The prince is more stable

Chapter 723 Wise Words and Sudden Enlightenment
They couldn't stand each other and bickered all the way.

Zhao Xiaoqian always maintained a calm demeanor; no matter how harsh Yelü Nanxian's words were, he considered them to be of minimal harm.

Having frequented internet forums in his past life, Zhao Xiaoqian has seen all sorts of ups and downs. Moreover, he later furthered his studies in games like Honor of Kings and PUBG. Yelü Nanxian's bickering skills are really not up to par; she's not even worthy of sitting at the children's table.

Compared to Zhao Xiaoqian's composure, Yelü Nanxian was gradually breaking down.

She suddenly realized that going to the market with Zhao Xiaoqian today was a terrible mistake.

The man's expression was calm, but his lips looked like they were coated with arsenic. Yelü Nanxian seriously suspected that he would die immediately from the poison if he licked his lips even slightly.

It's infuriating! Ever since we met, he's never spoken normally; his words are always so sharp and cutting that she can't breathe.

Finally, Yelü Nanxian gave up on arguing with him, because she simply couldn't win.

Chen Shou, who was lagging behind them, could also faintly hear their argument, and his aunt-like smile deepened.

If a happy family of three isn't suitable, then a bickering couple is also a great option...

As the group arrived at the market in the west of Zhengding City, the crowd began to stir. Countless ordinary people and merchants weaved through the throng, haggling with vendors with flushed faces. Commoners, holding their skipping children, lingered at each stall selling pastries and snacks.

After Yelü Nanxian entered the market, she radiated a cheerful glow, a stark contrast to her former aloof personality.

Perhaps influenced by the warmth and life around her, her mood brightened.

Zhao Hao in her arms looked even more surprised, his clear eyes wide open, as if he was curious to explore every stranger and every unfamiliar thing he saw. His chubby little hands stretched out, wanting to grab everything he saw.

This was the first time Zhao Hao had ever left the Prince's Mansion since birth, and the first time he had ever seen the outside world.

Zhao Xiaoqian walked silently beside Yelü Nanxian. What he saw was the vitality and dynamism of the city, a testament to the hard work he and Li Qingchen had put into governing it over the past two years.

The once impoverished city of Zhending has now become so prosperous that its bustling markets rival even the grandeur of Bianjing's Zhouqiao and Yujie streets.

The imperial court's three-year tax exemption policy still has a little over a year left. In this year, as long as the government governs properly and the policies are more inclined to support agriculture, sericulture, and commerce, the economy of Zhengding City and its nine counties should experience another explosive growth.

A figure flashed beside her, and Yelü Nanxian suddenly darted into a clothing store by the roadside.

After entering, she gestured to the shop assistant about Zhao Hao in her arms. The shop assistant smiled obsequiously and handed her a small, handmade tiger-head hat.

Yelü Nanxian tried putting the hat on Zhao Hao's head, and her eyes immediately lit up: "What an adorable child!"

He then gave Zhao Hao a big kiss on the cheek, and if one wasn't enough, he'd give him another.

The bewildered Zhao Hao grew a little impatient with her kisses, and the tiger-head hat on his head seemed a bit uncomfortable. He raised his hand to pull the hat off, but was stopped by Yelü Nanxian.

"Your auntie chose this for you herself, so wear this, okay?" Yelü Nanxian looked at Zhao Hao expectantly, trying to communicate with him in plain language.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood at the shop entrance, a slight twitch appearing on his lips.

This woman must love her children so much that to outsiders they look like her own.

If this were her past life, even if she didn't have any biological children, she would definitely be an excellent pet owner, spoiling her cats and dogs rotten.

Anyway, cats and dogs, like babies, have the soft and cuddly cuteness of animals. Zhao Xiaoqian only realized today that this seemingly aloof woman actually has a pink and girlish heart.

Next, Yelü Nanxian began a big shopping spree. The shop assistant brought out several small hats and various new clothes for the baby, and Yelü Nanxian waved her little hand and bought them all.

Zhao Xiaoqian kept blinking. Was there something important missing from this purchasing process?

Haggling over the price! That spendthrift woman.

Giving someone whatever amount they ask for isn't called being well-off; it's called being foolish.

Fine, considering how much she loves her son, I won't embarrass her as a rich woman today.

Zhao Xiaoqian turned his face away, unable to bear watching Yelü Nanxian pay the bill any longer—it was all his money.

Since Yelü Nanxian was settled in Zhen Ding City, Di Ying, as the head mistress, would give her household a monthly allowance. As a princess of the Liao Kingdom, her treatment could not be poor, and her monthly allowance was quite substantial, more than the combined monthly allowances of the other women in the household.

This girl is really... she never suffered even after being robbed, she's just born lucky.

Carrying a large bag of clothes and hats she had bought, Yelü Nanxian was in an even better mood. She kept showing off to Zhao Hao how good they looked. Although Zhao Hao didn't understand what she was saying, he found this silly woman quite amusing, so he grinned and laughed.

Leaving the clothing shop, Yelü Nanxian lost interest in continuing her shopping, so the two headed back towards the Prince's residence. Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes lit up; putting everything else aside, he greatly admired and appreciated the woman's way of shopping.

With a clear goal, unwavering focus, and no procrastination, one pays and leaves. Nothing beyond that goal deserves a second glance.

This is the right way to go shopping!
As they left the market, Yelü Nanxian turned and glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian, then suddenly asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "You could tell I was in a bad mood?"

Yelü Nanxian shook her head: "You can't tell by looking, but if you close your eyes and feel it, you can sense that you are in a bad mood and have a lot on your mind."

"Is it really that fantastical? Can you read minds, or do you have a system that allows you to access my physical data?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked, puzzled.

Yelü Nanxian sighed. This lecherous fellow was here again, spouting incomprehensible words that he had no idea what they meant, but they certainly weren't serious.

With her beautiful eyes slightly raised, Yelü Nanxian looked directly into his eyes, a rare occurrence for her, and slowly said, "You men spend all day vying and scheming, all for power and money. Of course, for you, there might also be beauty... These things are endless. If you are troubled by them, it would be too foolish."

“Zhao Xiaoqian, you should be a very carefree person. I don’t like to see you troubled by these things. A person can only get as much as their ability allows. A person without virtue or fortune will eventually lose everything, no matter how much they gain, because they are destined not to be able to hold on to it and are destined to be disappointed.”

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered: "The chicken soup is cooked to perfection, I'll drink it."

Yelü Nanxian wasn't angry. She simply said slowly, "Zhao Xiaoqian, a real man should be decisive. If you value relationships, then do nothing. Protecting the wealth of your family, wife, and children is enough. If you value profit, then steel yourself and fight like a hyena, tearing and grabbing fiercely."

"You value both affection and profit. Where in the world can you find such a good deal? You're so conflicted now, and the end result is that you'll lose both. You'll betray your feelings, miss out on profit, and your family will suffer along with you."

Yelü Nanxian's tone gradually became more serious as he said, "If you and your family, wife and children are ever to suffer misfortune, I have no power to save you. The only thing I can do is take your son with me. I will raise him, find him a wife, and ensure that your Zhao family line continues."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at her in surprise, as if he had only just met her today, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Yelü Nanxian remained calm and said, "Although I am a prisoner of the Song Dynasty, I at least have the title of princess. No matter how great the storms in the Song Dynasty are, they will not affect me. Zhao Xiaoqian, I am a woman, and you can entrust my child to me. Do you believe me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian asked with increasing surprise, "You...do you know something? Do you know what troubles and worries I'm facing?"

Yelü Nanxian shook her head: "I didn't know. I've had a very pleasant time with your ladies these past few days; they were the ones who revealed a little bit..."

"Don't think your wives are all fools. They're very clever. No matter how well you hide your secrets, do you think they won't find out? The whole family is putting on a brave face. I've never seen such a fake couple."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the jumbled thoughts.

Of all that Yelü Nanxian said, there was one thing he took to heart.

In life, one cannot have both affection and profit.

What's trapping him now is his past relationship with Zhao Xu, a bond that binds him firmly in place, unable to move. Even though his base, the Yan Yun garrison, is showing signs of instability, he remains unmoved.

Perhaps subconsciously, he didn't want a direct conflict with Zhao Xu at all, and deep down he had dark and shameful thoughts, hoping that Zhao Xu would die so that he would be like a demon king unleashed from his seal, able to do whatever he wanted, and there would be no magic in the world that could restrain him.

So, is this affectation, this awkwardness, this dualistic mentality in my heart ultimately a matter of prioritizing feelings or prioritizing profit?
If even a woman like Yelü Nanxian could see through it, why couldn't he see through it himself?
Suddenly, I understood. Yes, I should be more carefree and decisive. A true man should always be fearless, roaming the world freely and settling scores with gusto. This childish behavior not only harms myself but also my family, wife, and children.

Compared to his family, wife, and children, his past relationship with Zhao Xu as ruler and subject was truly insignificant. He made his choice almost without thinking.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly looked up and burst into laughter as he walked down the street.

"Okay, okay! I've figured it out!"

His unusually rugged and bold demeanor surprised Chen Shou and the other imperial guards behind him. Although they didn't know what the young master had suddenly figured out, the young master looked very happy, and Chen Shou and the others were happy as well.

Yelü Nanxian held Zhao Hao in her arms, watching him quietly, a hint of appreciation flashing in her cold eyes.

This is the kind of man she admires: unpretentious and unaffected, upright and honest in his conduct. Even if he were a traitor plotting to usurp the throne, he would still be worthy of her admiration.

After laughing loudly, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly shouted, "Chen Shou!"

"The general is here!"

"Go back and prepare the carriages and horses. We'll set off early tomorrow morning and head to the Xijin Prefecture camp. Damn it, they're practically waving their fingers at my nose. If I don't make a move, they'll really think I'm a pushover!"

Chen Shou excitedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This subordinate obeys the order!"

(End of this chapter)