Chapter 861 - Chapter 861: The Emperor and Empress’ Story

Chapter 861: The Emperor and Empress’ Story

Editor: Henyee Translations

The two approached the young prince, only to encounter an unexpected obstacle. Upon seeing them nearing the young prince, Da Bai immediately stood up, blocking their path and staring at them menacingly.

His tiger-like eyes gleamed coldly, instilling fear in those who saw them.

However, at that moment, the young prince spotted the Emperor and Empress and shouted loudly, “Dad, Mom, how did you get here so quickly?”

The Emperor and Empress, “…”

Chu Qingzhi stepped out from the house, handing a cup of plain water to the young prince, “Be careful, don’t choke.”

Chu Yi walked towards Chu Qingzhi, “Xiao Wu, they’re here for him.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded at Chu Yi, “I understand, Uncle Chu Yi, thank you for your trouble.”

“It’s my duty. You go talk to them, I’ll head back now.”

“Alright.”

Chu Qingzhi approached the Emperor and Empress and said in her usual tone, “Let’s go to Jing Hong’s house. His family has fewer members, it’s quieter there.”

The Empress beckoned the young prince, “Qi’er, let’s go.”

The young prince waved his small hands, stepping back, showing his refusal, “I won’t go, I want to watch them fight the roosters.”

The Empress, “…”

Chu Qingzhi smiled at the young prince, trying to ease the situation, “My lady, no need to worry. With Da Bai watching over him, and others protecting the surroundings, no one can hurt Qi’er.”

Indeed, with Da Bai not even letting them near, the Empress nodded, “Let’s first go and see at the General’s house.”

“Let’s go.” Chu Qingzhi led the two towards Tang Jinghong’s residence.

As they arrived, Tang Dengping was anxiously looking out from Tang Jinghong’s house. Seeing Chu Qingzhi coming, he hurriedly ran away in a fluster.

With the Emperor and Empress by her side, Chu Qingzhi did not call him back, maintaining her composure as they walked on.

Tang Jinghong was about to go out and check the situation but unexpectedly ran into the Emperor and Empress right outside, “Young Master, Madam, please come in.”

Chu Qingzhi gestured to Tang Jinghong, then turned and left.

Tang Jinghong welcomed the Emperor and Empress into the house for a discussion.

Chu Qingzhi went to find the young prince, having arranged everything, now had some free time.

On the way, Tang Dengping emerged from behind a tree, blocking her path, “Chu, Chu Qingzhi, I have something to say, could you listen?”

Chu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow, slightly curious, “Go ahead, what’s it?”

Tang Dengping was extremely nervous, “My parents want my brother to join us for the New Year’s dinner, but they’re too scared to ask him directly, so they sent me. I’m also scared, could you pass the message for me?”

Chu Qingzhi frowned, “What do you need Jing Hong for now?”

Tang Dengping quickly waved his hands, “No, no tasks, just a simple New Year’s Eve dinner.”

Chu Qingzhi inwardly scoffed, if it were simple, she would write her name backward, “Jing Hong will have dinner at my place, my mother has already told him. But I’ll pass your message. It’s up to him whether he wants to go home or not.”

“Thank, thank you.” Tang Dengping hurried away. After running a distance, he took deep breaths. Chu Qingzhi’s aura was too strong; facing her, he felt he couldn’t even breathe.

…

In the capital.

The Prime Minister received a letter and unfolded it.

“…When you read this letter, I will have been away from the palace for some time. I entrust the state affairs to you for the next half month, Prime Minister. You need not send someone to look for me, just take good care of the country’s affairs…”

The Prime Minister, “…”

Despite being a veteran of three dynasties, although keen on maintaining his own interests, he would not neglect the welfare of the country for personal gains. There’s no need to worry too much.

Meanwhile, over a dozen other high-ranking officials also received letters from the Emperor.

“This is too capricious, leaving the country’s affairs to play around, not showing any sense of responsibility!”

“Leaving such a mess without consultation, is this really okay?”

“How can an emperor disregard everything?”

…With so many ministers supervising each other, no major issues should arise.

For a while, the capital was filled with criticisms of the Emperor, but at this moment, the Emperor was already joyously eating barbecued meat in Tang Jinghong’s courtyard.

Chu Qingzhi didn’t place much importance on her status as the Empress in her actions and demeanor, behaving as usual.

At his own home, Tang Jinghong was also quite relaxed.

The Chu family members were exceedingly reserved, finding it beyond their understanding to be eating with the Emperor and Empress.

Seeing her family being so formal, Chu Qingzhi had no choice but to ask everyone to return first, leaving only Chu Qingzhi, Tang Jinghong, the Emperor and Empress, the young prince, Chu Xuyuan, Chu Xuyao, along with Da Bai, Da Lang, and Er Lang in the courtyard.

Tang Jinghong served grilled chicken wings to Chu Qingzhi, “I grilled these according to the method from the north, try them.”

“Mhm.”

The Emperor saw Tang Jinghong grilling with ease and also came over to learn, “Jinghong, teach me.”

“Sure.”

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao were grilling on another stove, “Qi’er, do you want venison?”

“Yes, give it to me.” The young prince held up his small bowl and approached, “The barbecue is so delicious.”

The young prince was enjoying the barbecue for the first time and was completely captivated.

Chu Qingzhi and the Empress sat at the table, with some cut fruits in front of them. The Empress, while eating an apple, looked at her son, “Qi’er is eating a lot today, won’t he have a stomachache?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “I’ll chew some digestive herbs for Qi’er later, there won’t be a problem.”

“Then it’s fine.” The Empress no longer worried about her son, who had turned into a little foodie, seizing the rare opportunity to let him enjoy a good meal.

On this side, the Emperor said to Tang Jinghong, “I might trouble you for the next half month.”

Tang Jinghong, “…”

The Emperor continued, “I have arranged everything for the state affairs (all left to the ministers), and I plan to return to the palace after the New Year.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “As long as the Emperor has arranged everything, it’s fine. The house is spacious, feel free to stay.”

The Emperor was waiting for Tang Jinghhong’s words, “Good.”

Chu Xuyao asked, “Qi’er, do you want grilled sausage?”

The young prince extended his small bowl, “Yes.”

“Here you go.” The last piece of grilled sausage and the last two pieces of grilled sauce meat were given to the young prince.

“Thanks.” The young prince happily carried his small bowl back to the Empress, “Mom, do you want some?”

The Empress lifted her son onto the stool, “You eat, mom has her portion here.”

The young prince gave a piece of grilled sauce meat to the Empress, full of filial piety, “Let’s eat together.”

The Empress touched her son’s head, “Alright, let’s eat together.”

The Emperor, trying grilling meat for the first time and following Tang Jinghong’s instructions, managed to do it successfully, “Yuni, would you honor me by tasting the meat I grilled?”

The Empress looked sideways at it, then walked over with her bowl, “I’ll taste it.”

The Empress, as a general’s daughter, had been to the battlefield. Now outside the palace, her demeanor was more relaxed, and she was particularly bold and resolute.

The Empress had disguised herself as a man and joined the army under General Fan’s cover when she was fourteen.

General Fan felt he had too many enemies and feared his daughter would be bullied, so he allowed her to experience life in the military camp. There, the Empress learned many skills, making her not inferior to some generals even on the battlefield today.

Back then, to protect the Emperor, he was sent to the frontier where he met the Empress.