Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 219 Interesting Stories of Ning Shou Palace

In the royal palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, the gentle sunlight poured down on every inch of the land, making the glazed tiles of the Ning Shou Palace gleam as if draped in a golden veil. Little Nan Yi and Little Nan Yao, like two joyful fledglings, held hands and skipped towards the Ning Shou Palace. Their clear, melodious laughter echoed through the palace corridors, attracting the attention of passing palace maids and eunuchs, who couldn't help but smile.

"Brother, I really want to see Grandpa and Grandma soon and hear them tell stories about Jiangnan." Xiao Nanyao's eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. She held Xiao Nanyi's hand tightly, her steps so hurried that she almost flew.

Although Xiao Nanyi was also full of anticipation, he tried his best to maintain the composure of a young man. He patted Xiao Nanyao's hand and said, "Yao'er, don't worry, we'll be there soon."

As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of Ning Shou Palace. Little Nan Yi cleared his throat and, imitating an adult, called out loudly, "Grandpa Emperor, Grandma Emperor, Xiao Yi and Xiao Yao have come to see you!"

From inside the palace came the Emperor Emeritus's gentle and kind voice: "Come in quickly, my dear children."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao pushed open the door, and a familiar, warm atmosphere rushed towards them. There sat the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager on the couch. When they saw them enter, their faces immediately lit up with smiles, smiles as blooming as spring flowers, full of doting and joy.

"Grandpa Emperor, Grandma Emperor!" Little Nan Yao suddenly broke free from Little Nan Yi's hand and rushed into the Empress Dowager's arms like a fledgling returning to its nest, saying in a coquettish tone.

The Empress Dowager gently hugged Xiao Nanyao, patted her head, and said with a smile, "Yao'er, have you missed your grandmother?"

"Of course I want to! I think about it every day!" Xiao Nanyao raised her head, her eyes curving into crescents. "Grandma, did you have fun in Jiangnan? Tell us about it!"

At this moment, Xiao Nanyi also walked to the bedside, bowed to the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager, and said, "Grandpa Emperor, I also want to hear you tell stories about Jiangnan."

The Emperor Emeritus smiled and beckoned for Xiao Nanyi to sit beside him: "Alright, alright, your Grandfather and Grandmother will tell you the story now."

The Empress Dowager picked up the teapot on the table and poured two cups of hot tea for the two children: "Come, have some tea first, and listen to us slowly."

Xiao Nanyao picked up her teacup, took a small sip, but kept her eyes fixed on the Empress Dowager, eager to hear the story.

The Emperor Emeritus cleared his throat and said slowly, "Jiangnan is truly a wonderful place, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and picturesque scenery, completely different from the scenery in our palace. When we first arrived in Jiangnan, we saw a large peach blossom forest."

"A peach blossom grove?" Xiao Nanyao's eyes widened with curiosity. "Is it like the peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and shook her head: "They are much bigger and more beautiful than the peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden. The peach grove stretches as far as the eye can see, with thousands of peach trees blooming in competition. The red ones are like fire, the pink ones are like the sunset, and the white ones are like snow. When a breeze blows, the petals fall like snowflakes. It's so beautiful."

Xiao Nanyao listened intently, the dreamlike scene flashing through her mind. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, I wish I could go see it too!"

Xiao Nanyi listened with great interest, and then asked, "Grandpa Emperor, what else is in that peach blossom grove?"

The Emperor Emeritus smiled and said, "There is also a clear stream in the peach blossom grove. The water flows with a tinkling sound, and you can see the stones and sand at the bottom of the stream clearly. There are also many small fish and shrimp swimming around in it."

"Can we catch fish in there?" Xiao Nanyi asked excitedly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Of course you can." The Emperor Emeritus nodded. "Grandpa and Grandma even saw the local children catching fish in the stream, and they were so happy."

Little Nan Yao was itching to try it. She tugged at the Empress Dowager's hand and asked sweetly, "Grandma, have you caught any fish?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "We just watched from the sidelines, enjoying the lively atmosphere. Watching the children playing in the water felt like a return to our childhood."

Then, the Emperor Emeritus described the small town in Jiangnan: "That town was built along the river, with many ancient stone bridges spanning it. People came and went on the bridges, making it very lively. The shops along the street were dazzling, selling silk, tea, handicrafts, and all sorts of things."

"Silk?" Xiao Nanyao's eyes lit up. "Isn't it as beautiful as Mother's clothes?"

“They’re even more beautiful than Mother’s clothes,” the Empress Dowager said. “The colors of those silks are so vibrant, and the texture is so soft and smooth to the touch. We’ve also bought some silk to make new clothes for you.”

"That's great!" Xiao Nanyao clapped her hands happily, her face beaming with a blissful smile.

Xiao Yi was more interested in the food from Jiangnan: "Grandpa, what delicious food does Jiangnan have?"

The Emperor Emeritus smiled and said, "There are so many delicious foods in Jiangnan, such as sweet osmanthus cake, fragrant beggar's chicken, tender and delicious West Lake fish in vinegar sauce, and all kinds of snacks. Each one is unforgettable."

"Wow, it sounds delicious!" Xiao Nanyao licked her lips, looking like a glutton.

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the two adorable children: "Next time we have the chance, I'll take you to Jiangnan and let you eat your fill."

"Really?" Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao asked in unison, their eyes filled with surprise.

"Of course it's true," the Emperor Emeritus said confidently. "But you must be good and study hard. When you grow up, we'll go together."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao nodded quickly: "We will definitely behave well."

Afterwards, the Empress Dowager told them about the temple fair in Jiangnan: "The temple fair was so lively, with dragon and lion dances, acrobatic performances, and many fun games. We also ate candied hawthorns and sugar figurines, which were so sweet."

Xiao Nanyao listened without blinking, imagining herself playing at the temple fair, and laughed happily.

Before they knew it, dusk was falling, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windows into the palace, bathing the entire room in a warm orange hue. Although Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao were still reluctant to leave, they knew it was time to go back.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm so happy to hear your stories about Jiangnan today," Xiao Nanyao said reluctantly.

The Emperor Emeritus smiled and patted her head: "As long as you like listening, your Grandfather and Grandmother will tell you more stories in the future."

Xiao Nanyi also said, "Grandpa Emperor, Grandma Emperor, we will definitely study hard, and when we grow up, we will go to Jiangnan with you."

"Alright, we'll wait for that day," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao bowed to the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager, then left Ning Shou Palace hand in hand. Their faces were still beaming with happiness, their minds filled with the beautiful scenery and interesting things of Jiangnan.

On the way back to her palace, Xiao Nanyao said excitedly, "Brother, when we go to Jiangnan, I want to pick peach blossoms and eat osmanthus cake."

Xiao Nanyi nodded and said, "I want to catch fish in the stream and also enjoy the scenery on the stone bridge."

The two children chatted excitedly, full of anticipation for their upcoming trip to Jiangnan.