The common people are under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.
And you, you are only allowed to care about me...
That's so powerful!
Yuan Yao listened, and felt a tremor in her heart.
Is there anyone in the world more domineering than my father?
No!
Although he was domineering, he genuinely doted on her!
Looking at the Ninth Prince, Yuan Yao threw herself into his arms and said in a childish voice, "With Daddy here, Yao'er will definitely be the happiest little princess in the world!"
A warm, large hand gently patted her back: "In that case, stay with Daddy, okay?"
Yuan Yao moved her small body slightly.
At this moment, the Ninth Prince said, "I am going to Tongcheng. Since you are bored staying in Huai River, why don't you come with me? Hmm?"
What?
"Is Daddy going to Tongcheng too?" Yuan Yao asked excitedly, tilting her little head up.
"There's nothing major happening on the Huai River for now," the Ninth Prince said slowly. "If these officials on the Huai River only get things done if I have to watch over them every day, they might as well go home and farm."
These days, he's been busy with official duties on the Huai River.
It's time to breathe a sigh of relief...
Yuan Yao said happily, "In that case, Father, let's go soon!"
Go early so you can come back early!
Moreover, given the laborers' food shortages, they couldn't sustain this for long...
That night, the Ninth Prince did not go out again.
Yuan Yao slept well.
The next day, before dawn, she was lifted up.
Yuan Yao was still asleep and felt weak all over.
With its short arms and legs tucked together, it was soft and chubby, like a little kitten being lifted by the scruff of its neck.
Looking at his adorable little dumpling, the Ninth Prince's heart melted.
He pursed his lips and chuckled softly, "Aren't you going to open your eyes?"
Yuan Yao then opened her eyes and said in a childish voice, "Daddy... sleepy."
Sleepy?
The Ninth Prince said softly, "Since that's the case, you should go to sleep. I'll be leaving now."
Walk?
Where to go?
Yuan Yao rubbed her eyes.
Looking out the window, all that could be seen was darkness.
It's not even dawn yet!
Could it be...
Are we going to Tongcheng?
Yuan Yao suddenly came to her senses. She opened her little arms and hugged the Ninth Prince tightly: "Father, you mustn't leave Yao'er behind!"
"Are you still sleepy?" In the candlelight, the Ninth Prince's eyes were gentle.
"I'm not sleepy anymore!"
He couldn't be more lucid!
Yuan Yao quickly got up, dressed, washed up, and even drank a bowl of rice porridge.
Before dawn, a group of people quietly left the city.
Because we were in a hurry, we didn't bring a carriage this time; everyone rode horses.
A few lonely stars dotted the horizon.
The crescent moon cast a pale, cold light.
Under the moonlight and starlight, the path leading to the copper city was tinged with gray-white.
What would normally be a four-day journey by carriage at full speed was accomplished in less than a day by taking a shortcut…
When we entered Tongcheng, it was already close to dusk.
Upon entering the city, everyone headed straight for a restaurant.
As soon as they stepped into the restaurant, the manager came to greet them: "Your subordinate greets Your Excellency and Young Master."
After speaking, he glanced at Yuan Yao with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
The Ninth Prince responded calmly, "Send the food to the room, and also prepare some hot water."
"yes."
The manager accepted the order and went to the kitchen himself.
The Ninth Prince, familiar with the place, led Yuan Yao into the room.
His men went to the inn.
Upon entering the room and gazing at the familiar decor, Yuan Yao was somewhat surprised: "Father, is this also one of your properties?"
The Ninth Prince patted her head: "This is a place to stay."
Where to settle down?
Yuan Yao looked at the valuable ornaments in the room and couldn't help but sigh—
Father is richer than she imagined!
Soon, the shopkeeper brought over some people, who quickly brought hot water.
Along with the hot water, a bowl of milky white... milk was also brought in.
Yuan Yao was extremely surprised to see the milk.
At this moment, the shopkeeper respectfully said, "Previously, I received news that the young master was coming to the Huai River, so I ordered people to find cattle in advance and raise them for a few days."
This milk is very clean; young master can drink it without worry.
Everyone... knows that she came to Huai River, right?
It seems she was indeed being too high-profile...
Yuan Yao scratched her head and said sweetly, "Thank you, Uncle Shopkeeper."
The word "Uncle" startled the shopkeeper so much that he almost knelt down.
He bowed and said, "Young Master, you flatter me. I'm glad you like it."
like!
Of course I like it!
She hasn't drunk milk for many days since she left Beijing!
After drinking a glass of milk, Yuan Yao felt a warm sensation in her stomach.
After finishing her milk, Danqing knocked on the door and came in: "Would the princess like to take a bath first?"
Danqing also came along on this trip.
Moreover, Yuan Yao was surprised to find that Dan Qing was actually quite good at riding horses!
The Ninth Prince said, "Go wash up and change into a pretty dress. Tonight, I'll take you to see the lantern festival."
Lantern Festival?
Yuan Yao paused for a moment before asking, "Father, what day is it today?"
At this moment, Danqing said gently, "Princess, today is the Qixi Festival."
The Qixi Festival?
Qixi Festival!
Wow!
This is the first holiday she's celebrated here!
Originally, if we trace back the timeline, there should have been a Dragon Boat Festival, but the Great Qi Dynasty did not have such a festival...
Qixi Festival, Valentine's Day!
Yuan Yao said excitedly, "Daddy, wait for me, I'll come find you after I've finished my bath!"
As she spoke, she ran towards Danqing's room next door.
A large tub of water had been prepared in the room.
There were also some flower petals scattered in the water.
This is too much of a luxury for Yuan Yao, who hasn't had a proper bath in a long time!
Even in the Huai River area, she would take a medicinal bath every day, and then rinse it off with clean water...
Danqing served her, giving Yuanyao a fragrant bath from head to toe, and then gave her a scented dress to change into.
After drying her hair, Yuan Yao sat on the dressing table, crossed her short legs, and looked at her little reflection in the bronze mirror.
The flowing red dress made her skin appear even whiter than snow, like a snowball...
She smells so good and is so cute!
She's almost fallen in love with herself!
Danqing retrieved the hair ornaments and asked, "Princess, shall you wear a pearl flower or a hairband tonight?"
Yuan Yao glanced into the box: "Use a hairband instead; the beaded flowers are a bit too heavy."
When you go out to play, don't put extra strain on your scalp!
What if I grow up and go bald at a young age?
Danqing smiled and said, "This servant will comb the princess's hair."
"OK!"
After getting ready, Yuan Yao, dressed in a flowing red dress, stood obediently outside the Ninth Prince's room: "Father, shall we go out now?"
The Ninth Prince had also changed his clothes, wearing a white undershirt and an indigo-blue wide-sleeved cloak over it, which made him appear even more desolate than the bright moon in the sky.
Her full head of black hair was also tied up with a jade crown.
She has a long, slender neck and skin as white as jade.
"A gentleman as refined as jade"—this phrase perfectly describes him!
Upon seeing him, Yuan Yao couldn't help but say, "Father, if you take me out dressed like this, tonight, the hearts of all the unmarried girls in Tongcheng will be broken."
The Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow: "What does their heartbreak have to do with me?"
Impressive!
Yuan Yao said contentedly, "Father, let's go!"
The most beautiful woman in Daqi is going out to show off her most adorable little girl!
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