Chapter 343: Do the Sheep Here Not Need to Be Locked Up?

So the Eleventh Prince moved into Jixiang Yuan, lying on the spacious big kang, and he stared blankly at the ceiling.

In the south in October, if one were in the Imperial Palace, there would already be a charcoal brazier.

But here, he had never seen a charcoal brazier, yet the room was still dry and warm.

He reached under the quilt and felt warmth; here, even a breath felt pleasant, no wonder Father Emperor liked to come here.

Indeed, he was different; his Father Emperor was clear—usually lofty, speaking to everyone in a commanding tone.

Rare to see another side of Father Emperor; this place is worth staying longer.

Watching the servants come and go, the room soon filled with the scent of fruit, and the attendant close to him watched himself salivate.

"Your Highness, may I peel a banana for you? It looks so nice," the servant said.

The Eleventh Prince nodded, "Xiaoliuzi, bring some of the fruit on the table I haven't tried for a taste."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Hmm, you needn't move, just lie down; I'll take your pulse and leave."

The Eleventh Prince lay flat, and Qiao Mai, feeling his pulse, said, "You're very hungry; you can have a steamed bun."

The Eleventh Prince sighed, "One cannot judge a person by appearance, nor measure the sea with a bucket; you're talking about Lady Qiao, aren't you?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Your Father Emperor is a wise ruler; seeing his face, his leg has healed and his life is saved, it's as if you've been reborn. Seize this chance and live well."

"If you like to eat, have more; your recovery is good. In two days you can eat normally; then you may send someone to Chufang to place an order."

"Madam, are you really going to let Ling'er marry into the royal family?"

"Princess, what if the Emperor wants you to form a marriage alliance with the Eleventh Prince?"

"Alas, I, as your teacher, fear the Emperor might have designs on you."

"I'm not that stubborn; I hear people say eat your fill. My demands aren't high—just be kind to me."

No need for servants to bring hot water; the thing called a shower turns on hot water with a twist, temperature just right, and the large tub fills with hot water in a moment, then drains automatically after bathing.

"What's there to fear? He's a prince, I'm a princess; besides, this is my home—how could a guest bully the host?"

In Xian Yue Ge, Yuehong and Yuexia spread blankets in the room, while Jin Mama and Ling'er sat face to face.

"Today I sneaked into the front hall and saw that the Eleventh Prince looks fine, only his leg is crippled; mother is treating him."

"Princess, we have the Eleventh Prince living here; you should be careful when you come and go."

At dusk, after the couple finished dinner, Yuan Jiaqi massaged her shoulders.

When Xiaoliuzi left, the Eleventh Prince had someone help him sit up; two eunuchs massaged his calves, and he looked outside through the window.

"The servant is here!"

"Ha, your mother is a deity! Everything is your mother!"

"This palace knows, it's just said offhand."

At that moment, Yang Laoda arrived at Tingfeng Pavilion with his brothers, even glancing into his room a few times.

"I listen to mother; if she, the old lady, tells me to marry, I will. I trust mother's judgment—see the women she chose for elder brother and second brother, they're all good, and third brother's wife is also fine."

"I heard the Fourth-rank military general Jiang Yuan Peng and his brother—oh, they were formerly Lady Qiao's adopted sons—had their martial arts taught hand‑by‑hand by Lady Qiao, making them almost invincible on the battlefield."

"Since you mention it, this palace really wants to see Lady Qiao's skill; if possible, to take her as a teacher would be great."

Only then could I learn many things, feeling my whole body brimming with motivation.

He was eager to get started, wanting to wander Jixiang Yuan and seek Lady Qiao's counsel.

Qiao Mai gave a few reminders and left; the Eleventh Prince asked Xiaoliuzi for a big red apple to eat.

"The servant speaks only truth; you have lived in the inner palace for years, knowing nothing of the outside, yet I run errands for you and have heard some things."

That house's exterior was beautiful, its interior even better than the Imperial Palace; though he wasn't obsessive about cleanliness, he loved it, and bathing there was simply extremely comfortable.

"It may not work; it depends whether Ling'er and he get along. I never intended for Ling'er to marry the royal family, but the Old Emperor mentioned it several times, and I just went along."

"You, have you no own ideas?"

"Xiaoliuzi?"

"Later, you should inquire carefully."

"Yes, I never heard she could practice medicine before; I didn't expect it to be so hidden. Not to mention, wheat, rice, steel formulas—all came from her hand. Would you say she's formidable or not?"

With the toxins gone from his legs, he no longer needs to be careful with food; let him eat fruit, even more. He wants to restore his body quickly, train his legs fast—the feeling of running and jumping with his legs, he longs to experience.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The more Xiaoliuzi spoke, the brighter the Eleventh Prince's eyes became; he liked associating with capable people.

"Of course; in my heart, mother is my deity; she would never watch me be trapped."

"Sorry to bother uncle and aunt."

"With mother here, what's there to fear?"

Jin Mama pursed her lips and stood, "Time to rest, Princess."

"Your Highness," Xiaoliuzi whispered into his ear.

The area of Tingfeng Pavilion was indeed spacious, spotless everywhere; he immediately spotted the room nearest to his.

"I don't know; I heard they keep many small animals, some free‑roaming, some in the Hua Yuan. When your leg can walk, the servant will help you see. I hear Jixiang Yuan is famous in Jingcheng; not just anyone can live there."

"Jixiang Yuan has no guards at all; the ones protecting this home are just a few sheep?"

The Eleventh Prince stared wide‑eyed, "Xiaoliuzi, the sheep of this house don't need to be locked up?"

"This Lady Qiao doesn't look particularly special on the outside."

After hearing his fanciful tale, the Eleventh Prince was shocked, "She has such great abilities?"

"But if you marry into the royal family, you'll hardly be able to leave the palace."

"Thank you, aunt!"

Understood, Master.

Jin Mama's eyes flickered; she thought to herself, "I must never get married. I barely managed to leave the Imperial Palace, and I don't want to go back."

Early the next morning, Qiao Mai went to Tingfeng Pavilion, and upon entering the room she saw the Eleventh Prince eating fruit.

But today I saw Ling'er at the front hall doorway, craning her neck to peek.

Originally he was attended to by palace servants for his toileting, but the Steward sent someone over to teach them how to use the bathroom; after the Eleventh Prince used it, he fell in love with it.

Make a trip back to the palace, pick a few of the most precious gifts from the storeroom, and deliver them to Lady Qiao's Yuexian Pavilion.

Xiaoliuzi chuckled, "I, the servant, have inquired with the household staff; rescuing this Lady Qiao required great skill, so you must not judge by appearance."

Your family's fruit is delicious.

Seeing Qiao Mai, he struggled to his feet and said, "Good morning, Aunt!"

Anyway, as long as those who come here aren't up to no good, people enter upright but leave sideways; the Second Prince, in order to obtain the Princess, sent over a hundred assassins to kidnap her, but unfortunately they are all hiding here.

I also saw it, just out of curiosity; let's wait and see. Matters of fate, no matter how powerful I am, I cannot prevent them. Sigh, perhaps this is destiny; just go with the flow.

Father Emperor only came to Jixiang Yuan for a meal; if he stays a few days, I believe he'll also grow fond of this place.

Jixiang Yuan is filled with rare and odd curiosities; especially, the Eleventh Prince's eyes lit up as he saw the three snow‑white little lambs, which had come as a group to patrol.

He waved at the lambs through the window, and Yang Laoda gave him a human‑like rolling of its eyes, causing the Eleventh Prince to laugh heartily.

The palace servants exchanged glances, wondering how long it had been since Their Highness had laughed so merrily.

(End of chapter)