Chapter 892: Wait Until Next Year

"Whose son are you calling silly?"

A familiar voice suddenly came through.

Xia Ruqing and the palace attendants inside the hall were all taken aback.

Everyone hurriedly knelt to pay respect:

"Greetings, Emperor!"

Xia Ruqing also quickly got up.

"Greetings, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao didn’t wait for her to kneel and pulled her up.

"No need for such formalities!"

He then looked around.

"Everyone, rise!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

The palace attendants got up and busied themselves with serving tea and changing the refreshments.

Zhao Junyao, meanwhile, pulled Xia Ruqing to sit on the couch.

They had barely sat down.

When they saw Henger and Yeye crawling up with their little bottoms sticking out and stumbling toward him.

"Father..."

"Greetings, Father..."

The two mumbled as they walked forward holding out their little paws, as if asking for a hug.

Xia Ruqing’s gaze fell on Yeye’s little paw that just grabbed the noodles.

She was instantly astonished.

She quickly grabbed Yeye back at the speed of light.

"No, no! Your little paws are dirty, they’ll ruin Father’s clothes!"

The Emperor’s clothes are the dragon robe.

Who knows how many embroideresses worked day and night to make it?

If it gets stained and can’t be cleaned, it really can’t be worn again.

Better not touch it!

Over there.

Zhao Junyao was caught off guard as Henger crashed into his arms.

In his astonishment, he suddenly realized, and with great joy asked.

"They... they can walk?!"

Xia Ruqing was stunned, feeling a sudden pang of melancholy, she said softly.

"Isn’t that right? They just learned a few days ago, it’s a pity the Emperor wasn’t here!"

Zhao Junyao felt a bit guilty upon hearing this.

His son’s first steps in life, and as their father, he wasn’t there!

He’s simply an unqualified father!

He quickly said.

"It’s all my fault! I actually missed it!"

How dare Xia Ruqing really complain, she quickly comforted him.

"The Emperor handles state affairs all day, naturally, national affairs come first!"

"Besides, once you finished with state affairs, didn’t you come here at the first opportunity!"

In fact, that’s just it!

He came right away after finishing!

What else could be picked on?!

The Emperor is a wise ruler, this is the fortune of the people and the harem!

Zhao Junyao was very happy to see her considerate and caring nature.

With excitement, he nodded repeatedly and promptly said to Henger in his arms.

"Get up, walk a few more steps for Father!"

Without waiting for Henger to respond.

Yeye directly freed himself from Xia Ruqing’s embrace.

Eagerly, he said to Zhao Junyao.

"Father, I... your son... will walk for you!"

After saying that, indeed, he started to wobble before Zhao Junyao.

Though not very steady.

The little steps were quite stylishly taken!

Henger, however, felt a little unconvinced.

He also climbed out from Zhao Junyao’s arms.

The two brothers tried to outdo one another, wobbling back and forth as they showed off.

Provoking Zhao Junyao into fits of laughter.

Outside, Li Shengan, hearing the continuous laughter inside.

Couldn’t help but admire wholeheartedly.

’You say, for the same consorts, why does Noble Consort Xian... win the Emperor’s favor so much?!’

’Of course, she has borne three princes!’

’Who else but her would be favored?!’

But back when she had no children, she was still favored, wasn’t she?!

It all boils down to her being so lovable.

Zhao Junyao looked at his two lively and adorable sons, feeling deeply moved in his heart.

’If it weren’t for these two little rascals being born!’

’Who knows if those ministers would again push me to take concubines!’

In the end, they just want to ensure the Royal Family is thriving.

Otherwise, who would have the idle time to keep watching the Emperor’s harem?!

Now that the Royal Family has heirs, they can rest assured.

As for selecting beauties, it’s up to fate.

They could choose as many as they want, they all turn a blind eye.

So this time.

He could smoothly pass off with just selecting two ladies-in-waiting!

Thinking of this made him even happier.

Holding his two sons, he praised them.

"Great!"

"Not bad for my sons; they can walk just after turning one! Good job!"

Before Xia Ruqing could say anything.

Henger, in his arms, quickly corrected.

"Father... it’s... one year and one month!"

He spoke indistinctly, counting with his little fingers as he said it, with a serious attitude, afraid of making mistakes!

Yeye next to him was unwilling to lag behind.

"Not true, Mother Consort said, it’s... one year, one month, and... half a month..."

His sentence was fragmented, yet well-meaning.

Xia Ruqing herself was a bit surprised.

This was something she only said once.

Does Yeye have such a good memory?!

Zhao Junyao felt a bit awkward.

Recalling the birthdays of his two sons, he felt a bit guilty.

"Father’s memory isn’t good! You two are amazing!"

Henger and Yeye each sat on a leg.

The two faced each other, both unconvinced yet very proud.

The conversation of their eyes went as follows:

"Father is praising me!"

"You got it wrong, Father is clearly praising me!"

"I am the best!"

"You said it wrong again, clearly, I am the best!"

...

Above, Zhao Junyao guiltily looked at Xia Ruqing.

"Qingqing, I’m sorry!"

"I even missed the children’s birthday feast!"

Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head.

"Emperor, they are boys, they are not that delicate!"

"I didn’t really have a grand celebration for them, just set up a few tables nothing more!"

The two sons’ birthdays are on August 16th.

During those days, the Emperor was caught up with Princess Hai Feng and the like, completely entangled.

How could he have the mind for these things?

So Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to bother the Emperor.

Nor did she host a grand event, just set up a few tables in Duanning Palace.

Gathered everyone in the harem for a lunch together, that’s all.

Didn’t even invite a theatre troupe.

As low-key as possible.

She herself didn’t like showiness.

Zhao Junyao saw her being so sensible and felt even guiltier inside.

"Last year I said, I would take you out of the palace!"

"Ultimately, it hasn’t happened this year either!"

Xia Ruqing quickly comforted him again.

The general idea was:

Emperor, you don’t have to worry, national affairs matter more, going out of the palace is not that important, whether we go or not doesn’t really matter!

No matter how her heart felt, the words should be spoken kindly.

Zhao Junyao looked at her for quite a while.

Until she got nervous, wondering where she had slipped up!

Fortunately, in the end, Zhao Junyao said nothing else.

He just told her.

"Qingqing, next year!"

"Next year, I’ll definitely take you out of the palace!"

"The scenery in the south is the finest, let’s go south, travel the mountains and waters all the way, how about it?!"

Xia Ruqing felt as if she was lifted from hell to heaven.

Her face was full of excitement.

"Really? Emperor, are you serious?"

Zhao Junyao nodded, curving his lips into a confident smile.

"Of course, it is!"

"I am the ruler of a nation, how could I deceive you, little girl!"

Xia Ruqing happily planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Emperor, you’re wonderful!"

She had been waiting for this sentence!

All the national affairs day in and day out, do I look like I understand them?

All I want is to leave the palace, to eat delicacies, to travel and see beauties!

Zhao Junyao touched his cheek, unable to stop the smile on his lips.

His gaze was so tender it almost overflowed.

"Qingqing, you this..."

Why does she always manage to charm him in such unexpected ways?!

And succeed every time?!