Chapter 342 Intimacy (Seventh Update)
That night, Xiao Jingkong wrote a heartfelt letter to his brother Ming'er, then hung the letter around Xiao Jiu's neck and carried her to the east room: "Jiaojiao, I have an eagle too!"
Use Xiao Jiu to deliver a letter to Brother Ming'er!
Gu Jiao was amused and moved his little head, saying, "Xiao Jiu has never been to Liang Kingdom, so he doesn't know the way."
Besides, even if it knows the way, won't the letter fly away at any time if you hang it around its neck like this?
Kids are so much fun!
Little Jiu is no longer a fledgling eagle; it's a real gyrfalcon. It doesn't understand what its young master wants it to do, and stares blankly with its eagle eyes.
"Hmm, okay then." Xiao Jingkong was a little disappointed. If they used an eagle, it could fly very fast, and Brother Ming'er would receive his letter in two days!
"Can you use the 800-li express courier service?"
I really hope Brother Ming'er will see his reply soon!
Gu Jiao looked at him and said, "The credibility of ordinary people cannot be as good as that of express delivery."
Xiao Jingkong tilted his head: "But, but I used it last time! It was the letter I sent to my master. I went to mail it with my brother-in-law, and he sent it to me via express courier!"
This little guy has probably been fooled by Xiao Liulang.
Alright, for the sake of him being her husband, she won't expose him.
Gu Jiao then said, "Because Brother Ming'er is not in Zhao Kingdom, the 800 li from Zhao Kingdom cannot reach Liang Kingdom."
Xiao Jingkong lowered his head: "I see."
Seeing the little guy's downcast mood, Gu Jiao felt a little sorry for him. After thinking for a moment, she said, "How about this, we'll go to the palace tomorrow to see Auntie and ask her if she's sent any official letters to Liang Kingdom recently. Official letters are much faster than civilian letters. If she has any, please take this letter with you."
"Mmm!" Little Jingkong cheered up again!
The next day, after Xiao Jingkong finished school at the Imperial Academy, Gu Jiao picked him up and took him to the palace.
Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan had to go to learn their craft, so they didn't take the two of them with them.
Xiao Jingkong saw a red candle stamp on the letter Ming'er gave him and begged his brother Xiao Shun to make one for him as well.
Gu Xiaoshun carved his own seal for him, dripped burning red candle wax onto the seal of the letter, and then stamped the seal on it while it was still hot.
Not only that, Gu Xiaoshun also made him a beautiful and practical wooden box to hold the letters.
Xiao Jingkong brought the wooden box and also Haidongqing Xiao Jiu.
His Xiao Jiu had never been to the palace before, so he decided to take her to broaden her horizons. Also, Jiao Jiao said that Xiao Jiu had never been to Liang Kingdom and didn't know the way, so she wondered if it was possible to send Xiao Jiu to Liang Kingdom as well, so that Xiao Jiu would know the way.
...and I'm not afraid that Xiao Jiu won't be able to fly back.
Xiao Jiu is a majestic gyrfalcon with beautiful and glossy feathers. Its wings are spread wide, full of the power to soar through the sky.
The palace staff at Renshou Palace were initially quite frightened, but after observing it for a while and finding that it was indeed harmless, they became bolder and began to feed it and gently stroke it.
However, whether it was their imagination or not, this eagle looked a bit like a chicken.
Don't birds hop around on the ground? Why is it swaggering around like that?
The imperial court recently sent letters to the Liang Kingdom, all of which were official exchanges. Empress Dowager Zhuang had Xiao Jingkong's wooden box placed in the accompanying letters, with a note indicating that it was to be sent to Prince Yu's residence.
Xiao Jiu played in Renshou Palace for a while, then flapped its wings and went outside.
Little Jingkong ran out to find it, and Eunuch Qin hurriedly sent two top imperial guards to follow.
Xiao Jingkong ran all the way to the Imperial Garden, and Xiao Jiu landed on the shoulder of a chubby boy.
The chubby boy was none other than Qin Chuyu, Xiao Jingkong's classmate.
Qin Chuyu had missed several days of classes. He had caught a cold and had been recuperating in Empress Xiao's Kunning Palace.
He often went to the clinic, and Xiao Jingkong also brought Xiao Jiu there a few times. Except for the first time they met when the big bird almost ate the little bird, his interactions with Xiao Jiu were quite pleasant afterwards.
"Brother Chu Yu! So Xiao Jiu came to find you!" Xiao Jingkong ran over excitedly.
Qin Chuyu didn't run towards him excitedly as before. He hesitated for a moment and then turned his back on the chubby boy.
Xiao Jingkong came up behind him and looked at him in surprise: "Brother Chu Yu, what's wrong?"
Qin Chuyu hung his head, trying hard not to turn around.
He already knew who Xiao Jingkong was. Although Xiao Jingkong was not a member of the Zhuang family, he called Empress Dowager Zhuang "aunt" and had close ties with Renshou Palace.
Although he was only eight years old, he vaguely understood that his grandmother disliked him, his father, his mother, and even his elder brother, the crown prince, and his sister-in-law.
He had never had any dealings with Renshou Palace.
Brothers are important, but so are father and mother.
He had parents first, then brothers. He couldn't abandon his parents for the sake of those who came later. He could only feel sorry for Xiao Jingkong.
But it really hurts!
They were such good brothers!
We've fought together, skipped classes together, collected protection money together, and even run brothels together!
"Brother Chu Yu!" Xiao Jingkong walked around to him. "Are you crying?"
"I didn't!" Qin Chuyu quickly raised his hand to wipe away his tears!
Xiao Jingkong had no idea where his little buddy's sadness came from. He thought for a moment and said seriously, "I heard you're sick. Are you crying because you're not getting better? Jiaojiao is a very skilled doctor. She's in the palace. I can take you there and ask her to take a look at you!"
That's not why I'm here!
Qin Chuyu roared inwardly.
"Brother Chu Yu?" Xiao Jingkong tilted his head and looked at him, a hint of worry in his eyes.
The adorable little creature, as innocent as a young animal, instantly melted Qin Chuyu's heart. He lowered his voice and choked out, "No...no...I can't go to Renshou Palace..."
I can't see you either.
We are destined to be a pair of brothers with a tragic fate!
In this lifetime... we can only live on in each other's memories!
Xiao Jingkong patted his little shoulder: "Okay, don't worry, Jiaojiao's medical skills are really, really amazing, she will definitely be able to cure you."
As he spoke, he took Qin Chuyu's chubby little hand.
Qin Chuyu originally wanted to shake them off, but for some reason his head spun and he was dragged to Renshou Palace.
Qin Chuyu had always been deeply wary of Renshou Palace. He had never come here on his own initiative, except for necessary greetings during festivals, which he always did with his father and mother.
He suddenly realized his mistake at the entrance of Renshou Palace and turned to run away. Coincidentally, Gu Jiao was adjusting the swing in the courtyard of the front hall. She saw the two little ones and greeted them: "Chu Yu is here. Come in and play with Jingkong."
"I don't……"
Before he could finish refusing, he saw the swing that was taller than a tree, and his attention was instantly drawn to it.
Playing is a child's nature.
Moreover, Gu Jiao's presence here gave him the illusion that he was still in the clinic's courtyard.
In fact, the courtyard here has indeed been renovated, and it shares similarities with the courtyards of Bishui Hutong and the clinic.
He walked in, looking bewildered.
The courtyard not only has an enormous swing, but also a novel and unique rocking horse and a slide that soars into the artificial mountain, all designed by Gu Jiao.
Qin Chuyu was stunned.
"Jiaojiao, Brother Chu Yu is sick, can you help him take a look?" Xiao Jingkong came up to Gu Jiao and asked cutely.
"Okay." Gu Jiao beckoned to Qin Chuyu, "Come here."
Qin Chuyu walked over blankly.
Gu Jiao touched his forehead and then took his pulse: "There's nothing wrong, you're fine."
Xiao Jingkong looked at Qin Chuyu happily and said, "Did you hear that? Jiaojiao said you're okay! You can rest assured now! Don't cry anymore!"
"Go have fun." Gu Jiao smiled.
Playing is a child's nature. No matter how much Qin Chuyu feared Empress Dowager Zhuang in his mind, at this moment, with Gu Jiao and Xiao Jingkong by his side, he was just a happy little chubby boy!
The two of them played in the yard until they were covered in sweat.
At first, Qin Chuyu was a little reserved, but as he played, he became even more excited than Xiao Jingkong. His laughter and shouts filled the yard, and even the little loudspeaker couldn't out-shout him!
Empress Dowager Zhuang's face darkened as she read the memorials in her study.
Little fat boy, you're so noisy!
Qin Chuyu was having so much fun at Renshou Palace that he forgot all about home, and he even had dinner there.
He was so engrossed in playing that when Gu Jiao called him and Xiao Jingkong in for dinner, he readily agreed.
But as soon as he entered the dining hall, he saw Empress Dowager Zhuang sitting at the table with a majestic expression. He was so frightened that his legs went weak and he almost fell to the ground!
That's right. Although he became much bolder after going to the Imperial Academy, he was still a coward in front of the great evil Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Empress Dowager Zhuang did not look at the chubby boy; she sat calmly in her chair.
Gu Jiao and Xiao Jingkong were used to her appearance and didn't find it scary. But Qin Chuyu was different. His legs trembled. It was more terrifying than being kidnapped by human traffickers!
Gu Jiao took Qin Chuyu and Xiao Jingkong to wash their hands, and then led the two little ones to sit down at the table.
Xiao Jingkong still has his own special little chair.
Qin Chuyu was eight years old and could reach the table. He sat between Empress Dowager Zhuang and Xiao Jingkong, and he didn't even dare to touch his chopsticks.
Whenever people from Bishui Hutong come over, the small kitchen will cook according to their tastes. When Xiao Jingkong is there, he will make the dishes childlike and cute.
Looking at the plump, white bunny-shaped dumplings in front of him, Qin Chuyu's mouth watered.
The buns are filled with red bean paste, which is finely ground and has a smooth, creamy texture that seems to melt in your mouth.
There's a tiny bit of cheese added inside; you can't really taste the milk, but you can still smell the milky aroma.
This was made by the young chef at Renshou Palace, taught by Gu Jiao.
Other palaces don't have it.
Qin Chuyu fell in love with it completely after just one bite.
The bunny buns were just appetizers; there were also koi fish made of oranges, swallows made of quail eggs, milk soup served in a strange pumpkin, and Peppa Pig, the little pig that Gu Jiao conquered all of humanity in her previous life... Plum sauce crispy meat pies.
"Wow!" Qin Chuyu was utterly astonished! He loved it!
He's never eaten anything so cute!
Waaaaah!
It's so delicious!
He was about to cry!
Qin Chuyu had no idea that the Empress Dowager, whom he feared most, was sitting next to him. He was too busy to handle anything!
Qin Chuyu couldn't stop eating.
It has to be said that this chubby boy was a bit of a troublemaker, but the way he ate was quite appetizing.
Empress Dowager Zhuang glanced at him but said nothing.
The two children ate their fill. Qin Chuyu could have had a couple more bites, but Gu Jiao was worried he would overeat and said she would cook for him again next time.
"I...I...can I come again next time?" he asked, blinking his eyes.
This question was naturally directed at Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Neither Xiao Jingkong nor Gu Jiao could answer for her.
The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes silent.
The palace servants all kept their eyes down, not daring to utter a sound.
The Empress Dowager has a clear separation between herself and Huaqing Palace. Would she allow the Seventh Prince to come to her again and again?
The last time people from Huaqing Palace came here, something unexpected happened...
The crowd remained outwardly calm, but in reality, they were all listening intently.
"Hmm," Empress Dowager Zhuang responded indifferently.
Little Jingkong patted his little buddy on the shoulder: "Great! Auntie agreed! You can come and play with me more often from now on!"
"Hmm!" Qin Chuyu exclaimed excitedly, swinging his little arm and knocking over a bowl of soup on the table.
Empress Dowager Zhuang was in trouble; soup was poured all over her, dripping down her body.
The palace servants turned pale with fright!
Eunuch Qin hurriedly stepped forward: "Empress Dowager!"
After eating for so long, the soup had long since gone cold, but being splashed all over myself felt strangely dirty and uncomfortable.
Eunuch Qin hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe Empress Dowager Zhuang, but found that he couldn't wipe her completely: "This servant will help you change your clothes!"
Qin Chuyu's face turned pale with fright: "Grand...Grand...Grandmother..."
I heard that the Empress Dowager eats people!
She not only eats people, but she also kills them!
"Alright, stop making a fuss." Empress Dowager Zhuang pushed away Eunuch Qin's hand and stood up calmly without letting the palace servants help her. "I'm going to change my clothes."
Qin Chuyu was dumbfounded.
That's it?
The Empress Dowager didn't get angry? Nor did she punish him?
As night deepened, Qin Chuyu finally emerged from Renshou Palace with his personal eunuch.
Eunuch Su, who had been waiting nearby for a while, exclaimed and stepped forward, supporting Qin Chuyu's small shoulder: "My little darling, are you alright? Why did you go to Renshou Palace?"
Eunuch Su was Empress Xiao's trusted eunuch.
Qin Chuyu's trip to Renshou Palace wasn't done secretly, so Empress Xiao naturally got the news, though she received it rather late. Empress Xiao initially thought he had gone to the East Palace.
Eunuch Su grabbed Qin Chuyu's wrist: "The Empress was so worried about you! Quickly come with me to report to the Empress that you are safe!"
Qin Chuyu was pulled forward by him, and asked in confusion, "Why is Mother worried about me?"
Eunuch Su sighed, "What else could it be? Why did the Seventh Prince have to go to Renshou Palace of all places? Doesn't the Seventh Prince know that Renshou Palace is a dangerous place to go?"
It's no wonder that Empress Xiao warned Qin Chuyu to stay away from Renshou Palace so early on. It's because more than ten years ago, Empress Xiao failed to keep an eye on Xiao Heng, who accidentally ended up near Renshou Palace.
As a result, he was poisoned and almost lost his life.
Eunuch Su glared at the little eunuch behind Qin Chuyu and said, "You didn't even stop your master from going to Renshou Palace! I'll deal with you later!"
Qin Chuyu frowned and said, "Don't punish Xiao Dezi, it's my decision to go! Does he dare to stop me?"
Eunuch Su said, "But he should at least send a message to the Empress."
Qin Chuyu said seriously, "I won't let him hand it over! If he does, you'll take me away and won't let me play with the Empress Dowager! The Empress Dowager isn't as scary as you say!"
"What's so scary?"
The emperor's smiling voice could be heard from not far away.
The emperor would be in a good mood every time he saw this chubby little boy.
"Your Majesty!" Eunuch Su turned and bowed to the emperor in the sedan chair, then bowed to Consort Jing in another sedan chair behind the emperor, "Your Highness, Consort Jing."
Xiao Dezi also bowed.
Qin Chuyu called out, "Father!"
"Hmm." The emperor waved his hand.
"Alight from the sedan chair," said Eunuch Wei, waving his whisk.
Both sedan chairs slowly descended.
Qin Chuyu rushed towards his own father.
The emperor was nearly knocked over by the chubby boy's tackle. He smiled and turned to ask, "Have you paid your respects to Grandmother Jing?"
"Oh!" Qin Chuyu stepped out of the emperor's arms, walked to the sedan chair, and bowed to the sedan chair behind him, "Greetings, Grandmother Jing!"
"Good boy." Consort Jing smiled gently, her doting gaze falling on his rosy cheeks. "Where did you go to play today? You seem to have a lot of fun."
Qin Chuyu said straightforwardly, "I went to Renshou Palace! I saw my grandmother!"
Consort Jing looked slightly taken aback.
The emperor's face darkened: "What did you say? Where did you go just now?"
Qin Chuyu shrank his neck: "Ren... Renshou Palace."
My father's eyes suddenly became terrifying.
"Who sent you to Renshou Palace?" the emperor asked coldly.
"I... I went by myself." Qin Chuyu took two steps back.
"Come here, come to Grandmother Jing." Consort Jing extended her hand to Qin Chuyu.
Qin Chuyu was terrified by his father, the Emperor, and, as if seeing a lifeline, he threw himself into Consort Jing's arms without hesitation.
Consort Jing gently embraced him and said to the Emperor earnestly, "Your Majesty, please don't frighten him. He didn't do it on purpose."
Qin Chuyu nestled in Consort Jing's arms and muttered something under his breath.
The emperor frowned: "What did you say?"
Perhaps emboldened by having someone back him up, Qin Chuyu finally mustered his courage in front of his father, the Emperor, and said, "I say that Grandmother is not bad at all! Why won't Father let me see her!"
(End of this chapter)
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