Chapter 143 A refreshing swim is the best way to truly enjoy yourself.
The carriage came to a stop on the shore of Yingtai Island.
As soon as Jiang Nan got out of the car with her child in her arms, she felt a cool breeze carrying moisture.
It swept away the sweltering heat brought by the Forbidden City.
Looking out, one sees the lake shimmering and its blue waves rippling.
The area is surrounded by ancient trees, mostly ancient pines and cypresses.
Interspersed among them are weeping willows, locust trees, and elm trees, providing ample shade.
Many of the trees clearly show signs of having weathered a century of wind and rain, their gnarled branches creating a serene and elegant atmosphere far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.
The pavilions and towers are nestled among the lush greenery, complementing the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains.
Everywhere you look, you can feel the simplicity and tranquility that are unique to royal gardens.
"This is a place fit for human beings!"
Jiang Nan took a deep breath of fresh air and sighed sincerely.
Erhe in his arms seemed to feel comfortable and shifted his little body.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang had arrived earlier and was resting in a lakeside pavilion with Sumalagu.
Seeing Jiang Nan pausing to admire the lake view, looking so relaxed and happy, she was also in a good mood and smiled as she spoke.
"Girl, is this your first time visiting Yingtai?"
Jiang Nan turned around upon hearing the sound, smiled and nodded, then walked a few steps to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.
She naturally tucked the little one in her arms into her own.
"Your Majesty, look how comfortable this place is! The water is clear and the breeze is cool. I don't want to leave now that I've arrived. If I had known there was such a wonderful place, I should have pestered His Majesty to come here last year. I've really missed out."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang held her great-grandson tightly, her smile lines deepening.
“When Fulin was alive, he would come here to stay for a period of time every summer. Alas, once he passed away, the emperor was also young at that time and had many affairs to attend to, so this custom was abandoned and he has not come here in recent years.”
There was a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
Jiang Nan thought to herself that mentioning the late emperor when she was happy was a bit of a downer, but she didn't show it on her face and instead smiled.
"Your Majesty, you must be tired from your long journey. Why don't you take Erhe to the palace to rest first? I'm new here and everything is new and interesting. I'd like to take a walk around and see what's going on, so I won't be carrying a burden."
This statement is bold, yet carries a sense of intimacy and dependence.
Jiang Nan understood how much Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang cherished her great-grandson, and she was probably very happy to hear these words.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was taken aback by this sudden entrustment, then chuckled and playfully scolded.
"You silly girl, how can you talk about my great-grandson like that? How is my great-grandson a burden?"
She wasn't angry at all; her eyes were full of love, and she couldn't wait to be closer to her great-grandson.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan complained with a hint of coquetry.
"Alright, alright, he's not a burden, he's a precious gem. So please take care of Erhe for a while. You should go and rest. I'll have to be restrained if you stay here. It'll be perfect for you to have some fun and let loose."
This was the first time Empress Xiaozhuang had ever been treated with such disdain. Far from being annoyed, she found the informal conversation to be full of warmth and familiarity.
Especially when holding her soft, cuddly great-grandson in her arms, she felt even more comforted and jokingly laughed along.
"In that case, I will take extra care of Erhe for you. But don't go back on your word later."
"You are his ancestor, so I am very relieved."
Jiang Nan waved.
"You should spend more time with him these days. When I miss him, I will come to see him at your place."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang nodded with satisfaction and embraced Erhe.
Surrounded by the Empress Dowager, Sumalagu, and the wet nurse, they walked towards the already prepared temporary palace.
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Seeing Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang leave, Jiang Nan felt a sense of relief. She looked at Niohuru, Wang, and Daijia beside her and asked them a question.
"Are you tired? If you are, we'll have someone take you to your lodgings to rest."
Niohuru quickly shook her head. She had been suppressing her feelings for too long and hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time. She asked softly.
"Your Majesty, what are you planning to... play?"
Jiang Nan's eyes lit up, and she pointed to the shimmering lake surface, speaking with great interest.
"What to play? Playing in the water, of course! Such cool lake water, it would be a waste not to have some fun!"
"Playing...playing in the water?"
Niohuru was so shocked that her eyes widened. Even Wang, who was holding the little princess, and the quiet Daijia were astonished.
"Your Majesty!"
Niohuru was the first to react and hurriedly stepped forward to whisper.
"Absolutely not! Absolutely not! In broad daylight, in the royal gardens, how can you, a person of such high status,... take off your shoes and socks to wash your feet and play in the water? What kind of decorum is this..."
Consort Wang also held the little princess and whispered words of advice.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is very improper. What if someone sees this..."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan seemed to have heard something interesting.
She thought to herself, "Does he think I'm Zhen Huan? 'Your Majesty, please don't come any closer! My shoes and socks are wet!'"
Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow nonchalantly and pointed at the lake.
"Take off your shoes and socks? That's nothing! Do you think I'm the kind of person who just plays in the water on the shore? What rules and regulations are more important than my coolness? This water is so clear, it would be such a waste not to go for a swim."
Her tone carried a hint of confidence.
"I mean swimming, do you all know how to swim?"
Niohuru, Wang, and Daijia all shook their heads vigorously, like rattles.
As imperial concubines, they had lived secluded lives in their chambers since childhood; how could they have learned this?
Seeing that none of them knew how to get into the water, Jiang Nan looked around to figure out where it would be convenient to go in.
"Then you can stay on the shore and watch me. We'll go back to rest together when I'm tired of playing."
When Niohuru saw that she was really going to go into the water, she was so anxious that she almost stepped forward to hold her hand down.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! This is far too dangerous. The lake's depth is unpredictable. What if... what if something goes wrong? We, your humble servants, will be held responsible to the death!"
"Don't worry, sister."
Jiang Nan reassured him with a relaxed tone.
"I'm a good swimmer, nothing will happen to me."
As she spoke, she pointed to Zhao Deyi, Chang Shun, and others who were standing not far away.
"Besides, with Zhao Deyi and the others watching over us, what could possibly go wrong?"
Dai Jia added timidly from the side.
"But Your Majesty, this is ultimately unseemly..."
Jiang Nan chuckled nonchalantly.
"There are only a few of us here on Yingtai. What do we need elegance for? Comfort and coolness are what really matter!"
She had made up her mind and waved her hand.
"Alright, that's enough, stop talking, Zhao Deyi!"
"Your servant is here!"
Zhao Deyi quickly stepped forward.
"Take a few people who can swim and wait on the side, but don't get too close, lest you spoil my fun."
Jiang Nan gave the order, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Safety is still important, just in case you get a cramp or something, or some weird thing pops out. Just in case.
"Yes, sir!"
Zhao accepted the order and immediately began making arrangements in a low voice.
Niohuru looked at Jiang Nan, who was eager to try, and couldn't be persuaded at all.
Looking at Zhao Deyi, who had already accepted the order to prepare, he knew that further persuasion would be useless.
Niohuru sighed, stepped forward, and straightened Jiang Nan's cuffs, which didn't actually need straightening.
"Then... Your Highness, please be careful. Play for a short while and then come up. Don't get too cold."
Jiang Nan responded and, ignoring the others, excitedly headed towards the lake via the chosen path.
As she walked to the water's edge, she looked at her palace attire and thought to herself that this outfit was indeed cumbersome.
But then I thought about it again, and realized that in my childhood in the countryside, I used to jump into the river fully clothed.
It's not a big deal.
An excited smile, full of anticipation, appeared on his face.
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