As they spoke, the group arrived at the lakeside. There was an open space on the shore, paved with pebbles, where the morning sun shone.
The breeze sweeping across the lake was incredibly refreshing.
A group of eunuchs and palace maids gathered around, clearing the space for them.
"Father, Crown Prince, you two should not stand too close to Grandmother. Keep a distance of more than an arm's length between you."
Zhao Shu stood in front of the three women, facing the Empress Dowager and the other two, and began to give instructions, mimicking the actions of her former physical education teacher.
The three were completely baffled, but they still dispersed.
"Okay, now follow my movements." She stood at the front and slowly began to raise her hands, performing the simplified 24-form Tai Chi movements.
For improving physical health, Tai Chi is the most suitable exercise.
Back when she was at the Traditional Chinese Medicine College, she practiced every day, and the movements were already second nature to her.
Although the 24-form Tai Chi Chuan has been simplified, it is not something that can be learned all at once. The Crown Prince, who was already skilled in martial arts, learned it the fastest, while Prince Yong and the Empress Dowager were a bit slower.
As Zhao Shu continued practicing, she stopped waiting for them and quickly finished the twenty-four moves. Zhao Yi was the first to praise her, "Ah Jun, your movements are graceful, orderly, and ever-changing. They are truly exquisite. If you do it again, I will be able to learn them all."
The Imperial Guards, standing ramrod straight in the distance, stared in disbelief. Such exquisite boxing techniques were actually used for physical fitness... They wondered if the Princess would be angry if they stole these techniques.
"Oh dear, this old woman can't learn fast enough. Ah Jun, quickly teach your brother the Crown Prince, and then teach this old woman." The Crown Prince performed the first few moves, but then stopped following. Although she couldn't keep up, she was already sweating.
The Empress Dowager is very well-preserved; although she is over sixty years old, she looks like a beautiful woman in her forties.
“Grandmother is not old at all. It’s because the Crown Prince is so clever. It took Ah Jun seven or eight days to learn it back then.” Zhao Shu hurriedly waved for Granny Zhong and Zhang Chu to help the Empress Dowager to the pavilion to rest.
After the Empress Dowager left, Prince Yong stopped practicing and said, "Ah Jun, I'm going to play chess with your grandmother. You and the Crown Prince can play slowly."
"Father!" Zhao Shu stamped her foot without any regard for her image. "This is no joke. You must learn it, or you're not allowed to go anywhere."
"Nineteenth Uncle, I don't mind that you learn slowly. It's not shameful to learn slowly. It took Ah Jun seven or eight days to learn. There aren't many people as gifted as me," the Crown Prince boasted earnestly, showing no humility whatsoever.
Zhao Shu couldn't help but wonder, how would the confident and narcissistic Crown Prince survive if he were deposed?
However, she thought this made a lot of sense. "That's right, Father. Once you've learned it, A-Jun will teach you to play other fun games."
The Empress Dowager, who had already settled in the pavilion, said to Zhang Chu beside her, "You go too, and teach me what you've learned."
"Yes." Zhang Chu was surprised, then smiled and agreed, walking over to stand behind the Empress Dowager.
When Prince Yong saw that Zhang Chu had come to learn, he stood still, which was considered as agreeing.
When Jin Xi arranged for someone to bring breakfast, the Crown Prince had already learned to imitate Zhao Shu's movements quite well, even more gracefully than Zhao Shu's, which pleased the Empress Dowager greatly.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time for breakfast, Chen Shi (7-9 AM) has almost passed." Granny Zhong reminded her at the opportune moment.
"I'm really hungry." The Empress Dowager suddenly realized that she had never felt hungry before, and someone would remind her when the time came. How many years had it been since she had felt this way?
The Empress Dowager gave a self-deprecating laugh.
After Zhao Shu and the Crown Prince washed up at Sendai-in, they went to have breakfast with the Empress Dowager.
"Ah Jun, here's your vegetarian rice noodle roll." The Empress Dowager said with a smile as soon as she saw Zhao Shu, pointing to the steaming vegetarian rice noodle roll on the table.
Zhao Shu felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Human desires are indeed insatiable. In modern times, one cannot let go of everything in Dayong, but upon returning to Dayong, one longs for the carefree life of the modern world.
Zhao Shu, Zhao Shu, why can't you learn to be content?
She took a bite and suddenly smiled. What does it matter whether she's content or not? Living in the moment and being true to herself is enough.
"Ah Jun, I heard these red bean buns are made with your recipe? They're quite delicious." The prince, oblivious to the world around him, ate the few red bean buns he had, commenting as he ate.
"That was made for the Empress Dowager."
"Grandmother gave it to me." Zhao Yi stared with innocent phoenix eyes and leaned closer. "A-Jun, what's wrong? Are you crying?"
Zhao Shu was speechless. She took a red bean bun and stuffed it into her mouth. "Can't a bun shut you up?"
"It can't be stopped, really." Zhao Yi said seriously, and ate the little bun in a few bites, making the Empress Dowager and Prince Yong laugh heartily.
After the meal, the group accompanied the Empress Dowager for a walk by the lake. Only then did the Crown Prince remember that he had to return to the Eastern Palace, as he still had business to attend to.
Before leaving, he took several books from the study in the main courtyard. Zhao Shu also helped him find some useful books, asking as she searched, "Brother Crown Prince, what are your plans regarding the drought?"
"I plan to go there myself." When talking about government affairs, the Crown Prince put away his playful expression, his whole body tensed up, and his brows furrowed.
He had a keen sense that the world was slowly changing. He might be in danger if he left the capital, but his intuition told him that he had to leave this time.
Zhao Shu didn't expect him to go in person. In her previous life, the crown prince never left the capital until he was deposed.
Did I change the course of his life? Was it a blessing or a curse?
Now is not the time to be anxious or doubtful; time will provide the most definitive answer to right and wrong.
"Brother Crown Prince, when will you depart?"
"Ten days later." Ten days to prepare was still too rushed, but as time went on, he felt an urgency.
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