Xue Xingchen was sensible from a very young age, unlike Xingyue, who was lively. She didn't want Xingchen to be so sensible so early.
Do things that are appropriate for one's age.
"Mother Emperor, shouldn't this humble subject grow up quickly and become someone who can stand on their own?"
Xue Zining was taken aback and asked him, "Who told you that?"
Xue Xingchen said, "The Grand Tutor said so."
Xue Zining narrowed her eyes, looked at him, and after a long while, said, "That is true, but with your Mother Emperor here now, I wish for you to be happy and joyful. Those responsibilities and tasks can be given to your Mother Emperor first."
Xue Xingchen heard this and shook her head, "Your son wishes to share the burden with Mother Emperor, not wanting Mother Emperor to be so tired. Moreover, once your son can share the burden with Mother Emperor, Mother Emperor can go to find Father Emperor without any reservations..."
Xue Zining was stunned and looked at him in disbelief.
Xue Xingchen smiled, took her hand, and said, "Your son knows that Mother Emperor has actually been missing Father Emperor in her heart all along. Although Mother Emperor never shows it, the hairpin on Mother Emperor's head, your son has watched it and it has never been changed."
Xue Zining hugged him and said in a low voice, "Xingchen, you are only a little over a year old, how do you know so much?"
"Mother Emperor, the Grand Tutor said well, being born into royalty means enjoying the immense wealth and supreme power that royalty brings, and also growing ten to a hundred times faster than ordinary people."
Xue Zining embraced the small person in her arms, a pang of sorrow rising in her heart, "Xingchen, your Mother Emperor is here. You don't need to grow up like this..."
"Mother Emperor, since this Chang Jiu Kingdom will be inherited by your son in the future, then your son has no right to rely on others."
"Does Xingchen want to see your Father Emperor?" Xue Zining suddenly asked.
Xue Xingchen's small body froze. After a long while, she heard a soft voice, "Yes..."
"Alright, shall your Mother Emperor take you to find your Father Emperor?" Xue Zining asked.
Xue Xingchen was stunned, "Mother Emperor..."
"You don't need to worry about anything else. Your Mother Emperor is still the Emperor of Chang Jiu, and you just need to be obedient." Xue Zining picked her up and walked out.
Xue Zining summoned the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, and the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor overnight.
In the imperial study, Wen Yuxi looked at Xue Xingchen in her arms and was slightly startled.
Grand Tutor Lin, upon seeing Xue Xingchen being held by Xue Zining, had an unpleasant expression. "Your Majesty, you must not indulge the Crown Prince."
Xue Zining heard this and said to Grand Tutor Lin, "Grand Tutor, Xingchen is still too young. It is too early for him to be exposed to those things."
Grand Tutor Lin was about to say something more when Wen Yuxi stopped him. "He's only one year old. I was still in my mother's arms at that time?"
Grand Tutor Lin just then remembered that the child in the Empress's arms was only one year old!
"Your Majesty, have you summoned your minister for a matter?" Wen Yuxi asked as Shen Yunxuan arrived.
Xue Zining nodded and said, "I wish to travel incognito."
Upon hearing these words, Wen Yuxi's mouth twitched, but he didn't say much.
Grand Tutor Lin nodded, "Very well."
"When does Your Majesty plan to set off?" Shen Yunxuan asked.
"Tomorrow!" Xue Zining said.
"So, Your Majesty is going to leave the court affairs to us again?"
"This time I'm taking Xingchen with me."
Grand Tutor Lin still agreed, but upon hearing that Xue Xingchen was to be taken along, he immediately objected, "Your Majesty, absolutely not. The Crown Prince should stay here and grasp the responsibilities of a prince as soon as possible..."
"Grand Tutor, Xingchen is only a little over a year old, there's no rush," Xue Zining said.
Grand Tutor Lin shook his head, "Learning early is beneficial for the Crown Prince."
"I am taking him to find his Father Emperor."
Grand Tutor Lin was stunned.
Xue Zining stood up and looked at Grand Tutor Lin, "Lord Lin, I am merely informing you, not asking for your obstruction."
With that, she turned and left.
Grand Tutor Lin was stunned and took several steps back.
Wen Yuxi sighed and said, "I told you the current Empress is not the Empress of the past who could be manipulated at will, Father. You should know when to stop."
"I... I just want to pass on what I've learned to the Crown Prince..."
"Father, there will be times when you are needed, but not now..."
Xue Zining returned to her chambers and saw Xue Yan. She walked over and said, "Is something the matter?"
Xue Yan nodded, her expression looking a bit excited.
"Speak." Xue Zining placed Xue Xingchen on her bed.
Xue Yan said, "The people I sent to inquire have returned. Miss Lin is indeed the daughter of Prefect Lin. The young man that Miss Lin fancies is surnamed Yan..."
Xue Zining was startled, she looked up at Xue Yan. Xue Yan said excitedly, "His name is Yan Jin Chao..."
Her calm heart, at this moment, was like a tranquil lake suddenly rippled.
"Are you sure?" Xue Zining asked.
Xue Yan nodded, "I am sure. I was also skeptical before, but I heard that this Young Master Yan is accompanied by two guards, one named Xue Feng, and the other... named... named Xue Song."
After saying this, she couldn't help but her eyes reddened...
Xue Zining looked at Xue Yan and took her hand, "Since the news is confirmed, we will set off tomorrow. You go pack our things." Xue Yan nodded, "Okay."
Xue Zining looked into the distance, her eyes shining exceptionally bright. Yan Zhao, I am coming...
The next day
A carriage sped out of the capital. Xue Xingchen woke up and looked at her Mother Emperor and Aunt Xue beside her, and couldn't help but ask, "Mother Emperor, where are we?"
Xue Zining stroked Xue Xingchen's head and said, "We have left the capital. From now on, you will call me Mother..."
Xue Xingchen was stunned. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the scenery outside, a little excited, "Mother... Mother, is this the scenery outside?"
"Yes, do you like it?" Xue Zining asked.
Xue Xingchen nodded, "I like it."
"Mother, are we really going to find Father?" Xue Xingchen asked, looking up.
"Yes, are you looking forward to it?"
Xue Xingchen nodded, then quickly shook her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Your son is afraid he won't recognize your son when we meet him?" Xue Xingchen's small face creased.
"He won't," Xue Zining said.
"Madam, it's getting late and it's hot. Why don't we stay here tonight?"
Xue Zining nodded, "Okay."
"I'll go find an inn." Xue Yan got out of the carriage and went outside.
This time, Xue Zining traveled light, bringing only Xue Yan. With Xue Xingchen, there were only three of them.
Soon, Xue Yan found a suitable inn. Xue Xingchen felt everything was new and fresh as she got off the carriage.
The three of them asked for a large room, so they could take care of each other.
After dinner, Xue Zining lulled Xue Xingchen, and he soon fell asleep.
Xue Zining let out a long sigh of relief. Xue Yan said, "Your Majesty, it's been a day, you should rest too."
"I can't sleep," Xue Zining said.
Xue Yan smiled wryly, "I can't sleep either."
"Are Ping'an and the others doing well?"
Xue Yan nodded, "I've asked Feng Jiu and Feng Wu to help take care of them."
"Xue Song is waiting for you..."