Before answering, Chu Qing waved to Xia Xia, who had been staring at him expectantly, and gestured for him to sit down next to her.
"I feel much better lately."
Since the person in front of her was lying to Xia Xia in this way, Chu Qing would naturally continue to go along with his lies.
It's much better for Xiaxia to think that his father is unable to do what he wants because of his poor health, than for him to know that his father doesn't like him.
"But did the medicine prescribed by that doctor work?"
Upon hearing this question, Wei Yutang put aside the previous topic and subconsciously asked a question.
After asking the question, he could already guess that Chu Qing wouldn't answer obediently, so he looked at Xiao Zhu, whom he had sent to serve Chu Qing.
Under His Majesty's gaze, Xiaozhu felt a chill run down her spine.
He really didn't know how to answer. The Empress was still the same as before, refusing to drink a single sip of the medicine she sent, even after it had completely cooled down.
The plum tree in the palace is almost killed by the Empress's daily application of medicine.
Upon seeing Xiaozhu's stumbling appearance, Wei Yutang guessed the truth of the matter. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of Chu Qing turning her head to look out the window as if nothing had happened. He didn't know how to start the conversation.
In the end, he could only shake his head helplessly. Well, the medicine was indeed unpleasant to smell and bitter, so it was understandable that Chu Qing didn't want to drink it.
Chu Qing originally thought she would have to wait a few days to tell Wei Yutang about this, but she didn't expect him to come over now, put his hand on Xia Xia's shoulder, and tell her his plan.
“I plan to take Xiaxia back with me and have her live with me.”
Before Wei Yutang could answer, Xia Xia suddenly stood up.
"Huh? Daddy really wants to take me with him? Really? Really?"
The Crown Prince's behavior made it impossible for Wei Yutang to refuse. He turned to the eunuch serving beside him and gestured for him to pack up the Crown Prince's belongings and send them all to the Empress's palace.
It was almost lunchtime, and seeing that Xia Xia and Chu Qing didn't seem inclined to say anything, Wei Yutang took the initiative to ask:
"Would you like to dine here today?"
Chu Qing originally wanted to say no, but when she looked down and met Xia Xia's expectant eyes, she inexplicably felt reluctant to refuse.
"good."
At this moment, Xiaozhu took the initiative to go out and tell the people outside about the Empress's usual preferences.
Only the three of them remained in the room, and the crisp sound of the beaded curtain clattering as Xiaozhu left was particularly noticeable.
Xiaxia stared at his father for a moment, then looked at his father, the Emperor. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that his father and the Emperor looked alike...
Not very familiar?
Chapter 73
Chu Qing didn't have any particular thoughts at first, but when the dishes were served one by one, she couldn't help but feel nauseous as soon as she smelled them.
Despite feeling unwell, I picked up my chopsticks and started picking up some vegetables.
According to Xiaozhu, it was already lunchtime, but he felt no hunger at all.
If it weren't for Xiaxia being there, he would have put down his chopsticks immediately.
Even though he tried his best to suppress his aversion, he didn't eat much in the end. In fact, Xia Xia probably ate more than him.
During lunchtime, the palace servants had already moved all of the Crown Prince's belongings over.
The Empress's palace was the largest and in the best location in the harem, even surpassing the Emperor's palace.
When Your Majesty first ascended the throne, you ordered the craftsmen to renovate that palace. At that time, many ministers submitted memorials saying that it was really inappropriate for Your Majesty to waste money and resources on the people so soon after ascending the throne.
All dissenting voices were suppressed by His Majesty, and even after the palace was renovated, it was not His Majesty who resided there.
Fortunately, His Majesty has been on the throne for so many years and has only ever gone astray once.
Wei Yutang originally intended to follow, but just as he reached the door, Chu Qing turned around and glanced at him.
"Isn't Your Majesty going back to review the memorials?"
"Then I'll head back."
Wei Yutang stood there watching them leave until Chu Qing and Xia Xia's figures completely disappeared from his sight before turning around and walking into the study on the other side.
This was Xiaxia's first time visiting his father's palace. Before, whenever he said he wanted to visit his father, his father would stop him with very stern words.
Over time, Xiaxia stopped saying things that would anger her father.
The Queen's palace is the most luxurious and exquisite place in the entire palace. As soon as you enter, you can see trees planted on both sides, and in the center there is a lotus pond that is in no way inferior to the Royal Garden.
It is summer now, the season when lotus flowers are in full bloom. A breeze blows by, carrying some water vapor from the lake, dispelling the summer heat.
Chu Qing took Xia Xia to see the place, wanting him to choose a place he liked.
Many of the side halls are quite nice, both in terms of lighting and layout; they were all meticulously crafted by the artisans.
After looking around, Xiaxia didn't choose the best one, but instead chose the palace closest to her father's bedroom.
"Alright."
Chu Qing did not force the child to choose what he liked, but instead chose to respect the young prince's own ideas.
At this moment, Xiaozhu noticed that the Empress was not in good spirits, so she instructed the nanny who served the Crown Prince to come in and take care of him, while she herself went over and supported the Empress's arm.
"Your Majesty, please rest for a while."
"Um."
Chu Qing felt much more comfortable when she lay down. The most enjoyable time on a hot summer afternoon was lying down and being able to sleep.
Just before drifting off to sleep, Chu Qing suddenly opened her eyes again.
"Oh, right, tell someone to send some ice to the Crown Prince."
He had noticed it when he was holding the child before; Xiaxia seemed to be particularly sensitive to heat.
The original owner of this body was stingy even in these small matters, but Chu Qing couldn't bring herself to do it.
Xiaozhu was somewhat surprised by the Empress's order, since the Empress was usually very careful even when using ice herself, and most of it was sent to Prince An's residence.
"yes."
Chu Qing had only intended to take a short nap, but when he woke up and opened his eyes, he saw the sunset filling the sky outside the window, and yellow light streaming into the hall through the open window.
The layers of light and shadow are exceptionally beautiful.
Chu Qing, unusually, felt like staying in bed, so she leaned against the headboard and stared at a spot of light and shadow.
Until they faintly heard a child's voice, like the young prince asking a question.
"Father, can't you come and dine with me? I feel that the food tastes better with you by my side."
Then came Xiaozhu's hushed reply, probably because they were right outside the door, not far away, and Chu Qing could hear it clearly.
"The Queen is still not awake."
The young prince squatted there outside the door, completely lacking the demeanor of a prince, having forgotten everything his teachers and tutors had taught him.
With her chin resting on her hands, she stared longingly at the doorway; it would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed.
Chu Qing then sat up, lifting the covers. Xiao Zhu, hearing the commotion inside the hall, hurriedly opened the door.
Before he even stepped inside, the little prince had already squeezed in, running around and calling out "Daddy!"
The young prince breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his father was still there. He had only ever seen his father in portraits before, and now that his father had suddenly brought him to his side, he was shocked and surprised, but also thought that he might be dreaming.
He couldn't feel at ease unless he came to see for himself that his father was still alive.
Haven't you eaten yet?
Chu Qing glanced out the window. It must be getting late. Summer days are long and it's unusual that they haven't eaten yet.
"Waiting for Father."
Chu Qing originally wanted to change her clothes herself, but unfortunately she was too weak, so she could only let Xiao Zhu serve her.
The ice inside the hall had melted into water, with only one piece of ice still floating on top.
"Is dinner ready?"
"It is ready, Your Majesty."
The old woman at the door agreed. Usually, the young prince would have already eaten, but today he was stubbornly waiting to eat with the Empress.
She raised the little prince single-handedly, and seeing him wait patiently with his hand covering his stomach when it was growling, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Let's go.
Chu Qing reached out his hand, and Xia Xia understood and placed her hand on her father's hand.
His Majesty did not come for dinner. Xiaxia went to bed early, and Chu Qing, probably because she had slept in the afternoon, was not sleepy at all while sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard.
Xiaozhu gently fanned himself, and in the quiet night, the occasional chirping of insects could be heard.
At this moment, the system's voice suddenly rang in Chu Qing's mind, causing him to stop tapping on the table out of boredom.
"Host, a side quest has been triggered: conquer the villainous emperor Wei Yutang."
The system didn't quite understand why its owner had specifically emphasized this issue to it earlier; it was just an artificial intelligence that only knew how to do things according to its owner's instructions.
Bai Yuan was still in the system space at this time. If it weren't for the marshal saving her, she would have been ambushed by her fiancé and would have died somewhere unknown.
Out of consideration for the marshal's kindness to her, she decided to help him out a little.
Bai Yuan's engagement to her fiancé was entirely arranged by her family. She didn't understand relationships very well, and for her, overcoming difficulties was much more interesting than romance.
Therefore, from the beginning until now, Bai Yuan has never been able to understand the Marshal's inferiority complex regarding matters related to the Commander.
She admitted that the Commander was truly outstanding, and many people in the Federation liked Chu Qing, but the Marshal was no less so.
Why is he so anxious and insecure, feeling that the Commander doesn't love him?
"Side quests, what do you mean?"
Chu Qing couldn't quite understand why this thing was suddenly triggered. If he could, he would rather raise the little prince peacefully.
Such a well-behaved and obedient child deserves a perfect and happy childhood.
"Tasks that are selectively performed for the host."