Chapter 341 - No Return (4)

When they found out that they were going to visit the garden, the three little fatties woke up before dawn. They snuggled their little heads into Yan Jiuchao’s arms and woke him up. Yu Wan, who was at the side, was still sleeping sweetly. The four of them tacitly did not wake her up.

Yan Jiuchao put on the little fat kids’ clothes, and they happily went to wash up!

It was not until breakfast was ready that the three little fatties came to the bed and kissed Yu Wan’s forehead to wake her up.

When Yu Wan opened her eyes, she saw three round little heads. She was so happy that she was about to bubble. When she looked at Yan Jiuchao, who was waiting at the dining table, she felt that once every ten days did not seem to be so unbearable.

After breakfast, the family boarded the carriage and entered the palace.

Along the way, Yan Jiuchao asked about Yu Song’s exam.

Yu Wan was surprised. She did not say anything about Yu Song’s examination. Ever since Yu Song entered the Directorate, he had not asked about him. She thought that he did not care, but it turned out that he took it to heart.

Yu Wan’s heart warmed. The love she had missed in her previous life seemed to be making up for it bit by bit in this life. “I went to see him yesterday and asked him how he did. He said that the rankings would only be released in three days.”

“Okay,” Yan Jiuchao replied.

This small sound made Yu Wan feel his concern for Yu Song. The three little fatties leaned against the window and looked towards the road. Yu Wan lowered her wide sleeve imperceptibly and gently held his hand under the cover of the wide sleeve.

Yan Jiuchao’s eyes flickered.

“Don’t move,” Yu Wan said aggrievedly. “I’m already not allowed to touch you at night. Can’t we hold hands during the day?”

Yan Jiuchao’s fingertips moved and his palm slid out of her palm. Yu Wan’s heart sank. In the next second, his palm covered hers and firmly held her petite hand in his palm.

… .

The carriage drove to the west gate of the palace and headed to the hunting garden from there. The Empress and the women had also arrived. There was Worthy Consort Xu, whom she had not seen for many days. There was the Fourth Prince’s adoptive mother, Consort Zhen, and Prince Cheng’s biological mother, Consort Yu. There was also Princess Consort Jin and Princess Consort Ling, whom Yu Wan had seen on the day of Prince Cheng’s wedding.

Other than that, there were also the daughters of a few princes and ministers. Yu Wan saw a familiar face among the daughters.

Yu Wan nodded at her.

Han Jingshu also saw Yu Wan. In fact, she saw her earlier than Yu Wan. Today, Yu Wan was wearing a lake-blue wide-sleeved dress with a waist and a translucent silver gauze dress. She did not have a full head of pearl hairpins and only had two pairs of jasper flower buds. However, she was beautiful and had a good temperament. When she stood there, all the women were inferior to her. It was as if the sunlight had landed on her, and she was so beautiful that she was glowing.

Yan Jiuchao accompanied her and also had a unique good appearance. However, Han Jingshu already had Yan Huaijing in her heart, so she naturally would not be tempted by Yan Jiuchao.

Han Jingshu bowed in Yu Wan’s direction.

They were both separated by a man. Xiao Ziyue would put aside her grudges and get close to her, but Han Jingshu might not. Just as Han Jingshu had said, it was enough for them to be acquaintances.

The Empress was carrying a fair little girl. It was the six-year-old Ninth Princess.

The Ninth Princess met the Emperor’s eyes. When the Emperor looked at her, she shyly hid in the Empress’s arms. After a while, she looked at the Emperor again. This happened a few times, making the Empress laugh.

Although the Emperor did not like the Empress, ever since she had Little Nine, the Emperor had stayed in Zhaoyang Palace for a long time. It could be seen that her decision back then was right. The Emperor did not lack sons, nor did he lack princesses. However, in their hearts, he was first an Emperor before their father. Only the Ninth Princess foolishly treated the Emperor as a respectful father.

Soon, the Ninth Princess saw Yu Wan and abandoned the Emperor to hide behind the Empress.

When the Emperor found his daughter again, uh… where was his daughter?

The Ninth Princess stuck her head out from behind the Empress and looked at Yu Wan shyly.

The Emperor’s face darkened. It was this woman again. Not only did she snatch his nephew, but she also snatched his daughter!

The family of five greeted the Emperor.

The little fat brats obediently let the Emperor carry them. The Emperor felt relieved. They were indeed the children of the Yan family. They knew how to get close to him. Forget it, on account that she had given birth to three sons, he would not argue with her.

Yu Wan went to the Empress’s side. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

The Ninth Princess ran to the Emperor shyly.

The Empress laughed. “This child is looking forward to you coming. She’s too shy. The more she likes it, the more shy she becomes. She’s also like this with her father.”

Yu Wan had only seen the Ninth Princess a few times. She did not have much feelings for her, but the little girl was beautiful and cute. She was very likable. “I like the Ninth Princess too.”

The Empress smiled in satisfaction. “When the men go hunting later, we’ll bring the little ones to tour the garden.”

The hunting ground was not only a place to hunt, but also a garden for viewing. There were all kinds of rare beasts reared inside.

Yu Wan had never been there before and could not help but be curious.

Soon, the guards brought over a horse. The Emperor chose the most powerful horse. After that, the princes also chose the horse they liked. When it was Yan Jiuchao’s turn, he chose a thin horse that looked a little malnourished.

Everyone laughed. Little trash was indeed little trash. He didn’t even have a good eye for picking horses. Didn’t he see that the horse was so thin that its ribs were out? Could it really hunt? It might be scared to death before it caught its prey.

Not long after, Helian Qi and the Second Prince of Xiongnu also came. They were riding their own mounts and looked much stronger than the horses of the Great Zhou.

Helian Qi rode his horse up to Yan Jiuchao and looked down at the thin horse that seemed like it could fall at any time. He sneered in disdain. “Does your Great Zhou not have horses? Why don’t I give you one?”

Yan Jiuchao said domineeringly, “What’s so rare about giving horses? If you have the ability, give your life away.”

Helian Qi narrowed his eyes.

Yan Jiuchao clamped his legs around the horse’s stomach. When he brushed past Helian Qi, Helian Qi grabbed his reins. “I heard that your Great Zhou Imperial Family’s hunting garden is abnormally dangerous. It’s best if you don’t go with your weak body. Otherwise, I’m afraid you won’t be able to return.”

Yan Jiuchao said slowly, “Are you sure I’m the one who won’t come back?”