Zhao Changqing left with the letter, satisfied.
He kept the letter close to his body, like a precious treasure, afraid of losing it by accident.
Zhao Wenqi, still clinging to the door frame, watched his uncle's departing figure with longing eyes, hoping for his aunt's reply.
They were completely unaware that they were merely a tool to facilitate emotional communication with others.
With the letter in hand, Zhao Changqing returned to his palace.
Upon entering, he saw Zuo Ming coming out of the mansion to greet him: "Zuo Ming, what's been going on next door today?"
Knowing that the prince was particularly concerned about the situation next door, the left guard did not hide any details and told him everything he had learned that day.
"Your Highness, the mistress didn't get up until Chenshi (7-9 AM) today. The maid said that for breakfast she had two chicken buns, half a bowl of porridge, and half a plate of scrambled eggs. After breakfast, she went to prepare the young master's study. The young master brought quite a few books this time. The mistress said that the young master's study is of utmost importance, and its arrangement cannot be taken lightly. It must be kept clean and tidy, and it must be cleaned spotless every day. She also asked Steward Qian to go to the bookstore again when he has time and buy some books suitable for the young master."
"Hmm." Zhao Changqing listened to his report as he walked towards his bedroom.
After walking a few steps, something suddenly occurred to me.
He stopped in his tracks and asked, "Why is this all there is for breakfast? It's too simple. Aren't we supposed to have the kitchen deliver ingredients every day? Did the kitchen slack off? Did they not deliver them?"
Zuo Ming hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! You personally ordered it, how could we not send it? The kitchen sent only the best. But... when we sent it, Steward Qian stopped us, saying that we had accepted too much and he would not be able to explain it to the mistress, fearing that she would feel indebted. Therefore, we only accepted a small portion and returned most of it."
Zhao Changqing said angrily, "That old Qian..."
He continued walking forward angrily, but stopped abruptly at the door and asked the left guard, "Do you think... I look better in this python robe... or would it be better if I changed into casual clothes?"
Zuo Ming replied earnestly, "Your Highness looks good in anything."
Zhao Changqing stared at him blankly, his gaze slightly cold: "Don't try to fool me with that. Speak properly, tell the truth!"
"I dare not," Zuo Ming apologized. "Your Highness looks even more imposing, heroic, and extraordinary in your python robe."
Zhao Changqing frowned and hesitated for a moment.
"Wouldn't wearing a python robe be too intimidating? Wouldn't it make her feel like there's a difference in status? What if she gets nervous when she sees this outfit?"
The left guard said sincerely, "Your Highness is overthinking it. When has our mistress ever been nervous?"
"That's true." Zhao Changqing suddenly remembered, "Will this python robe remind her... of my concealed identity? Will it make her unhappy?"
Zuo Ming wanted to say: You're overthinking it.
Only those who care about you will insist on keeping your identity a secret...
But the mistress doesn't care about you at all.
“Your Highness, I think the mistress isn’t a narrow-minded person. She’s actually quite practical.”
"What do you mean?"
"In other words, she doesn't value feelings much. The fact that you kept this from her didn't actually cause her any emotional harm... Perhaps, she's more concerned with the practical benefits that your status as a prince brings."
"You mean she's happier knowing I'm a prince?"
"Absolutely. Think about it, you're her friend and a prince. The mistress has no relatives or friends in the capital, just a weak woman with a child. How difficult is that? Who can she rely on in the future? No one can rely on you as much as she can! Whose status is stronger than yours? Who is closer to her than you? If she encounters difficulties, won't she turn to you for help first? This way, things will naturally fall into place, and... hmm?"
Zuo Ming said, giving him a knowing look.
Zhao Changqing understood.
He will definitely become her strongest support and do his best to help her whenever she needs him.
"Alright, I won't change my clothes. Call someone to comb my hair again; that brat messed it up in the palace."
Zhao Wenqi grabbed her and threw her around for a while, almost tearing her hair out.
After recombing his hair, Zhao Changqing carefully straightened his python robe.
She washed her face again and had the maid re-perfume her.
After tidying up his personal appearance, Zhao Changqing repeatedly asked Zuo Ming, "How do I look now?"
Zuo Ming: "Your Highness is absolutely handsome. In the entire capital, you can't find another man as elegant and otherworldly as Your Highness."
Zhao Changqing found it very pleasing.
However, he immediately thought of Cheng Tingrui's face...
My heart suddenly clenched, and I felt uneasy.
He carried Zhao Wenqi's letter and went to He Youyou's small courtyard next door.
When the gatekeeper saw him arrive, he didn't dare ask any questions and simply opened the door to let him in.
Upon entering the courtyard, I came across He Youyou lounging on a recliner, basking in the sun.
The servants nearby quickly moved a chair for him and placed it next to He Youyou's recliner.
When He Youyou saw him, she was completely at a loss.
"Your Highness, should I kneel before you now?"
Zhao Changqing sat down in the chair and smiled slightly, "Just call me Hanzhang. There's no need for formalities between us. We'll be the same as before, no need to change."
Fine, He Youyou didn't bother to be polite with him and remained lying down without getting up.
The late autumn sun felt warm and comfortable on my skin.
"Hanzhang, you came to see me today, is there something you need?"
Zhao Changqing took out the letter, still warm from his body, from his pocket: "This is a letter Wenqi wrote to you. I brought it to you for him."
He Youyou got up from the recliner, took the letter, opened it, and read it carefully from beginning to end.
The letter was written in such a pitiful tone, as if the writer had been subjected to ten days of torture.
Actually, it was just that I was managed by the teacher and forced by my parents to attend school for a few days.
The three great Confucian scholars from Qufu were indeed strict teachers; they were very serious about their work and extremely responsible for their teaching duties.
Face to face, hand in hand, patiently and meticulously observing every little detail of the Second Prince.
It's driving the child crazy.
He Youyou felt a little sorry for them, but she felt it was inappropriate to interfere in their family affairs.
Out of respect for the Zhao family, she tentatively asked Zhao Changqing, "The education of Zhao Wenqi is, after all, a family matter. Is it appropriate for me to interfere?"
Zhao Changqing confidently declared: It's suitable, absolutely suitable!
Given our relationship, my family affairs are your family affairs.
If a child calls you "Auntie," you have to help them; you can't just stand by and watch them die.
He Youyou was relieved.
Okay, give me a piece of paper, I'll give him some advice.
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