Chapter 313 Why is this tea so much more bitter than usual?
East Courtyard of the Xiao Residence.
Xia Qingke, the eldest wife of the Xiao family, was pruning the flowers and plants.
Huan Ying, the personal maid, quickly entered the courtyard and bowed to the First Madam of the Xiao family: "Madam."
"Hmm." Xia Qingke nodded and slowly asked, "Did the princess come to see Xiao Mo yesterday?"
As the matriarch of the Xiao family, she was naturally aware that the Third Princess had come to see Xiao Mo.
However, she didn't ask any more questions yesterday.
"Yes, Madam, the Third Princess came to visit Xiao Mo. She had a meal at the Fifth Madam's courtyard and then took Xiao Mo out to play. Xiao Mo didn't return until 9 PM," Huan Ying said truthfully.
"I understand, you may leave now," Xia Qingke said calmly.
"lady."
Huan Ying hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to speak.
"Now Xiao Mo is already Senior Huang's disciple, and even went to the hunting ceremony to become Princess's guard, making meritorious contributions and being rewarded by His Majesty."
Now, Her Highness the Princess has come to visit, and it seems she has a very good relationship with Xiao Mo.
Could this be...?
Just as Huan Ying was about to say her last words, Xia Qingke turned her head and looked at her coldly.
Huan Ying immediately shut her mouth, knelt down and begged for forgiveness, slapping herself as she said, "This servant deserves to die! This servant spoke too much! This servant deserves to die!"
"Huan Ying, I know what you're going to say."
Xia Qingke stepped forward and looked at the maid kneeling in front of her.
“You came to the Xiao family from the Xia family with me. I know you are devoted to me and worried about the perpetuation of the title of Prince of Zhenbei.”
But I must tell you, now that we have come to the Xiao residence, we must abide by the rules of the Xiao residence.
Let's not even mention that the Xiao family has never had a precedent of deposing the legitimate heir and establishing an illegitimate one.
Even if it exists.
Who will become the future Prince of Zhenbei is up to the Prince and His Majesty!
Others have no right to gossip.
Do you understand?
“Yes, Madam.” Huan Ying knelt on the ground, not daring to raise her head.
"I'll let you off this time, but if you do it again, you'll be punished yourself." Xia Qingke turned around and continued pruning the flowers and plants, no longer glancing at Huan Ying.
"Thank you, Madam. I will remember this and will never do it again." Huan Ying kowtowed three times on the ground before timidly standing up and retreating.
After Huan Ying left, she was left alone in the courtyard.
However, compared to before, Xia Qingke didn't seem as focused on pruning the flowers and plants.
Even as they were cutting, there was a "snip" from the scissors, and the most vibrant flower was cut off.
Xia Qingke picked up a flower, looked up into the distance, and frowned involuntarily.
Inside the palace of the third princess of the Qin royal palace.
Having had a great time yesterday, Qin Siyao was sitting in the pavilion in the courtyard, continuing to recite her lessons.
But as the girl carried it on her back, she couldn't help but think of the meal she had at Aunt Zhou's house the day before.
I remembered the candied hawthorn, meat buns, braised pig's trotters, and peach blossom cakes I ate on the street yesterday.
It reminds me of itinerant magicians who perform acrobatics.
I'm reminded of that old man who made clay figurines.
Most importantly, it reminds me of that little boy who was the same age as me.
As she thought about it, a silly smile crept onto the little girl's lips.
But soon, the little girl shook her head vigorously and muttered to herself, "I can't get distracted! I need to hurry up and memorize my lessons!"
Controlling her thoughts, the little girl read the poems and articles aloud, trying to memorize them as quickly as possible.
At noon, the little girl even recited her lessons while eating, looking as diligent as a student preparing for the imperial examination.
In the late afternoon, after carefully reviewing all the homework her mother had assigned her, Qin Siyao confidently ran out of the courtyard.
"Your Highness, where are you going?"
As the maid Peanut was carrying tea and snacks, she saw Her Highness the Princess run past her like a little deer.
"I'm going to find my mother to recite my lessons!"
The little girl ran further and further away, making her voice carry further and further into the distance.
Meanwhile, the King of Qin was reviewing memorials in his study, while Empress Shi stood beside her husband, rolling up her sleeves and carefully grinding ink.
"Father Emperor, Mother Empress"
Suddenly, a little girl's cheerful voice came from outside the imperial study.
Even the eunuch Li, who was guarding the door, didn't dare to stop her. He could only pretend not to see and let the little princess push open the wooden door of the imperial study.
Qin Siyao was originally as happy as a flower.
But when Qin Siyao saw her mother's stern eyes, she immediately shuddered, quickly left the imperial study, obediently closed the door, and then knocked on the door: "Father, Mother, your son Siyao requests an audience."
"Come in," Empress Shi called out to the door.
After receiving permission, Qin Siyao pushed open the door, stepped forward respectfully, and bowed: "Your subject Siyao greets Father and Mother, and inquires whether Father and Mother are well."
"Your father is doing very well," the King of Qin said with a smile.
"An." Empress Shi nodded. "Is there something you need, Siyao?"
Qin Siyao straightened up, her big eyes beaming as she said happily, "Reporting to Father and Mother, I have completed the homework that Mother assigned yesterday. Please review it."
"So fast?" The King of Qin was somewhat surprised.
Empress Shi looked at her daughter with some disbelief.
The homework I assigned myself was enough for five days.
It would be good enough if this playful girl could finish it in seven days, but she memorized it in just one day?
"Yes, Father and Mother, I know them all." Qin Siyao's expression was impatient, as if she were saying, "Father and Mother, please test me, please test me!"
"Alright, then you can recite them all first," Empress Shi said.
"It's the Empress Dowager, cough cough cough"
Qin Siyao, mimicking an adult, cutely cleared her throat and began to recite.
"Wild geese fly, their feathers rustling."
The son went on a campaign, toiling in the fields.
Out of compassion for the widowed and orphaned, we feel pity for them.
Wild geese fly and gather in the middle of the marsh.
The son built a wall, and all the walls were constructed.
Although it was hard work, they eventually found a peaceful home.
"
Qin Siyao recited poems and articles diligently.
The result was exactly the same, word for word.
Empress Shi asked her a few more questions, inquiring about her explanation, which she was still able to answer.
Later on, Empress Shi had nothing more to ask.
"Father, Mother, have I passed my studies?" Qin Siyao asked expectantly.
"You've passed, Siyao, you did a great job." Empress Shi rarely praised her daughter.
"Then, Mother, can Siyao continue to go out of the palace to play at the Xiao residence?" Qin Siyao asked happily.
"Go then," Empress Shi waved her hand.
"Thank you, Father Emperor, thank you, Mother Empress." Qin Siyao bowed and happily ran out.
"This girl is working so hard, could it be just to go to the Xiao residence and play with the third young master of the Xiao family?" Empress Shi asked her husband in confusion.
"Who knows?"
The King of Qin picked up his teacup with a melancholy expression and took a large gulp of tea.
"Tsk!"
The King of Qin smacked his lips and looked at the teacup.
Why is this tea so much more bitter than usual?
(End of this chapter)
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