Chapter 45 Return to the Marquis' Mansion
During the days when Crown Prince Liu Xiao was in the Eastern Palace, if there was anything that made him more "stressed" than the imperial studies, it was definitely his father, the Emperor.
Emperor Liu Jin's fatherly love was as surging and unruly as a volcanic eruption.
Ever since I confirmed that this was my genuine, precious, lost and found flesh and blood,
The fatherly love that His Majesty the Emperor had accumulated for fifteen years was like a flood that could not be stopped. Its expression often stunned everyone in the Eastern Palace.
For example, when eating:
"Xiao'er! Look, this is the top-quality blood swallows just imported from the South China Sea! Come and try it!"
"Xiao'er! This is snow deer meat that was urgently sent from the northern border over 800 miles. It's very nutritious! Eat more!"
"Xiao'er! The Imperial Kitchen's newly developed golden cheese is said to be the flavor you... uh, was it the wife of Marquis Weiyuan who mentioned you liked? Come and try it!"
Liu Xiao looked at the bowls and dishes piled up like a mountain in front of him and felt that he was not a prince, but a lamb about to be fattened and slaughtered.
He swallowed the venison in his mouth with difficulty and protested weakly: "Father... your son... your son really can't eat anymore..."
The emperor waved his hand, his eyes full of love
"Hey! Boys are growing, eat more! Look how thin you are! It must be because you were away... and didn't eat well in the Marquis' Mansion! Fu'an! Go and bring that plate of chalcedony soup!"
For example, when getting dressed:
Today he was rewarded with new clothes made of brocade tribute from Jiangnan, and tomorrow he thought that the crown of the crown prince would be more magnificent if the pearls of the East China Sea were adorned on it.
The next day, she felt that the jade pendant on the prince's waist was not transparent enough, so she rummaged through the boxes and cabinets to find the thousand-year-old jade in her private storehouse and insisted on having her son wear it.
Liu Xiao was often dressed up by his father like a mobile treasure display stand, shining with gold and looking very noble, but it was a little inconvenient for him to move.
For example, when studying:
When the imperial teacher was explaining the "Zizhi Tongjian", his tone was a little harsh. The emperor immediately frowned and his eyes swept over him like knives, frightening the old imperial teacher so much that he broke out in a sweat.
The voices of those who followed up on the question softened by eight degrees. Liu Xiao did well on his studies, and the emperor was so pleased that he bestowed countless rare treasures on the spot, even wanting to pluck the moon from the sky for his son to play with as marbles.
If he occasionally couldn't answer, the emperor would immediately reflect on himself: "It must be that parrot I gave him yesterday that disturbed Xiao'er's sleep! Fu'an, move that flat-haired beast to the West Garden for me!"
It took less than three days for everyone in the Eastern Palace to go from initial shock to numbness.
Everyone understands that in this Eastern Palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the most important person! If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince frowns, His Majesty will feel distressed for a long time;
If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince smiles, His Majesty will be very happy for the whole day.
How could this be called raising a prince? This was practically offering up a living ancestor!
What about Liu Xiao? From being flattered and at a loss at first, to accepting it with resignation and occasionally complaining, and now...
He was already able to remain calm when his father tried for the Nth time to feed him the strange tonic soup that was said to "strengthen the body and prolong life".
He skillfully changed the subject: "Father, I think today's political discussion class was quite insightful..."
He actually felt warm in his heart.
Although this fatherly love was heavy and exaggerated, he could feel the unreserved sincerity and guilt in it.
He just... occasionally, really occasionally, would miss his mother Xiao Zhou's gentle but measured care in Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, and his father Cui Yan's silent but firm protection.
There is also the almond cheese made by Aunt Zhang in the Hou Mansion’s kitchen. It is not as delicate but full of the flavor of home.
That day, Liu Xiao looked at a sparrow flying outside the window, and suddenly sighed softly, muttering softly:
"I don't know if the crabapple tree in Madam Hou's yard has bloomed yet..."
Although the sound was small, the emperor, who had been paying close attention to his beloved son, caught it immediately!
My son misses home! He misses the Weiyuan Marquisate! He also misses that... humph! Little Zhou!
A sour feeling like aged vinegar instantly surged into the emperor's heart, and he almost blurted out, "What kind of flowers are there in the Eastern Palace?! I will plant a crabapple forest for you!"
But seeing the hint of longing and loneliness in his son's eyes, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
No! He's a loving father! A wise ruler! He can't be so petty! The fact that his son misses his adoptive mother shows he's loyal and righteous! It's a good thing!
The emperor took a deep breath, tried to squeeze out a "I am very generous" smile, and patted Liu Xiao on the shoulder:
"Xiao'er, do you miss the Marquis' Mansion? It's true. After all, you've lived here for fifteen years. Well...if you want to go back and take a look, then go back and take a look."
Liu Xiao's eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them. "Really? Father! Can I really go back and take a look?"
Looking at his son's genuine smile of surprise, the emperor's jealousy suddenly dissipated, leaving only the silly father mentality of "as long as my son is happy".
He waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I'm serious! Granted! Fu'an!"
"I'm here!" Fu'an stepped forward immediately.
"You will personally accompany the Crown Prince to the Weiyuan Marquis's residence! Thank the Weiyuan Marquis and his wife for their years of nurturing and care for me... uh, for me!" (Gnashing teeth.jpg)
"Pass on my decree again, rewarding the Marquis of Weiyuan and his wife with a thousand taels of gold, a hundred pieces of brocade, and a hectoliter of East China Sea pearls!"
Look! How generous I am! This is not compensation!
"Also, bring one team of East Palace guards! No! Two teams! And arrange three more groups of secret guards in the dark! Make sure His Royal Highness is absolutely safe! If even a hair is missing, you will be held accountable!"
"Yes! Yes! I obey your order!" Fu An quickly agreed, secretly worried about the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion.
This is not just a visit home, it's like the king of heaven has come down to earth for a tour!
The news that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was going to visit the Weiyuan Marquis' Mansion was like a bolt from the blue, sending the entire mansion into a state of chaos!
Weiyuan Hou Cui Yan was handling official business in his study. Upon hearing the news, his hand trembled and the brush drew a long ink mark on the document.
He was stunned for a moment, feeling mixed emotions.
Relieved? Yes. Disappointed? Yes.
He felt more of an indescribable tension and fear—that was the prince! He was no longer the son he could casually pat on the shoulder!
He immediately stood up, his voice steady but with a barely perceptible tremor:
"Order everyone to open the main gate! All masters and servants, dress according to your rank! Sweep the grounds immediately and prepare to welcome the Emperor! No mistakes!"
The mansion instantly became a hornet's nest, a chaotic mess! Servants were running around, some sprinkling water, some moving flowers, some hanging lanterns, all with a look of excitement and nervousness on their faces.
The second master Cui Jun was listening to music in his concubine's room. When he heard the news, he was so frightened that he rolled off the couch and hurriedly put on his official uniform.
He muttered to himself, "The Crown Prince... His Royal Highness is here... He's not here to settle accounts with me, is he? Mother... You died early, and there's no one to protect your son..."
His face turned pale and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
The second wife, Wang Shi, was calmer. She urged the maid to put on the most expensive headdress for her while rolling her eyes.
I was thinking whether I could take this opportunity to let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince see my daughter, what if he gets a favorable eye?
But in the courtyard of the eldest daughter Cui Baiyu, the scene was quite different.
When she heard the news, she was stunned at first, and then burst into great ecstasy!
"Quick! Bring out my new brocade dress with hundreds of gold butterflies and flowers! And that ruby headpiece! Rouge! Powder! Hurry and do my makeup! The prince... he's finally back!"
She looked left and right in the mirror, her face flushed, and countless scenes of talented men and beautiful women reuniting after a long separation were already playing out in her mind.
Xiao Zhou's mood was the most complicated.
When she heard her son was coming back, she was so excited that tears immediately fell, and her fingers trembled so much that she couldn't even put on the pearl flowers properly.
Her Xiao'er was coming back! But immediately, she felt a huge sense of panic and distance.
That was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, no longer her sweetheart who could be held in her arms and called her darling.
How should she greet him? What should she say? Would it embarrass him? All these thoughts tangled together, making her feel uneasy.
The prince's procession stopped in front of the Weiyuan Marquis's mansion.
The scene and the grandeur were not much different from when the emperor personally visited.
Liu Xiao, dressed in the apricot-yellow official uniform of the crown prince, stepped down from the imperial carriage, surrounded by guards in golden helmets and armor and courteous palace maids with humble brows.
He looked at the familiar plaque and vermilion lacquer gate of the Marquis' Mansion, feeling excited and emotional.
Weiyuan Marquis Cui Yan led the entire palace, kneeling on the ground in a mass, and said in a loud but reserved voice: "Your Highness (your servant) and your servant respectfully welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to live a thousand years!"
Liu Xiao looked at his father kneeling in front of him, his nose felt sore, and he almost rushed over to help him up like he did before.
But he restrained himself in time, trying to maintain the dignity of a prince, his voice much gentler than usual: "Marquis Weiyuan, please stand up, everyone, please stand up. I just came back to visit today, no need for formalities."
Fu'an stood aside with a smile and read out the emperor's reward decree at the right time. The long list of gifts and generous rewards once again demonstrated the emperor's "generosity".
Entering the mansion, the atmosphere was still subtly awkward. Cui Yan and Xiao Zhou spoke respectfully, adhering to the etiquette between monarch and subject in every sentence, and never dared to overstep the bounds.
Liu Xiao felt unhappy and tried hard to find some light-hearted topics.
He pointed to a pot of orchids under the corridor: "Father... uh, Lord Marquis, this orchid is blooming so beautifully. I remember it was... I found it from outside some time ago?" He almost let the cat out of the bag.
Cui Yan quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's true. Your Highness had a unique vision back then."
The tone was so respectful as if he was reporting on work.
Liu Xiao: “…” There’s no point in chatting anymore!
He looked at Xiao Zhou again: "Madam...how are you feeling lately?" He looked at his mother's face, which was obviously thinner, his eyes full of concern.
Xiao Zhou's eyes reddened, and she quickly lowered her head: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am doing fine."
Her voice was slightly choked, but she didn't dare look up at him.
Liu Xiao felt extremely uncomfortable.
He suddenly missed the past terribly, when his father would examine his homework with a stern face and his mother would nag him to put on more clothes. Although there were many rules, the family love was fresh and warm.
At this time, Cui Baiyu, who had dressed up carefully, seized the opportunity and came forward with a plate of exquisite snacks.
Her voice was as sweet as a yellow oriole singing out of a valley: "My nephew, the Crown Prince...ah no, Your Highness, the Crown Prince has been very tired from the journey. Please enjoy some snacks. This...this is made by Yu'er herself."
She raised her eyes shyly, trying to let the prince see her at the most beautiful angle.
Liu Xiao looked at the plate of dim sum that was obviously made by the master chef in the mansion and was just "brought over" by Cui Baiyu.
Looking at my aunt's overly deliberate posture, I suddenly found it a little funny, and the sadness was diluted a lot.
He nodded politely: "Thank you, Miss Cui." But he did not touch the snack.
Fu An saw it clearly from the side and laughed in his heart: This young lady from the Marquis's Mansion is still too low in rank! What kind of scene has our Crown Prince not seen in the palace?
After taking a walk around the Marquis' Mansion, Liu Xiao felt a sense of loss as he felt the atmosphere that was both familiar and alienated.
He knew that some things could never be undone.
In the dark, the emperor's secret guards lurked in every corner of the mansion like ghosts, scanning every possible threat with sharp eyes to ensure the absolute safety of the prince.
In the end, Liu Xiao returned to the palace under the respectful yet complicated gazes of everyone in the Marquis' Mansion.
He took away a large box of snacks that Nanny Zhang from the Hou Mansion's kitchen had prepared overnight, but left behind everyone in the mansion with different thoughts.
The emperor was eagerly waiting in the palace. As soon as his son came back, he held his hand and looked him up and down, fearing that even a hair was missing.
After hearing Fu'an's report that "everything is safe and the Marquis' Mansion is grateful", he breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he asked sourly, "Xiao'er, is the Marquis' Mansion... fun? How does it compare to the Eastern Palace?"
Liu Xiao looked at his father, who was obviously very concerned but pretending to be magnanimous, and finally couldn't help but chuckle.
The depression in his heart also dissipated a lot. He took the emperor's arm
She rarely said anything coquettishly, "Father, it is the best thing to have you in the Eastern Palace."
The emperor was immediately overjoyed, and all the things about Weiyuan Marquis Mansion and Xiao Zhou were instantly forgotten!
As expected! My son still loves me the most!
At the Weiyuan Marquis' Mansion, after seeing off the prince, this giant Buddha, everyone felt as if they had fought a tough battle. While they breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't calm down for a long time.
Cui Baiyu, in particular, watched the prince's receding figure, biting her lips, her eyes full of unwillingness and determination.
Only Xiao Zhou returned to her room, looked at her son's childhood toys, and silently shed tears.
There is comfort, longing, and deep loss.
This "lively and interesting" visit to the emperor's parents came to an end amid the emperor's extraordinary indulgence, the prince's complicated homesickness, the tension and calculations of everyone in the marquis's mansion, and the silent contest in the dark.
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