Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 913 A Rare Moment of Leisure in Life

Xia Lin finally understood why emperors died so easily from exhaustion. The workload and pressure were truly unbearable. If it weren't for the allure of power, he really didn't know who would voluntarily become emperor.

However, power is indeed a good thing. Xia Lin is not actually greedy for power, but he does have immense power. He doesn't have to bow to anyone, worry about making a living, or go to great lengths to please anyone.

This feeling of freedom within constraint is actually quite nice. Therefore, he believes that it would be a lie to say that anyone is completely free from the desire for power. This love of ease and comfort is human nature, and the only thing that can fight against human nature is a firm will and unwavering faith.

That day, Xia Lin, as usual, declined more than a dozen banquet invitations and sat in the courtyard roasting sweet potatoes for his second batch of children.

The first batch was already capable of causing trouble in Chang'an, while the second batch was still wearing open-crotch pants and couldn't even speak properly.

There were four in this litter.

Bean Sprout tied her hair up, afraid that her hair would be pulled off by this clueless little brat, while next to her was Tingyun, who was squatting there feeding a group of children spoonful by spoonful.

This former courtesan, who doesn't appear often but is becoming increasingly cautious, is now nominally the mistress that Da Yun is keeping behind San Niang's back.

The king, the most cuckolded king in the world, was keeping a mistress behind the empress's back, while the empress gave birth to a crown prince for Xia Lin. From an ordinary person's perspective, the relationships between this group are so complicated that they could be the subject of a novel of over three million words.

However, the internal situation is relatively harmonious. This is mainly because Xia Lin's wife has a peaceful personality. The Grand Princess doesn't really care about these things. Born into the royal family, she has seen too much. Even her father, at the age of fifty-six, was having an affair with a young girl in Fuliang and reportedly even secretly gave birth to a younger brother for her.

However, Prince Teng is now nearly seventy years old. Since Guo left, he has no longer performed the duties of regent and has begun the life of an old man. A few days ago, a letter came saying that he was ill, so the Grand Princess had to rush back to Jinling to take care of her father.

As for Tang Bao'er, she has been busy with her own things for many years. In fact, their relationship can be close or distant, but Xia Lin can understand. After all, she comes from a business background, and if she gets too close to Xia Lin, it will cause him some trouble.

“Actually, you just won’t admit it.” Bean Sprout suddenly looked up and said, “There seem to be quite a few women, but only Third Sister truly has you in her heart.”

"Don't talk nonsense." Xia Lin looked up at her. "And there's Sister Chun Tao too."

"Heh." Bean Sprout swung his toes: "Do you dare hear the truth?"

"Dare? Why wouldn't I dare? I debuted at fifteen, twenty-one years have passed, and now I'm thirty-six. What truth haven't I heard?"

Bean Sprout laughed heartily: "Let me tell you, your Grand Princess is only with you out of admiration. Your white moonlight, Miss Tang, is only with you out of gratitude. As for Chun Tao and the others, they had no choice. Oh, and there's one more who has your heart, that's Dong Niang. She truly likes you, although she doesn't say it, but she will do anything for you unconditionally."

"If you think about it, there are many people around you, but only two or three truly care about you."

Miss Tingyun listened silently, not daring to speak. Just as she finally mustered the courage to speak, Douya pointed at her and said, "You don't need to say so much. Your relationship with him is more about repaying a debt of gratitude. In time, it won't matter anymore."

Xia Lin didn't say anything more at this moment, but just focused on processing the sweet potatoes in her hands.

"Your Majesty and Dongniang, these two are your true lovers. If there is an afterlife, do not be so greedy and insatiable. Treat them both well, understand?"

"And what about you?" Xia Lin suddenly looked up and asked curiously, "Aren't you a good man?"

"Me?" Bean Sprout chuckled lightly. "What kind of good man am I?"

Xia Lin stepped forward and smeared a smear of dirt on her face: "Why aren't you a good man?"

"Damn thing!"

Bean Sprout stood up and started chasing after him, but before he could finish the first lap, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and then Kasyapa came in strolling in with a dog.

Seeing her parents' expressions, she showed disgust, turned around, and strolled out again...

After they finished chasing, the yard returned to calm. Suddenly, Bean Sprout asked, "What was that thing that came in and then went out?"

"It's Princess Kasyapa."

"That's alright then." Bean Sprout rolled her eyes. "That ingrate has no conscience. I've been taking care of her for so many years, and just because Third Aunt gave her a dog, she's been thinking about Third Aunt all the time now."

"No, you're even jealous of this? She was raised on her aunt's milk, how could she be close to you?"

Just as the two were exchanging a few words, a commotion arose outside. Xia Lin listened for a while and then asked, "What's that noise outside?"

"You'll be eating chicken tonight."

Sure enough, dinner consisted of steamed chicken, braised chicken, and stewed chicken, filling the entire table. Upon inquiring, it was learned that Kasyapa had sent that dead dog to catch chickens that afternoon in order to train its wildness. The dog had killed forty-eight chickens that afternoon, and the entire Dugu family was eating chicken that day.

After the babies had eaten their fill, the wet nurses took them away to settle them in, leaving only Xia Lin and Dou Ya Zi sitting opposite each other at the stone table. Xia Lin was spitting out chicken bones like a weasel.

When Li Zhi lifted the curtain and entered, he brought in a cool early summer evening breeze. His face showed some fatigue, and he bowed to Xia Lin and Douyazi, saying, "Father, Prince Su."

"Sit down." Xia Lin pointed to the stone bench next to him and pushed half a roasted sweet potato over. "Is the list finalized?" "Yes." Li Zhi took the sweet potato but didn't eat it right away. "Four companions, Di Ying, Li Sheng, the second son of the Pei family, and a member of a collateral branch of the Wei family. The sixty places for going to the countryside have also been drafted. Mother has seen it and said... let me do whatever I want."

Douyazi slowly and methodically poked at the charcoal ash with a bamboo skewer, and chuckled softly upon hearing this: "Your mother is quite at ease."

Xia Lin took a bite of sweet potato and mumbled, "She doesn't trust him, she trusts me."

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open again, and Dugu Jiaye poked half his body in, sniffing the air: "It smells so good! Father, is there any left for me?"

"Help yourself, there's more over there." Xia Lin pointed to the table: "Thanks to you, even my farts smell like chicken poop tonight."

Just as Kasyapa was about to reach for it, Bean Sprout said with disgust, "Your hands are covered in dust, go wash them! You're filthy. You don't look like a princess at all. When Zhi'er ascends the throne, you will be the Grand Princess. After the Empress, you will be the highest-ranking person in the empire. You don't look like a princess at all."

Kasyapa chuckled, completely unconcerned, and sat down next to the bean sprouts, swinging his legs as he ate.

Looking at this scene, Li Zhi suddenly said, "Speaking of which, since returning to Chang'an, Father has not had a proper visit to the West Market. I heard that the night market is more lively than usual these days."

Xia Lin's eyes lit up, and he became interested. He turned to look at Douyazi and winked mischievously, "Hey, Douyazi, how about a different look?"

Bean Sprout didn't even bother to lift her eyelids: "I'm not going. I'm covered in grime and look filthy."

"Tsk..." Xia Lin leaned closer and looked carefully at Douyazi's face: "If you don't wear women's clothes more often, you'll get old. You're short, and when you get old, you'll shrink and become a withered old lady. Your face will look particularly fierce when you get old, a fierce and withered old lady."

Bean Sprout paused, fiddling with the charcoal ash in her hand, and looked up: "Are you out of things to say?"

Xia Linhun waved his hand dismissively: "Please do me the honor, Prince Su."

In the end, Douyazi was half-pulled and half-draggled into the house by Xia Lin. When she came out again, she had changed into a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her long hair, which she usually tied up, was now styled into a shaggy bun, with a plain silver hairpin inserted diagonally, and a small plum blossom decoration on her forehead.

She was already at the peak of her beauty, and with a little dressing up, she was already an absolute beauty. Moreover, she had stopped taking medication for many years, and although she was short, she had everything she needed, with a graceful figure. In addition, she had just given birth to her second daughter not long ago, and at this time, her female hormones were exploding, making her incomparable to those naive young girls.

That's why people say Mr. Cao has a good appetite.

Xia Lin was stunned for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed: "Good! Let's go! No wonder she's called the 'Sai Diao Chan' (a legendary beauty), she'll have great luck after she gets back!"

Kasyapa's eyes lit up, and she tugged at Bean Sprout's sleeve, saying, "Mother, you look so beautiful!"

The group of four didn't bring many attendants, only a few plainclothes guards following at a distance, blending into the brightly lit West Market of Chang'an.

The night market was indeed more bustling than usual. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, laughter, and the melodies of erhu and pipa mingled together, filling the air with the mixed aromas of grilled meat, spices, sweet cakes, and various snacks. The lights shone brightly, illuminating vibrant faces.

Xia Lin was in high spirits, and she lingered in front of the various stalls with Dou Yazi by her hand.

One minute he'd buy her a string of bright red candied hawthorns, the next he'd stop in front of the sugar-blowing stall, insisting the old master blow one just like him. At first, Douyazi was a bit reserved, but after Xia Lin stuffed her hands full of snacks, her impatience gradually faded with the vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace, and she felt as if she'd returned to when she first met this guy in her youth.

With her striking appearance and bearing, dressed in women's clothing and walking side-by-side with Xia Lin, she naturally attracted countless glances. Passersby turned their heads and whispered among themselves.

"That's... Marshal Xia?"

"Who is that woman beside him? I've never seen her before, she's very beautiful!"

"She doesn't look like the one from the palace..."

"Tsk, Commander Xia is a real connoisseur. I've never seen such a beautiful wife in Chang'an."

The whispers drifted over, but Xia Lin pretended not to hear them. Instead, he moved closer to Douyazi, pointed to a stall selling flatbreads, and even kissed her hard on the cheek: "That stall uses plenty of spices. Let's go try it."

Bean Sprout glared at him but didn't shake off his hand. Meanwhile, Kasyapa had already dragged his brother away, disappearing to who knows where, afraid of witnessing the middle-aged couple's affectionate moment and making them feel awkward and uncomfortable.

This scene, witnessed by certain individuals with ulterior motives, quickly went viral. Within just half an hour, the rumor that "Commander Xia was seen strolling through the West Market with a stunningly beautiful stranger, appearing quite intimate" spread like wildfire throughout Chang'an. Naturally, some added fuel to the fire, turning it into "Xia Lin is disloyal to Her Majesty the Empress, openly traveling with a beauty without any regard for others' opinions."

Meanwhile, the two at the center of the rumors were standing on a stone bridge. The river below reflected the lights of countless homes, shimmering in the sunlight. Xia Lin broke off half of a still-warm flatbread and handed it to Douyazi.

Bean Sprout took it, took a small bite, and gazed at the lights flowing under the bridge. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Aren't you afraid people will gossip?"

Xia Lin finished his portion in a few bites, wiped his mouth, and laughed nonchalantly, "What gossip? I'm just taking my brother, Prince Su, out for a stroll. What's wrong with that? Besides..." He turned to look at Douyazi's profile, which was particularly soft under the light, and chuckled, "You have no idea how dirty the rumors about us are. If they knew that their Emperor only gave birth to one child for me, but the dignified Prince Su of the Dugu family gave birth to two, and might even be pregnant with another one tonight, they would all go crazy."

Bean Sprout couldn't help but sneer, but couldn't resist kicking Xia Lin: "Get lost! You filthy thing."

(End of this chapter)