Chapter 859 - Chapter 859: A Family of Three

Chapter 859: A Family of Three

Editor: Henyee Translations

The two were excited, “Thank you, Sister Qingzhi.”

Seven dresses in total cost 150 silver taels. Chu Qingshuang’s dresses were packed separately, as were those for Chu Huirong and Chu Lingling. After paying, they left the shop together.

For Chu Huirong and Chu Lingling, owning such expensive dresses for the first time, they held them as if they were treasures, cherishing them greatly.

As the carriage was parked in front of the shop, watched over by a servant, Chu Qingshuang and the others boarded, and Chu Qingzhi, taking the reins of the carriage, prepared to depart. At that moment, she saw… the Emperor and his family strolling down the street.

It was rare for the Emperor and his family to leave the palace and experience the life of commoners, opting to walk on the streets to experience the life of ordinary people.

What’s happening?

The little Crown Prince, walking between his parents and holding the Empress’s hand, seemed to sense Chu Qingzhi’s gaze, turned his head towards her, and then called out crisply, “Sister Chu!”

The moment he called out, the little Crown Prince let go of the Empress’s hand and ran towards Chu Qingzhi, bursting with joy.

At this moment, the Emperor and Empress also noticed Chu Qingzhi.

Meeting on the street, it seemed like fate.

Chu Qingzhi told Chu Qingshuang, “You three wait for me in the carriage, don’t go anywhere. Qingshuang, don’t say anything out of place, got it?”

Having seen the Emperor and little Crown Prince before, Chu Qingshuang immediately understood and responded, “I understand.”

Chu Qingzhi stepped forward to catch the delicately adorable little Crown Prince, “How come you’re in the county city?”

The little Crown Prince wrapped his short arms around Chu Qingzhi’s neck, gazing up at her with longing in his eyes, “I missed you, Sister, so I came to see you.”

As Chu Qingzhi approached the Emperor and Empress with the little Crown Prince in her arms, she asked, “What brings you to Shuiyun County?” Dressed like commoners, were they on a secret visit?

Her tone was as casual as if greeting old friends.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance, knowing only Chu Qingzhi could speak to them with such familiarity, truly feeling like making a friend.

The Emperor showed a hint of a smile, “We thought of visiting Chu Family Village. Would you welcome us?”

Chu Qingzhi was indifferent, “If you wish to visit, feel free. Chu Family Village is open to all. By the way, does Jinghong know?”

The Emperor replied, “He does not. The Empress and I decided on a whim, nobody knows.”

Chu Qingzhi changed the subject, “I’m about to return to Chu Family Village, would you like to come with me?”

The little Crown Prince tightened his grip around Chu Qingzhi’s neck, “Of course, together.”

While the Emperor and Empress had other matters to attend to and were concerned about the inconvenience of bringing their son along, the Emperor looked at the little Crown Prince and said, “We’ll visit Chu Family Village later. Please take care of this little troublemaker for a while…” Seeing how the little Crown Prince clung to Chu Qingzhi, he couldn’t help but add, “You can keep him if you like.”

This comment earned a sharp look from the Empress.

The little Crown Prince was reassured, nestling contentedly in Chu Qingzhi’s embrace, “Okay.”

Amused, Chu Qingzhi replied, “Then, come by before it gets dark. Be careful, there are wolves in the village at night.”

The Emperor and Empress, “…”

Carrying the little Crown Prince to her carriage, Chu Qingzhi placed him beside the carriage seat, supporting him, “Sit next to Qingshuang. I’ll be driving the carriage.”

The little Crown Prince clung tightly to Chu Qingzhi’s arm, refusing, “I want to sit next to you.”

“Alright then.” Chu Qingzhi, quite fond of the little bun, allowed him to sit in her lap as she drove the carriage back to the village.

On the street, the Empress glared at the Emperor, “That’s our son, and you actually suggested giving him away!”

The Emperor replied jokingly, “I was just joking. Since he likes Chu Qingzhi so much, it’s convenient for us to have some alone time without him.” The little one was seriously hindering his intimacy with the Empress, and he had long wanted to send him away.

The Empress, “…”

Back in Chu Family Village.

“Wow, this is so fun!”

The little Crown Prince had never experienced riding at the front of a carriage before and was extremely excited.

Sitting beside the carriage seat, Chu Qingshuang looked at the little Crown Prince with concern, “Sister, how do we explain this when we get back?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Just say you know nothing. I’ll explain to the family.”

Chu Qingshuang nodded, “Got it.”

The little Crown Prince’s name was Li Chenlin. As they approached the village, Chu Qingzhi changed the way she addressed the little Crown Prince, “Little Qi, once we’re in the village, you can’t reveal your identity. Just say your name is Little Qi, okay?”

The obedient little Crown Prince nodded, “Got it.”

As the carriage entered the village and stopped in front of their home, everyone disembarked.

Chu Huirong and Chu Lingling once again thanked Chu Qingzhi, “Sister Qingzhi, we’re going home now. Thanks for buying us the dresses.”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “It’s nothing, go on home.”

The two girls happily went home, rushing to share the news of Chu Qingzhi’s gift with their families.

Their dresses, worth five silver taels each, astonished their families.

After calming down, they quickly went to thank Chu Qingzhi.

This act of kindness left a lasting impression on Chu Huirong and Chu Lingling, who would always remember Chu Qingzhi’s generosity.

As Chu Qingzhi led the little Crown Prince home, her family was shocked.

Before they could recover, Chu Qingzhi informed them that the Emperor and Empress were also coming to the village, causing a flurry of panic.

“Everyone, be careful not to slip up…” After giving her family a warning, Chu Qingzhi took the little Crown Prince to Tang Jinghong’s home.

Tang Jinghong, still reading Chu Qingzhi’s autobiography, looked up as they entered the study.

Tang Jinghong, “…”

“Qingzhi, how come the little Crown Prince is with you?”

Chu Qingzhi explained, leading to Tang Jinghong’s amused response, “If he’s fallen into your hands, then keep him.”

Chu Qingzhi mentioned, “The Emperor and Empress will be visiting the village later, likely staying at your place. Get ready. And try not to reveal their identities, or the whole village might faint.”

Tang Jinghong chuckled, “We’ll be careful.”

Luo Qingzhi said, “Then let’s go.”

The little prince waved at Tang Jinghong, “Tang Aiqing, we are leaving.”

Luo Qingzhi, “…”

She suddenly felt that the little prince was the biggest loophole!

After leaving Tang Jinghong’s study, Luo Qingzhi called Da Bai to protect the little prince closely. No matter what, this little bundle could absolutely not be allowed to come to any harm. She then summoned the wolf pack that had grown up, made a thorough deployment, and then let the little prince roam freely.

“Qi’er, you can play anywhere in the village.”

The little prince looked up at Luo Qingzhi, his eyes blinking, “Can I really play anywhere?”

Luo Qingzhi nodded, “Yes, you can play whatever you want.”

The little prince in his milky voice, “Sister Luo, you are so nice. I should have come to you earlier, but my mother empress wouldn’t allow me.”

Luo Qingzhi chuckled, “What do you want to play? I’ll take you there.”