Chapter 136
Emperor Jingxi used to think that Qin Su was still young, and children should be happy to do whatever they want. Why teach her to restrain herself so early? Anyway, even if the sky falls, he, as her father, will hold it up.
Therefore, he tolerated Qin Su's unpredictability, mischievousness, and her likes and dislikes as long as they did not pose any danger to her.
Sometimes, seeing Qin Su's talent and ability in politics, he secretly hoped that his daughter would grow up quickly, but now that he saw that his daughter had really grown up, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.
"If you want to keep them, take them back and raise them," Emperor Jingxi said gently to Qin Su. "People in the palace won't talk nonsense."
The ministers in the imperial study remained motionless, their eyes fixed on their noses and their minds seemingly oblivious to Emperor Jingxi's intention to silence them.
Qin Su was somewhat tempted, but still refused: "Your subject has many things to do right now and can't spare the time to play with them anymore, so let's forget about it."
Remembering what Liang Danxin had said earlier, that ducks were not suitable to be kept at Emperor Jingxi's place, she said, "Could we put the ducks at Ye Yan's house? That way, he can help me take care of them."
It would also make it convenient for her to leave the palace to visit later.
So far, Qin Su has only left the palace two or three times, always with Emperor Jingxi. Every time they went somewhere, a large entourage cleared the way, and she was surrounded by crowds, rarely having the chance to walk on the ground, let alone properly see the city.
If the ducks were kept at Ye Yan's house, then when she went out of the palace to see the ducks, Ye Yan could take her sightseeing in the capital. Qin Su's little plan was already in full swing.
Emperor Jingxi felt inexplicably guilty towards his daughter, so he had no reason to refuse and immediately agreed.
Qin Su bowed respectfully again, then took her leave.
Emperor Jingxi glanced at the door that had been closed again and said wistfully, "Zhaoyang has grown up."
The courtiers below offered another round of praise, but this time Emperor Jingxi did not show any sign of happiness.
Sima Lan smiled and said, "The princess is still young. Her maturity is entirely due to His Majesty's guidance. However, she is still a child, and His Majesty will have to worry about her in the future. His Majesty should not relax too soon."
Although these words sounded like a bucket of cold water, Emperor Jingxi's brows relaxed and his expression subtly softened upon hearing them.
He complained, though his words betrayed his true feelings: "Who says it isn't troublesome? Raising children is a hassle."
The other courtiers: "..."
His Majesty's peculiar fatherly mentality is truly something else.
Qin Su's claim that she had a lot of things to do was not an excuse, but a genuine statement.
Every day, she had to attend Zhao Changde's classes with Ye Yan, check on the experimental fields with him, study stage makeup for dramas, and attend a private lecture at Emperor Jingxi's residence every two days. Her schedule was packed full of activities.
That day, she and Ye Yan were discussing the portraits of actors in a play, their heads close together.
Qin Su asked, puzzled, "Why do you use rouge to make your eyelids pink? Doesn't that look strange?"
Ye Yan said, "No, this makes a person's facial features more vibrant and eye-catching. Also, raising the eyebrows and eyes makes the whole person more energetic. The combination is very harmonious."
Qin Su nodded with some doubt: "Then I'll go see it then."
Ye Yan smiled and said, "They have already started rehearsing, and it will be ready in half a month at the latest."
Qin Su said, "Then I can go and see the duck soldiers. It's been so quiet in the palace lately."
Not only Qin Su was not used to it, but even Emperor Jingxi was not used to it. Before, when the ducks were quacking in the palace, his head was buzzing. Now that they were not quacking, he felt empty and lost.
No sooner had Qin Su finished speaking than she heard the palace servants passing by outside Zhaoning Palace discussing the matter.
"His foreign language is completely incomprehensible."
"It seems to be different from the Hu language as well."
"Yes, it's said to be the language of another land, different from ours day and night. It's unimaginable."
Qin Su found this intriguing and stopped the two men to ask them more questions.
The palace attendant said that there was an official from the southeastern coast who went missing at sea a few years ago, but returned this year on an overseas merchant ship. His experience was quite legendary, so His Majesty summoned him to inquire about it.
Qin Su blurted out, "Robinson Crusoe!"
The palace maid was confused: "Huh? That lord doesn't seem to have the surname Lu, but I heard he did drift at sea for a while."
Ye Yan broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing that the two of them were talking at cross purposes, he quickly told the palace servants to leave first.
Qin Su stared at him with bright eyes: "I want to see Robinson!"
Ye Yan: "...That person is not Robinson Crusoe. The Robinson Crusoe I told you is a Western story. There is no such person in the Great Yu."
"It's pretty much the same, it's all rafting." Qin Su pulled him along, "Come on, let's go take a look."
Ye Yan had no choice but to follow her.
Coincidentally, Hou Dongrui, an official from the southeast, had just finished paying his respects to Emperor Jingxi and was walking out of the palace.
Qin Su noticed an official behind the eunuch. He was thin and had dark skin. Although he was dressed as a civil official, he did not have a beard like the civil officials of Dayu. His face was also unfamiliar. So Qin Su quickly stopped and pretended to be composed and dignified.
"Eunuch Meng, who is this gentleman?"
Eunuch Meng, who was leading the way for Hou Dongrui, quickly said with a smile, "Your Highness, this servant is here to see Lord Hou out of the palace."
Qin Su turned to Hou Dongrui: "Is this Lord Hou who returned from overseas?"
Upon seeing Qin Su's appearance and hearing Eunuch Meng address her as "Your Highness," Hou Dongrui guessed that she was the legendary Princess Zhaoyang. He calmly greeted her and said, "It is indeed your subject."
Qin Su's big eyes darted around as she politely inquired, "I am very interested in Lord Hou's experiences. I wonder if you have the time to enlighten me?"
Hou Dongrui looked at the little princess and saw that she was beautiful, cute and full of spirit. He couldn't help but think of his own young daughter. His affection for her grew, and his voice became much gentler. He smiled and said, "It is my honor."
Hou Dongrui was thus lured back to Zhaoning Palace by Qin Su.
Not long after, Qin Su applied to Emperor Jingxi for an additional course, with Hou Dongrui as the lecturer.
Emperor Jingxi approved it.
Ye Yan didn't follow along with the course. The drama rehearsal was at a crucial moment, and the people sent out to find phosphorus also brought back some news. He was extremely busy.
This is why he didn't notice that Qin Su sometimes muttered things in a strange way.
Until one day, as he entered Zhaoning Palace as usual, Qin Su came over with a smile and said, "Ye Yan, good morning."
Ye Yan was taken aback, feeling that this way of greeting, "Good morning," was rather strange.
Qin Su then said, "I was thinking of you today too. Did you miss me?"
Ye Yan: "???"
What's going on?
Qin Su muttered, "Huh? Why do you have that expression? Did I say something wrong? That is..."
She thought for a moment, then cheerfully replied, "Good morning, love you!"
Ye Yan: "..."
Ye Yan: "…………"
He suddenly turned to the side, his face flushed, and began to cough violently.
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