Ah Guai smiled sweetly, "Alright! Uncle, let’s go boating, Ah Guai really loves boating!"
Xin He smiled and patted Ah Guai’s head before leading them onto the boat.
An awning boat had already been waiting nearby. As soon as Xin He and his companions boarded, the boatman pushed the boat towards the center of the lake.
Ah Guai was very excited to be out, but actually, the child was always happy. Xin He couldn’t think of a time when she was upset. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but envy how good it was to be a child.
Once on the boat, Ah Guai leaned over the edge to play with the water and laugh with Xiao Bei. She was absolutely delighted.
Xin He leisurely watched them, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Has Xiao Chai been studying hard lately? I rarely see him so diligent."
Today he didn’t go out to discuss his essay with his teacher, which surprised Xin He. Although he was glad to see the dedication, he couldn’t shake a bad feeling. It was frustrating how mysterious women’s intuition can be.
However, Xiao Bei shook his head with confusion in his eyes, "He’s been alright, I guess. I don’t know what happened today, but Xiao Chai is really smart, even if he doesn’t try hard, he’ll still do better than me."
Xin He furrowed his brow slightly, "What’s been going on with this child these days?"
"I don’t know either, sister. I feel like Xiao Chai has something on his mind, and the older he gets, the less I can see through him. I can tell he’s not happy, but I have no idea what’s bothering him. This feeling has been getting stronger lately. Do you know what’s going on, sister?" Xiao Bei asked tentatively.
Xin He sighed softly, "How would I know?"
Perhaps it was just a delayed rebellious phase.
Xiao Yu remained silent and did not speak. Sometimes, those involved in a situation are blind to it, and only outsiders can see it clearly. But if she didn’t say anything, how long can it be hidden? Or rather, how long can the prince tolerate it?
——
Since Ah Guai had so much fun playing outside, it was only when the sun set that they decided to head back home.
Xiao Bei was too lazy to return to public school and went with Xin He to eat at the Royal Mansion.
"The princess has returned." The gatekeeper informed the mansion before hurrying to help Xin He out of the carriage.
Xiao Bei, with Ah Guai in his arms, followed straight into the mansion.
"Has the princess eaten dinner?" An older woman asked respectfully as she walked alongside, "The prince returned before you, and he hasn’t eaten yet. He said he would wait to eat with you and the little princess."
Xin He replied with a smile, "Not yet."
Looking at Ah Guai, she asked with a smile, "Are you hungry, Ah Guai?"
Ah Guai immediately nodded, "Ah Guai is hungry, mom, let’s eat quickly."
Xiao Bei laughed, "You little glutton, you’ve been snacking all day, and you’re still hungry? Be careful, or you’ll become a chubby kid."
Ah Guai pouted, "Ah Guai really is hungry! Mom said that kids need to eat a lot to grow up and not be fat!"
Xin He chuckled and shook her head, about to say something when she saw a man and a woman standing behind a tall locust tree not too far away.
Could it be Shulan?
Shulan smiled gracefully and said, "You should go back first, I’ll visit you when I have time off. Don’t put off your studies, focus on your homework."
"Don’t worry, I’ll work hard to marry you." Liu Man laughed, "Well, I should go now."
"Mhm." Shulan nodded, blushing slightly.
Liu Man seemed a little awkward, perhaps unwilling to leave yet, but he had to go. As he turned, he ran into the curious gazes of Xin He’s group. His face immediately flushed as he hastily greeted, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Shulan’s face also turned red in embarrassment, as if caught doing something wrong. She quickly said, "Your Highness has returned."
Xin He smiled, "I’m going to Pingque Terrace for dinner."
With that said, she walked away without further ado.
Liu Man scratched his head, embarrassed as he watched Xin He leave. Shulan immediately waved him off, and he left.
Shulan caught up with Xin He, "Your Highness, I—" she stammered.
Xin He laughed, "You are both about to get married, there’s nothing to say. But I never expected that the girl who has been with me for so many years would have such a shy and gentle side."
Shulan blushed even more, "Your Highness, please don’t tease me."
"Alright, alright. But since your marriage is set for next month, it’s not appropriate for you to meet now. Be careful." Xin He chuckled.
With her face still flushed, Shulan nodded, "This servant understands."
Xin He laughed, "It’s really hard for women to leave their homes. You used to follow me around even during your time off, but now that you have a break, you run off and disappear. I bet you were thinking about your sweetheart when you were by my side. Ah, I should have arranged your marriage earlier; that way, I wouldn’t have to watch you fret."
Stammering, Shulan replied, "I, I didn’t!"
Xin He continued to laugh; even Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh along.
Ah Guai stared at Shulan in confusion, asking, "Shulan, why is your face as red as a persimmon?"
Shulan just wanted to find a hole to crawl into!
When they arrived at Pingque Terrace, the maids and older women bustled about, bringing food as soon as Xin He entered the room.
Marquis Mu had been waiting for a while and was still holding papers in his hand. Seeing Xin He walk in, he tossed the papers aside, "You finally decided to come back?"
"Daddy!" Ah Guai rushed into Marquis Mu’s arms.
Marquis Mu put her on his lap, "All you know is how to play all day."
Blinking, Ah Guai replied, "Ah Guai isn’t greedy to play."
Xin He laughed, "If not you, then who? Once on the boat, you didn’t want to leave it. If it wasn’t getting dark, I think you wouldn’t want to come home at all."
Marquis Mu pinched Ah Guai’s little face.
Now that the dishes were served, they sat down to eat directly.
"Has it been less busy these past few days? You’ve been coming home quite early lately," Xin He asked.
"Yes, Yu State has been settling down, and there’s not much happening. So, I thought I’d come back earlier to accompany Ah Guai." Marquis Mu smiled.
Ah Guai hadn’t had much time with her father over the years because he had been very busy. So Marquis Mu always felt a bit guilty and wanted to make it up to her.
Ah Guai beamed, "Daddy is the best!"
Marquis Mu’s expression turned serious as if he remembered something, "By the way, I heard from the capital, the Emperor has released Li Junyan."
As expected, there was nothing surprising about it.
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