boyutpedia Chapter 201 Joy
Chapter 201 Joy
The shareholders were Prince Duan, the Eldest Princess, and the old clan chief. The day before yesterday afternoon, Zisu went to see the Eldest Princess and won her approval, having her sign the holiday arrangement. Prince Duan, needless to say, certainly supported Zisu. Last night, she went to see the old clan chief, who also agreed to her proposal and readily signed it.
After looking it over, the headmaster hesitated and said, "Your Highness, isn't this vacation a bit too much? How about we take away one day out of the seven days off?"
Zisu: "Headmaster, seven days a week with one day off isn't enough. Studying requires a balance between work and rest. During this rest day, students can go hiking in the mountains, pick wild fruits, or go fishing in the river. Farm children can also go home and help their parents with farm work. This is actually quite good! Being in a state of intense study every day will make students feel a sense of aversion to learning, which is counterproductive!"
After hearing what she said, the headmaster thought it made a lot of sense, so he said, "Alright, I'll listen to you!"
This way, he could have more time to go hunting in the mountains. Being close to the mountains had this advantage, which filled him with joy as he loved hunting. The good environment here was also one of the reasons he agreed to become the head of the mountain.
Shangguan Yi, Yu Han, and the three children from the Xie family returned to Wuliping Academy. This news prompted many students from the capital who had also planned to transfer to the academy to inquire about the group.
"Why did you come back? Isn't Hanshan Academy a good place?" someone asked.
"Hanshan Academy is no good. The atmosphere there is bad, and the headmaster is a snob..." Yu Han then told everyone the whole story of Shangguan Yi being beaten.
Shangguan Yi added, "My eldest sister said she'll be revising the holiday schedule. If I'm not mistaken, the new schedule will be announced today: one day off every seven days, three days off every two weeks, and eight days off a month! That means we can go back to the capital every two weeks without having to ask for leave!"
"Really? That's great! In that case, I won't have to transfer schools! Anyway, no matter which academy I go to, I can only go home once a month! If I study here, I can go home twice a month!" A tall, thin boy said happily.
"Yes, I'm not transferring schools. I'll stay at Wuliping Academy! It's so nice here, the air is fresh, the environment is beautiful, and the atmosphere is so good!"
A chubby boy said, "Yes, I'm going to tell my parents that I'm not transferring schools either. I can't bear to leave the teachers and classmates here!" He also couldn't bear to leave the wild fruits here.
The headmaster was overjoyed. The return of Shangguan Yi, Yu Han, and the Xie family's son had stopped the large-scale exodus of students from the capital from the academy. From now on, he would no longer have to worry about parents wanting to transfer their children to other schools!
Princess Yulin, as expected of Princess Yulin, found a solution so quickly. It seems her adjustment to the holiday schedule is quite popular. In other words, it's also the right thing to do.
After arranging her younger brothers' schooling, Zisu took a basket of vegetables and fruits and went to the palace again. For the past few months, the vegetables and fruits used by the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager had basically come from the vegetable garden of Prince Duan's residence.
Let's go back a few months.
The vegetables and fruits that Zisu had personally planted finally grew to maturity, and there was more than she could eat. Zisu sent some back to the General's Mansion and the Yu Mansion every day. In addition, she personally delivered a basketful to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus tasted the vegetables and fruits she sent and found them particularly fragrant and delicious. The Empress Dowager then specially summoned Zisu to the palace. She asked Zisu, "You said that the vegetables and fruits you sent last time, were they all grown by yourself?"
Zisu: "Your Majesty, I planted them myself."
Empress Dowager: "Those vegetables and fruits are exceptionally fresh and delicious. If possible, could you have some sent to the palace every day? Not too much, just enough for me, the Emperor Emeritus, and the Emperor!"
Zisu: "No problem. When I get back today, I'll have Lichun personally bring in a small basket of them. By the way, Lichun is the prince's bodyguard; both the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor know him!"
Empress Dowager: "Hmm, I've seen this guard a few times. Just have him deliver the dishes directly to Yongfu Palace and hand them over to the imperial chef!"
Zisu: "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
After chatting for a while, Zisu went home.
As soon as she got home, she called Lichun over: "Go to the vegetable garden and pick some vegetables and fruits, and personally deliver them to Yongfu Palace and hand them over to the imperial chef! I'll make a receipt book right now, and you can pick it up from me before you leave. When you hand the vegetables over to the imperial chef, remember to have him sign it!"
The food prepared for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor Emeritus, and the Emperor naturally had to be handled with care, and it was safest to hand it over to the imperial chefs personally.
Lichun: "Yes, Your Highness, I obey your command!"
From that day on, Zisu had Lichun send a basket of vegetables and fruits to Yongfu Palace every day. The Emperor Emeritus praised the dishes highly every day, and his appetite improved day by day. He could eat, drink, and sleep well, and his mental state improved day by day, and his face gradually became rosy.
On this day, the old physician entered the palace to take the emperor's pulse. He was greatly surprised and overjoyed, saying, "Your Majesty, your health has improved considerably, and your illness has shown significant improvement. In my opinion, as long as Your Majesty rests well and does not overexert yourself, you could live another ten years without any problem!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor Emeritus immediately felt refreshed: "Great! This is all thanks to the divine physician. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"
The old doctor said, "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty. This humble subject wishes to open a pharmacy in the capital and would like my disciple Shenzhi to manage it. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"
Currently, Shenzhi works in the Imperial Medical Academy. However, serving the emperor is like walking on thin ice, and the old physician does not wish for that day to come when his disciple encounters some misfortune in the palace. Shenzhi is a kind and innocent boy; any palace person could easily manipulate him.
Previously, the reason he agreed to let Shenzhi enter the Imperial Hospital was merely to temper this overly naive disciple. Now, this disciple has been tempered in the cannibalistic palace for almost a year, and it's time for him to leave.
Without hesitation, the Emperor Emeritus waved his hand readily: "Now that my health has recovered, you can open a pharmacy in the capital with your little apprentice! However, you still need to continue to take care of my health. If I need anything, you cannot refuse; you must come to the palace immediately! In other words, you cannot leave the capital and return to your so-called Medicine King Valley without my permission!"
The old doctor nodded: "Yes, Your humble servant obeys!"
The Emperor Emeritus was in excellent health, and Prince Duan was also very happy.
A few months later, the Emperor Emeritus's health stabilized, and his illness had indeed improved significantly. By this time, Zisu had turned seventeen.
Prince Duan then said to the Emperor Emeritus, "Uncle, your health is much better now, and the Crown Prince has the potential to be emperor. I wish to resign from the position of Regent! However, please rest assured, Uncle, I will temporarily continue to serve as the Commander of the Imperial Guards. I will resign when the Emperor finds a suitable successor!"
The retired emperor glared at him: "Why do you dislike the title of Regent so much?"
Prince Duan: "Uncle, as you know, I do not like the days of scheming and intrigue. I hope to live a carefree life in the countryside."
The retired emperor couldn't help but sigh: "Very well, I will speak to the emperor about this matter and see what his opinion is. If he firmly refuses to let you resign, then there's nothing I can do to help you!"
Just then, the Emperor arrived.
Taking this opportunity, Prince Duan mentioned it to the Emperor again.
The Emperor pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Very well, my brother has worked hard for so many years, fighting on the frontier all the time. Now that he's back, it's understandable that he wants to live a comfortable life. However, my brother should continue to hold the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards, at least until I turn fifteen!"
Now, he has a year left until he turns fifteen. In this year, he will strive to grow and cultivate a group of talents who are loyal only to him.
Prince Duan successfully stepped down as regent, and he felt incredibly relieved. The threat of his "overwhelming achievements" was largely gone. He feared nothing but the potential to implicate his mother, wife, and children.
Now that this biggest hidden danger is gone, he is genuinely happy.
Prince Duan returned home overjoyed and told Zisu, "I am no longer the regent! I am free!" He then hugged Zisu tightly, tears welling up in his eyes, "From now on, you can sleep peacefully without worry!"
He knew that ever since he became that damned regent, she had been having nightmares and suffering from insomnia. Sometimes, she looked preoccupied.
Zisu nestled in his arms, smelling the scent of grass on him, feeling incredibly at ease: "Yes, from now on, I'll feel much more at ease! I'll be completely at ease the moment you step down as commander of the Imperial Guard!"
Prince Duan: "I know. Give me another year, and I will definitely step down from my post as commander of the Imperial Guards and no longer concern myself with state affairs! When that time comes, we will travel together to see the mountains and rivers and watch the sunrise and sunset on Mount Hua!"
Zisu smiled through her tears: "Okay, I'll wait and see, and wait for that day to come!"
The couple embraced warmly and did not let go for a long time.
Hongdou had something to discuss and was about to go in when Hongcha pulled her aside: "Don't speak loudly. The Prince and Princess are discussing something! If it's not something very important, don't disturb them!"
Hongdou whispered, "It's nothing serious, just that the Empress Dowager sent someone to ask if we're having dinner together today."
Hongcha: "Go and tell that person that you will personally go to Rongfutang to report in a little while."
"Yes, I understand." Hongdou quickly withdrew.
Hongcha retreated to a place further away from the bedroom, a place where she couldn't hear the two people talking inside. As a maid, she was very self-aware and never eavesdropped on her masters' conversations.
The two embraced for a long time before Prince Duan released Zisu, pulled her onto his lap, and whispered affectionately in her ear, "Shouldn't we consummate our marriage tonight?"
Zisu: "Can you give me three more months? Originally, it was only appropriate to consummate the marriage after turning eighteen!" If we delay for a few months, even if we have a child as soon as we consummate the marriage, it will be better.
Another three months?
Prince Duan nodded vigorously: "Alright, three months it is. It's a deal. You can't change your mind now!" For the sake of the child's safe birth and his wife's safe delivery, three months it is.
Zisu wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately on the cheek, saying gratefully, "Darling, thank you so much for your understanding! I was actually worried that we'd have a child as soon as we consummated our marriage. Let's wait a little longer, until after the corn harvest and winter wheat planting, then we'll consummate our marriage!"
In another month and a half, it will be corn harvest season.
Prince Duan chuckled indulgently, "Alright, I'll do whatever you say!" Oh my, how could his little one be so adorable? The more he looked at her, the more he liked her, the more his heart ached for her. He could never love her more in this lifetime, and if they consummated their marriage, this love would surely deepen even further.
The two walked hand in hand out of the bedroom and into the hall.