At the palace, after Liu Yulian left, the emperor summoned the third prince. The emperor had originally planned to send the third prince to Hainan, but in the end, he changed his mind.
Food is not a simple matter, and the Third Prince would not be able to do research in the past. Moreover, the Third Prince is timid and afraid of trouble. If he were to go there, he would not be able to suppress those troublemakers.
The third prince is afraid of trouble, so he might stay at home and not do those things, or he might try to smooth things over.
The emperor thought about it and decided not to do that. He didn't want the Third Prince to achieve great things. Even if the Third Prince hadn't intended to fight for the throne, he had already fought for it.
"Aren't you going to Hainan?" asked the third prince. He was a little nervous, fearing that the emperor would punish him.
"What are you going to Hainan for? Are you going there to take credit?" The emperor raised his eyebrows.
"No, that's not it." The third prince didn't want to go to Hainan either. Hainan was so bad.
When the Third Prince learned that the Emperor intended for him to go to Hainan, he was afraid to move, fearing trouble. Hainan was remote, and the Third Prince didn't want to go.
"Let's go to the seaside," said the emperor, "and get some fresh air."
The emperor's only concern for the Third Prince was that he lived a healthy life; he couldn't make any extra arrangements. He couldn't force the Crown Prince to favor the Third Prince, and the Third Prince wasn't suited to achieve significant merit.
If the Third Prince were to go to Hainan, he would take credit for the achievements. That would be bad. Hainan was a remote place, and who knew if he would be instigated to rebel.
"Yes." The third prince responded.
At the Marquis of Jingning's Mansion, He Xiyuan knew that Liu Yulian was going to the beach, and this time the journey was so far.
"Let's go to a place closer, it's a two or three day journey." Liu Yulian said.
"It's better than a five or six-day journey." He Xiyuan thought it was better, but he couldn't stop Liu Yulian from going. "I'll go with you."
"You need to study." Liu Yulian said.
"It doesn't matter." He Xiyuan said, "Didn't they say two to three months, four to five months? Studying anywhere doesn't matter."
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate?" Liu Yulian felt embarrassed. They were not married yet, so how could she let He Xiyuan go with her.
"You know?" He Xiyuan said, "Children of powerful families don't necessarily pass the imperial examination to become officials. Some can directly become officials. I want to take the imperial examination because I want a better name, and also..."
He Xiyuan thought of a dream he had once had, in which he saw Liu Yulian with someone else, and that person was the top scholar. There were fewer top scholars than Jinshi, but He Xiyuan didn't think he had to take the top scholar exam, he just wanted to take the Jinshi exam.
The Master said that with his knowledge, he could pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi.
Of course, this does not mean that He Xiyuan can do whatever he wants without learning.
"Others still have to travel and study." He Xiyuan said, "Just treat it as traveling and studying."
"..." Liu Yulian was convinced. Are all academic geniuses like this? They can do whatever they want.
Liu Yulian was jealous. She also wanted to be as smart, thinking that she could get excellent scores without studying. She thought back to her later life, the days when she was dominated by the God of Learning. Others studied hard and might not get good grades, but the God of Learning could get excellent scores even if they slept in class.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I also want to go out and see the world." He Xiyuan said. He couldn't stay in the capital all the time, he had to go out more often.
"Come and see for yourself." Liu Yulian couldn't stop He Xiyuan from going over.
At Duke Chengguo's Mansion, He Xiyuan returned home and told his parents that he wanted to go to the beach with Liu Yulian.
"Go ahead, who can stop you?" Lady Chengguo had no idea. She couldn't stop her son from going. "You need to pack your things. Take everything you need. Don't forget to bring anything."
"Sister Lian will go too." He Xiyuan said.
"Just because she's gone doesn't mean you don't have to prepare so many things," said Lady Chengguo. "You still have to bring more things."
Lady Chengguo thought that these young people might not know how to prepare so many things, so she still had to take a look and decide whether she should bring more things for them.
If it were someone else, some might think He Xiyuan was fooling around. Why did He Xiyuan go along? There were only a few months left before the Autumn Examination, and He Xiyuan was still going to the beach at this time. Isn't this fooling around?
Mrs. He didn't think so. Men couldn't just study all the time. Besides, when He Xiyuan went to the beach, it was impossible for him to stare at Liu Yulian every day, and he didn't go out to work with Liu Yulian every day.
Why? Only women are allowed to follow men, but men are not allowed to follow women.
Old Madam He didn't think there was anything wrong with her grandson doing anything. She just wanted to go to the beach with him so that he could see more things.
"You have to go when it's time to go," said Madam He. "Don't be like some people who always worry about face."
Madam He believed that face was not that important at all. She would give it to others even if they didn't. Their family was a Duke's Mansion, which was good, but that didn't mean they were very powerful. They were also normal people, so they should be more gentle when necessary.
"Look, among those people who care about face, how many couples are actually loving?" Old Madam He said, "It may seem good to treat each other with respect, but in reality, only they know the difference between love and hate."
Old Madam He did not like the couple to treat each other with respect, as such feelings were often very thin, and that was the respect for the principal wife.
"The family doesn't expect you to achieve much, so you don't need to feel too much pressure," said Mrs. He.
"Yes." He Xiyuan understood, "You are open-minded."
What could He Xiyuan say? His grandmother was afraid Sister Lian would fly away. He was watching her, so Sister Lian couldn't fly. He could let Sister Lian study those things freely without stopping her, which was also another kind of flying.
In two days, it will be the wedding day of the Second Miss Xue. Liu Yulian and others will wait until the Second Miss Xue gets married before leaving.
Liu Yulian went to the Xue family and brought some makeup to the second Miss Xue.
The Third Miss Xue also arrived. Uncle Xue's family and Second Master Xue's family had long since separated, but even so, Madam Xue still sent her daughter to help with the Second Miss Xue's dowry. It wasn't like they had completely torn their relationship apart; the separation had been in accordance with the deceased Uncle Xue's instructions.
"Second sister." Miss Xue San envied Miss Xue Er for being able to be admitted to the research institute, while Miss Xue San failed.
Miss Xue San wanted to be the one who got into the research institute, but she didn't learn enough knowledge, so she couldn't pass. Miss Xue San was still thinking about waiting until next year to take the entrance exam for the research institute. She wanted to be like Miss Xue Er, and even better than her.
"Are you going to Hainan in a few days?" asked Miss Xue San.
"Yes, after getting married and returning to my parents' home, I have to leave after a while." Miss Xue Er said. Since she decided to go to Hainan to study rice, it was impossible for her to stay in the capital forever.
Xue Er's in-laws had already agreed to leave her dowry there first, but she would need to take a lot of things with her later. It was impossible for Xue Er not to take those things with her, as she would need a lot of money when she arrived in Hainan.
They will stay in Hainan, and they will also give birth to children there, etc., which will require money for many aspects.
Even so, Miss Xue's dowry still included quite a few items. If there were fewer items, she would have to carry fewer boxes to avoid being accused of accepting so many gifts but only bringing a small dowry.
"So fast." Miss Xue San sighed, "It shouldn't be that good in Hainan."
"It doesn't matter whether it's good or not, we're just going there to do something." Miss Xue Er said, "We want to develop that place."
"It should be difficult." Miss Xue San said, "The capital is better."
"Just stay here." said Miss Xue Er.
Miss Xue Er didn't like Uncle Xue's mansion that much, but she didn't say much about Miss Xue San. That was how it was between the two families; it was fine as long as it was good enough.
Miss Xue San listened to Miss Xue Er's words and didn't say much, so as to avoid making more mistakes.
While Miss Xue Er and Miss Xue San were talking, Liu Yulian didn't say anything.
"Cousin Rongning, aren't you going to say anything?" asked Miss Xue San.
"Let me listen to you. You speak first." Liu Yulian said. She usually had more contact with Miss Xue Er and less contact with Miss Xue San.
Xue Bo's Mansion also held banquets, but Liu Yulian rarely went there.
Before the Jingning Marquis's residence was raided, his wife didn't like taking Liu Yulian to Xue Bo's residence. Even though the two families had mutual invitations, his wife just didn't like taking her daughter there.
Mother Liu was afraid that Mrs. Xue and the others might say something unpleasant, so she didn't need to take her daughter there. Mother Liu loved her youngest daughter dearly, and she asked more of her eldest daughter, but doted on her youngest.
This also led to Liu Yulian and Miss Xue San not being so familiar with each other, and it was not easy for the two to get to know each other.
"My cousin is the same as before." Miss Xue San said.
"She is just as gentle." Miss Xue Er said. This cousin has always been very nice to her and they used to communicate with each other.
"Come, take a look." Liu Yulian took out the things she brought. "Here are some skin care creams, good for hands and feet, and other products. Those things are quite effective and are also useful for mosquito bites."
Liu Yulian spent a lot of time preparing these things. She just wanted to prepare more so that Miss Xue Er could use them when she went to Hainan.
"These things are very useful." Miss Xue Er said, "I am astonished that my cousin can be so thoughtful."
"I used it before." Liu Yulian prepared a lot of ointments when she was in the northwest.
"My cousin is so nice, so my second cousin will feel more at ease when she arrives in Hainan." Miss Xue San thought that Miss Xue Er was the cousin of the director of the research institute, and those people would definitely not treat Miss Xue Er too badly.
"It makes me feel more at ease." Miss Xue Er would not deny her relationship with Princess Rongning. She was Princess Rongning's cousin, and it was inevitable that she would need this relationship in the future.
Hainan is far from the capital, and most of the people who study rice are men. Miss Xue Er thought that if those people were disobedient, no, if those people persecuted her, she would use her identity to gain recognition.
It is not stupid not to use your connections when you have them, but it is really stupid not to use them at the critical moment.
Miss Xue Er must not abuse this relationship. She must study hard and work hard to do those things.
"Let's not talk about this." Miss Xue Er said, "These things are for the future. I heard that my cousin is going to the beach. The wind is strong there, so we have to be careful."
"Yeah." Liu Yulian nodded.
Miss Xue Er and her husband got married successfully. On the day they left the capital, Liu Yulian went to the city gate to see them off.
At the city gate, Liu Yulian gave Miss Xue Er a bundle.
"Why are you sending so many things?" Miss Xue took the bundle.
"It's not food, just some things to use," Liu Yulian said. "Prepare some more so we don't run out of things on the way. Hainan isn't that close, and the journey is long, so we need to prepare more things."
"Thank you very much." said Miss Xue Er.
They didn't talk much, just a few words and then parted ways.
Liu Yulian did not ask her brother-in-law to be more tolerant, and as a cousin, there was no need for her to say such words.
At the Third Prince's residence, the Third Prince's wife packed a lot of things for him. The Third Prince was going to the beach, so he had to bring a lot of things.
Concubine Cen is still taking care of Mr. Cen and his wife. Mr. Cen had a stroke and was lying in bed. He couldn't move and was relying on Concubine Cen and Madam Cen for care.
Old Madam Cen's health was not that good, and she couldn't overwork herself, so it was mainly Concubine Cen who took care of them.
Even though a friend of Mr. Cen arranged someone to take care of him, it doesn't mean that Concubine Cen and the others are not tired.
Concubine Cen wants to return to the Third Prince's Mansion and doesn't want to stay in the Cen family anymore.
So Concubine Cen went to the Third Prince's Mansion, and the Third Prince's wife let her in and did not stop her.
"Sister." Concubine Cen called the Third Prince's wife like this.
"But are you short of money? Or something else?" asked the Third Prince's wife. "My Lord is going on a long journey, and will be gone for a few months. If you have any questions, please tell me. I will have someone send over the monthly allowance, and it won't be short of yours."
The Third Prince wanted to give money to take care of Old Master Cen and his family, and the Third Prince's wife had no objection. Old Master Cen and his wife couldn't make any more trouble, and Concubine Cen couldn't become the main wife, and Concubine Cen couldn't step on the head of the Third Prince's wife anymore.
Before the Cen family fell, or to be more precise, before so many problems happened in the Cen family, Concubine Cen was very proud.
Concubine Cen is the cousin of the Third Prince and the niece of Concubine Xian. The Third Prince's wife doesn't dare to say much about Concubine Cen.
"I just miss you." Concubine Cen said, "You are going on a long journey. Is there anyone to accompany you?"
"Of course there are people." The Third Prince's wife glanced at Concubine Cen, "You don't need to accompany me. You should take good care of your grandparents."
The Third Prince's wife knew that the Third Prince did not want to see Concubine Cen more often because he was afraid of death. Even if the Cen family fell, the Third Prince was afraid of contact with the Cen family because he was afraid of being held accountable.
The fact is that the Third Prince fought for the throne back then, whether he was willing or not.
Because of this, the Third Prince's wife keeps a low profile when outside.
"I want to see you." Concubine Cen wanted to see the Third Prince. After so long, maybe she could return to the Third Prince's residence. If she were there, her life would definitely be much better than in the Cen family, with better food, clothing, housing and transportation.
"If you want to, then go and see him." The Third Prince's wife did not stop him.
When the Third Prince's wife sent someone to talk to the Third Prince, he almost fell down when he heard that Concubine Cen was coming.
"What is she doing here? Let her go back, let her go back." The Third Prince waved his hand, "Don't let her come. Even if she comes, it will be the same."
What if I get implicated? What should I do then?
The third prince thought that Concubine Cen should not be allowed to come, so he refused to see her.
Concubine Cen was very disappointed that she did not meet the third prince.
The Third Prince's wife did not invite Concubine Cen to dinner, and Concubine Cen could not stay any longer. She still had to save face at this time.
At the Jingning Marquis Mansion, Liu Jia learned that Liu Yulian was going to the beach, and she also wanted to go and have fun.
"You can go if you want," Princess Zhaoyang said, "but not now. Wait for some time. If we go now, we'll just cause trouble for your aunt."
"Ah?" Liu Jia thought it was impossible for her to cause trouble for her aunt.
"They had a lot of things to do in the past, and they must have had some headaches at the beginning," said Princess Zhaoyang.
"Then I'll give Auntie a massage." Liu Jia said, "By the way, Auntie, are you going to take the kitten away?"
“…” Princess Zhaoyang wondered whether her stepdaughter cared about her aunt or wanted the kitten.
"Auntie will definitely take the kitten away." Liu Jia said, "The kitten is so cute and so obedient."
"Let the cat accompany your aunt. It's your aunt's cat." Princess Zhaoyang chuckled. "If you like cats, you can keep one."
"No, I need to study." Liu Jia shook her head. "When my aunt leaves, we won't see each other for a long time. I will miss her."
"So don't go now. Wait for a while before going." Princess Zhaoyang touched Liu Jia's head. "By then, you will miss your aunt, and maybe your aunt will miss you too."
"Aunt doesn't miss me." Liu Jia curled her lips. "My future uncle is accompanying my aunt, so my aunt doesn't miss me. She misses my future uncle."
“…”Princess Zhaoyang didn’t expect Liu Jia to say that.
"That's what everyone else said." Liu Jia said.
"Others?" Princess Zhaoyang was puzzled.
"Those of us who studied together," Liu Jia said, "They all said that."
Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "It's impossible for your aunt to forget you."
"I haven't forgotten, but Auntie still misses others." Liu Jia sighed, "Auntie will have a baby in the future, and I won't be Auntie's little cutie anymore."
"You're a naughty little kid, but also a little cute." Princess Zhaoyang said, "Just read more."
"Oh." Liu Jia said.
In the evening, Liu Jia quietly slipped into Liu Yulian's room and waved to the kitten lying on the couch.
The kitten flicked its tail and turned its head to the other side.
“…” Liu Jia looked at the cat. Why didn’t the cat listen to her? Even if she didn’t say anything, the cat could still come over.
Liu Jia wondered why the kitten hadn't come over yet, having already fed it so many dried fish. It was a shame she hadn't brought any dried fish with her today. She looked around and whispered, "Meow."
"Xiaojia." When Liu Yulian walked over, she happened to see Liu Jiamao over there.
"Auntie." Liu Jia originally wanted to quietly let the kitten come over.
"What? You want to take my cat away?" Liu Yulian said with a smile.
"It doesn't listen to me and won't come over." Liu Jia stepped forward and hugged the kitten. If the kitten didn't come to her, she would go to it and say, "Auntie, you...why don't you keep the cat here? When I look at it, it's like seeing my aunt."
"Okay, you're just thinking about the cat, not your aunt." Liu Yulian reached out and pinched Liu Jia's face, "Get one for yourself, and don't think about your aunt's cat."
"I'm thinking of my aunt." Liu Jia leaned against Liu Yulian.
"You are thinking about your aunt, so why are you still holding the cat?" Liu Yulian looked at her niece who was leaning on her, with both hands holding the cat.
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