Chapter 819: I'll Take You to a Nice Place

Xiao Jieyun shook his head and said softly, "The princes and princesses are all well."

Murong Jin happily smiled and said, "I also think that way; if I could give birth to a princess like Tuan Tuan, I would be content."

Xiao Jieyun nodded and said, "Yes, if that really happens, I too will have my wish fulfilled."

The emperor and empress chatted a while longer, and Murong Jin showed a look of fatigue.

Xiao Jieyun personally helped her lie down and said, "Rest a while; I'll first return to Zichen Hall and come again at dinner."

Murong Jin wearily smiled and said, "All right, I will see Your Majesty off."

Xiao Jieyun gently patted her shoulder and turned to leave.

Upon arriving at Zichen Hall, Xiao Jieyun sat on the Dragon Throne, silent.

Eunuch Cheng stood aside, motionless.

Xiao Jieyun asked, "Go find out where Lao Qi went after court."

"Yes." Eunuch Cheng replied.

From outside the door came the attendant's report: "Lord Song Jingxian requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Xiao Jieyun nodded.

Eunuch Cheng called out loudly, "Summon him."

Soon after, Song Jingxian entered the hall and was about to kneel and pay respects, saying, "Long live Your Majesty..."

Xiao Jieyun waved his hand and said, "Never mind, no need for formalities; please be seated and serve tea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Cheng personally brought over a cushioned stool and placed it, saying, "Lord Song, please."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Cheng." Song Jingxian slowly took his seat.

Eunuch Cheng again personally presented the tea cup, then quietly withdrew.

"Lord Song arrives just in time," Xiao Jieyun said, his right arm braced on the wide armrest of the Dragon Throne, his hand resting on his forehead, "I was just about to send someone to ask where Lao Qi went after court."

"I don't know if Lord Song is aware."

"Your Majesty," Song Jingxian replied, "the Seventh Prince, the Ninth Prince, and Chen Hao went together with Prince Ning to the Ning Prince's Mansion."

"The Ning Prince's Mansion..." Xiao Jieyun frowned, "Lao Qi is a bit restless; at this juncture, how could he go to the Ning Prince's Mansion?"

"Doesn't he fear being impeached by those officials for fraternizing with powerful ministers and plotting treason?"

"Your Majesty," Song Jingxian said with a slight bow, "the Seventh Prince said he was going to visit Tuan Tuan, so Prince Ning readily agreed."

"The Seventh Prince has always been candid and steady; this visit is merely to see the princess, so it likely won't cause any trouble."

Xiao Jieyun let out a soft sigh: "I naturally know Lao Qi."

"However, the position of heir apparent has always been under everyone's scrutiny; he cannot afford the slightest mistake, or else he would be placing himself in danger."

"Prince Ning conquered High Beauty and subdued East Ocean, only just returned victorious, and both court and populace are watching closely."

"I know Lao Qi is on good terms with Tuan Tuan and the Ning Prince's Mansion; this is naturally acceptable, and I am pleased to see it succeed."

"But what is the situation now? He knows full well that he is the chosen heir apparent; he should avoid such things and should not so openly go to the main gate of the Ning Prince's Mansion."

Xiao Jieyun rubbed his forehead: "His words and deeds this time, when seen by the officials, will give rise to unfavorable gossip about him."

He paused: "If something really happens, how can I protect him?"

Song Jingxian remained silent.

After a moment, Xiao Jieyun asked, "Lord Song, what brings you here?"

Song Jingxian set down his tea cup, rose, and knelt respectfully, saying, "Your servant has a humble request; I beg Your Majesty's permission."

"Oh?" Xiao Jieyun raised his eyebrows, "Lord Song, please speak."

Song Jingxian straightened his kneeling posture and spoke earnestly: "Your Majesty, if the Empress gives birth to a heir, I dare to ask to be the heir's enlightened teacher."

"Your servant wishes to impart all his learning, holding nothing back."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jieyun was first startled, then his face lit up with joy.

He rose and walked to Song Jingxian's side, personally helping him up, saying, "If the heir can receive your personal instruction from childhood, that would be his blessing and a fortune for my Fierce Kingdom!"

"Please rise at once; I approve this!"

Song Jingxian's eyes glistened with tears: "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your great grace."

Having said that, he stepped back two paces: "Your servant's wish is fulfilled; I take my leave."

Xiao Jieyun nodded: "Cheng Jinyan, see him out of the palace properly."

"Yes."

Eunuch Cheng hurried over: "Lord Song, please."

"Thank you for the trouble." Song Jingxian turned and left the hall.

That evening, Tuan Tuan sat sullenly on the bed in Tranquil Orchid Pavilion, silent.

She didn't even feel like watching Xiao Feifei and Xiao Jinyin's roughhousing.

Both Xiao Yuanhang and Cheng Ru'an understood their daughter's feelings.

Now Xiao Ze's accession to the throne is likely to be postponed until after the Empress gives birth to a son, so the daughter has no reason to keep Lu Qi in the Prince's Mansion any longer.

But how could Lu Qi possibly stay here forever?

He wants to return to Yu Prefecture in order to have his own home.

The couple exchanged a glance, and Cheng Ru'an waved her hand gently, saying, "Leave it to me."

She walked to the bedside and drew her daughter into her arms: "Tuan Tuan, you heard Lu Qi say that the woman he wishes to marry, Su Wanyun, runs a teahouse in Yu Prefecture, right?"

"Yes," Tuan Tuan thought, "Su Wanyun's teahouse has lots of delicious snacks," and added, "The dishes are tasty too!"

"Well then," Cheng Ru'an gently swayed her daughter, "Mother has an idea that would let Lu Qi stay and also let him marry Su Wanyun."

"It would satisfy everyone's wishes, wouldn't it?"

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up instantly: "Great! Mom, tell me quickly, what's the good idea?"

Cheng Ru'an whispered in her ear for a while.

"Wow!" Tuan Tuan jumped up from her mother's embrace, "Mom! How are you so clever?"

She hugged Cheng Ru'an's neck and kissed her face several times: "Mom, you're the best!"

Xiao Yuanhang walked over: "Your mother can manage the Prince's Mansion; for her, this little idea really isn't difficult at all."

Cheng Ru'an looked at him and gave a gentle smile.

"All right," Cheng Ru'an changed Tuan Tuan into her nightclothes, "Are you happy now? Go to sleep."

"We'll send someone to handle it tomorrow, but we still need to first ask if they agree."

"Mm-hmm!" Tuan Tuan lay down contentedly, "We'll go ask first thing tomorrow morning!"

The next morning, Xiao Er left the Prince's Mansion.

Tuan Tuan stuck close to Lu Qi, sometimes bringing him food, sometimes bringing him soup, never leaving his side.

Lu Qi looked at his young lady doing all this for him, unable to utter the words of leaving Jingcheng.

"Miss," Lu Qi said after taking a sip of the supplement Cheng Ru'an personally stewed, "Where did Xiao Er go?"

"Uncle Er," Tuan Tuan's eyes rolled, "Father let him go handle some business; he'll be back soon!"

"Uncle Seven, hurry up and drink!"

Lu Qi helplessly drank the whole bowl of supplement.

A few days later, Xiao Er returned to the Ning Prince's Mansion, quietly approached Tuan Tuan and said, "Miss, it's done."

Tuan Tuan sprang up: "That's great!"

She grabbed Xiao Er's big hand: "Come on! Let's go find Uncle Seven!"

Xiao Er laughed as he lifted her up and walked to Lu Qi's room door.

"Uncle Seven!" Tuan Tuan chirped, "Let's go out and play! I'll take you to a nice place!"