“Since you’re here, let’s have a family lunch at noon,” Xia Taishi said.
As he spoke, Grand Tutor Xia pretended to squint up at the blazing sun in the sky, hiding his discomfort.
Upon hearing this.
Old Madam Xia, Xia Shanyí and his wife, the King and Consort Leng, and Leng Jinyu all looked at him with disbelief.
What did this old man just say?
They thought they heard him ask Leng Jinyu to stay for lunch.
Had they heard him correctly?
Grand Tutor Xia had been the most hateful person towards Leng Jinyu since Xia Wan'er’s death. Yet now, he was accepting Leng Jinyu.
Was the sun rising from the west today?
“What are you all still standing there like fools for? Hurry inside and tell the servants to prepare lunch.”
Grand Tutor Xia, seeing everyone still frozen in place, shouted to remind them.
When everyone snapped back to reality, Xia Shanyí and his wife immediately led the way. Leng Ruo’li stepped forward to support Old Madam Xia. Jun Mohán also moved to help Grand Tutor Xia, but Leng Jinyu beat him to it, leaving his outstretched hand to grasp at air.
“Your Highness, let me help Father,” Leng Jinyu said proudly.
Because of Xia Wan’er’s death, his father had hated him for so many years. Now that his father had finally forgiven him, he was determined to make a good impression.
“Alright!”
Jun Mohán could only nod helplessly.
He didn’t dare to compete with his father-in-law for this credit.
However, it was strange. Why had Grand Tutor Xia suddenly changed his attitude towards Leng Jinyu today?
Later, Grand Tutor Xia, Leng Ruo’li, and the others leisurely returned to the inner living room, where Xia Shanyí and Madam Jiang had already arranged the meal.
Grand Tutor Xia and Old Madam Xia immediately invited Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán to sit beside them. Then, they asked Leng Jinyu to sit down as well. Once everyone was seated, Grand Tutor Xia picked up his chopsticks first, signaling for everyone to begin eating…
Everyone enjoyed the lunch immensely.
After lunch, Leng Jinyu mentioned his upcoming trip with the King and Consort Leng. Although Grand Tutor Xia and Old Madam Xia maintained their usual expressions, they were still concerned about his safety. However, after some thought, they realized that Leng Jinyu was traveling with the King and Consort Leng, and these two children were so outstanding that they had no reason to worry.
“Alright, you three must write to us regularly to let us know you are safe when you are gone, understand?”
Old Madam Xia’s voice was already choked with emotion.
“Grandmother, we will write to you often, please don’t worry. Last time, we traveled far and wide to find the antidote for the Prince, overcoming all sorts of difficulties. This time will also go smoothly,” Leng Ruo’li said.
After speaking, Leng Ruo’li bid farewell to the Xia family and immediately left the Xia residence with Jun Mohán and Leng Jinyu.
Grand Tutor Xia watched the backs of the three as they departed, the tears in his eyes finally unable to be held back and flowing down.
Meanwhile, after the King and Consort Leng and Leng Jinyu left the Xia residence, on the way to escort Leng Jinyu back to General Leng’s manor, Leng Ruo’li casually instructed Leng Jinyu on one matter.
Leng Ruo’li told Leng Jinyu to prepare a few sets of clothes for the journey and not to bring anything else.
Leng Jinyu readily agreed, knowing that his daughter possessed a Qiankun bag capable of holding countless items and had likely packed everything they would need for the trip. Therefore, he didn’t push the matter when Leng Ruo’li told him not to bring anything.
A moment later, the King and Consort Leng dropped Leng Jinyu off at General Leng’s manor, and then Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán obediently boarded their carriage to head to the palace.
They had decided to inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager about their upcoming long journey, otherwise, they might face their anger upon their return.
Upon arriving at the palace, Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán intended to see the Emperor first. However, when they reached the Emperor’s imperial study, they overheard the young eunuchs attending the Emperor say that the Emperor had gone to the Empress Dowager’s Longevity Palace.
Thus, Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán quickly proceeded to the Longevity Palace.
Immediately, they entered the Empress Dowager’s inner chambers. Looking up, they saw the Emperor massaging the Empress Dowager’s back, while the Empress Dowager was reclined on her phoenix couch, eyes closed, appearing to be asleep. Her sleeping posture looked very relaxed.
Upon seeing the King and Consort Leng, the Emperor immediately made a gesture for them to be quiet, signaling them not to wake the Empress Dowager.
To their surprise, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes shortly after. Seeing Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán, her face immediately broke into a smile.
“Li’er, Han’er, come here quickly! Sit by your Imperial Grandmother’s side,” the Empress Dowager said, beckoning to the King and Consort Leng.
Submissively, Leng Ruo’li and Jun Mohán sat down beside the Empress Dowager.
“Li’er, you mentioned at King Ning’s wedding that you would get a cooler fan for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Did you bring it to the palace today?” the Empress Dowager asked Leng Ruo’li with anticipation.
“Imperial Grandmother, Li’er has brought them for you. I’ll go out for a moment and get them for you now.”
If the Empress Dowager hadn’t reminded her, Leng Ruo’li would have almost forgotten about it.
Leng Ruo’li walked out of the Longevity Palace, found a secluded corner in a corridor, and quickly retrieved two medium-sized, black, hand-cranked fans, returning to the hall.
“Imperial Grandmother, Father Emperor, these are the hand-cranked fans Li’er prepared for you.”
“Oh, but why are these fans different from the small fan you brought last time?” the Empress Dowager asked, finding the chain wound around the back of the fan peculiar.
“Imperial Grandmother, the one Li’er used for you that day required electricity to operate. But I cannot always be by your side, so that electric fan is not very practical. These two hand-cranked fans, however, only need to be wound once to function for a considerable time. Even when Li’er is not here, you can use them.”
Regarding electricity, Leng Ruo’li had explained it to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor when she gifted them the massage devices. Although they still didn’t grasp the concept of electricity, they were now very familiar with the word itself from Leng Ruo’li’s explanations.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager’s faces lit up with smiles upon hearing Leng Ruo’li’s explanation.
“That’s wonderful!”
“Li’er, please demonstrate for us.”
The summer heat was truly oppressive, and the Empress Dowager was eager to use the hand-cranked fan.
Subsequently, Leng Ruo’li called in the palace wet nurse and the Empress Dowager’s personal maids. She demonstrated how to use them, and everyone quickly learned. The two hand-cranked fans were then placed in the Empress Dowager’s grand hall, creating a refreshing breeze.
Following this, the King and Consort Leng, along with the Empress Dowager and Emperor, discussed their planned trip to the East Sea.