Chapter 17
The exchanges between the two city-states were mostly bridged by envoys. The Wang family had served as envoys for two generations, and they had made great contributions.
This was all Ling Huanchen could remember. In his previous life, nothing major happened when Lord Wang returned to the city with his son, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
"Master, do you need a servant to serve the meal?" Xiao Qi asked in a low voice.
Ling Huanchen put down the book and said, "Don't tell me yet. I'm going to go outside to get some fresh air."
The envoys likely had a lot of business to report, so Yu Xi wouldn't be able to get away for a while, and he might not be back until late at night. He used to dislike going out, but later he found a place he liked to stay, the pond in the imperial garden.
Ling Huanchen left the palace without letting the palace servants follow him, but at Xiaoqi's insistence, he allowed Xiaoqi to accompany him and serve.
The Lesser Heat has just passed, and the hottest time has not yet arrived. When there is no sun, you can still feel a cool breeze by the pond.
When Ling Huanchen saw the water, he wanted to touch it. If no one passed by, it would be fine for him to jump into the pond.
He turned around to look at Xiao Qi who was following closely behind him, and at the palace servants who occasionally passed by to pay their respects, and had to give up the idea.
Unable to jump, he used his hands to pull the assembly.
Ling Huanchen stepped into the pavilion, bent down, and lightly brushed his fingertips across the water, creating ripples. The red koi swimming around weren't driven away by the waves; instead, they came closer, their mouths opening and closing as if they were crying out for food.
"I don't have anything to feed you." Ling Huanchen turned around and asked, "Do you have any fish food?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Master, please don't move. I will get it right away."
Xiao Qi disappeared in a flash. Ling Huanchen looked back at the water, where the tiny fish were still struggling for food. He leaned out halfway, his untied black hair falling, and his reflection on the water slowly rose and fell.
The lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, and Ling Huanchen, dressed in a green shirt, blended in perfectly. As the sky grew darker, a layer of hazy mist covered the pond, making it look like a fairyland.
Ling Huanchen heard footsteps and thought it was Xiao Qi coming back. Without even turning his head, he asked, "What took you so long?"
After hearing no response for a long time, Ling Huanchen turned around in confusion, only to see a strange young man standing quietly in the pavilion. When he turned around, his narrow eyes flashed with surprise, and then became more obsessed.
Ling Huanchen frowned, "Who are you?"
Judging from the way this man is dressed, although he is not a royal noble, he is at least the son of a wealthy family, probably the son of a court official.
The young man suddenly came to his senses after hearing this, and bowed, saying, "I am Wang Yi, and I will be returning to the city with my father."
"So it's Lord Wang's son. Why would Lord Wang come to the Imperial Garden alone?" Shouldn't he be in front of the palace?
As Wang Yi spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Ling Huanchen. He had been traveling with his father for many years and had seen a lot, but he had never seen someone with such a beautiful appearance as the one in front of him.
"My father is in an audience with the king and has ordered me to wait in the palace. I was just sitting here for a while and wanted to get some fresh air, so I came here. I'm truly sorry to have disturbed you, young master. Please forgive me."
As soon as you hear this guy speak, you can tell he is a nerd.
Lord Wang was on a diplomatic mission to the outer city and never returned to Youcheng for many years. He probably didn't know what was going on in Youcheng, so it was understandable that his son didn't know him.
"Could it be that the young master is a deity who has descended to earth and landed in this lotus pond?"
Ling Huanchen listened to his nonsense. Although he didn't understand the person in front of him, he felt that it would be troublesome to continue to entangle with him.
"I'm not a god, I'm..."
"Master! I'm back!" Xiao Qi practically jumped into the pavilion, holding fish food in his hands, and came closer panting, "Slave, but, it took a lot of effort."
Ling Huanchen stood up and said, "No more feeding, let's go back."
"Huh?" Xiao Qi blinked in confusion, only then noticing that there was an uninvited guest in the pavilion. He immediately became alert, "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Imperial Garden!"
This guy must have spoiled the master's mood.
Thinking of this, Xiao Qi looked at Wang Yi with even more resentment.
Wang Yi looked back and forth at the master and servant. "So this isn't a deity descending from heaven. Could this young master be the son of some minister?"
"What immortal, what young master? Do you think you can find out the identity of my master?" Xiao Qi stood in front of Ling Huanchen, trying to block Wang Yi's sight, but he was not tall enough and the guy was still peeking.
At this moment, there were other footsteps coming closer. Ling Huanchen took a look and saw Yu Zhao.
What day is it today? Why is it so lively...
Yu Zhao saw the pavilion from a distance and used the Qinggong he had just learned to fly into the pavilion in a few seconds, "Sister Wang!"
"Sister-in-law Wang?" Wang Yi was dumbfounded. "He..."
Ling Huanchen put his fist to his lips and cleared his throat. Although he still needed to get used to this title, it was the most direct way to declare his identity at the moment.
"Why is Zhao'er in the palace too? Looking for the king?"
Yu Zhao held his head high and said proudly, "Of course I'm here to report on my learning achievements."
"Greetings to the young prince." Wang Yi had not yet gotten over the call of "Wang's wife", but the prince was here, and he happened to have had the honor of meeting him once before, so he could not lose his manners.
"You..." Yu Zhao put his hands behind his back and looked him over. "I heard that Lord Wang is returning to the city today. I remember you, the young master of the Wang family, right?"
□□ nodded, "It's me."
Yu Zhao glanced at him and suddenly whispered, "Why are you running around everywhere? You bumped into my wife, the king. You'll be in big trouble."
Wang Yi was completely confused. How could such a beautiful woman become the wife of the young prince? He had never heard of the current king taking a queen, not to mention that this beauty was a man.
"Greetings, Your Highness, and Your Highness." The little palace attendant, who had hurried over, paid his respects and hurried to Wang Yi. "My Lord, please follow me back and wait."
Wang Yi was reluctant to leave and looked at Ling Huanchen frequently, as if he was unwilling to give up and wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. He stood there with his feet motionless, and the anxious palace servants were running around in circles.
"If you feel stuffy in this room, you can continue to wait here." Ling Huanchen said to the little palace attendant, "You will stay here with the prince. If anyone asks, just say it was my permission."
When the young palace attendant heard this, he was immediately filled with gratitude and almost kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness!"
"You and the king..." Wang Yi still did not give up. It is said that a talented and romantic man not only loves literature, but also loves beautiful women.
"How dare you!" Xiao Qi said angrily, "What do you mean by you, yours? You should call me Your Highness."
Yu Zhao also frowned, "Young Master Wang, please don't embarrass Lord Wang."
"Why is my royal garden so bustling?"
Everyone turned around upon hearing the voice, with different expressions on their faces, and bowed in surprise.
"Your Highness!"
Behind Yu Xi were ministers and palace servants. The group was very grand. With a wave of her hand, the rest of the people stayed outside the pavilion. Only Yu Xi walked into the pavilion and naturally took Ling Huanchen's hand.
"Have you had your meal yet?"
If he hadn't known that Yu Xi had been discussing matters with the court officials, he would have thought that he was here to bring him to justice.
"No." Ling Huanchen said truthfully.
Yu Xi looked at him disapprovingly, "What did you say last time? If you don't eat on time, you will be punished."
Ling Huanchen pursed his lips and said, "I will accept the punishment from the king."
"Brother Wang, Brother Wang." Yu Zhao said in a low voice, and glanced around. Everyone had been left alone by the two of them for a long time.
Yu Xi then glanced at Wang Yi and said, "This is Lord Wang's son. He has grown a lot taller than he was three years ago."
Lord Wang hurried over and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I was reckless and did not know the etiquette. Please forgive me."
"Young people are always impulsive." Yu Xi pulled Ling Huanchen out of the pavilion, "But you still need to know your limits, otherwise you won't know when you will lose your life. Lord Wang needs to be taught well."
It was a hot summer day, and Lord Wang broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this. "I will definitely discipline him strictly."
Under the push of Lord Wang, Wang Yicai took a step forward in a daze.
After returning to Yuluan Palace, Yu Xi sent everyone away with a few simple words. When Ling Huanchen was the only one left, he began to settle the score.
"Your Majesty, why are you always staring at me?" He didn't have anything new on him.
Yu Xi lightly rolled her fingers, "I'm thinking that I should issue a ban in the palace from now on. No one is allowed to enter the harem, so as to prevent them from spying on my people."
Originally, his harem was empty and he had never paid attention to this matter. But now it is different, because his treasure is in the harem.
Ling Huanchen raised his eyebrows, as if he smelled jealousy.
"Also, I haven't punished you for not having your meal." Yu Xi said seriously.
Knowing this man's temper, Ling Huanchen would not be afraid of him even if he had a stern face.
"How does the king wish to punish me?"
The corner of Yu Xi's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. He had already put on a cold expression, yet the little mermaid was still so fearless. How abominable, even though those smiling eyes were beautiful. Thinking of this, the wise and mighty King of Youcheng felt a surge of anger in his heart. He stretched out his long arm, scooped the mermaid up, and pressed her onto his knees.
The big hand was raised high and dropped gently. With a snap, Yu Xi felt that he had regained the upper hand.
"If it happens again, there will be severe punishment."
As soon as Yu Xi's arm loosened, Ling Huanchen climbed up using his hands and feet, and moved about ten feet away from him. His face flushed, and it was unclear whether it was out of embarrassment or anger.
He is so old now, but Yu Xi still punishes children using the same method.
"Your Majesty, the cakes are here."
Yu Xi suppressed his unnecessary expression and said in a deep voice, "Bring it up."
Fu Changshi hurried in and hurried out, never looking up from beginning to end.
Yu Xi picked up a piece of Yunsu and fed it to his lips just like Ling Huanchen had fed her before, "Eat a little or it will upset your stomach. Don't make me worry, okay?"
The almighty king dropped his honorific title, spoke softly, and coaxed with patience, making it difficult for anyone to resist.
The same goes for Ling Huanchen.
Seeing that the child was willing to eat, Yu Xi continued to feed him in a good mood. After all, if he didn't coax the child well, who would he hold at night?
Although the method was not very good, it did cure Ling Huanchen's habit of not eating on time.
For several days in a row, the imperial kitchen served different dishes. No matter whether the king was dining in the Jade Luan Palace or not, the palace servants did not dare to be negligent in the slightest.
Ling Huanchen's interest in food is growing day by day. It is no longer just about filling his stomach, but he can feel the joy of tasting food.
"Master, I heard something." Xiao Qi hesitated for a long time and said quietly.
Ling Huanchen listened to his empty voice and put down the ginseng soup he had just taken a sip of. "What's the matter?"
"Lord Wang's only son died suddenly." Xiao Qi gestured excitedly, "It was the guy in the Imperial Garden a few days ago."
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