Chapter 1017: Rain in Jiangnan

Xia Ruqing’s inner thoughts: "..."

Is this the legendary ’A Hundred Ways for a Man to Take Care of Kids’?

Or the ’Hundred Aggravating Ways of a Useless Partner’ in modern parenting posts?

Unbelievable.

Her heart was filled with mixed emotions, unsure of what to say.

If this were the modern era.

If Zhao Junyao were not an Emperor but just an ordinary husband.

She would definitely first grab a frying pan or a washboard to deal with him.

’What is this?!’

’Is this how you take care of kids?’

’Yue Er is not even a year and a half old!’

However...

If she knew then she’d go through incredible events like ’Yue Er learning martial arts,’ ’Yue Er horseback riding,’ ’Yue Er fighting,’ ’Yue Er learning the soft whip,’ etc.

She might be much more chill.

Hehe, what’s a swing?!

...

That night.

After Yue Er was taken down by the Wetnurse Nanny, it was said she fell asleep with a smile.

Apparently, the little girl really loves excitement.

But Xia Ruqing doesn’t like it.

Not only she dislikes it, probably mothers everywhere wouldn’t like it.

However, Zhao Junyao is both thrilled and excited.

During dinner, he couldn’t stop praising Yue Er, and it wasn’t enough.

The next day after the morning court session, he specifically ordered people to raid the storeroom for various exotic tributes and sent them to Yue Er to play with.

According to him, it was:

’Yue Er is the Legitimate Princess, she ought to experience more!’

Xia Ruqing looked at those things.

There were ghost masks, small daggers inlaid with gemstones, and small slingshots adorned with pearls.

No matter how exquisite, she didn’t think these were things for girls.

Yet Yue Er clapped her hands and laughed upon seeing them.

"Mother Empress!"

"Yue Er likes them!"

"Yue Er really likes them!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Goodness!

She wonder who this girl takes after, being such a tomboy at such a young age.

Only likes these kinds of things!

Zi Su beside her suddenly enlightened her.

"Empress, I see the Little Princess carries some of Lord Marquis Zhongyong’s demeanor!"

"Even though she’s a Princess, she’s not inferior to men in bravery!"

Nearby, the Old Sister heard this and took the chance to laugh.

"They say nephews take after their uncles!"

"Didn’t expect with the Princess, it’s the nieces that take after their uncles!"

Xiao Lele stared with her cute big eyes, speaking with soft baby voice.

"Sister, who is the fourth uncle?"

Doesn’t she have only one uncle?

Xia Ruqing nearly spat out a mouthful of tea.

"Yue Er, you..."

Xiao Lele turned her head, seeing Xia Ruqing with tea spilled on her clothes.

She calmly extended her hand, clumsily wiping for her with a cloth, and said.

"Mother Empress"

"You are really clumsy!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Is this really from her one-year-old baby?

She suddenly felt, give this girl a bit more time and she’ll probably be soaring.

She rather helplessly took the cloth from Yue Er’s hand.

"Alright!"

"Mother Empress is clumsy!"

"My little Princess is the smartest, okay!"

"Go with Sister and Wetnurse Nanny to play now!"

There’s so much, should keep her busy for a while.

Yue Er excitedly agreed.

Carrying her precious box, she cheerfully went out.

A moment later, she suddenly came back.

"Mother Empress, where’s Yellow Bean?"

Xia Ruqing pointed leisurely to the back garden.

"Go find and see!"

"Alright!"

The little girl heard this and dashed out again.

Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief seeing her leave.

Rubbed her temples, a bitter smile graced her lips.

"I can’t believe, I got scorned by my little daughter..."

Zi Su couldn’t hold back her laughter, and burst into giggles.

"Empress! Haha..."

Zi Yue glared at her and quickly went to comfort.

"Empress"

"The Little Princess is only a year old, still doesn’t know better, don’t take it to heart!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head, utterly helpless.

"I guess that’s the way it is!"

"What else can I do?"

"After all, it’s my own flesh and blood!" and not forgiving, what else?!

However...

This girl is really daring.

Doesn’t even know what fear is, simply fears nothing!

"In the future..."

Mentioning these two words gives her a headache.

Who knows what trouble she’ll cause in the future!

"Ah! Forget it, forget it!"

Her heart ached too much to think further.

"Rather think about what to eat for lunch today!" that’s more comforting!

Mentioning food, Zi Su suddenly got excited.

"Empress, the weather is hot today! I heard that the small kitchen has freshly picked watermelons!"

"Would you like to try?"

"Watermelon?!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.

"It’s only mid-May and already?"

In ancient times without greenhouse farms, fruits and vegetables followed the season.

Watermelon usually naturally ripens by June.

Different places, different times though.

If it’s mid-May, it should be from the south.

Sure enough, Zi Yue said.

"It’s from the south!"

"I knew it!" Xia Ruqing smiled.

"Alright!"

"Have the small kitchen cut a few slices, chill with well water, and remove the seeds!"

Upon hearing this, Zi Yue frowned.

"Empress, removing seeds is fine, but chilling in well water should be skipped!"

"Your body hasn’t completely recovered yet!"

"Besides, watermelon is inherently cooling..."

At that, you ought to eat less!

Xia Ruqing paused then sighed deeply.

"Then... okay!"

Reluctantly, she knew chilled watermelon gets sweeter, but her health was indeed not well.

Considering the saying of treating winter ailments in summer.

Hopefully this summer she can take good care, and recover, no longer so weak.

At least not wake up in cold sweats at night.

She hopes to live several more years!

Zi Yue saw her not insist further and, relieved, sighed.

The Empress is quite sensible!

...

When Zhao Junyao came at noon, there was a plate of watermelon on the table.

In Jiangnan these past two months, rainfall has been abundant, likely causing flooding again.

He carried a belly full of annoyances.

Seeing the watermelon, he instantly felt much refreshed.

After eating a few pieces, his temper cooled, and his face looked less grim.

However, Xia Ruqing cautiously nudged a dish toward him.

"Emperor, these are freshly made by the small kitchen, crisp and refreshing, you should try?"

Zhao Junyao glanced up.

He saw Xia Ruqing’s cautious expression.

Feeling a bit guilty, did he scare her?

"Qingqing!"

He softened his tone as much as possible.

"You should eat too, don’t just stand there!"

"Hmm..."

Xia Ruqing nodded mindlessly.

In fact, the table was filled with meticulously prepared dishes.

Besides watermelon, other fruits were cut into exquisite shapes, either piled or arranged on plates, all very pleasing.

However...

The meal wasn’t very enjoyable.

Neither spoke much, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

After the meal.

The two took their customary afternoon nap.

Seeing Zhao Junyao still weighed down with thoughts.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t hold back and asked.

"Emperor, has something happened?"

Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment, then sighed, and recounted the matters in Jiangnan.