Chapter 1056: Cheap or Precious?

"Okay! Go on!"

The little girl rarely got to go out, and as her mother, Xia Ruqing naturally wanted to give her the best of everything.

The carriage stopped at the roadside.

The mother and daughter got off and walked towards the bustling street market.

This was Yue Er’s second time visiting the Capital City Street.

During the last Lantern Festival, she was dressed thickly and couldn’t even walk, having to be carried around.

But this time was different.

The weather was neither too cold nor too hot, and there weren’t as many people as before. Walking, running, and jumping were effortless.

Little Yue Er was exceptionally excited.

"Mother! Mother!"

Xia Ruqing quickly covered her mouth and quietly instructed.

"Shh! Yue Er!"

"You mustn’t let anyone know we’re from the palace!"

"You can’t call me Mother, call me ’A-nyang’!"

Yue Er nodded thoughtfully.

"A-nyang!"

"A-nyang!"

Xia Ruqing finally smiled and nodded.

"Yue Er is such a good girl!"

"A-nyang, I want some candied hawthorn berries!"

The little girl pointed at a bunch of bright red candied hawthorn berries.

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing carried her daughter and headed toward the candied hawthorn stall!

In an instant, a big bunch of candied hawthorn was in hand, and Yue Er was smiling radiantly.

Xia Ruqing led her daughter from East Street to West Street.

Gradually.

Yue Er, Xia Ruqing, and even the Wetnurse Sister, Palace Maids, and eunuchs following them, were all loaded with items.

Both mother and daughter were quite exhausted.

"Yue Er, it’s getting late, let’s head back!"

Yue Er’s big eyes were still darting around.

"A-nyang!"

"I still want to go... there!"

Following her little finger, Xia Ruqing looked — a powder shop?

She immediately stopped her.

"You’re not allowed. You’re just over two years old, not even three!"

Yue Er seemed unconvinced and pointed elsewhere.

"Then... I want to go there!"

Xia Ruqing looked again — Zhenbao Pavilion jewelry shop?

"No way! That’s not suitable for you either!"

Yue Er got anxious.

"Mother Consort, I don’t want to go back!"

"It’s boring back home, outside is so much fun!"

Xia Ruqing frustratedly put on a stern face.

"It’s already late, we should head back! Otherwise, your Father Emperor will worry!"

"If you don’t behave, A-nyang won’t bring you here again next time!"

Yue Er hurriedly nodded compliantly.

"Alright then!"

"Let’s go back then!"

The little girl eagerly grabbed her hand.

Xia Ruqing picked up her daughter.

"That’s more like it, let’s go back!"

The servants behind responded.

And quickly assisted the Empress to the carriage.

The Little Eunuch had already brought the carriage over.

Just as Xia Ruqing was about to board the carriage with her daughter.

A voice behind suddenly called out.

"Greetings to the Empress!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised, turned around, and immediately frowned.

"So it’s the Sixth Princess Consort!"

The woman before her was the niece of Empress Dowager Zhen’s family, with a humble background but luckily favored by Empress Dowager Zhen, the Sixth Princess Consort.

Although from a small family, the woman was relatively well-mannered!

Yet, no matter how well-mannered, Xia Ruqing had no fondness.

She smiled faintly.

"Sixth Princess Consort is also out shopping! What a coincidence!"

The Sixth Princess Consort quickly responded warmly.

"Is the Empress returning?!"

Xia Ruqing slightly annoyed, still nodded.

The Sixth Princess Consort’s eyes dimmed.

"Alas! I originally had something to discuss with the Empress, but since Her Majesty is busy, let’s leave it!"

She looked regretful after saying that.

Xia Ruqing got even more irritated and directly said.

"Well then, Princess Consort should skip it!"

Saying that, she got into the carriage with Yue Er without another glance.

Leaving the Sixth Princess Consort standing there awkwardly.

She couldn’t do anything about the Empress, regretfully had to bow.

The carriage slowly began to depart.

Inside, Yue Er was excitedly playing with the newly bought toys.

However, Xia Ruqing’s brows were furrowed, her expression deeply displeased.

’That woman must have done it on purpose!’

’Intentionally calling me Empress, knowing I’m incognito to reveal my identity?’

’Luckily, the bustling street noise covered it up, otherwise...’

’Surely, she’s up to no good!’

Beside her, Zi Su was equally furious.

But with the Princess present, she couldn’t say much, only holding it in.

...

Finally, back at the palace, night had fallen.

Xia Ruqing asked someone to take the Princess down.

Changed her clothes inside, ate a few pastries, and finally felt relaxed.

Zi Su, filled with unspoken words, now had the chance to vent.

Seeing her so angry, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but laugh at her.

"Look at you! I’m not that angry!"

Zi Su patted her chest.

"My lady, I’m just holding it in!"

"I feel they’re not well-intentioned towards the Empress!"

Xia Ruqing sighed deeply.

"Alright, don’t fuss too much! We can’t retaliate over such a trivial matter!"

"Otherwise, we’ll appear petty!"

Upon hearing this, Zi Su could only bow her head in agreement.

After sipping a cup of tea, Xia Ruqing suddenly thought of something and instructed.

"Keep a close eye on Empress Dowager Zhen and the Prince’s Mansion outside the palace, Fifth Prince’s Mansion, and Sixth Prince’s Mansion!"

"Report any news promptly!"

Since they’re up to no good, we have to be vigilant.

"Yes!"

Zi Su seemed relieved and content.

Xia Ruqing shook her head helplessly, letting her be.

...

After returning from outside the palace, Yue Er had gained many new toys.

Her favorite was the small dagger with faux gemstones.

Children couldn’t differentiate the real from fake, they just liked the look, cutting and slicing with it daily.

The Wetnurse Nanny worried she might hurt herself, wanted to take it away.

Every time, it led to wailing cries, making it so that even Zhao Junyao had no choice but to give in.

Nevertheless...

He looked at Yue Er’s dagger, both amused and helpless.

"Even such a cheap thing is your favorite?"

Yue Er treated it as a treasure.

"What’s cheap? Yue Er just likes the cheap!"

Zhao Junyao: "..." His forehead lined with sweat!

Oh daughter, do you even know what ’cheap’ means?

In order to make his daughter toss away this embarrassing item.

Zhao Junyao quickly found a piece of fine rosewood.

In his spare time.

He meticulously carved the wood bit by bit into a wooden dagger.

Having learned to paint since childhood, the dagger’s patterns and veins were exquisite and refined.

Once the carving was done, it needed to be sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for specialized artisans to polish, wax, color, and finally inlay top-quality gemstones.

An elegant wooden dagger was finally complete.

On this day, Zhao Junyao was reviewing documents in the Imperial Study Room.

Li Shengan delivered the completed dagger.

"Please have a look, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao unveiled the red cloth covering the tray.

Before his eyes lay an extremely refined wooden dagger.

The deep red handle was polished to a glossy shine.

It was inlaid with two Southern Pearls and two large Rubies.

The patterns on the dagger were edged with gold threads, appearing luxurious and regal, suiting a princess’s status.

Due to being made from rosewood.

It was weighty in hand, and although the blade was wood, it could slice simple things!

In any case, it was more than enough to replace that cheap dagger.