"What should we do then?" The Seventh Princess was a little anxious.
"Your mother can't tell you what to do now, because you have to take things one step at a time. But your mother wants you to look at the world with your heart. The road ahead is long. You have to learn how to walk it," Yan Nangui said.
"And what about you? Mother, aren't you going to stay with me?" The Seventh Princess gripped Yan Nangui's hand tightly.
"Of course I'll accompany you. But you need to grow up and can't rely on me anymore, right?" Yan Nangui smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, remember what your mother said. Going to Bailu Prefecture is to see the world. If one day your mother sends someone to call you back, don't be playful, come back immediately. Don't doubt your mother."
"Yes, I won't. I've remembered everything. But Mother, what if Grandfather returns to the capital and my uncles haven't made a name for themselves yet? You...you don't have any princes, so...won't they bully you?" the Seventh Princess said, feeling wronged.
“Silly child, all these years I’ve been kind because I felt there was no need to be ruthless. It was also for your father. Otherwise, how could I be trapped by the affairs of the harem? Don’t be afraid, your mother just wants you to know that you must be strong. Learn everything a prince needs to learn. No matter who becomes the crown prince in the future, you must ensure that you are no weaker than him. No matter how far our paths may go, we must strive to walk them. Do you understand?” Yan Nan Gui asked.
"I understand. I'm leaving now. Mother will be alone in the palace..." The Seventh Princess felt sad again.
"How could that be? Your father is here too. You know he dotes on your mother, don't you?" Yan Nangui said with a smile.
The Seventh Princess chuckled: "Okay, I understand."
Yan Nangui looked at his clever and lovely daughter and sighed inwardly.
This world treats men and women so differently. If this were a boy, she would be unstoppable, ruthless and unstoppable, and would push him to the position of crown prince.
But she's a girl, so she has to go to great lengths to help her.
But it doesn't matter. People always need to have goals in life. She was never really someone who could live a carefree life.
She had previously thought it was unnecessary, but now that it was necessary, she wasn't afraid of the hardship.
The Seventh Princess had prepared quite a lot of things, but after this conversation, she reduced them considerably.
They don't care if the geese fly south; as long as they have enough for daily use, that's fine.
Children may not think things through completely, but they should always learn to do so.
She is a princess after all. Even if something is missing, it doesn't matter. It will be made up for.
After the New Year, His Majesty was busy, but he still made sure to have meals with his daughter every day.
To avoid witnessing the separation of life and death, I try not to watch the geese flying south, as it's truly bad for my eyes.
The chosen date is the eighth day of the second lunar month. It's an auspicious day for going out.
Just as he was about to leave, Shu Chengfeng remembered that the Sixth Princess should also have a title.
So the Imperial Household Department bestowed upon her the title "Jinping," meaning "prosperous and peaceful." It was good, but it couldn't possibly surpass the Seventh Princess.
After all, His Majesty had publicly prayed for that during the Empress's investiture ceremony.
As for the fifth prince, even if he has no chance of ascending the throne, he cannot be granted a title by surpassing his brothers; he can only remain the fifth prince.
The children's luggage had been sent out in advance. They only had their personal belongings with them.
Yan Nangui summoned all three to Zhaochun Palace and gave the Fifth Prince special instructions: "Once you leave home, you'll be the older brother. You're twelve this year. If you were still a commoner, you could be married off next year. So you need to take care of your younger sister. Don't be reckless. You're going out to study, not to put on airs. You'll be studying with other students. Don't act like you're from a royal family and hold others back."
"Yes, son understands." The Fifth Prince was still afraid of Yan Nangui.
"And you, Wei Huan, you're a study companion, but you come from a good family. Don't try to intimidate others by pretending to be someone else."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind," Wei Huan replied.
Accompanying the sixth and seventh princesses were two companions. Both were daughters of prominent families; Yan Nangui had inquired beforehand, and they volunteered to go. Their families also strongly supported them.
Since that's the case, I'll just go with them.
However, Yan Jingxue wanted to stay. After all, she had come to the palace to gain experience and prestige, so there was no need for her to go back.
After giving instructions to the children, it quickly became February 6th.
The two attendants have gone home and will come back tomorrow.
The three children also had to go to the Empress Dowager to say goodbye.
Shu Chengfeng hadn't been in a good mood these past few days, but he hadn't said anything to stop him.
On the morning of the eighth day, before dawn, all the children got up.
"There's no need to make a big fuss. They're going to study, not doing anything big. They'll come back often. Go now. Meng Tian, I'm entrusting them to you. You must protect them well," Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, rest assured, even if I die, I will protect the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Princess, and the Seventh Princess."
Even so, it's clear that the focus is on the Seventh Princess.
"Father," the seventh princess called out, kneeling down. "I'm leaving now. Please take care of yourselves, Father and Mother. I will miss you."
The fifth prince and the sixth princess also knelt down.
Consort Consort wiped away her tears.
The fourth princess was also somewhat reluctant to part with him.
However, Yan Nangui had asked her before, and it turned out that she herself didn't want to go.
Helping the children up, Shu Chengfeng patted each of their heads: "Go on, your father has made all the arrangements. Your mother sent people there early this morning as well. It'll be just like being at home. Since you're going to study, study hard. Come back in the fall. Don't cause any trouble in the summer. Your father will send someone to pick you up then."
He was reluctant to let go, but since he had already released them, he couldn't keep thinking about bringing them back.
"Yes. Father, Mother will definitely miss me a lot. You must comfort her." The Seventh Princess whispered in Shu Chengfeng's ear.
"Yes, Father knows, don't worry," Shu Chengfeng whispered.
The Seventh Princess then stood up straight and bowed again: "Then I will take my leave. Please take care of yourselves, Father and Mother, and do not worry about me. Please take good care of your health. I will write back."
“Alright, write more about local customs and traditions. Go ahead,” Yan Nangui said with a smile.
The three children left, looking back every few steps.
Until it was out of sight, Shu Chengfeng sighed, "It's good that you went. You can see the outside world and broaden your horizons. It's better than being trapped in the deep palace."
Yan Nangui smiled but did not answer.
She thought that Shu Chengfeng was a good person, but it was a pity that he never had a fulfilling family relationship.
No matter how good he is to the Seventh Princess, it's still because he loves his child.
No child's love for their parents can compare to that of parents for their child.
This is inevitable.
She reached out and took Shu Chengfeng's hand: "Let's go, I'll go back with you, have dinner, and help you review the memorials. If you need to see the ministers, I'll review them for you for a while."
Shu Chengfeng also gripped her hand tightly and waved to the people behind him.
The concubines all curtsied and watched as His Majesty and the Empress walked ahead.
Consort Xiangxian stared at the clasped hands, remaining lost in thought for a long time.
Only after returning to Wanchun Palace did she say, "Men and women always see things differently. All these years, His Majesty still can't see Yan Nangui's feelings for him..."
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