Seeing the disbelief and scrutinizing look on his mother's face, Hongzhao was still a little confused.
"Son, you...you want to wear a skirt? Is it too hot?"
Upon hearing his mother's words, Hongzhao's face flushed red, and he quickly waved his hands, saying, "Mother, what are you saying! I meant to give it to Naritai."
"Oh, it's for Naritai. What? For Naritai?"
As he spoke, Changning's tone suddenly rose.
How did the plot end up like this?
Hongzhao then confessed everything: "I told Naritai that my brother could fly, and she gave me a wolf skin, but I lied to her. It should be the Monkey King who can fly. I feel a little embarrassed, so I wanted to give her a piece of clothing as an apology."
Changning twitched his lips. Naritai's temper was so good... If Hutuli had been played like this, he would have beaten Hongzhao so badly that he would have climbed up to the roof of the yurt.
However, upon hearing that someone had sent a wolf pelt, Changning felt that sending a dress as a return gift was perfectly acceptable, since the wolf pelt was much more valuable and was even a private possession of Prince Durbert.
However, sending the items in Hongzhao's name would always arouse suspicion, so it would be better to send them in her name, and send several items to avoid attracting attention. This is also to protect the two children.
“Sure, no problem. Besides the sky blue one, you can pick out a few more for her.” Changning agreed very readily.
Hongzhao was overjoyed: "Really? Mother! I knew you were the best! I think the lilac, moon white, scarlet, pale yellow, wisteria purple, and pomegranate colors are all beautiful. She has only ever worn Mongolian clothing and has never tried on any of the dresses from our capital!"
Changning (??ω??)??
"You little rascal, you planned this all along!" Changning looked him up and down a few times, and tsk tsk tsk, it seems that Hongzhao is a warm-hearted guy after all.
Hongzhao smiled awkwardly: "Mother, what are you saying?"
"It's nothing, these few will do. Let Yuxia cut out the fabric, and have the needlework bureau make them. It'll only take a day, and they can be delivered tomorrow."
Hongzhao nodded, a look of anticipation on his face. He wondered what Naritai's expression would be when she received the gift. It must be hilarious. She should be happy to know it was from him. She wouldn't call him "little puppy" anymore.
And she probably likes all these colors; she has fair skin, so they'll definitely look good on her.
Changning sensed that her son had fallen in love and had evidence, but she didn't want to stop him, since things between young people are unpredictable.
In modern times, many couples get married in kindergarten, but then forget everything once they start elementary school. It's also common for kids to have several girlfriends in elementary school.
It's just innocent friendship between children; let's not taint it.
“By the way, Mother, Naritai said she wants to come back to the capital with us. Is that alright? I would also like to invite her to visit the capital. She has never left the grasslands before.”
Seeing Hongzhao's expectant gaze, Changning paused and said, "It's possible, but Prince Duerbote might not agree!"
Why didn't he agree?
Just kidding. Looking at Naritai's appearance, you can tell she must be a very pampered daughter. How could anyone send their precious daughter to the capital for no reason? Putting aside the fact that Mongolia is so far from the capital, sending a young girl to the capital is either to be a hostage or to sell her for personal gain or to arrange a marriage.
Even families in the Qing Dynasty who doted on their daughters were unwilling to appease the Mongols, so it was no surprise that the Mongols were the same.
A Mongolian prince who truly loves his daughter would not do such a thing.
Changning didn't hide it from him. Hongzhao was a royal prince, and she didn't need to build him a safe haven or an Eden. He would be exposed to more realistic and darker things in the future, so there was no need to hide it from him.
Changning told him the truth, and Hongzhao was a little disappointed, but he could understand. Changning explained it to him from a different perspective. For example, if Hongzhao were to stay in Mongolia instead of living in the capital, his father and mother would definitely disagree.
Hongzhao lowered his head.
Seeing her son's disappointed look, Changning couldn't bear it.
For Hongzhao, Naritai must have been a very precious and special friend...
"It's alright, we can come to Mulan Hunting Ground every year, then you can meet. You can also bring her some delicious food and fun things from the capital. True friends aren't separated by distance. There's a poem that goes, 'A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. Let us not part on the crossroads, for we will shed tears together.'"
Hongzhao nodded: "Naritai told me that she will write me a letter and asked me to write to her about some interesting things that happened in the capital."
Changning straightened his clothes and said gently, "Of course you can. You can be pen pals from now on."
"What is a pen pal?" Hongzhao tilted his head, it was the first time he had ever heard this term.
Changning thought for a moment and then explained to him, "It's someone who maintains friendships by writing letters."
Hongzhao suddenly realized: "You mean a good friend you can't meet in person and usually keep in touch by letter?"
Changning gave a thumbs up: "Hongzhao is awesome!"
“Then I’ll talk to Naritai later. If Prince Durbert doesn’t agree, we can become pen pals.”
Having successfully found a solution, Hongzhao became happy again. Changning thought that the world of children is so simple and wonderful.
Yinzhen has been busy these past two days, even while on the grasslands dealing with government affairs.
Since ascending the throne, he has always wanted to deal with the Cao and Li families in Jiangnan.
In his view, these two companies are like bloodsucking leeches; now that they've eaten their fill, it's time for them to vomit.
He planned to have the thirteenth prince handle this matter, but he was also in charge of the Northwest military supplies. If he were to go to Jiangnan again, he was afraid he would be overwhelmed.
However, he was not at ease leaving this matter to someone else.
The Cao and Li families have deep roots and enormous wealth; the taxes levied in Jiangnan alone are equivalent to those of several other cities combined.
The war requires a large amount of money and supplies, so confiscating their property will alleviate the deficit in the national treasury.
This person not only needs to be capable, but also needs to have principles, be able to uphold them, be loyal enough, and not value money, so as not to be swayed by these two families.
After much deliberation in the court, Yinzhen finally chose Changhua.
He was the eldest son of the Fucha clan, from a family of great wealth and status, so naturally he had no interest in further riches. Moreover, he was a pragmatist and capable; the smallpox vaccination program was already proceeding smoothly, so there was no need to keep a close eye on everything.
After the enthronement ceremony, there were no major matters to attend to at the Ministry of Rites.
Therefore, after much deliberation, Yinzhen decided to send Changhua to Jiangnan to handle the affairs of these two families.
A secret imperial edict was sent from the Mulan Hunting Grounds to the capital. After receiving the edict, Changhua immediately packed his bags and prepared to depart.
As soon as Dorsey finished class, he saw his father getting ready to leave. He rushed up to him excitedly: "Father! Father! Where are you going? What errand are you on? Can you take me with you?"
Changhua raised an eyebrow: "You've finished memorizing your lessons, kid?"
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