Drunk Bamboo

"It's not that I don't like it. Tan Xiang and Han Su are both ladies-in-waiting in the East Palace, but I prefer Han Su to accompany me in reading, and I also prefer Han Su to be by my side. Tan Xiang is like a puppet, doing whatever she is told. There are many people like this in the palace, but Han Su has her own ideas, and she will tell me if I do something wrong. I want to have someone like this by my side."

There was no smile on Hua Jinlin's face.

"You're just trying to please me and not letting me do anything. I'm actually not happy at all. Uncle, I'm really happy today."

Hua Qinfeng then asked: "They are all protecting you, aren't you happy?"

Ever since his mother passed away, he had no one to rely on and no one to protect him in the palace.

But why is the little kid in front of me, who is so honored and pampered, not happy?

Hua Jinlin raised his childish face: "Yes, it is protection, but the more protection, the more I lose my freedom. Uncle, I really envy you and admire you. You soar like an eagle in the vast land of the west."

Is overprotection the same as imprisonment?

Hua Qinfeng thought of Xie Yuzhu, the freedom she talked about, the protection he promised her, and the so-called good for her that he told her.

Is this why Xie Yuzhu was angry?

Yunling brought the tea and stood aside waiting.

Hua Qinfeng came back to his senses and spoke in a rare kind tone:

"You are so young, yet you speak so sadly. It is so good for you to be here, with a loving father and mother. It is just that your health is not good, so you should eat well, sleep well, and get stronger. If you want to learn horse riding and martial arts, then learn it. Why should I be envious? Learning from your father is the right way."

She raised her smiling face and said, "My father and uncle are both my role models."

I drank tea and ate some cakes brought by Tan Xiang.

Hua Qinfeng took Hua Jinlin on the horse again.

This time, Hua Jinlin was sitting alone on the horse.

Let go so you can learn faster.

"Uncle, look, I can ride a horse now!"

"Be careful, hold on to the reins."

“I can ride a horse!”

Hua Jinlin kept cheering and jumping for joy.

I am so happy that I am like an eagle soaring in the sky, full of confidence, as if I can conquer everything in the world.

"When you really learn how to ride a horse, I will take you to a horse farm in the suburbs. It's bigger and has better scenery."

"Okay! I will definitely study hard!"

In just one afternoon, Hua Jinlin was able to ride a horse and trot around the training ground.

For someone who is learning horse riding for the first time, it is already a natural talent.

What's more, he is just a ten-year-old child.

Hua Jinlin was still not satisfied: "Uncle, I'm not tired, I want to ride for a while longer."

"Today is the first day. That's enough. Otherwise, your legs won't be able to walk tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll listen to the emperor's uncle."

Hua Jinlin took Hua Qinfeng's words literally and agreed to whatever he said.

Drinking the warm tea, he couldn't suppress his joy: "Uncle, next time you must bring Auntie with you so she can see me riding a horse. Thanks to Auntie, my mother agreed to let me learn to ride a horse."

"She..." Hua Qinfeng hesitated, "I'll go back and ask her."

Hua Jinlin suddenly stopped smiling, lowered his head and pouted: "Auntie, are you unwilling to come to the palace?"

Hua Qinfeng patted his head and said, "You are so young, what are you thinking about?"

After getting to know him for a while, Hua Qinfeng found that the little kid was not only not troublesome but also very smart. He learned things quickly and listened to him in everything. It was impossible to dislike him.

Hua Jinlin touched his head with a smile, and looked very happy even when being photographed.

After a while, his eyes drooped again and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, which was not appropriate for his age.

"I grew up in the palace, so I know everything. Everyone is afraid to come to this palace, and even more afraid to come to the East Palace. It's risky for my uncle to teach me how to ride a horse. Everyone is afraid that something bad will happen to me and I'll be punished by my grandfather."

Hua Qinfeng's calm heart seemed to be stirred by something, causing ripples.

She lowered her voice and consoled him, "It's not because of you. I made her unhappy a few days ago, so she didn't come."

As expected, he believed it without a doubt, raised his eyes and asked, "Uncle, did you make Auntie angry?"

"What do you know, little brat? Don't ask about adult matters."

"Who said I don't understand? I'm already ten years old, and in five years I'll be talking about marriage."

He looked away and said with a straight face, "You talk as if we're going to get married next year. Do you know how long five years is?"

Hua Jinlin said seriously: "Five years will pass quickly. Besides, father and mother are also husband and wife. I have seen many of them."

He probed, "The Crown Prince also made the Crown Princess unhappy?"

He shook his head, looking very experienced: "No, I have never seen my father and mother quarrel, and my mother has never been angry with my father. They have always respected each other and loved each other very much."

Hua Qinfeng looked regretful and disdainful: "Are you mad at me? I was also confused. I actually asked a little brat this question."

"Wait, uncle, I have a secret treasure."

The black and bright eyes blinked.

"what?"

"Come closer to my ear." She whispered mysteriously, "I said I have a treasure book, hidden in the study."

Chaoyang and Yunling stood on one side, both very curious.

Changfengyuan at night.

Hua Qinfeng had dinner in the East Palace before returning home.

He went straight into Changfeng Courtyard and was now staring at a book in his hand, his heart pounding.

"Your Highness, how about the Pope's grandson riding a horse today?" Xie Yuzhu entered the room.

Hua Qinfeng hurriedly stuffed the book into the closet.

He turned around and sat at the table, picked up the cup and drank water, as if he was hiding something.

"Not bad. He's quite obedient, quick-witted, and has no physical problems."

"That's good." Xie Yuzhu glanced at the closet and continued, "After the prince left in the afternoon, Lord Liu came to thank us with gifts."

Hua Qinfeng took another sip of water and said calmly: "Well, it was you who came up with the method to save him, so I am grateful to the right person."

Xie Yuzhu observed the expression on his face, which was surprisingly calm.

"Lord Liu said frankly that Master Liu had told his family about me and him a long time ago, so he knew about Xiao Zhuzi early on, but he never knew that the third daughter of the Xie family was Xiao Zhuzi. He only thought that she was a maid in Baiyun Academy. Now we are both in Zhongdu. Lord Liu is prudent and self-protective, and the palace does not want to be involved in the disputes, so the two families do not interact with each other on the surface. Lord Liu wants to treat us to a meal to express his gratitude. Is Your Majesty willing?"

The room was quiet for a while.

All I heard was Hua Qinfeng's neutral voice: "Do you want to go?"

Xie Yuzhu said truthfully: "I asked Lord Liu to give the draft to Master Liu. I want to meet him in person."

Hua Qinfeng simply replied: "Okay, I agree."

So decisive?

Xie Yuzhu was shocked: "My Lord, you..."

He suddenly approached her, pushed her against the table, and asked in a magnetic and extremely gentle voice, "Are you angry?"

"..."

Xie Yuzhu was stunned.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and there was a hint of evil charm.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your consent."

"..."

"Yuzhu, the bed in the guest room is small and hard, not comfortable at all. I haven't slept well these past few days. Look, I have dark circles under my eyes."

"..."

Warm breath blew towards her, and the face like a banished immortal was right in front of her. Xie Yuzhu swallowed her saliva.

"Okay, I'll go get the quilt and clothes back right away!"

"..."

Hua Qinfeng turned around and ran outside.

Xie Yuzhu was completely confused.

"Hua Qinfeng, when did you learn to behave like such a rogue?"