"The master hasn't left yet?"
Qian Shengyan asked in surprise, while Yinzhen, who was holding a book and leaning against the headboard, answered with a nasal "Hmm," then put down the book and explained in detail: "I have nothing to do these days, so I'll keep you and the children company."
Qian Shengyan was stunned for a moment before realizing that Hongshi was among the children.
She didn't really feel anything; after all, he was Yinzhen's son. In fact, she even felt that Yinzhen was not qualified to be his biological father.
After washing up and having breakfast, Qian Shengyan didn't ask Yinzhen anything and directly had Hongshi summoned to Pianyun Shujuan Palace.
Although she was a stepmother, not much better than a servant, she was the only woman in charge of the Lion Garden at the moment. So she could only ask Hongshi a few more questions, such as whether he slept well last night and whether he was used to the new place.
Hongshi remained seated blankly in the chair to the side, just as before, with Granny Feng answering all his questions for him.
"It will be fine once you get used to it. The weather here is cool, so please take good care of the prince. I've made some vests these past few days; please take them back to the Third Prince. It's chilly in the mornings and evenings, so he can wear an extra layer."
With a single glance from Qian Shengyan, Green Willow brought out a box and handed it to Granny Feng.
Knowing that no one could stand up for him, Hongshi didn't shout things like "your clothes are smelly" this time. He even reluctantly stood up and bowed to Qian Shengyan under the urging of Granny Feng.
Qian Shengyan, not being of high status, couldn't accept such a courtesy from him, so she quickly stood up and stepped aside. Afterwards, she smiled and said, "Your Highness said yesterday that you wanted to take the children to play. Third Prince, don't rush back yet. Fourth Prince is in the courtyard. Why don't you go and see him?"
Hongshi seemed reluctant, but Granny Feng was very happy and quickly agreed on his behalf. She then took him to the courtyard to find Yuanshou.
Qian Shengyan breathed a slight sigh of relief, and only then did she remember to ask Qingxue, "Where does the Third Prince live?"
"We'll stay at Dongshan Academy, which is only separated from the main hall by a small stream," Qingxue said.
Qian Shengyan nodded, then thought for a moment and added a few words of advice: "The Third Prince is still young. Although he has nannies by his side, there are still some servants who might offend him. Please keep a close eye on him."
The green snow should fall.
Qian Shengyan then considered mentioning it to Yinzhen later, to see if they could send one of his eunuchs to Hongshi's side. After all, the child was unfamiliar with the area in the borderlands, and if something happened to him, it would be too late to find him then.
She sat in the room for a while, first listening to the servants report on the situation of this trip to the border, then receiving the letter from home, and then urging someone to check if the snacks were ready so that they could be brought to the princes for a snack. She also went to check on Yuan Shou's room and its furnishings. After finishing everything, when she went out to see the children, she found that Yinzhen had finished his work even earlier than her.
Right now, she's catching grasshoppers on the grass with her two sons.
Yuan Shou was young and inexperienced, and he would occasionally exclaim in surprise as Yin Zhen made his movements, and sometimes he would anxiously call out "Father, Father".
In contrast, Hongshi was much more composed. Unlike Yuanshou, who followed closely behind Yinzhen, he maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and seemed somewhat listless.
Qian Shengyan lowered her eyes and smiled, then looked up and invited Yinzhen and the others to have some snacks.
"The child has a small appetite; one meal won't be enough to last him all day." Facing Yinzhen's "you spoil your child" look, Qian Shengyan said with a smile, "The watermelons here are really sweet. I had them try to extract some watermelon juice. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
Yinzhen remained silent, but readily accepted the cup, took a sip, nodded, praised "Not bad," and then drank it all in one gulp.
Qian Shengyan then poured it for him with a smile.
Yuan Shou looked on with longing and reached out to tug at Qian Shengyan's clothes: "Mother, Mother, Yuan Shou wants to go."
"Watermelon." Qian Shengyan bent down and patted his head patiently and gently. "This is watermelon juice. Yuanshou can drink a little bit, but not too much."
"Mmm, Yuan Shou's belly is small." Yuan Shou patted his belly, then spread his arms wide, "Father's belly is big."
Qian Shengyan was taken aback, then burst out laughing. Yinzhen was also amused and almost spat out his water. He swallowed the watermelon juice and stepped forward to pinch Yuanshou's fair cheek: "Even if your father's belly is big, it can't be that big, right?"
Yuan Shou's dark eyes crinkled with laughter, and he tried to spread his arms even wider: "Big, Father, the biggest!"
Yinzhen chuckled, pleased with himself, but still managed to say aloud, "You brat."
"It doesn't smell bad! Yuanshou, it smells nice!" Yuanshou wrinkled his little nose and sniffed his arm, trying to explain, "Mother makes me take a bath every day! Yuanshou, be a good boy!"
“It’s hot now, and he’s all fleshy and prone to heat rash, so I’ll have him take more baths,” Qian Shengyan said with a smile. Yinzhen nodded, then immediately changed his tune: “Xiang Yuanshou.”
These were kind words, and Yuan Shou liked to hear them. He immediately nodded vigorously and patted his chest, saying, "It smells good!"
They sat together at a round table. On one side, a family of three were being affectionate and loving, while on the other side, Hongshi sat alone, half a table away, silently munching on a pastry.
Granny Feng was heartbroken and busied herself pouring him some warm tea and serving him snacks. Hongshi glanced at Yuanshou and whispered, "Granny, I also want to drink watermelon juice."
“Watermelon is cold in nature, so please listen to me, Prince, we won’t drink it,” said Granny Feng, pushing the glass of watermelon juice that belonged to Hongshi on the table further away.
Hongshi silently continued to munch on his snacks.
Qian Shengyan noticed this scene out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After sighing, she wanted to laugh at herself.
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