The little borrower was extremely obedient, nodding his head while listening to Daddy’s long speech. He then extended his small hand, “Money, please.”
He wanted the money.
Emperor Ling gave him four taels of silver, all of which came from Ling Rui’s pocket money.
“You want to give it to Shui Shui. This should be enough.”
Emperor Ling knew the purpose of his borrowing, so he was careful about the amount.
This amount was neither too much nor too little; it was enough to feed a child.
Ling Rui looked at the four taels of silver, now back in his hand, and his little face scrunched up.
“Alright, I’ve given you the money. When do you plan to repay the interest?”
Ling Rui: “…”
Ling Rui carefully tucked the silver into his pocket, then looked up at Daddy, “Now.”
He wanted to repay the interest now and then go play.
It was still daytime, and Daddy wasn’t sleeping or getting up. He thought for a moment and decided to pour water for Daddy.
But the table was a bit high, and he accidentally tipped over the stool he was standing on, knocking the kettle to the ground.
Water spilled everywhere, and the little one got wet too.
Holding the broken kettle, he poured the remaining water into a cup and brought it to Emperor Ling.
“Daddy, drink some water!”
Emperor Ling: “…”
Emperor Ling looked at the cup, then at the drenched little one, and forced himself to stay calm.
“Change your clothes yourself.”
Emperor Ling was determined to have his way today. He was going to let the little one serve him, not the other way around.
“Okay.”
The little one touched his wet clothes and went to find new clothes.
He visited Emperor Ling often, so there was a pile of his clothes next to Emperor Ling’s.
He picked out a set of clothes and stripped naked to put on the new clothes.
Having little experience in dressing himself, he chose clothes that were a bit difficult to put on. After much effort, he managed to get dressed.
“Daddy, I’m dressed.”
The little one, now dressed, occasionally wobbled as he walked. The clothes weren’t a good fit, and the long hems kept getting stepped on by his shoes.
Emperor Ling watched the “poorly dressed” little one and twitched an eye.
He tried to restrain himself but eventually stepped forward and quickly fixed the little one’s messy clothes.
“Listen, we’ll keep things separate. I’ll help you dress, but you have to do everything to take care of Daddy. Understand?”
“Understood.”
The little one, now properly dressed, leaned his soft little cheek against Emperor Ling’s handsome face.
After pouring water earlier, the little one now made small fists and diligently massaged Emperor Ling’s legs.
Emperor Ling looked at the chubby little fists for a long time, then had a new idea.
“Little Seven, Daddy’s back and waist have been uncomfortable lately. How about you walk on Daddy’s back?”
He remembered the little one’s chubby feet and thought it might feel nice.
“Okay.”
The little one, willing to do anything for a few taels of silver, obediently took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed.
“Daddy, is Little Seven heavy?”
“Not at all. You’re much lighter than Little Six.”
Emperor Ling hadn’t held Ling Fu, but from looking, he could tell Little Six was much heavier.
The big bed was soft and comfortable.
Emperor Ling laid on the bed, letting the little one stand on his back.
The little one’s chubby feet pressed down, feeling slightly heavy but still manageable.
Emperor Ling closed his eyes, intending to enjoy the moment.
However, before three seconds passed, he let out a groan of pain.
The little one had bounced on his back.
This bounce made Emperor Ling’s face change color.
The little one, finding it fun, happily bounced a few more times.
“Stop, stop, stop!”
Emperor Ling, gritting his teeth, pushed the little one off his back.
He held his waist, his face dark, “Are you trying to bounce Daddy to death?”
The little one, pushed off, pouted, “Daddy told me to step on you!”
Emperor Ling: “…”
Emperor Ling closed his eyes, needing to calm down.
He turned over, leaned against the bed, and waved his hand wearily at the little one, “I don’t need you to serve me right now. Go play.”
As soon as Emperor Ling said he could go play, the little one’s pout turned into a smile.
He climbed to the edge of the bed, grabbed his little shoes, and handed them to Daddy, “Daddy, put on shoes!”
Emperor Ling pinched his small shoes, feeling ticklish.
The little one didn’t know that Dad was almost spitting blood inside. He shook the small shoes on his feet and gave Dad a thumbs-up: “Dad, you wear them well!”
Emperor Ling couldn’t be bothered to look at him. “Hurry up, hurry up, don’t disturb my rest.”
The little one also wanted to go out and play quickly. He got off the bed, clutching the silver, and ran out excitedly.
Just as he left, Emperor Ling called for the imperial physician.
The imperial physician applied a plaster to Emperor Ling’s waist and advised him to rest.
Emperor Ling laid quietly on the bed to recuperate, while the little one, the culprit who caused Emperor Ling to rest, was playing outside.
“Third Brother, wait for me!”
Ling Rui came out with Ling Yi and Ling Fu. They were going to find Shui Shui to play and also to coordinate with other kids from Zai Zai Gang.
There was a lot to do, but Ling Rui still had homework.
He brought the big characters he had to learn onto the carriage and was now diligently practicing writing and holding a brush.
Ling Yi waited lazily beside him. “I told you to do your homework in the palace, but you insisted on coming out.”
Clutching the brush, Ling Rui’s small hand gripped tightly.
He took the opportunity to chat with his third brother: “Write your homework and it will be dark.”
When he finished all the assignments given by the teacher, it would be completely dark, and Noble Consort Yi wouldn’t let him come out to play.
Ling Rui was diligent in completing his homework, while Ling Fu seemed a bit lazy.
Ling Yi leaned against the sedan chair without urging them too much, waiting for them to decide to get off on their own before he carried them down from the carriage.
Thanks to Ling Yi’s good fortune, the kids from Zai Zai Gang were quite well gathered this time.
The young masters from the Li family were also present.
Third Young Master Li’s recovery was going well. Now he could jump around again. When he came over, Ling Rui even patted his head.
“Is your head better now?”
“It’s all good.”
Third Young Master Li had hit his head earlier, causing him to fall unconscious, but now his head was recovering well with no lingering effects.
After patting his head a few times, Ling Rui withdrew his hand.
Even Zhu Zi came over. When he saw Ling Fu and Ling Rui, he looked them up and down.
He examined Ling Fu: “Not thinner.”
Then he examined Ling Rui: “Not grown taller.”
Finally, he glanced at Ling Yi: “Not seen before.”
The three brothers: “…”
“Brother Zhu Zi, what happened to your face?” Ling Rui noticed the cuts on Zhu Zi’s face and asked him about it.
Zhu Zi casually touched his face, saying nonchalantly, “Nothing, just a scratch.”
They arrived with the group of kids and went to Shui Shui’s house together.
With so many kids and guards accompanying them, Ling Rui finally felt reassured about his third brother’s safety.
Upon seeing them, Shui Shui stood up and walked over to them.
He didn’t invite them inside.
“Shui Shui, has your mother returned?”
Standing at the door, Shui Shui nodded, his eyes on Ling Rui, seeming to want to follow him.
Ling Rui glanced inside the door but didn’t seem very eager to meet Shui Shui’s mother.
They walked out together.
However, before they had taken a few steps, Shui Shui’s mother came out of the door.
“Shui Shui, your friends came, why didn’t you call me?”
Shui Shui’s mother was still wearing plain clothes, with a wooden hairpin in her hair, smiling warmly.
“Come on in, I’ll brew some flower tea for you all.”
Zhu Zi looked at Shui Shui’s mother, then at Ling Rui, hesitating.
Shui Shui didn’t say anything. He stood still and didn’t invite the kids inside either.
Finally, after calling them several times, Shui Shui’s mother let them all inside, along with Ling Yi and the gang.
After entering, Ling Yi started talking to Shui Shui’s mother.
They were discussing some medical treatments. Shui Shui’s mother claimed to have some knowledge of medicine and offered to take a look at Ling Yi.
Ling Yi smiled and didn’t refuse her kindness.
While Shui Shui’s mother was taking his pulse, Ling Yi also mentioned Shui Shui: “Shui Shui knows a lot about medicinal herbs outside. He’s so young and already understands so much. He’ll definitely have a bright future.”
Upon hearing this, Shui Shui’s mother smiled but her smile didn’t seem as warm as before.
“He’s just a little fool, what does he know about medicine.”
Shui Shui’s mother’s tone was gentle, but her words weren’t very friendly towards Shui Shui.
Ling Yi also sensed this unfriendliness, so he spoke up for Shui Shui, “I see Shui Shui is just a bit slow in his reactions, but not foolish. With his talent, becoming a skilled doctor in the future should be no problem.”
Ling Yi’s tone was also gentle, but when Shui Shui’s mother heard the words “skilled doctor,” it seemed to prick her, and her smile completely faded: “There’s no such thing as a skilled doctor in this world, just some doctors with slightly better medical skills.”
“As long as Shui Shui grows up well, I’ll be satisfied.”
The last sentence was awkward and forcedly affectionate.
While they were talking here, Ling Rui and Shui Shui and the others were playing in the courtyard.
It had been a long time since Zai Zai Gang had gathered like this, and these kids together had endless things to talk about.
“Little Seven, are you tired of going to school with Little Six?”
“Tired.”
Ling Rui used to love studying in the palace, but now with so many playmates and fun games, his enthusiasm for studying naturally waned.
After chatting for a while, Zhu Zi mentioned something to him: “Jiangyu County was raided by bandits. Their harvest was already poor, and now it’s even harder.”
“Should our Zai Zai Gang take care of this?”
“This kind of thing should be handled by my big brother.” Ling Rui listened to him and said, “I will tell my big brother.”
He often writes letters with his eldest brother and fourth brother. Since arriving at the mansion, their correspondence has never ceased.
Big brother always urges him to study diligently.
Fourth brother reminds him to exercise, saying that regular exercise helps in growing taller and makes the body stronger, less susceptible to illness.
“Then I’ll leave this matter to you.”
Zhu Zi didn’t inquire about Ling Rui’s background deliberately, but he understood in his heart that Little Seven’s family must be very powerful.
“Little Six, Little Seven, you’re off to school, and we’re not idle either. We’re practicing martial arts.” Before, Zhu Zi would help out with village children during busy times, but during idle times, they basically had nothing to do.
Now seeing Little Six and Little Seven studying, they felt they shouldn’t be idle either.
“Practicing martial arts is great!”
Ling Rui clapped his hands approvingly, “When I’m older, I’ll practice too!”
As if remembering something, he pushed Jiang Yan forward, “Jiang Jiang can do it too, he learned from my little uncle.”
The relationship between the General’s Mansion and the Duke’s Mansion was very good, so the Duke’s young master, Jiang Yan, was naturally familiar with the General’s fifth young master.
Under the expectant gazes of the children, Jiang Yan performed a series of movements such as horse stances, back flips, and back throws.
“If you want to learn, I can teach you too.”
Jiang Yan had a somewhat showy personality, like a small peacock that loved to display itself. Seeing everyone staring at him without blinking, he swelled with pride.
Zhu Zi was actually quite eager to learn from him, “You, you will really teach us?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Yan patted his chest, readily agreeing, “If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”
“We want to learn!”
Although they were from the village, Zhu Zi and the others were not foolish.
They knew how rare the opportunity to learn was, and Jiang Yan and Little Six and Little Seven’s identities were quite noble.
Following Jiang Yan’s teachings would definitely bring benefits without harm.
Ling Rui only encouraged Jiang Yan to teach them, without any objections.
Time passed slowly.
It took a long time for Shui Shui’s mother to bring out the brewed flower tea.
Ling Rui’s mouth was already dry, but he hadn’t dared to ask for tea just now.
Seeing his third brother bring the tea out, he hurriedly ran over with short legs and hugged his third brother’s leg, looking up and saying, “Third brother, I want to drink water.”
“Okay, I’ll pour it for you. Sit properly.”
Ling Yi rubbed his head and poured water for him first.
Before pouring water, Ling Yi had already rinsed the cup with boiling hot water. He was a bit obsessive, so he paid special attention to these small details.
“It’s still a bit hot, blow on it before drinking slowly.”
“Okay.”
He poured water for the children in the yard, Ling Yi also sat down, sitting between Ling Rui and Ling Fu, accompanying his two younger brothers.
“What were you guys playing just now? Add me in.”
“We were just talking.”
Zhu Zi felt a bit awkward around the unfamiliar Ling Yi.
He looked at Ling Yi and thought that since Ling Yi said he wanted to play, he added, “It’s too late now, I can’t take you to play, if you have nothing to do tomorrow, we can take you to play.”
“Okay.”
Ling Yi was quite interested in their play activities, “Then I’ll wait for you to take me to play.”
“Yeah!”
Seeing that his third brother was going to play with Zhu Zi and the others, Ling Rui shook his legs and felt pretty good.
Third brother’s body isn’t good, more activity is good for the body.
Ling Rui’s time out wasn’t early, staying with Shui Shui until now, the sky was already dark.
Seeing that it was time to leave, Ling Rui stretched out his little hand, pulled Shui Shui aside.
Ling Yi looked at them and didn’t follow.
Under the big tree, Ling Rui took out the silver he had taken along the way and gave it to Shui Shui, “Shui Shui, take this.”
“This is money, you can buy things with it.”
“Do you, do you know money?”
“Yes.”
Shui Shui looked down at the silver in his palm and recognized it, “Four taels.”
“That’s right.”
Ling Rui blinked his eyes, happily said, “You’re really smart.”
“Sometimes I can’t always come over, if I don’t come over, your mother isn’t home, you go buy things.”
“This can buy a lot.”
Ling Rui gave Shui Shui the silver, still not trusting him, reminded, “Don’t starve yourself again, kids can’t starve themselves, they can’t grow tall.”
“Okay.”
Shui Shui put the silver in his arms, then, his very clean eyes, towards Ling Rui had a bit of a smile.
He touched his own stomach, said, “I’m not hungry stomach.”
Ling Rui rarely saw this expression on his face, and for a moment, he was a bit dazed.
“Shui Shui, you look really nice when you smile.”
His Ah Wu also looked very nice when smiling, but neither Ah Wu nor Shui Shui smiled often.
Shui Shui’s little face was always calm, without much expression, while Ah W’s face had a slightly fierce look.
“Shui Shui, your money… you should spend it yourself.”
Ling Rui had a feeling he couldn’t quite describe about Shui Shui’s mother. Although Shui Shui’s mother had talked to him at length last time, he still felt that she didn’t really care about Shui Shui.
If the money meant for Shui Shui’s meals was known to his mother, Ling Rui feared she would take it away.
“I’ll spend it myself,” Shui Shui said, “Buy food.”
He wanted to buy a meal.
The two little ones talked behind a big tree for quite a while before coming out.
This time, when Ling Rui, Ling Fu, and their third brother were about to leave, a group of kids came to see them off.
Shui Shui was squeezed to the back.
Even though he stood at the back, his eyes were always looking in Ling Rui’s direction.
Ling Rui waved his little hand, bidding them farewell.
Ling Yi watched his two little brothers waving their hands as he sat steadily in the sedan, not leaning out like his younger brothers.
Upon returning to the palace, they each went back to their own palaces.
After meeting with Noble Consort Yi, Ling Rui went to Emperor Ling’s palace again. He was a child who kept his promises; he had promised to come and take care of Father Emperor, and he would come no matter how late it was.
“Daddy, I’m here!”
When the little one arrived, he also moved some of his things into Emperor Ling’s palace.
Emperor Ling had originally thought he would be sleeping in Noble Consort Yi’s quarters at this late hour.
Seeing him return at this time, Emperor Ling raised his eyes and signaled to Lu Guang with a glance.
Understanding the signal, Lu Guang sent the beauty who was supposed to come tonight back.
Since the little prince could boldly come to Emperor Ling’s palace, the frequency of him summoning beauties had repeatedly decreased.
“Daddy, I’m here to serve you!”
Before saying this, the little one also took out his book: “Let me finish my homework first, and then I’ll serve you.”
Emperor Ling: “……”
Emperor Ling: “Okay.”
Without Noble Consort Yi supervising, Emperor Ling also took a break and let the little one study on his own.
He laid on the bed, listening to the little one reciting, and soon drowsiness came over him.
After some time passed.
Just as Emperor Ling had fallen asleep, the little one grabbed his face and used both his chubby hands to forcibly wake him up.
“Daddy, don’t sleep.”
The little one, standing on his chubby legs, sat on his chest and loudly called out to him.
At first, Emperor Emperor Ling didn’t want to bother with him waking up, so he kept his eyes closed.
But the little one seeing him not waking up, he first leaned down to listen to his heartbeat, then directly lifted his eyelids.
Emperor Ling, unable to endure it, opened his eyes: “Ling Little Seven, what do you want?”
It was so late, and he shouldn’t be fooling around.
Ling Rui was scolded by him, pursed his mouth, his little face full of grievance: “I’m waking Daddy up.”
“Why wake me up?”
“To help Daddy sleep.”
After saying this, Ling Rui still hadn’t reacted for a while: “You woke Daddy up to help him sleep again?”
The little one sitting on his chest nodded earnestly: “Yes.”
Emperor Ling: “……”
Emperor Ling pressed his temples, his head starting to ache.
While the little one continued to complain to him: “Daddy said for Little Seven to help sleep! He even wanted changing clothes!”
He found Daddy’s nightwear!
Emperor Ling and Little Seven are way too funny!! 🤣