good season

In the capital, everyone, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, attaches great importance to the Lantern Festival.

Liangdi doesn't have so many customs, but Zhao Shiqing followed local traditions and sewed new clothes for her family early on.

Zhao Shiqing was still in mourning and dressed simply. For the Lantern Festival, she specially sewed a white cloak. Early in the morning, she put the white cloak on for Zhen Wuduo to see. Zhen Wuduo frowned and said, "My dear granddaughter, can we put this cloak away after the Lantern Festival?"

The old man is getting on in years and can't stand seeing younger generations wearing white.

Zhao Shiqing winked at him and readily agreed. The old man immediately presented her with a heavy gold ingot for sewing clothes.

Zhao Shiqing took the gold ingot: "I'll go cook you some glutinous rice balls."

After saying that, he turned and ran away.

Murong Linlang found it disgusting: "Grandpa, you've been fooled. That little thing deliberately lingered in front of you, just trying to scam you out of money."

How could she not know the apprentices she trained?
Zhen Wuduo smiled and said, "My eldest granddaughter is just teasing me. She's the most filial to me."

Murong Linlang: I was just being nosy.

After the family had breakfast, there was a knock at the door. Old Fan went out to answer it and saw that it was Zhao Tingluo.

Zhao Tingluo had been coming here frequently these days, and the guards already knew him. They were about to let him in when they saw a young woman and a middle-aged woman standing behind him.

Soon, the three were brought in. Upon hearing that Zhao Tingluo had brought two female relatives, Zhao Shiqing guessed who they were.

Sure enough, it was the heir apparent of the Prince of Fu's mansion and her wet nurse who arrived.

Yesterday, Zhao Tingluo returned to the manor and secretly told the Crown Princess about Xiaobao's arrival in the capital. The Crown Princess wished she could come over overnight, but she waited anxiously until dawn, and then, after estimating that Zhao Shiqing and the others had finished breakfast, she finally came over.

Seeing that the Crown Princess was dressed simply and only had a silver hairpin in her hair, Zhao Shiqing knew that they had come secretly without the knowledge of the people in the mansion.

The Crown Princess thanked everyone first, then looked around. Zhao Shiqing asked Lingbo to take her to see Xiaobao. Zhao Tingluo wanted to go with her, but Zhao Shiqing stopped him.

"What's going on? Aren't you planning to take Xiaobao back home openly and honestly?"

Zhao Tinglu hurriedly said, "When I went back yesterday, I originally wanted to go directly to tell my grandfather, but when I got there, I saw my good-for-nothing father kneeling on the ground crying. He was crying with snot and tears streaming down his face. He said that his youngest son in the village was saddened to see other children reunited with their families during the New Year, while he was all alone. He cried all day and developed a high fever at night. He had just recovered these past two days, and now the Lantern Festival is approaching. The thought of his child spending the festival alone again breaks his heart. He begged my grandfather to let that illegitimate son come back to the manor for a day, and then send him back to the village after the Lantern Festival."

When he saw me approach, my scumbag father hugged me, promising he wouldn't let that child get in my mother's way. He said that when the child came back, he'd keep him locked up in the yard and send him away after the holiday. He was clutching his chest, writhing in pain as if he were about to die.

Zhao Shiqing raised her eyebrows. "The Zhao family produces talented people! Prince Fu is such a drama queen. He spent most of his life pretending to be stupid in front of the emperor. I never expected that Prince Fu's heir would surpass him and be a drama queen as well."

"And then, you agreed?"

Zhao Shiqing scoffed. If it were her, she would let that illegitimate child come back, and then release some snakes, insects, and rats into the yard. Don't say that the child did nothing wrong. An illegitimate child who is even worse than a concubine's child is born with original sin.

Zhao Tinglu snorted: "I didn't agree, but my grandmother did. She not only agreed to let that bastard come back, but also agreed to let him stay until after the first month of the lunar calendar."

Last night, my mother smashed everything in my grandmother's room. After that, she brought some people to smash my scumbag father's study. My mother was going to smash my father's head too, but my grandfather fainted, and my mother was afraid of angering him to death, so she stopped.

Prince Fu cannot die. If he dies, the scumbag father will become the head of the entire Prince Fu Mansion. This is no ordinary small family. This is the Prince Fu Mansion. Although the Prince Fu Mansion is not hereditary, the scumbag father's title is Heir Apparent. He has not yet been promoted to Prince. In addition, the Emperor Emeritus is still alive. Emperor Yongjia may allow the Prince Fu Mansion to be passed down for another generation. In that case, the scumbag father will be a Prince, not a Prince. Not to mention bringing his illegitimate child into the mansion, he can have a dozen or twenty more sons.

As long as Prince Fu is alive, there is still someone who can keep his scumbag father in check, and his scumbag father dares not act recklessly.

Zhao Shiqing also grew up in the Prince's mansion, so she understood immediately after Zhao Tingluo said that.

"So what are you thinking now? Are you not going to take Xiaobao back yet?"

Zhao Tinglu's gaze was firm: "Sister, tonight the Emperor will be enjoying himself with the people and watching the lanterns with the Empress. All the nobles and officials in the capital will be there, and our Prince Fu's Mansion will also be there. Although our seats are in the front, only my grandfather can actually get to the Emperor's presence. My scumbag father can only sit with the nobles."

Zhao Shiqing understood the situation when she thought about how Zhao Tingluo was favored by the Emperor and Empress.

"You want to bypass your Prince Fu's residence and bring Xiao Bao before the Emperor?"

Zhao Tinglu nodded: "Tonight, I will use His Majesty's word to let everyone in the capital know that the second son of the Prince of Fu's family has returned."

The room was silent. Zhao Shiqing looked at the young boy in front of her, whose face still looked very childish, and nodded.

"Is it just to let Xiaobao recognize his ancestors? Your grandfather is old, and the Prince of Fu's mansion will be your father's sooner or later. You are only ten years old, and Xiaobao is even younger. To put it bluntly, if your father wanted to kill you, it would be like crushing two little ants."

"Your mother, wanting you to grow up safely, even cruelly sent you to the palace. But she could only send you once, not a second time. The palace isn't a vegetable garden. The Empress's pity for your mother can only be used once. Your life is saved, but what about Xiao Bao? Can you watch over him 24/7? Even if you can, can you guarantee his absolute safety?"

Zhao Tinglu sighed: "Sister, I have actually thought about having my grandfather depose my father and establish a new heir, but my grandfather actually loves my father very much, not to mention my grandmother, so it is unlikely that they will agree to depose the heir."

Zhao Shiqing thought for a moment and said, "Then let your mother continue to make a fuss. As long as she doesn't anger your grandfather to death, she can make a fuss however she wants. Or you can think of a way. Your father can't bear to part with that illegitimate son, right? Then let your father spend the rest of his life in the village with that illegitimate son and his mother. She's still alive. If she's alive, send her over so that the family can be reunited."

Before Zhao Shiqing could finish speaking, she saw Zhao Tingluo's eyes light up. Well, this kid is probably about to make his move. An hour later, the Crown Princess came out of the room with red eyes, holding Xiaobao tightly in her arms.

Zhao Shiqing noticed that the two boys looked just like the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, but she was dignified and beautiful. Even with just a silver hairpin, she could not hide the noble air that emanated from her bones.

The Crown Princess bowed deeply to Zhao Shiqing: "I thank you, Second Miss and your master, for protecting my son. If it weren't for you and your master, my son and I would never have met again in this life. Also, I would like to recognize my son's foster brother as my adopted son. I wonder what you think, Second Miss?"

The Crown Princess already knew Zhao Shiqing's true identity. She also learned from Niqiu and Xiaobao that the two boys had a very difficult life in the capital. It wasn't until they met Zhao Shiqing and she took them in that they no longer had to worry about making a living. Just by looking at Xiaobao's chubby little face, the Crown Princess knew that Xiaobao had been well taken care of in Liang.

Although the Crown Princess did not know whether Niqiu had sold himself to Zhao Shiqing, regardless of whether Zhao Shiqing had a contract of sale for Niqiu, Niqiu was Zhao Shiqing's person. If the Crown Princess wanted to adopt Niqiu as her godson, she had to get Zhao Shiqing's consent.

Zhao Shiqing naturally agreed.

A woman who could become the heir apparent of the Prince of Fu's mansion and even dared to smash the old princess's room must have come from a family that was by no means an ordinary official family. For Mudfish, who had no parents, having such a godmother was a good thing.

“I agree. Mudskipper and Xiaobao were both unregistered residents in the capital. Although their household registration was under my estate, they didn’t have indentures and were the same as the tenant farmers,” Zhao Shiqing readily agreed.

The Crown Princess breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the two children didn't have any indentures. This Miss Zhao was quite kind; she didn't make them sign any indentures and just raised them for free.

Just as the Crown Princess was about to thank her again, Zhao Shiqing suddenly said, "Crown Princess, you won't get a divorce, will you?"

The Crown Princess paused, then slowly shook her head: "I have no intention of divorcing for the time being."

Zhao Shiqing nodded: "It's good that you don't have any thoughts. I was really afraid that you might do something rash and want a divorce."

The Crown Princess was taken aback again, then burst into laughter: "Why would I want a divorce? I have money, a title, a smart and sensible son, and the powerful backing of the Prince of Fu's mansion. My in-laws have wronged me, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law dare not offend me, and I don't even have to serve that dead man. I can't guarantee that I'll still have such a good life after the divorce."

Zhao Shiqing gave her a thumbs up: "When my sister comes to the capital, I'll introduce you two. Maybe you'll hit it off."

The Crown Princess was overjoyed: "The eldest princess of the Liang Prince's mansion? That's wonderful! I've heard of her in the inner quarters as well. She's a woman who is just as capable as any man."

Zhao Shiqing had a good impression of the Crown Princess. She hoped that after her sister came to the capital, she could have a few friends who were compatible and capable, so that she could share her joys and sorrows with them and discuss things with them.

When the Crown Princess and Zhao Tingluo left, they took Xiaobao with them. Before leaving, Zhao Shiqing hugged Xiaobao and said, "Don't be afraid. Your mother, your brother, Brother Mudfish, and all of us are behind you."

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and his birth determined that he could not have the peaceful life of an ordinary person. Tonight, whether things go smoothly or dangerously, it is all something he must go through. Once he stands in that position, there is no way to retreat. Even going back to White Crane Village to be a farmer is impossible. So he must move forward, following his mother and brother, without hesitation.

After the mother and her two children left, Mudfish looked lost and dejected. Zhao Shiqing patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't be sad. The Crown Princess wants to adopt you as her godson. Then you and Xiaobao will still be brothers."

"What's there to be sad about, kid? It's me who's really sad. Xiao Bao is so cute. It's the first time I've ever met such an adorable child."

Murong Linlang walked in at some point and plopped down in a chair. She really liked Xiaobao.

Zhao Shiqing pouted: "When you kidnapped me back then, you said the same thing to my father. You said it was the first time you'd ever met such a cute little child like me. So, between me and Xiaobao, who was your first time?"

Murong Linlang frowned: "Really? I said the same thing last time? I'm getting old, my memory isn't what it used to be. Oh, where's Lingbo? I'll go find Lingbo!"

By the time he finished speaking, he was already outside.

Zhao Shiqing rubbed her forehead. What can a disciple do if his master never grows up?
Before long, night fell, and the people of the capital city came out of their homes to see the lantern festival.

The lantern festival was held at Bao'en Temple. Of course, Bao'en Temple is just a place name; the temple no longer exists, only a bell tower remains.

From a distance, you can see a mountain of lights made up of colorful lanterns, a riot of colors and a dazzling display of light; that is the clock tower.

Not far from Bao'en Temple is Wangxian Tower, also known as Wangxian Pagoda. It is said that when the old emperor, the father of the retired emperor, was still alive, he saw immortals here, hence the name Wangxian Tower. This tower also became a royal holy site. Whether it was the retired emperor or the Yongjia Emperor, they would climb Wangxian Tower when they wanted to share the joy with the people.

Although it was said to be about sharing joy with the people, the area around Wangxian Tower was heavily guarded, preventing ordinary people from entering or seeing the emperor inside.

To prepare for this rare opportunity to share the joy with the people, a Jade Belt Bridge was built outside the Wangxian Tower many years ago. This Jade Belt Bridge is usually surrounded by railings and guarded by flag bearers. It is only opened to the emperor when he wants to share the joy with the people. At that time, the emperor will cross the Jade Belt Bridge to ascend the Wangxian Bridge, and princes, nobles, members of the imperial family, officials of the third rank and above, and their families will also walk on the Jade Belt Bridge to share the joy with the emperor and the people.

Mudfish had long since regained his former vigor. He pointed to an open space in front of him that was surrounded by all sorts of colorful lights and said, "That's where you walk on stilts. I've heard that besides stilt walking, there are also acrobatics. It's sure to be a good show."

Looking over, Zhao Shiqing saw that Wangxian Tower was diagonally above the open space. Sitting on Wangxian Tower, one could look down at the magnificent scenery below.

They tried to move forward, but found that the Imperial Guards were guarding the area, and they could only see the open space from afar, unable to get close.

Shen Wangxing: "In the end, it's all just a performance for the emperor. We ordinary people can only see a shadow from afar."

Although there are countless colorful lights, it's still nighttime, and from so far away, you can only see shadows.

Zhao Shiqing laughed, "It's alright, we've seen several stilt walkers already. Unless today's performance is different from the ones we've seen before, there's no need to be disappointed. Come on, let's go guess some riddles!" (End of Chapter)