Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 507 Extra: Reunion

The second day of the seventh month in the tenth year of Zhaoyuan.

The weather is hot and dry.

The six-year-old girl, who had grown taller and whose eyes were beginning to show a hint of heroism, did not jump for joy when she saw her mother, who had been gone for more than two years. Instead, she cupped her little face, made up her hands, and bowed.

As for his biological father, Shi Yan, standing to the side, he didn't even glance at him out of the corner of his eye.

Emperor Zhaoyuan, renowned for his invincibility and revered by all, could not muster any authority in front of his long-separated daughter. She took two steps forward and pulled Pei Yuanlou into her arms.

Pei Yuan struggled a few times like a stubborn little donkey. Of course, with Pei Yuan's limited strength, he couldn't break free at all.

Pei Qinghe held her prickly daughter in one arm and gently stroked Pei Yuan's back with the other: "It's all my fault, I've been gone for more than two years. Little monkey..."

"I am Crown Prince Pei Yuan!" Pei Yuan, his eyes red, angrily turned his head to the side: "The nickname 'Little Monkey' is too awful. You are not allowed to call me Little Monkey."

Actually, she really liked her nickname "Little Monkey." Whenever her grandmother, Madam Feng, called her that, she would always respond happily and jump into her grandmother's arms.

Her mother abandoned her and left for a very, very long time. She never wanted her mother to call her by her childhood name again.

Shi Yan sighed and stepped forward to take Pei Yuan's hand.

Pei Yuan bristled and forcefully shook off his father's hand: "It's enough that you and Mother are together, what else do you need me for?"

When Shi Yan set off for Hancheng that day, he left quietly before dawn. When Pei Yuan woke up, she found that her father had broken his promise and left without taking her, and she cried bitterly.

Despite her young age, she had a good memory and was very vengeful. Later, when Shi Yan wrote a letter back, she immediately covered her ears and walked far away when Madam Feng read it, completely ignoring him.

Madam Feng felt sorry for him and quickly tried to smooth things over: "You two must be very tired after coming back from such a long journey. Go and take a bath, change your clothes, and rest. Little monkey, come to your grandmother's side."

He kept giving Pei Qinghe meaningful glances.

You have to let the child calm down first; they'll be fine after a while.

Pei Qinghe and Shi Yan looked at each other and gave each other a helpless, bitter smile.

As the Empress, she had every reason to personally lead the expedition to the grasslands; as the Minister of Revenue, he should have gone to Hanyang to share the Emperor's burdens. But to their child, they were indeed unfit parents. They left and didn't return for a long time.

Pei Yuan is only six years old, and has had very little time with his mother, totaling just over a year. Shi Yan is much better off, having been with the child the whole time. It's just that she secretly left a year and a half ago, breaking the child's heart.

Pei Yuan was a stubborn child who didn't want to cry in front of others. He buried his head in his grandmother's warm and familiar embrace, his little shoulders trembling slightly.

Madam Feng was heartbroken and kept patting Pei Yuan's back gently: "Little monkey, be good, don't cry or make a fuss. Your mother is leading troops to fight and stabilize the grasslands. The grasslands are at peace now, and there won't be constant fighting on the borders anymore. The people can live in peace. Your father didn't mean to abandon you. He is the Minister of Revenue, and such a major event as building a city on the grasslands cannot be done without him."

“They are doing great things that benefit the country and its people. Our little monkeys are smart and sensible, and they will definitely be able to understand their difficulties.”

Pei Yuan sobbed as she looked up, her big eyes red and swollen: "I miss my mother and father every day. They're going to do something important, why can't they take me with them?"

Madam Feng patiently and gently explained, "Because you are not only your mother's daughter, but also the Crown Prince of the Republic. Your mother is leading troops into battle, and you, as the Crown Prince, must stay behind to oversee the Yan Prefecture."

"Aren't Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin there?" Pei Yuan pouted.

Madam Feng stroked her little face: "They are the subjects, and you are the ruler. With you here, they can rightfully govern the country. With you here, your mother has no worries and can go to conquer the grasslands. With you here, the people's hearts can be at peace. Little monkey, you have been precocious and intelligent since you were little. You understand what your grandmother is saying, don't you?"

Pei Yuan bit his lip and remained silent. "Your mother personally led the expedition and worked hard to conquer the grasslands, which will all be passed down to you in the future. Grandmother will take you to wash your face. When you see your mother and father later, don't be angry with them again."

Pei Yuan remained silent. Madam Feng took her hand, and after a slight struggle, she followed her.

An hour later, Pei Qinghe, who had bathed and changed into new clothes, saw her daughter again.

Mrs. Feng coughed and gestured to her granddaughter with her eyes.

Pei Yuan dawdled over to Pei Qinghe and whispered, "Mother."

Pei Qinghe's heart softened, and she hugged Pei Yuan tightly: "Little monkey, it's all my fault. I left you for so long."

"The national wars are all over, and there are no more major battles to fight. Even if there were to be a war, I, the emperor, would not need to personally lead the troops. From now on, your mother can stay with you."

Pei Yuan's eyes reddened again, and he said softly, "Mother must keep her word."

"The emperor's word is as good as his bond." Pei Qinghe solemnly promised, "If there is any unavoidable urgent matter that requires me to leave Yan County, I will definitely take you with me."

Pei Yuan finally smiled, clutching his mother's arm and rubbing his face against it like a cat whose fur had been stroked.

Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows and leaned down to kiss her daughter's cheek. Pei Yuan tilted her head back and kissed her mother's cheek again and again, leaving a trail of drool.

Shi Yan shamelessly leaned closer: "Little monkey, give your dad a kiss too."

Pei Yuan gave a haughty snort, turned her head to the side, and made it clear that she had not forgiven her father.

Shi Yan turned halfway around obsequiously: "Dad brought you a gift, a little red pony. Do you want to go see it?"

Pei Yuan's eyes lit up, and he asked urgently, "Where is the foal?"

Pei Yuan began studying and practicing martial arts at the age of four. Her studies were ordinary, but her martial arts skills revealed a talent far surpassing that of ordinary people. She had always wanted a pony, but unfortunately, she was too young, and no one dared to teach her to ride.

Pei Qinghe and Shi Yan exchanged a smile and said softly, "The little colt is in the stable. We'll take you there now."

The foal was only a little over a year old, entirely red with a tuft of white hair on its forehead, and looked spirited and handsome.

Pei Yuan cheered and darted to the foal, reaching out to touch it: "Mom, this horse is mine now! I'm going to name her Little White Fur."

Pei Qinghe said indulgently, "Okay, Little White Hair is a nice name."

Pei Yuan grinned, his little face shining: "I want to learn to ride a horse."

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, then reached out and scooped Pei Yuan up, gently placing him on the horse's back. She patiently instructed Pei Yuan on riding posture, strength, and how to control the horse.

Pei Yuan rode his pony, with his mother holding the reins, and was extremely happy.

Shi Yan was a little nervous, jogging alongside and muttering, "Slow down, you're just learning to ride, don't startle the horse, don't fall..."

The mother and daughter, in perfect unison, ignored the warning. One held the reins, while the other spurred the horse on, and they quickly rode off into the distance.

……

(End of this chapter)