Chapter 186 The Grand Tutor Has Changed
The Grand Tutor has changed.
Xiao Qing enjoyed a comfortable bath in the private bathhouse of Chengde Palace, with only Mingxiu by his side.
Mingxiu carefully examined her wound, cleaned it thoroughly, and then brought her some everyday clothes to dress her in.
Xiao Qing's mind was preoccupied with the matter of the Grand Tutor, so she unconsciously cooperated with Mingxiu. However, her eyes were still misty, and she looked a little dazed, making her appear exceptionally well-behaved.
Mingxiu's heart softened as she looked at Xiao Qing. She thought about how Xiao Qing had been away for so long, and how she had been living in fear in the palace. She was not as carefree and relaxed as she used to be when Xiao Qing was around. Many of her thoughts quietly changed.
After helping Xiao Qing get dressed, Mingxiu invited her to move to the warm pavilion. Seeing that she was still absent-minded, Mingxiu thought of the scene when the Grand Tutor left earlier.
At that moment, His Majesty stood quietly in the hall, his brows slightly furrowed as he stared at the Grand Tutor's back, as if he had something he couldn't understand.
Mingxiu thought for a while and was about to speak when Ma Hong came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Yan has arrived."
Xiao Qing then came to her senses.
Mingxiu frowned, "It's time for dinner. His Majesty must be tired..."
Xiao Qing waved his hand, "He comes every day?"
Ma Hong replied, "I come every morning; this is the second time."
Xiao Qing sat down by the window. "Let's meet."
Mingxiu then said no more.
Xiao Yan slowly walked in, still carrying the chubby baby.
Right now, the sun is setting outside the window, and the sky is ablaze with evening glow.
Xiao Qing sat there with her hands clasped together, looking over with a relaxed posture. Her eyes seemed to be filled with watery light, which was even more dazzling in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Xiao Yan paused, keenly sensing that Xiao Qing was different from usual.
Xiao Qing smiled and said in a gentle tone, "Brother Yan."
Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Xiao Qing, his hand unconsciously squeezing the chubby little one in his arms, a hint of wariness and inquiry in his eyes.
This child should be at an age where he loves to play and have fun, but instead he is deep in thought and full of doubts.
While she rode in a carriage heading south towards her hopeful land under the protection of the Grand Tutor, he hid deep within the palace, enduring the invasion, slaughter, and humiliation of the northern barbarian cavalry.
While she enjoyed the honor and security that came with this identity in Nanhua, he, as a prince not listed in the imperial genealogy, was still under surveillance and struggled to survive.
Even though Fu Mingyi brought him back, cleared his name, and put him on the royal register, he was still not accepted by the royal family of Da Xiao. Because of her indifference and Fu Mingyi's ulterior motives, even though he could enjoy a life of luxury, he was still cautious and humble.
He was intelligent, so he was more sensitive than the average person.
He had experienced hardship, so he held on tightly to what he could grasp, refusing to let go for even a moment.
Xiao Qing's gaze fell on the chubby little thing lazily nestled in his arms.
I heard that he used to have a cat, which was one of the few warm moments he had.
Fu Mingyi was very good to him, but this kindness was different from the way she treated her.
Xiao Yan was more perceptive than she was; he might not be oblivious to it.
Yet he remained close to Fu Mingyi. In some matters, he could understand Fu Mingyi's meaning and act upon it without Fu Mingyi even giving him specific instructions.
She had seen everything clearly: they had attended classes together for the past three years.
He has no one he can get close to.
"You're still young, and growing is the most important thing. Although you still have to study, you don't need to get up too early in the morning."
This was the first time Xiao Qing had said something like this, and not only was she a little unaccustomed to it, but Xiao Yan was also unable to reply for a long time.
Mingxiu and Ma Hong, who were standing to the side, were even more puzzled.
Xiao Qing cleared her throat. "Please sit down."
Then he asked, "You haven't had dinner yet, have it together?"
She looked at Mingxiu: "Mingxiu, tell Emperor Yan to prepare a few dishes he likes, and set them out here."
Xiao Qing was used to being carefree, so when he was alone in his palace, he usually didn't pay much attention to the formalities of royal etiquette.
Xiao Yan lowered his head. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
He initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Xiao Qing acting strangely, he wanted to know what she was up to, so he sat down.
While Mingxiu was preparing, Xiao Qing started looking for topics to talk about.
She had never interacted with children that age before, but Xiao Yan was different from ordinary children.
"Has the little one had a snack?" She thought starting with the cat was a good idea.
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I fed him some this afternoon, so he shouldn't be hungry now."
He became increasingly wary.
Over the years, whenever he carried Xiao Xiao in and out, his elder brother never gave it a second glance, let alone asked about its diet.
Could it be that he finally couldn't take it anymore and wanted to take Xiaoxiao back?
Xiao Yan's hand tightened unconsciously. He was buying something now, and he probably hurt Xiao Xiao suddenly, which made it cry out and struggle.
Xiao Yan then exerted even more force, preventing it from moving.
Little Xiao hadn't received such treatment in a long time, but he couldn't go against his master's wishes, so his voice weakened and he quickly went still.
Xiao Qing saw it clearly and became even more determined.
With Xiao Yan's personality, if he isn't properly guided, he'll definitely become a problem child. It seems he has no choice but to follow the path Fu Mingyi has laid out for him.
However, she did not agree with Fu Mingyi's approach.
Xiao Yan is first and foremost an independent person; he shouldn't have been decided so early on to live for another person.
Even if Fu Mingyi is so confident that everything will go according to his plan, Xiao Yan's intelligence, if combined with his extremism and ruthlessness, will make his life a tragic one where happiness is hard to come by.
A person who rarely experiences happiness and warmth, but happens to seize an opportunity to gain power...
Given Xiao Yan's personality, would he still obediently follow the script arranged for him by Fu Mingyi?
Fu Mingyi has changed.
He saw her inertia and escapism, and is now letting go.
At the foot of Phoenix Perch Gorge, when she was on the verge of life and death, she decided to take the initiative to play this game of chess for the sake of the nation with him.
As a result, she could not guarantee that she would be able to completely follow Fu Mingyi's will in the future.
Fu Mingyi, Grand Tutor, you insist on dragging me into this game. Have you ever considered that a person with flesh and blood and self-awareness is actually no better than a heartless, mindless, and thoughtless puppet?
If I get involved, if you eventually regret it, what will happen?
Is Zhao Ziyuan in Feng County your first step?
We'll see tomorrow.
I'm giving you one last chance.
Xiao Qing sighed unconsciously.
"Why did you sigh, Your Majesty?" Xiao Yan, who had been staring at her, asked at the opportune moment.
Xiao Qing smiled at him, "Actually, you don't need to keep such a close eye on Xiao Xiao. It's not good for a cat to be too fat. Let it play by itself more, run and jump around, it will be healthier."
Xiao Yan lowered his eyes, seemingly looking at it, and when he looked up again, he smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. I will remember that."
Xiao Qing knew in her heart that this was tantamount to saying nothing at all.
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