“If you stay in the capital, whether you become an official, a businessman, or a lazy young master, to your master and me, wouldn’t we consider you as having one of our own in the capital?” Hong Xiaoduo continued.
“I didn’t stay here. You also know people, like Grandfather and Prince Mu,” Kaiyang muttered softly.
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo gently nodded his head: "Are you stupid? How can that be the same? I'm asking you, what did you call me?"
“Mother,” Kaiyang replied without hesitation.
"Then tell me, if I want to get something done in the capital, is it the same as asking your grandfather and Prince Mu for help?" Hong Xiaoduo said, feeling helpless herself.
I really don't know how to coax children, but today I have to do it myself.
Kaiyang thought about it very seriously and said, "That's definitely different. My grandfather is a high-ranking official, and the young master Mu is also of noble status. It would definitely be easier for them to handle things than for me."
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo's shoulders slumped limply. That wasn't what she meant when she said that!
Pfft, Mu Rongjing couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What she means is that since you're in the capital, it's perfectly reasonable for her to ask you for favors. But if I or your grandfather ask for help, she'll feel indebted." Seeing Hong Xiaoduo glaring at him, Mu Rongjing quickly spoke up.
Kaiyang finally understood and said "Oh," then looked at Hong Xiaoduo and nodded very seriously.
"Would you like to have lunch first?" Murong Jing asked with a smile.
Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang nodded together. They had been walking around all morning, and although they weren't very hungry because they had eaten several kinds of snacks in the morning, they were a little tired.
Mu Rongjing led the two children for several hundred meters, then through an alley to a restaurant called Zhenweilou.
The waiter outside immediately stepped forward to greet them warmly, but instead of going upstairs, he went to the backyard.
The backyard, with its pavilions, bridges, and artificial hills, is absolutely beautiful.
"Huh, the scent of osmanthus." Hong Xiaoduo caught a faint whiff of osmanthus fragrance in the breeze.
"There are two golden osmanthus trees planted in the corner of the yard. They were deliberately planted a little off-center because the owner said that if the fragrance of the flowers is too strong, the diners will not be able to taste the aroma of the dishes."
"If you'd like to see the osmanthus tree, young lady, shall I take you there?" the waiter said as he walked.
"Let's order first." Hong Xiaoduo wasn't very interested in osmanthus.
Now her memory has almost returned. There are many osmanthus trees planted in the community where she lives. Every autumn when they bloom, the whole community is filled with the strong fragrance of osmanthus, which is a bit unbearable.
"Do you two want to watch it?" After saying that, he remembered to ask the other two what they thought.
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean others don't.
“I have some in my residence,” Murong Jing said, implying that he wasn’t interested.
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Kaiyang shook his head and said, "I've seen osmanthus flowers before, and they're not pretty."
As they were talking, the waiter led the three of them into a two-story pavilion with windows on all four sides and double eaves. As soon as they sat down, the waiter brought them tea and dried fruit.
Mu Rongjing placed the menu in front of Hong Xiaoduo and the other girl, indicating that they should order.
The two asked the waiter about the signature dishes, and each ordered two. Mu Rongjing then ordered six more dishes.
"Isn't this too much food for just the three of us?" Kaiyang said from the side.
Mu Rongjing had met Hong Xiaoduo and the others before, and knew that no matter what they ate, their main goal was to eat their fill without wasting food.
He smiled and said, "It's not much, but it's a farewell gift for her."
Upon hearing the words "put into practice," Kaiyang's face visibly tightened up again.
Hong Xiaoduo saw this, but did not say anything to comfort him.
She originally wanted to tell Murong Jing to take care of Kaiyang for her in the capital, but after thinking about it, she felt it was inappropriate.
The food and drinks were served quickly: sliced pork belly stuffed with meat, stewed chicken with monkey head mushrooms, sour soup fish fillets, steamed turtle with ham, and translucent braised beef tendon...
Hong Xiaoduo drank rice wine with osmanthus blossoms, Kaiyang drank grape juice, and Murongjing drank bamboo leaf liquor. To make Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang feel more at ease, Murongjing also told the waiter in charge of entertaining them not to stay inside the pavilion.
“The owner here has his own flower garden with dozens of varieties of chrysanthemums. Look, they’re all still buds. If you stayed a few more days, they would all be in bloom,” Mu Rongjing said regretfully, pointing to the surroundings outside the pavilion.
“There will be other opportunities to come in the future.” As soon as Hong Xiaoduo finished speaking, she saw Mu Rongjing frown. Following his gaze, she saw a figure hiding behind the Treasure Bottle Gate not far away.
"Who's watching you, or us?" Hong Xiaoduo really wanted to know.
If they are watching me and Kaiyang, are they from the Wei family or from Minister Gu's side?
“They are watching me,” Murong Jing said.
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo perked up and asked, "Should we teach him a lesson?"
Hearing her say that, Murong Jing quickly smiled and explained, "Don't misunderstand, those are from my residence, and my mother must have ordered them to come."
"Your Highness, is your mother afraid that you will make bad friends and go astray?" Hong Xiaoduo laughed when she heard this.
Mu Rongjing smiled as he held his wine cup. He didn't want to tell the truth, but for some reason, he blurted out, "It's not that serious. My mother knows very well what kind of person I am."
"He probably found out I took you shopping, so he sent someone to follow us and see what was going on." He said, watching Hong Xiaoduo's reaction.
"Then when you get back, you need to explain things to her clearly, so she doesn't get nervous." After saying that, Hong Xiaoduo picked up another piece of beef tendon; it was really delicious.
"Why is she nervous?" Murong Jing asked immediately.
"Is that even a question? As parents, we're bound to have a lot to think about when our unmarried son has contact with women. In families like yours, marriage is all about matching social status, and now you're seeing a woman who travels the world. It's no wonder she's nervous." Hong Xiaoduo said, then found it amusing.
Upon hearing this, Mu Rongjing's heart sank inexplicably. So, she meant that the husband she was going to marry would also be a person from the martial arts world?
With her personality, she doesn't care about the other person's status or position when interacting with them, so she doesn't have any inferiority complex. Therefore, she has always been generous and open in front of herself.
"Your Highness, you're not young anymore. If you find someone suitable, you should get married as soon as possible. Once you're married and have children, your mother won't be so anxious anymore." While eating, Hong Xiaoduo didn't forget to offer some kind advice.
Mu Rongjing looked at her, but felt it was inappropriate to say anything, so he simply shook his head with a helpless smile.
After the three of them had eaten their fill, they left the restaurant and continued shopping. Hong Xiaoduo was thinking of buying some local delicacies that would keep for ten to fifteen days without spoiling, so that Tian Shu and the others could try them.
Inside the Marquis of Fu'an's residence, Princess Fenglin, upon hearing what her servants had brought back, exclaimed, "See? What did I tell you? Something's not right with him, is it? He didn't even attend the morning court session; he went to the Wei residence early to pick someone up and go shopping."
He hasn't gone shopping with me in years; he's fallen for that young woman...
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