Chapter 936: More than what your eldest third brother brought

He stood up, about to speak.

Xiao Jieyun already raised his hand to stop him: "You are now the Crown Prince, overseeing state affairs."

"Performing the Heavenly Sacrifice in My name is proper and justified." The Emperor's voice sank, "The Fengshan sacrifice is a great state rite; though I cannot go in person, it cannot be left undone."

He turned to Xiao Ningchen: "Xiao Ningchen."

"I am here."

"The Emperor commands you to lead five thousand elite cavalry to escort the Crown Prince eastward."

"The assassins who tried to kill the Crown Prince have not yet been captured; along this road, his safety is now in your hands."

"I receive the edict." Xiao Ningchen knelt on one knee, "I am here, and so is the Crown Prince."

Xiao Ze also knelt to the ground: "Your humble servant receives the edict."

"But since I am going in your stead, to make a clear distinction, I request permission for the entourage to be simple, not disturbing the people or undertaking construction."

The Emperor gave a slight nod: "Approved."

The next day, in Return Garden.

Tuan Tuan crouched on the ground, gripping a branch, drawing back and forth on the earth.

Gongsun Yue sat on the stone bench, holding Snowball in his arms, looking down at her.

"Xiao Yueyue," Tuan Tuan lifted his head, "why do you think Elder Sister Song is always so happy? She's always grinning."

Gongsun Yue withdrew his gaze, thought a moment: "Because you married your second uncle?"

"No." Tuan Tuan shook his head, the branch in his hand poking the ground twice, "She was happy before, and now she's even happier."

"Then what do you say it is?"

Tuan Tuan was about to speak.

Song Shujun walked out from the main hall carrying a plate of snacks, the corners of her mouth smiling.

Xiao Feifei darted out from under the stone table, circling her skirt, its fluffy tail sweeping back and forth.

Snowball leapt from Gongsun Yue's arms to the ground, lifted its head and meowed at her.

"You've been talking for a while—have something to eat, thirsty?" Song Shujun set the plate on the stone table, "I'll go get you a pot of tea."

Having said that, she turned and left.

Tuan Tuan leaned close to Gongsun Yue's ear, lowering his voice: "I know!"

"Elder Sister Song is happy because Second Uncle combs her hair every morning!"

Gongsun Yue blinked, glanced toward the main hall, and asked softly: "How do you know?"

"I saw it!" Tuan Tuan declared confidently, "Through the crack in the door!"

"Second Uncle held the comb, his hand shaking for a while, and took a long time to comb Elder Sister Song's hair."

She imitated Xiao Er, murmuring: "Shu, Shujun, does it hurt, does it hurt?"

Gongsun Yue imagined Xiao Er's dark, broad face full of tension, both large hands gripping the comb, and couldn't help laughing out loud.

Song Shujun came out with tea, saw the two laughing together, and asked curiously: "What are you laughing about?"

Tuan Tuan immediately sat up straight, solemnly: "Nothing, Elder Sister."

Song Shujun glanced at her, then at Gongsun Yue covering his mouth, smiled slightly, set down the tea, and went back inside.

Only then did Gongsun Yue lower his voice and ask: "Have you told your second uncle?"

"No!" Tuan Tuan lifted his teacup and took a sip, "If I told him he'd just blush! His face these days—red at the drop of a hat!"

No sooner had the words fallen than footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate.

Xiao Er strode in, holding a bamboo basket, its contents unknown, covered tightly with a blue cloth.

"Second Uncle!" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up as he ran over, "What are you carrying?"

Xiao Er hid the basket behind his back: "Nothing, just something for Shujun."

"Let me see!" Tuan Tuan ran to his back, tiptoed to lift the blue cloth.

Xiao Er lifted the basket high; Tuan Tuan jumped twice but couldn't reach, puffing his cheeks in anger: "Second Uncle's bullying!"

Hearing the sound, Song Shujun came out, saw Xiao Er holding the basket aloft while Tuan Tuan ran around him jumping, and couldn't help laughing.

Seeing her, Xiao Er unconsciously lowered the basket in his hands.

Tuan Tuan seized the moment to flip open the blue cloth, peered in, and saw a basket full of fresh lotus roots.

"It's lotus root!" Tuan Tuan snatched one, held it up to Song Shujun's face, "Elder Sister, look! Second Uncle bought this for you!"

Song Shujun lowered her gaze, a blush rising on her cheeks: "Thank you."

"Not, not a problem."

"You, you used to live in Jiangnan, right? I saw this, thought you'd like it, so I bought it back."

Tuan Tuan glanced at Xiao Er, then at Song Shujun, tugged Gongsun Yue's sleeve and ran off: "Xiao Yueyue, let's go!"

Gongsun Yue was pulled along, stumbling: "Where to?"

"Out to play!" Tuan Tuan didn't look back, "Elder Sister Song wants lotus root, and Second Uncle still has to comb her hair!"

No sooner had the words fallen than a violent cough came from behind.

Xiao Feifei toddled along behind them, its fluffy tail sticking straight up.

Snowball also hopped out after them.

Little Gold slowly swam out from the grass, lazily flicking its tongue.

Half a month later, the auspicious time for the eastern Fengshan sacrifice arrived.

Before dawn, the five thousand elite troops had already taken position in formation on both sides of the long street.

Xiao Ningchen wore bright armor, a long sword at his waist, reined his horse and stood at the front of the ranks.

Officials had already lined up in order on both sides of the long street.

"His Majesty is arriving——"

The imperial carriage slowly approaches.

Xiao Jieyun, dressed in bright yellow ceremonial robes, steps down from the imperial carriage.

He is followed by several attendants, holding a brocade box and a golden tablet.

Xiao Ze quickly steps forward, lifts his robe and kneels: "Your subject pays respects to Father Emperor."

Xiao Jieyun slightly raises his hand: "No need for formalities."

"This golden tablet bears the memorial text written by Me personally, to be offered by Me at the summit of Mount Tai."

Xiao Ze receives the golden tablet with both hands, lifts it high above his head, kneels and kowtows: "Your subject receives the decree; on this journey I will surely offer sacrifices to Heaven, announce success, pacify the people, and pray for blessings."

Xiao Jieyun bends down to help him up, reaches out and lightly pats his shoulder.

Xiao Ze turns, his gaze falling on Tuan Tuan.

He walks up to Xiao Yuanhang; Tuan Tuan pokes out of her father's arms, her little arms reaching out: "Third Elder Brother! When will you and Second Brother come back?"

Xiao Ze reaches out and gently rubs her head: "If it's quick, I'll be back in a month."

Tuan Tuan's brows immediately knot into a little bump: "That's so long!"

Xiao Ze smiles.

Tuan Tuan mutters: "Daddy, I want to go too!"

Xiao Yuanhang shakes his head, a faint smile appearing on his lips: "Your Third Elder Brother is going to Mount Tai for the Heavenly Sacrifice, not to war; there's really no need for you to help."

Tuan Tuan pouts, burying her face in her father's chest, refusing to lift her head.

Xiao Ze gently pats her back, smiling: "Be good, when your Third Elder Brother returns I'll bring you pine nut candy from Mount Tai; I hear it's delicious!"

"Oh." Tuan Tuan still refuses to lift her head.

Xiao Ningchen rides up, lowers his head to look at his sister: "Second Brother will be back soon; wait for me at home."

Tuan Tuan hears his voice and then lifts her head: "Second Brother, please come back quickly, okay? I'll miss you."

Xiao Ningchen grins: "Got it! Second Brother will also bring you pine nut candy—definitely more than your Third Elder Brother!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes light up: "Good!"

Xiao Ningchen laughs loudly, shakes the reins, and rides back with the troop.

Xiao Jieyun glances at Eunuch Cheng.

Eunuch Cheng steps forward a few paces and sings loudly: "The auspicious time has arrived! The Crown Prince leaves the palace to perform the Heavenly Sacrifice on Mount Tai in place of the Emperor; all officials kneel to see him off!"

All civil and military officials kneel together, shouting in unison: "Long live His Majesty!"

"Long live the Crown Prince!"

Xiao Ze adjusts his attire, then performs a deep bow to Xiao Jieyun, turns and mounts the golden carriage.

The phoenix bells chime; five thousand elite cavalry split into two groups, front and rear, escorting the golden carriage slowly eastward.