...
On the way to the inspection...
"Niannian, Qing'er, is this your first time out? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Especially Qing'er, you're usually with the Empress Dowager, so are you not used to coming out with me this time?"
The carriage curtains were all open, and the emperor peeked out to ask the two people in the other carriage a question.
"Your Majesty, no, I'm quite used to it."
Seeing the smiling face next to him, Chen Nian also smiled and spoke.
"Niannian, you can't call him 'Your Majesty' anymore when you go out. You have to change how you address him."
Hearing the way Chen Nian addressed him, the Emperor smiled and reminded him.
"Yes, Master Huang."
"Hahaha, sir, you see, it's not just me who mispronounced it, even Nienian mispronounced it. This proves just how tongue-twisting your surname is."
Upon hearing this address, Xiao Yanzi burst out laughing without any restraint, and even patted the Emperor's shoulder, confidently pronouncing the Emperor's surname as a tongue twister.
"No, no, Master Huang?"
Little Swallow's laughter stunned Chen Nian, who turned his head blankly to look at Qing'er.
When she watched the show, Xiao Yanzi called him Master Huang. Has it changed? When she went to Shufangzhai, Xiao Yanzi kept calling him Master Huang, Master Huang, and so on. Isn't he called Master Huang?
No one had specifically mentioned to her that the Emperor had changed his surname, and due to the influence of watching dramas, Shen Nian always thought it was Master Huang.
Upon hearing that it was Master Ai, they were stunned.
“Niannian, it’s Master Ai.”
Seeing Chen Nian's bewildered expression, Qing'er smiled and reminded him.
"Ah? Master Ai, I always thought it was Master Huang."
"Don't they all call him 'Your Majesty, Your Majesty'? Logically, shouldn't it be 'Master Huang' instead of the awkward 'Master Ai'?"
He muttered to himself in a low voice.
"Niannian, why are you just like Little Swallow, changing my surname as soon as you step out the door? You two are truly sisters, even changing your surnames to the same one."
The Emperor said helplessly.
"Hehe, Master Ai, Master Ai, I've got it."
Chen Nian chuckled at the Emperor and made repeated assurances.
"You'd better remember this: when we're out and about, we're going to keep a low profile this time."
"Is Qing'er feeling alright?"
After much deliberation, it was Qing'er's turn. The two sat down on one side, peering back at each other with smiles on their faces.
"Master, Qing'er is so excited. She and Niannian didn't sleep at all last night. I'm overjoyed to have this opportunity. I can't wait to go on the tour with you."
"That's good. Little Swallow, I saw you laughing so happily just now. Why don't you sing me a song? Ziwei used to sing for me. You sing one today."
"Ah, sir, I don't sing as well as Ziwei, can I not sing?"
Little Swallow was asking for opinions.
"It's okay, you sing."
The emperor's eyes were full of encouragement.
Little Swallow glanced at the expectant looks in the eyes of the people around her, then stopped being coy and cleared her throat.
"Ahem, little boy, carrying his schoolbag to school, unafraid of the scorching sun, unafraid of the raging wind and rain..."
Listening to Xiao Yanzi's song, Chen Nian and Qing'er clapped along to the rhythm, while the Emperor's hands, resting on his lap, also silently tapped out the beat.
"Little girl..."
As soon as Xiao Yanzi finished her poem, Ziwei continued it.
Putting everything else aside, Ziwei is indeed talented; she sings quite well, and the lyrics she changed were based on Xiaoyanzi's, so they didn't seem out of place at all.
At this moment, Shen Nian made a completely objective evaluation without any prejudice.
"Wait a minute, what kind of ladybug is that?"
The emperor, sitting on the throne, interrupted Xiao Yanzi as he looked at her changed face.
"This is the one that Master punished Xiao Yanzi to write the 'Great Harmony' chapter of the Book of Rites last time. The fish and ladybug are widows, widowers, orphans, and lonely people."
Hearing the Emperor's question and seeing the curiosity in his eyes, Ziwei didn't care about Xiaoyanzi's feelings at all and spoke directly.
...
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