The look was just like a husband returning from outside, slightly angry with his wife for not taking proper care of herself.
Lin Wanyi was not soone who lacked tact, so she imdiately handed over so hot tea.
"I was thinking, isn’t it almost New Year’s Eve? There will definitely be the imperial court and a festival banquet, sitting for long periods will surely make you cold, so I added so fine velvet inside, making it warr to wear."
Saying this, she brought over the velvet cloth.
The Emperor took a glance and, considering her thoughtfulness, dismissed the idea of blaming her.
Seeing that the Emperor was no longer pursuing the matter, Lin Wanyi changed the topic.
"Your Majesty’s pace is really quick, I heard Mr. Qin ntion it would take about ten more days to reach the Capital."
The Emperor looked up at Lin Wanyi, clearly pleased with her concern over his return date.
Thus, he began to explain.
"While the main troops do require ten days, I simply returned ahead of them."
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi was even more surprised than she was upon seeing the Emperor.
"Your Majesty... you ran back on your own?"
The Emperor didn’t deny it, but judging by his appearance, he clearly agreed with this answer.
For a mont, Lin Wanyi didn’t know what to say.
The Emperor’s safety was a matter of concern for the entire Da Wei Dynasty, especially since he was in his pri. If anything were to happen, wouldn’t it be a huge trouble!
Considering that he might have returned early because of her, Lin Wanyi felt sowhat unworthy of such imperial favor.
Her expression was serious with a hint of playful reproach.
"Don’t worry. Fourth Prince Uncle escorted for over two hundred miles before letting co back alone, and I took his Personal Guard Camp with . There were no troubles along the way."
Over two hundred miles away, how could it still require ten days?
If the pace was quick, it should be at most two days!
Seeing Lin Wanyi’s confusion, the Emperor finally explained.
"The Jinshui River hadn’t completely frozen when I left, and afterwards, they said the bridge was frozen and broke apart, so it had to be repaired before crossing."
Such a convoluted excuse — it’s a good thing Fourth Prince could think of it.
However, Fourth Prince didn’t know the Emperor rushed back just to see Lin Wanyi at the traveling palace.
He thought the Emperor must have had other arrangents, hence he agreed to cover up.
Even Dong Yuzhong was left behind to further conceal the truth.
If Fourth Prince knew the truth, he’d probably be so angry his beard would fly off.
The Duke of Da Wei, risking himself for love sickness, straying from the troupe.
In Fourth Prince’s eyes, only a foolish Emperor would do such a thing.
Thinking of this, the Emperor had an imperceptible smirk and a hint of pride on his face.
If soone had told him months ago that he would act like a "foolish king" and do such things, he might have been furious enough to chop off heads.
Now, it’s not surprising that there are sayings about "the king neglecting court duties" due to this.
"Alright, enough about this. Only a few people know about my return. Qin An, Qiu Ming, and the maid by your side are fine, but there are too many people in Ruiyang Pavilion. Too many people will talk, have Qiu Ming send so away tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured."
The Emperor might not have said it, but Lin Wanyi was already planning to arrange it.
Snow makes travel difficult, and because they were recovering at the traveling palace, staying indoors for ten, fifteen days wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
Yet the fewer people know about the situation inside Ruiyang Pavilion, the safer it will be.
"I’m hungry, have them serve a al."
"Alright."
Lin Wanyi walked to the door, asking Xia An to bring in hot water for the Emperor to freshen up briefly before ordering the al to be served.
The Second Prince and Second Princess happily entered the room but were startled by the sight of their father.
The Second Princess was unfamiliar with the Emperor’s presence, so she cried a bit upon entering.
The Second Prince’s little face was full of astonishnt.
"Father, how co you’re back?"
"Servant greets the Emperor, wishing Your Majesty peace and health."
All the people in the room were sowhat anxious at this mont.
They were also caught off guard by the Emperor’s sudden presence.
"Alright, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Nanny Du was the most ticulous; she noticed Dong Yuzhong was not serving at the imperial court.
She knew there must be a secret involved.
Another glance outside showed that so attendants who would usually be around were absent.
Outside, only Qiu Ming and Xiao Luzi were present, which imdiately clarified things for her.
It seed the Emperor’s return was ant to be kept from outsiders.
Thus, she decided in her mind to make sure she explains things well to the Second Prince, Nanny Ji, and the nurse, otherwise, if anything goes wrong, it’s those in the room who’d face trouble.
"Let’s have the al first. Your Father has traveled a long way and hasn’t had a hot al yet."
Lin Wanyi spoke up to ease the situation for the Emperor.
Though young, the Second Prince was not foolish.
Upon seeing this, he promptly and properly took a seat.
Not far away, the Second Princess was still in Nanny Ji’s arms, now her round eyes fixed on the Emperor.
Sowhat resistant.
"Does the Second Princess not recognize ?"
The Emperor hadn’t been able to attend the Second Princess’s full month celebration and left the traveling palace shortly after.
The mont he returned, the child could already be held upright, naturally she wouldn’t recognize him.
However, the Emperor thought the Second Princess might have serious brain damage, showing concern on his face.
Realizing his misunderstanding, Lin Wanyi quickly explained.
"The Second Princess is just unfamiliar with Your Majesty, that’s all. Give it a few days and she’ll be fine."
She then went over to Nanny Ji, reaching out her hand.
Sure enough, the Second Princess laughed and nestled into Lin Wanyi’s arms.
Seeing this, the Emperor felt much more at ease.
If she can recognize people well enough, otherwise as a dignified Princess, if she were truly foolish, she’d have a miserable life.
Lin Wanyi held the Second Princess as she approached the table and took a seat.
She then whispered softly by her ear.
"Second Princess, this is your Father."
The Emperor was indeed full of curiosity about his little daughter, but unfortunately, this daughter had no feelings for him.
Her eyes darted around cutely before she quickly hid in Lin Wanyi’s embrace.
The little expression was as adorable as could be.
"Is she afraid of ?"
The Emperor, puzzled, wondered why the Second Princess would be afraid of him when he hadn’t done anything.
"The Second Princess isn’t afraid of Your Majesty, she just finds it a bit unfamiliar. After a couple of days, she’ll be fine."
The Emperor hadn’t participated in any of his children’s upbringing, so he wasn’t aware of these things.
The three children who had grown up were capable of speaking and jumping.
They naturally greeted him with courtesy when they saw him.
As for the Second Princess, it was the first ti he witnessed such a scene.
So he steadied himself and said.
"After this trip to Taishan, I will stay in Shengjing City. If there’s an autumn hunt next year, I’ll take you all along, no need to worry."
His words were firmly decisive, though Lin Wanyi laughed.
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