Chapter 39
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“Did your third brother really eat it?” Emperor Ling specifically asked upon hearing him mention his brother.
Ling Rui nodded firmly.
While handing the fat worm towards Emperor Ling, he said with confidence, “Third brother ate it all up.”
Emperor Ling: “…”
Emperor Ling subtly took a small step back. “Since your third brother likes it, you can keep it for him.”
Ling Rui shook his head seriously. “No, this is for Dad.”
He had specially saved it for his father!
Seeing that Emperor Ling was struggling to handle the situation, Noble Consort Yi, with her blood pressure rising, stepped forward quickly.
She took an empty plate she had with her and gently said to the little boy, “It’s not convenient for your father to eat if you hold it like that. Come, put it on this plate.”
Ling Rui looked at his leaf plate and then at the plate in Noble Consort Yi’s hand. After a moment of hesitation, he placed the fat worm onto the larger empty plate.
With the plate in hand and at the prompting of Noble Consort Yi’s gaze, Emperor Ling finally accepted the plate with the fat worm.
His hands were a bit stiff as he held the plate.
Under the watchful eyes of the little boy, Emperor Ling cleared his throat with some difficulty and said, “Alright, Little Seven, I will take your dish and eat it later.”
“No need to send me off. Stay here and eat your meal properly.”
Emperor Ling finished speaking and turned to leave without a hint of reluctance in his stride.
Ling Rui watched him go so quickly, his little face showing some disappointment. “Dad didn’t even praise Little Seven. Does he not like the meal Little Seven made?”
Noble Consort Yi gritted her teeth, waiting until Emperor Ling was far enough away before closing the door.
She brought the little one close, exasperated. “What were you playing with today? Mud and bugs! And you even gave your father a bug to eat! Ji Yan, find me a plate of bugs; I’ll feed them to this mischievous child and see if he’ll eat them.”
The little rascal Little Seven sniffled, seeing Noble Consort Yi losing her temper. “I did eat them.”
After speaking, he turned around and ran to the door, quickly returning with a bug for Noble Consort Yi. “Mom, this one is yours. It’s bigger than Dad’s.”
He loved his mother the most, so he gave her the biggest bug.
Noble Consort Yi was taken aback. “You think I scolded you because you didn’t make a meal for me?”
Ling Rui nodded honestly.
Noble Consort Yi rolled up her sleeves, pulled him onto her lap, and gave his little bottom a few swats. “I really appreciate your bug meal! If you play by yourself, that’s fine, but you even gave your third brother this meal! If he got sick from it, even ten spankings wouldn’t be enough!”
Noble Consort Yi knew her little boy loved playing with his siblings, but she didn’t want him playing with the third prince.
The third prince was weak, and if something happened, the Empress would surely blame her son!
She wasn’t afraid of the Empress, but she knew the Empress was not a good person. If the Empress tried something malicious and she didn’t watch her son closely, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After spanking the little rascal, Noble Consort Yi pulled him onto her lap. When she looked down, she saw his eyes filled with tears, his little face looking so pitiful.
“Will you give people bugs to eat next time?”
“No, I won’t.” Ling Rui, teary-eyed, dared not offer bug meals again.
Noble Consort Yi, having finished scolding him, finally let him eat.
The aggrieved little boy ate his meal, but he was so sad that he only ate the rice and left the dishes untouched.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Yi personally gave him a chicken drumstick and said, “Eat it.”
Ling Rui, looking at the Noble Consort, tearily ate the drumstick.
After the meal, it was time to rest.
Climbing into bed to sleep, Ling Rui moved to the far side, lying straight and looking as though he didn’t want to be touched.
Noble Consort Yi almost laughed in exasperation.
They remained at an impasse for most of the afternoon before Ling Rui finally calmed down and allowed Noble Consort Yi to hold him.
In the afternoon, the group continued their journey.
Ling Rui moved to Ling Fu’s sedan chair. When he arrived, Ling Fu was reading a picture book, swinging his legs, and occasionally being fed snacks by his study companion.
Ling Rui thought Ling Fu looked quite content.
“Little Seven, come lie down with me.”
Ling Fu made space for him, inviting him to lie down.
The sedan chair was large enough for both of them to lie down comfortably.
The two little ones laid side by side, arms touching. Ling Fu was thoroughly enjoying the trip. “Little Seven, I heard there are many fun things in Luocheng. Look, this book shows Luocheng.”
Ling Rui couldn’t read the words but could understand the pictures.
He leaned in closer, looking at the illustrations with Ling Fu.
The picture book Ling Fu was reading was chosen by his study companion, and its content was quite wholesome.
The two little ones kept looking at each other until eventually, neither knew whose head had nodded off first.
After both children fell asleep, Chen Zhou carefully covered them with blankets and then stood guard beside them.
Jiang Yan also sat down, supporting his chin with his hands, looking at Chen Zhou and then at Ling Fu’s study companion. He felt like talking, but neither of them responded to his hint.
Night fell.
The group did not travel at night but settled early at their lodging. Tonight happened to be one of the days each month when Emperor Ling accompanied the Empress. They met briefly, exchanged a few words, and then parted.
Emperor Ling sipped his tea and brought up the Third Prince, “How is Yi Er’s health? With this journey’s hardships, is he managing well?”
“The Emperor need not worry; Yi Er’s health is fine.”
The Empress’s meals were all vegetarian, which Emperor Ling wasn’t used to, but it was just one meal, so he didn’t show any discomfort.
As they chatted, Emperor Ling seemed to remember something and asked, “Chen Er’s birthday seems to be approaching soon. After we return from Luocheng, I wonder if we’ll make it in time for his celebration? By the way, what does Chen Er want for his thirteenth birthday gift?”
The eldest prince, Ling Chen, celebrated his birthday lavishly every year.
Years ago, Emperor Ling had personally promised that Ling Chen could ask him for any gift he desired on each birthday, regardless of the request.
Last year, Ling Chen asked for a reduction in taxes as his birthday gift, which caused some discord between father and son.
Now, bringing up the birthday gift again, the Empress fell silent for a moment before replying, “Chen Er hasn’t mentioned to me what he wants yet.”
Emperor Ling smiled, “When he decides, let him come to me personally.”
The Empress responded with a soft “Hmm,” giving her son’s gratitude.
After discussing the children, the conversation between them dwindled. Although the Empress was older than the other consorts, her demeanor remained dignified and exceptional.
Emperor Ling admired beauty, and while he initially valued family background in selecting a wife, he ultimately chose someone who was attractive and whom he had a deep connection with.
Over the years, although their relationship had cooled, their mutual affection remained.
“The scenery in Luocheng is quite good. When we arrive, you should go out more and see it.” Emperor Ling remarked, noticing the prayer beads on her wrist, and added casually, “There’s Ling Mountain in Luocheng. If you wish to pray, you can go there.”
The Empress lowered her head slightly and agreed politely.
After a few more topics, Emperor Ling grew impatient. He placed his tea cup on the table and said lightly, “It’s late. Let’s retire.”
That night, the adults had an uneventful time, while the children had an interesting one.
Having slept a lot during the day, Ling Rui and Ling Fu woke up in the middle of the night. They looked at each other, wide-eyed and full of energy.
Their lodging was not within the palace, and although there were houses, there were no high walls around, so they were less restricted.
Before departing, Emperor Ling had ordered that this trip should not be overly conspicuous.
Thus far, their journey had been relatively fast and trouble-free.
“Little Seven.”
Ling Fu called out softly to Ling Rui, “Do you still want to sleep?”
“Don’t want to.”
Ling Rui was fully awake and alert. He perked up his small ears, listening to the sounds around them. “Sixth Brother, did you hear those sounds? So many sounds.”
At night, there were many sounds—various unknown insects chirping and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
These natural sounds fascinated Ling Rui.
With his beautiful eyes wide open, he looked expectantly at Ling Fu and asked, “Sixth Brother, shall we go play?”
He wanted to go out and play.
Ling Fu also felt like going out, but he didn’t have much experience in going out to play late at night.
Ling Rui hadn’t played outside much when he was a young prince in the palace either, but he had spent many nights outdoors in the world of mountains and seas.
“Sixth Brother, let’s play.”
Ling Rui reached out and shook Ling Fu’s arm.
Already wavering, Ling Fu was convinced after a few shakes. “Let’s go! Let’s go out for a walk.”
“Yeah, a walk!”
The two brothers reached an agreement. They quietly got out of bed.
Their study companions didn’t sleep with them, unlike palace eunuchs and maids who would serve them all day long.
At this moment, Cui Xi was on night duty. Seeing the little princes getting out of bed, she hurried over and asked, “Your Highnesses, are you hungry or thirsty?”
“Neither, we want to go for a walk.”
After getting out of bed, Ling Fu squatted down and helped Ling Rui put on his shoes.
Ling Rui was too young to dress himself properly with small clothes and shoes.
Seeing that they were ready to go out even though it was late, Cui Xi became anxious. “It’s very late now; everyone is sleeping. Your Highnesses, let’s go for a walk during the day, alright?”
“No.” Holding Ling Rui’s hand, Ling Fu bypassed Cui Xi and walked straight ahead.
If the two wanted to go play, Cui Xi couldn’t stop them and had to follow quietly after advising them several times without success.
Outside, the wind blew.
Ling Rui held Ling Fu’s hand and tilted his little face up to feel the breeze.
In a contented tone, he said, “So comfortable.”
Following his example, Ling Fu closed his eyes and with a touch of sophistication added, “Very comfortable. This is the scent of the wind!”
The two brothers closed their eyes to enjoy the breeze, like newly minted artistic souls.
After enjoying the breeze for a while, the two brothers continued their stroll.
In the middle of the night, while Emperor Ling, Noble Consort Yi, and the accompanying consorts were asleep, these two little ones, under the moonlight, were like two little ghosts.
After drifting aimlessly for nearly half an hour, the chubby little ghost couldn’t float any longer.
“Little Seven, I’m hungry. I want to find some late-night snacks.”
Ling Fu, being a chubby little guy, got hungry quickly from all the wandering around. He immediately wanted to find something to eat.
Ling Rui wasn’t hungry and didn’t feel like eating either.
He let go of Ling Fu’s hand and said to him, “Go eat, Sixth Brother. I want to walk outside a bit longer.”
“Alright.”
Ling Fu nodded and turned towards the kitchen.
After Ling Fu left, Ling Rui wandered around, plucking wild flowers and grass, and catching a few chirping insects.
“Cuicui, do you think Third Brother is asleep?”
Thinking of Third Brother whom he had played with during the day, Ling Rui wanted to see him again.
His hands were full, so as he walked, he continued talking to Cuicui, “Big Brother said sometimes Third Brother doesn’t sleep well at night.”
“Cuicui, let’s go see Third Brother.”
Ling Rui looked down at the things in his hands, his voice soft, “Let’s put these flowers and insects in Third Brother’s room so he can sleep better!”
These bugs also sounded nice when they chirped.
Ling Rui was concerned about Third Brother, but he was also a bit more attached to Big Brother.
He not only missed Big Brother but also Fourth Brother. Unfortunately, both brothers were not here.
“Little Highness, this servant thinks Third Prince might already be asleep. How about we go see him in the morning?”
“Let’s go now.”
Ling Rui was a doer. He knew where Third Brother’s room was, so he didn’t need Cuicui to lead the way. He just trotted along with his short legs.
“Cuicui, wait here for me.”
Ling Rui didn’t let Cuicui follow him to knock on the door. He didn’t even go through the main entrance himself.
The place where Third Prince and the Empress lived wasn’t far. Ling Rui didn’t want to disturb the Empress, so he cautiously approached Third Brother’s room alone.
Cui Xi was ordered to stay where she was, unable to follow, so she could only watch him like a kitten sneaking around at midnight.
There were guards on duty around, but under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t come out. They would only appear in dangerous situations.
The current situation was definitely not considered dangerous.
Ling Rui didn’t know there were guards and hidden guards around, thinking no one saw him. He was very cautious with each step.
After reaching under the window, Ling Rui looked at the height of the window and then at his own height.
He paused for a few seconds in place, then went to move a few large stones, used them to support his feet, and continued to reach the window.
“Third Brother.”
“Third Brother.”
“Third Brother, are you asleep?”
The little guy lying on the window sill called softly. His whole little face was pressed against the window paper, and his deliberately lowered voice in the deep night seemed to echo naturally.
Not far away, the nearest hidden guard rubbed his arms against the tree.
He felt that the little prince’s late-night antics were a bit frightening.
The little prince, unaware of how scary he seemed, was unsteady as he stepped on the stones.
The stones wobbled a few times, scaring the little prince enough to make his voice tremble.
Finally, after the little prince’s persistent calling, the third prince on the bed was awakened.
Ling Yi, who had indeed been suffering from insomnia before, didn’t know if it was because he had been a bit active during the day, but he was sleeping very well tonight and hadn’t been insomniac.
Just as he was sleeping soundly, he heard a repeated “Third Brother” by his ear.
Under the calling of “Third Brother,” he finally woke up.
And when he woke up, he was almost scared out of his wits.
In the moonlight reflecting off the window, there was a small face clearly visible on the white window paper.
Perhaps illuminated by the moonlight, the small face appeared unnaturally white.
Night, window, and a pale small face.
At that moment, Ling Yi felt like his heart had stopped beating.
His peach blossom eyes widened suddenly, and he froze on the bed. He couldn’t make any sound in his throat.
And the little guy on the window, seeing Third Brother looking at the window, was so happy.
He smiled at Third Brother.
Ling Yi: “……”
Ling Yi finally called out.
Ling Rui was so scared by Third Brother’s call that he fell down with a thud.
After falling for a long time, the little guy climbed up to the window again. He looked at Third Brother still sitting on the bed and didn’t hold any grudge against Third Brother for scaring him.
He rubbed his buttocks and kindly said to Third Brother, “Third Brother, I came to see if you were asleep.”
He added, “It turns out you’re not asleep.”
Ling Yi: “……”
Hearing this, Ling Yi’s face turned green.
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