Having confird that all four are dual-layer paintings, Emperor Guangxi had Song Wei sent back.
Zhao Xi returned to Yutang Palace and saw the side hall brightly lit. He went over and stood by the door, surprisingly finding that Song Yuanbao had already returned.
"Tonight is New Year’s Eve, shouldn’t you be celebrating at ho?" Zhao Xi asked.
Song Yuanbao had brought many things and was tidying them up with his head lowered. He replied offhandedly, "On such a big occasion, my father was summoned to the palace. My mother was worried sothing might happen in the palace, so she had co back early."
As he spoke, he gestured with his eyes to the food box on the table, "I brought you so food, would you like so?"
Zhao Xi shook his head, "I’ve already had dinner."
Song Yuanbao raised an eyebrow, "It’s all hotown dishes from Ningzhou, not available in the Capital. If you’re not used to them, you can at least try the dumplings, we made them ourselves."
As he spoke, he got up and opened the food box, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Seeing Zhao Xi standing still, Song Yuanbao scratched his nose, "I know you’re very particular about food, but it’s New Year’s Eve, at least give so face since I went to all the trouble to bring it."
Zhao Xi said no more and stepped inside to sit by the table.
Song Yuanbao laid out several dishes and a plate of dumplings from the food box, "They’re all here, you can eat whichever dish you fancy, no need to force yourself if you don’t like any."
Zhao Xi’s gaze fell on the dumplings and he asked, "Why did you think to bring food?"
"It wasn’t my idea, it was my mother’s decision." Song Yuanbao wasn’t that thoughtful; he’d be more inclined to curry favor with a beauty.
"Your mother?"
"Yes, she’s expecting, and wanted to share the joy with everyone, so she had bring you so food."
Zhao Xi nodded and reached for the dumplings with his chopsticks.
Song Yuanbao explained from the side, "This year my second uncle’s family is celebrating at our place, we made lots of dumplings, and they hadn’t been finished by the ti I left."
Zhao Xi suddenly asked, "Do you know how to make them?"
"Certainly." Song Yuanbao was eager to show off, "I learned from my grandmother back ho and got quite good at it."
Zhao Xi nodded and instructed Eunuch Sanbao at the door, "Go to the Imperial Kitchen and fetch so ready-made dumpling skins and fillings."
Song Yuanbao stared at him in disbelief, "You have such an appetite tonight?"
Zhao Xi said, "You teach ."
Song Yuanbao: "..."
Zhao Xi concentrated on eating the dumplings, ignoring his expression, and spoke slowly, "Father canceled the palace banquet tonight, so the palace is not lively. I’m sure it’s also quiet on Mother’s side, so I must show filial piety to comfort her."
Song Yuanbao understood; Zhao Xi wanted to please his biological mother, and thus he had no reason not to teach him.
Eunuch Sanbao quickly brought the items and placed them on the table.
Zhao Xi glanced at the dumpling skins and filling, displaying an uncharacteristic look of bewildernt on his refined face.
Song Yuanbao could sowhat tell that the young prince, usually distant from the kitchen, felt at a loss over making dumplings.
Realizing it was for filial duties, Song Yuanbao stifled a laugh. After washing his hands, he pulled over a small white porcelain bowl filled with shrimp filling, and demonstrated by holding a dumpling skin in one hand and picking up the shrimp filling with chopsticks.
It looked simple to Zhao Xi, so he took a dumpling skin, imitating Song Yuanbao’s movents, but his result ended up rather misshapen.
Song Yuanbao saw this and chose not to discourage him, "You’re probably the first prince in history to make dumplings for his birth mother. But I think if the Imperial Concubine knows, she’ll surely be pleased. So Your Highness need not worry about making them perfectly, it’s the thought that counts."
Zhao Xi didn’t speak, attempting a second dumpling after the first didn’t work out, and a third after the second was still no good.
He made eight dumplings, each with a unique shape.
Glancing at his own creations and then at the one Song Yuanbao had demonstrated, he contemplated redoing a plate.
Song Yuanbao promptly handed the plate to Eunuch Sanbao, "Have the Imperial Kitchen cook them and send them back here."
Eunuch Sanbao took the plate and swiftly exited.
Mr. Mu then entered to clean up.
Zhao Xi remained silent the whole ti.
Song Yuanbao greatly empathized with Zhao Xi’s current feelings, similar to when he first entered the palace. Although quite proud of his own talents, he was completely overshadowed by Zhao Xi, unable to turn the tables no matter how much he tried.
That sense of being constantly overshadowed took him a long ti to overco.
When the dumplings were cooked and brought back, they were already in the food box.
Zhao Xi picked up the food box, seeing Song Yuanbao stand as well. He did not look back and coldly said, "I can go myself, no need for you to follow."
...
A cup of tea’s ti later, Zhao Xi appeared at Xianfu Palace, sitting in a soft sedan.
Princess Consort Qi was just about to retire when she heard Gu Yu ntion that His Highness had arrived. She quickly changed her clothes and polished her appearance to et her son.
"Your son wishes Mother Consort well in the New Year."
Princess Consort Qi followed the voice and saw Zhao Xi holding a food box. She smiled, "Xixi, what delicious treat have you brought for our palace?"
Zhao Xi replied, "A plate of dumplings."
"To think of bringing dumplings, Xixi, you’re so thoughtful." Princess Consort Qi sat down, and Gu Yu imdiately took the food box from Zhao Xi and opened the lid.
Eunuch Sanbao saw Zhao Xi reluctant to speak and explained himself, "Imperial Concubine, this plate of dumplings was wrapped personally by His Highness."
"Xixi wrapped them personally?" Princess Consort Qi felt even more pleasant surprise. Even though the dumplings didn’t look quite right, to her they seed more endearing and lovable the more she looked.
Zhao Xi made these for the first ti and didn’t do well, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Mother Consort, my craftsmanship isn’t great, making you laugh at ."
Princess Consort Qi pursed her lips and smiled, "Gentlen stay away from the kitchen, not to ntion you’re a Prince, inherently ant to be served by others. Now that you’re willing to lower status to wrap dumplings for your birth mother, it’s the thought that counts, and I’m very touched by it alone. Moreover, I don’t think Xixi’s craftsmanship is bad."
While speaking, Princess Consort Qi already picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.
She enjoyed this form of filial piety from her son, feeling warr inside than receiving gemstones, jewelry, or other external things.
Zhao Xi watched her eat the entire plate of dumplings, and an indescribable emotion surged within him, like a mix of being touched and fulfilled.
Princess Consort Qi rinsed her mouth and then turned to Zhao Xi, "What did the Emperor summon you for tonight?"
The Divine Weapon Atlas is a royal secret, and Zhao Xi couldn’t disclose it casually, so he cupped his hands and said, "It’s about state affairs."
Princess Consort Qi thought that it was most likely related to the warfare in the Northwest, so she didn’t inquire further.
Seeing the night grow late, Princess Consort Qi sooner or later let Gu Yu escort Zhao Xi out.
Zhao Xi returned to Yutang Palace, and Song Yuanbao hadn’t slept yet. Upon hearing his return, he imdiately bounced out from the side hall, his eyes eagerly looking at him, "So how was it, did the Imperial Concubine like it?"
Eunuch Sanbao gave him a "Do you even need to ask?" look.
Zhao Xi thought of his mother’s surprised reaction earlier and couldn’t help but smile. Then he looked at Song Yuanbao and said, "Thank you."
Song Yuanbao scratched his head, "How co you’re suddenly so polite, it makes feel out of place."
Zhao Xi walked two steps forward, thought of sothing, and turned back, "Tomorrow we’re leaving the city for hunting, prepare ahead."
"Leaving the city, is it to Upper Garden?"
"No, just the forests outside the city."
Song Yuanbao felt it was inappropriate, "Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, many citizens travel for leisure, with crowds bustling, it’s difficult to ensure your safety going out like this, Your Highness."
Eunuch Sanbao whispered, "Servant advised before, but His Highness insists on going out to observe the people’s situation."
...
The next day was New Year’s Day, the first day of the year. Zhao Xi changed into riding attire, personally selected two horses, and carried a bow and arrows, leading Song Yuanbao out of the city.
Having followed Zhao Xi for nearly two years, Song Yuanbao not only had learned horse riding but also archery. Though his archery couldn’t compare to Zhao Xi, thinking about how his father couldn’t ride or shoot, Song Yuanbao imdiately felt balanced.
Today, all the temples in the city had a flourishing incense smoke, even those outside the city weren’t bad, and many citizens left the city, so the two dared not quicken their pace, leisurely trotting their horses forward.
To facilitate travel, Zhao Xi didn’t bring too many people, only had five or six imperial guards disguised trailing far behind.
On the way, they encountered Xue Yinhuan’s father.
Mr. Xue had taken his second wife and stepdaughter out of the city for incense, unexpectedly eting the Eldest Prince outside the city.
To avoid exposing the identity, he arranged his wife and daughter well and ca alone to pay respects to Zhao Xi.
Mr. Xue served in the Ministry of Revenue, the head of the Treasury Departnt, responsible for silver coin managent.
Zhao Xi was sowhat surprised to see him, "Mr. Xue also left the city for leisure?"
Mr. Xue cupped his hands, "I brought my wife and daughter for incense, Your Highness, why leave the palace on New Year’s Day?"
Just as Zhao Xi was about to speak, Mr. Xue’s expression suddenly changed, "Your Highness, be careful!"
While speaking, he fiercely kicked Zhao Xi’s horse. The horse, in pain, carried Zhao Xi ahead a few steps, while Mr. Xue couldn’t dodge in ti, and the poison arrow aid at Zhao Xi directly pierced into his chest.
The assassin was mixed among the crowd, using a pocket crossbow, even though Zhao Xi was accompanied by imperial guards, he couldn’t prevent it.
Seeing Mr. Xue fall to the ground, Zhao Xi imdiately pulled the reins to stop the horse, dismounted and ran over.
This sudden incident alard the tourists around, who scread and dodged away.
"Mr. Xue!" Zhao Xi helped Mr. Xue up, his gaze falling onto his chest, where the blood flowed out black-purple in color, clearly poisoned.
His face darkened.
Song Yuanbao crouched down and reached out to check Mr. Xue’s breath, after a mont he pursed his lips and looked at Zhao Xi, regrettably shaking his head, "He’s already gone."
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