delicious. If you don't like it too sweet, you can ask the kitchen to use half the sugar."
"What is milk tea? Isn't it a hodgepodge?"
"Just boil milk and black tea, add sugar, and drain the tea leaves. If you mix the taro paste from the sweet stew with the glutinous flour from the dessert, roll it into small balls and put them in."
"And Uncle's black tea smells so good!"
Xuan Fu nodded heavily, confirming the aroma of the black tea once again.
Zhao Erxi thought: That is the black tea tributed by Southern Yunnan, and the amount - the amount is quite large. If there is no one in the emperor's harem, there is no need to distribute it to any concubine. It is enough to make some milk for little Duofu.
Xu Xiaoman used to be not particular about food and drink and couldn't tell the difference between good and bad tea, but now he ate and slept with Zhong Yun. The allocation from the East Factory was according to the emperor's allocation, so Xu Xiaoman used whatever Zhong Yun used.
He thought for a moment, then turned around and asked Zhong Yun, "Do I have any black tea?"
"Yes." Zhong Yun answered affirmatively.
Xu Xiaoman did not doubt it, "It must be that I haven't finished drinking the old tea leaves. I'll ask when I get back."
We just talked about making milk tea all the way.
Emperor Ningwu did not find it boring, and even under the cover of night, his eyes were full of smiles, and he was very happy. He was extremely unfeeling, but with Xiaoman, he was not like that. Now with Duofu, he was willing to suppress his most extreme temper and be a benevolent and wise monarch.
The East Factory has arrived.
Xu Xiaoman winked at his wife, meaning "I'll go find you after I put the kids to sleep," just like having an affair. Zhong Yun: OK.
The two of them went their separate ways, their hearts still glued together as they thought about tonight.
Many people don’t know that he is just a happy puppy who eats his fill of dog food.
Before going to bed at night, Xuan Duofu ordered breakfast. He wanted to eat a vegetable box with pickled beef tomorrow. Xu Xiaoman asked the eunuch who was serving him. He knew that the black tea sent by the Internal Affairs Office half a month ago was available. A large jar was sent, but it had not been opened yet and the old one had not been finished.
Xu Xiaoman: "It's gone. Tomorrow, boil some milk with less sugar for me."
Drink milk tea to make progress together with your baby.
Next time, if you talk about it more, he will be able to tell what it tastes like!
After Xu Xiaoman finished explaining, he heard that Duoduo had gone to bed, so he sneaked over the wall to go to Zichen Palace. As soon as he climbed over the wall, he ran into Wang Yuanyuan who was standing in the corner like a ghost.
Nine Thousand Years Old: ...
"Are you sick? Why are you staying up all night and squatting in a corner?" Jiu Qiansui, who was frightened while having an affair, cursed in anger.
Wang Yuanyuan put her hands in her sleeves and said suddenly: "Xu Xiaoman, tell me honestly, is Duofu the emperor's child?"
The Nine Thousand Year Old Man, who claimed to be a master of the Imperial Palace, fell from the wall.
It’s okay. The Nine Thousand Year Old Swallow turned over in the air and landed in a very pretentious pose.
There was no sign of panic at all.
Wang Yuanyuan: Okay, he knows the answer.
The author has something to say:
Jiu Qiansui: Fortunately, our family is smart in every way.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
