At this moment, on a piece of ice as blue as a sapphire, Song Xia was chiseling a hole downwards.
Jiang Gu asked with some doubt, "Mother, are you really sure there are fish down there?"
"uncertain."
Jiang Gu's lips twitched: "Are you still going to chisel if you're not sure? The ice is so thick and so cold. If you don't catch any fish, wouldn't it be a waste of your time?"
“You really don’t understand the essence of having fun. It doesn’t have to be about the result; the process is enough.” Song Xia, panting, handed the tools to Jiang Gu. “You do it; Mother can’t chisel anymore.”
Jiang Gu didn't quite understand this kind of fun, but what could he do? He could only obediently follow orders. Looking up, he saw groups of guards digging in other parts of the lake. It seemed that the Empress Dowager wouldn't be satisfied until she caught some fish in the lake today.
However, as long as his mother likes it, he can do whatever he wants.
The wind howled, and water poured on the ice froze instantly. Jiang Gu was still sweating profusely from exhaustion. Fortunately, after half an hour, he finally managed to reach the water beneath the ice: "This ice is really thick."
Song Xia had already set up the tent and was burning charcoal to start a fire inside. Soon the temperature inside the tent rose. She put her fishing rod down and then waited quietly.
Jiang Gu took off his fur coat and looked at the tent with amazement. He hadn't expected that the tent could heat up so well just by burning charcoal. It seemed that fishing on the frozen lake was quite an enjoyment. No wonder his mother insisted on coming here after hearing that there was a large lake here.
"Go and check if the guards are all ready. It's so cold, there's no need for them to stand guard outside. If they get frostbite, it could cause permanent damage."
Jiang Gu stared at the fishing rod without moving: "I've already given the instructions, they'll follow them."
Suddenly, Song Xia's eyes lit up: "We caught a fish! We're in luck."
Jiang Gu stared intently, and when the fishing line was pulled up, it turned out to be a crucian carp weighing about a pound. Despite the cold weather, it was still lively and jumping around. However, it soon froze stiff after being caught.
After catching the first fish, the two of them seemed to be blessed by the Dragon King of the lake, catching one fish after another, and the fish were all quite big. By the end, their hands were a little sore from pulling.
When Song Xia said it was time to leave, Jiang Gu was still a little reluctant to part, clearly the ice fishing trip had piqued his interest.
"Mother, how did you know you could ice fish? And how did you find the fish so accurately?"
"I read it in a book. There are travelogues that record people catching big fish in frozen lakes. It's not unusual to catch fish by fishing. In some places, as long as you chisel a hole in the ice, schools of fish will swim towards that hole in a continuous stream. That's why there's a saying about scooping fish with a ladle."
Jiang Gu suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Is it because the lake is frozen over and there is a lack of oxygen at the bottom?"
"That's right, but the lake is big enough today, and the fish in it don't lack oxygen. It's pure luck that I was able to catch one. I just happened to find the fish above the school of fish. Otherwise, in such a big lake and in such cold weather, the fish wouldn't swim around so freely."
Jiang Gu happily carried the fish. Being with his mother, he could learn new things and find joy anytime, anywhere!
"Mother, how are we going to eat these fish later?"
"They shared it with the guards and roasted it together."
Besides Song Xia's good luck, another team not far from them also caught fish. As for the others, they didn't catch a single one. Fortunately, Song Xia caught a lot, enough for everyone to have a meal.
This fish was caught by the Empress Dowager and the Sixth Prince. After the guards ate the fish meat, they wished they could even enshrine the fish bones. You must know that the Empress Dowager's status in Xuan Kingdom is extraordinary, and she is almost worshipped as a god by countless subjects.
"Mother, where are we going next?" After playing for half a year, Jiang Gu had grown to like this kind of life. No wonder his mother was unwilling to return to the capital, and no wonder his fifth brother's eyes were so resentful when he went to pick her up last time.
Song Xia suddenly stood up and looked into the distance: "Someone is coming."
The guards immediately tensed up and grabbed their weapons. If it was a villain, they would risk their lives to protect the Empress Dowager.
Who goes there?
"Your humble servant Zhang Zide pays respects to the Empress Dowager and His Highness the Sixth Prince."
"If they're on our side, lay down your weapons." Song Xia looked at the newcomers. "What brings you here?"
"His Majesty has instructed me to invite the Empress Dowager back to the capital, so that we can celebrate your thirtieth birthday next year."
Song Xia chuckled: "It's only thirty years old, what's there to celebrate? It's a waste of money and resources."
Jiang Gu shook his head in disapproval: "Your subject believes that what elder brother did is right. Mother, you are now the spiritual pillar of the people of Xuan Dynasty. Everyone is looking forward to celebrating your birthday. This is not a waste of resources and manpower, but a celebration for the whole country."
"Even if we celebrate, my birthday is still a long way off next year."
"His Majesty said he hopes Your Highness can return to the capital so that everyone can have a reunion for the New Year. The other princes also said they will all be coming back."
Hearing this, Song Xia was indeed somewhat tempted. More than five years had passed since Xiao Jin ascended the throne, and during those five years, everyone had been traveling and had not had a proper family reunion.
She exclaimed excitedly, "Then let's set off back to Beijing!"
At this time in the capital, Jiang Jin had not yet made a decision regarding the affairs of the Yan Kingdom. Since it wasn't urgent, he spent his days worrying about arranging palaces for Song Xia.
"The Empress Dowager dislikes strong scents from incense, but loves the fragrance of fruits and vegetables. Remember to change the scents daily. Also, have the gardeners burn more charcoal to encourage the blooming of the red plum tree outside the window. I hope the Empress Dowager can admire it every morning when she wakes up. And..."
The Empress sighed inwardly as she watched him chatter on and on. His Majesty was always diligent in governing, loved his people, and was frugal. Only when facing the Empress Dowager would he show a little bit of "extravagance." However, it was because of the Empress Dowager that this prosperous era was possible, so it was not excessive to give the Empress Dowager the best of everything.
Everyone is looking forward to the Empress Dowager's return to the capital; even the prince has asked about it several times.
"Should we also make preparations for the Emperor Emeritus?"
Jiang Jin said indifferently, "No need, it's not like it's his birthday celebration."
At Taiji Palace, the retired emperor had already noticed the palace servants' busy work, but after learning that it was to welcome Song Xia back to the capital, he remained silent for a long time.
Five years ago, Master Qingfeng suddenly disappeared from Taiji Palace. No one knew where he went. Even the eight noblemen and beauties who had served and flattered him were rewarded and left the palace. So, he was left alone to cultivate in the huge Taiji Palace.
He knew this was Jiang Jin's punishment for him; Jiang Jin already knew that he had killed his birth mother.
With no one to serve him, his health actually improved. He didn't know if it was because the Taoist priest Qingfeng was truly capable or because of his abstinence over the past few years. But since Heaven had allowed him to live well, he wanted to see how Jiang Jin could govern the world. He didn't believe that the six brothers would maintain their deep friendship forever. He firmly believed that Jiang Jin would one day become "him"!
Although five years have passed and the country has become increasingly powerful, Jiang Jin has not changed, and the remaining five seem to be loyal as well. But it doesn't matter, he can wait another five, ten, or twenty years... He doesn't believe these people won't change!
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