CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 398: IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU’VE EMBARRASSED ME

Xu Guangfu finished speaking, turned his head to look at Lu Xingzhou, and asked for his opinion.

Lu Xingzhou also disagreed with a rash attack and suggested Su Qing draft another memorial to the Capital to advise Emperor Guangxi.

Emperor Guangxi’s attitude was very firm; he was determined to destroy West Yue.

As for the reason—

A few months ago, the Empress Dowager passed away, and it was a period of national mourning in Great Chu.

Generally, in such events, no matter how fierce the war, the opposing side must voluntarily cease hostilities, at least until the twenty-seven days of national mourning have passed before resuming confrontation.

But West Yue did not.

During the period of national mourning, they continued their attacks relentlessly.

Just by this action, they crossed Emperor Guangxi’s bottom line.

Once his obstinate temper was triggered, not even Su Qing, nor the civil and military officials, could persuade him to change his mind.

Upon receiving Emperor Guangxi’s orders again, Su Qing sighed helplessly, "The Emperor still insists on rejecting negotiations and has ordered us to continue the attack."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Since we cannot shake the Emperor’s resolve, then prepare to mobilize the troops."

...

Whether to demonstrate national power or for temporary satisfaction, Emperor Guangxi ultimately made the greatest and most mistaken decision of his life.

The entire populace of the Capital was jubilant for the victory in the Northwest battle.

At that moment, no one could imagine what kind of seeds of disaster Emperor Guangxi’s military command had sown, or what future calamities it would bring to Great Chu.

...

Governor Mansion.

Lin Xiaoyue received a letter from Su Qing, saying that returning to the court was temporarily impossible, as the Emperor had ordered the continuation of the war.

Hopes turned into disappointment, and Lin Xiaoyue’s expression became despondent.

Jin Zhi noticed and asked her, "Since it’s a letter from Mr. Qi, why does Granny Qi seem so upset?"

"He can’t come back again." Lin Xiaoyue pursed her lips, "He clearly said earlier that he could return to court soon, but the Emperor issued a military order for them to continue the war."

As Lin Xiaoyue spoke, she couldn’t help but grumble, "Even a donkey pulling a mill gets a rest, no matter how great a general is, he’s still human, needing to eat, drink, and rest. Can’t they just let him rest for a few days?"

Jin Zhi, startled by her words, quickly closed the windows and doors tightly, then whispered, "Granny Qi, we should refrain from speaking such blasphemous words in the future, be careful of eavesdroppers."

Realizing her slip, Lin Xiaoyue closed her mouth, yet her resentment only grew.

This was Su Qing’s first expedition, and winning might not solely be due to skill but possibly luck.

Lin Xiaoyue thought the Emperor would at least give him a moment to breathe, but who would have thought that just as the turmoil was settled, they’d have to continue fighting?

Seeing Lin Xiaoyue’s displeasure, Jin Zhi advised, "You are carrying your second child, you must not overthink, or you might strain your pregnancy."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue placed her hand on her abdomen.

Thinking of the existence of her second child, she sighed helplessly.

...

At the beginning of September, Song Yuanbao packed his things and prepared to leave the palace for the provincial examination this year.

Before leaving, Zhao Xi gifted him a set of Four Treasures of the Study.

There’s nothing inferior about things from the palace.

Song Yuanbao was overwhelmed with the honor, smiling broadly while saying, "How could I accept this?" as he quickly took the items from Zhao Xi’s hands and tucked them into his bag.

Zhao Xi said, "No matter who sets the questions, just take the test with your usual calm."

After speaking, he added, "However, I think there aren’t many with a disposition as calm as yours in the world."

Song Yuanbao neither confirmed nor denied.

Perhaps before, he might have been a bit nervous facing exams; but ever since entering the palace, getting used to rising before the chickens and sleeping after the dogs, the frantic teaching pace reminiscent of starving ghosts and the high-difficulty exams every ten days, coupled with the mental torment of being overshadowed by the Eldest Prince, he felt surviving till now was already a miracle, going out to take a provincial exam was no big deal, the questions outside couldn’t be tougher than those from the Study Room, so he was confident about becoming a scholar.

Having tied up his bundle properly, Song Yuanbao suddenly felt reluctant to leave the grand cool bed he had slept in for over a year, glancing at it again and again, he finally turned to Zhao Xi standing at the door, "Your Highness, can I have this bed?"

"Are you not coming back?" Zhao Xi asked.

"Of course I’m coming back, aren’t you the one who won’t let me go out?"

"Oh," Zhao Xi said, "When you leave the palace at eighteen, this bed is yours."

"So if I leave one day earlier, I won’t have this benefit, right?"

"Hard to say." Zhao Xi said, "You leaving the palace early can only mean getting married. The marriage bed your family prepared for you might not be worse than the one in the palace."

"..." Song Yuanbao suddenly suspected that his father wanted him to marry at eighteen because Zhao Xi had a mischievous plot behind it.

Peevishly throwing the bundle over his shoulder, Song Yuanbao strode out the threshold. He was already outside the palace, standing on the path, and then returned, looking at the young prince who hadn’t moved from his original position, "Hey, I’m leaving, can’t you see me off?"

"You don’t know the way?"

"I don’t know, I’ve been cooped up in the palace and turned stupid."

For once, Zhao Xi didn’t argue with him, adjusted his robe, and walked out slowly with his hands behind his back.

There was no one else on the path, and the two walked side by side, making the space seem very empty.

Knowing Zhao Xi wasn’t a talkative person, Song Yuanbao had to start the conversation, "If I fail the provincial exam, will it be a disgrace to Your Highness?"

Zhao Xi: "It’s not the first time you’ve disgraced me."

"..." It seemed impossible to have a normal conversation today.

Glancing at Song Yuanbao’s reaction, Zhao Xi added, "You’re only fourteen this year. It’s normal not to do well. By the time you’re eighteen, surely there will be a time when you don’t disgrace yourself."

Having long been used to being discouraged, Song Yuanbao wasn’t upset, "If I really fail, Your Highness can just kick me out of Yutang Palace and find another companion."

Zhao Xi replied indifferently, "If you fail, it just means you haven’t worked hard enough. You should come back and study harder. Why kick you out?"

...

Song Yuanbao had given advance notice to Song Wei’s side, so the family knew he was coming home today.

Wen Wan had the kitchen prepare some good dishes early on.

After being subjected to dietary control and strict routines at Yutang Palace, Song Yuanbao returned home like a prisoner freed from jail, immediately asking if the meal was ready.

Granny Song, knowing her eldest grandson had had it hard in the palace, hurriedly sent Yun Xia to the kitchen to hurry them up, then asked him, "I heard from your father that you’re back to prepare for exams. How long are you planning to stay?"

Song Yuanbao thought for a moment and said, "About a month or so."

Granny Song, hearing this, was delighted, "A month! A rare occasion indeed."

Song Yuanbao also felt happy and told his grandma that he planned to sleep in until he naturally wakes up tomorrow and that no one should disturb him.

Her eldest grandson rarely came home, so Granny Song agreed to everything he said, "Alright, alright, you’re my grandson, whatever you say goes."

Wen Wan, sitting to the side, laughed, "For this month at home, you can do whatever you want, but after a month, won’t it be hard to adjust again when you return to the palace?"

Granny Song didn’t like hearing this, "The child rarely comes home, why not let him be happy? You’re throwing cold water right as he steps in, what kind of mother are you?"

Song Yuanbao also said, "I’ve saved up a year’s worth of sleep, so mother, please be kind and let me have a good, complete dream."

Seeing his always-sleepy demeanor, Wen Wan felt a pang of heartache, "Alright, but at least eat before you sleep, okay?"

"Mm-hmm."

Before long, Yun Xia returned to say that the meal was ready.

Song Yuanbao was already seated at the table early.

As the servants finished setting the dishes, he couldn’t wait to greet the elders and immediately started eating with his chopsticks.

Granny Song, fond of her grandson, didn’t rush to eat herself but instead filled his bowl with many of his favorite dishes, telling him to slow down as no one was going to take them.

Wen Wan glanced at Song Yuanbao’s manner of eating and couldn’t help but ask, "How long have you been this hungry?"

"Oh, don’t even mention it." Song Yuanbao swallowed his food, looking helpless, "When I first entered the palace, the meals were extravagant; whatever I wanted, I got. Later, while learning riding and archery with His Highness, he thought my diet was not suitable for building stamina, so I started eating and drinking exactly like him, not a single extra piece of meat, none of the things I wanted. Mother, can you imagine, smelling the food at home, how can I not drool?"

Old Song, who had been silent, interjected, "It’s rare for you to come home; while it’s okay to indulge, try to control yourself, otherwise, when you go back, it’ll really be like your mother said, you’ll have a hard time adjusting."

Song Yuanbao turned his head and glanced at Jinbao, who was gobbling braised pork.

The brothers’ big eyes met Jinbao’s small ones.

Jinbao swallowed the meat in his mouth, his throat visibly moving.

Without holding his chopsticks, Yuanbao rubbed Jinbao’s little head with his other hand, sighing, "Jinbao’s life sure is cozy; eat when you want, sleep when you want, no one to bother you."

Jinbao blinked and extended his spoon to catch a piece of braised pork, offering it to Song Yuanbao, "Brother, eat."

Song Yuanbao swallowed his saliva, thinking about the strict control in the palace, "Forget it, I’ll just..."

"It’s delicious," Jinbao added.

Song Yuanbao took a deep breath and finished the second half of the sentence, "I’ll have a bite first."

"..."