The princess is so powerful that the fish pond is full of people

Xiang Ke’s biggest hobby in her life is fruit. Unless it is new and delicious, she won’t even look at it.

Minglang had long been accustomed to it. Every year when the new fruits were delivered to her, she would eat them first.

"No, I didn't come to you just for the fruit."

There are only a few good cherry trees in the gardens outside Beijing this year. How could she not know?

She has no appetite for fruit now.

"What happened? Who made Miss Xiang so angry?"

Minglang put down her chopsticks and rinsed her mouth with tea. She had noticed that Xiang Ke was in a bad mood when she came today. She had never seen her like this in all these years.

Born in the Xiang family, Xiang Ke has a somewhat spoiled temper, but is also easy to coax, and is loved and pampered by everyone in the Xiang family.

In the palace, the Queen Mother and the Empress Dowager also loved her very much.

"After I returned home, my family changed several masters to teach me martial arts, but none of them were as good as Fei Zhangling. My great grandfather was afraid that I wouldn't be able to find a good master, and all my skills would be wasted. Since he couldn't teach me, he found a few reclusive masters for me. I came to you today to say goodbye."

After hearing this, Minglang remained silent for a long time. However, he could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere and spoke to Ke, breaking the silence between the two.

"Grandfather said that His Highness will inherit the throne in the future. I can't just sit there and do nothing. I have to hang around His Highness every day. I have to have a skill so that I can continue to work hard for His Highness in the future."

Minglang never thought about Xiang Ke working for her. From the moment she started choosing a study partner, she knew that Xiang Ke was her only choice.

Just like the Empress Mother and Aunt Xiang Zheng, they are the link between the royal family and the Xiang family.

Xiang Ke could achieve nothing and be arrogant and domineering, but her existence was enough to ensure that she would have no worries in her life.

"You know, I didn't mean that."

After wiping his hands with a wet towel, Minglang turned around, grabbed Xiang Ke's shoulders, and said solemnly:

"must go?"

Xiang Ke was spoiled by her and wanted the best of everything. When the two of them heard about it, they knew that the conditions there could not be compared with life in the capital, and Xiang Ke would have to suffer in the future.

Looking into His Highness's deep eyes, those dark eyes seemed to have seen through her, just waiting for her to speak her mind.

Xiang Ke tilted her head slightly to avoid Minglang's direct gaze, bit her lips lightly, and adjusted her mood before daring to turn around and look at Minglang.

"I'm so smart, and with the foundation I've built over the years, I'll be able to complete my studies and return in just three or two years. I heard that my master's secluded place is a paradise. Every year when the fruit is ripe, I'll send someone to bring it back to you so you can taste the delicious peaches."

Xiang Ke's eyes turned slightly red. She didn't want to go either. If she had a choice, who would be willing to go to the mountains and suffer?

But what my great grandfather said makes sense. Learning is like rowing against the current. If you don't move forward, you will fall behind. Seeing that Your Highness is being valued more and more by His Majesty day by day, it is not impossible for him to succeed to the throne early.

By then, she will have accomplished nothing and will be a burden to His Highness.

Minglang had no interest in fruits, so the people in the palace would prepare everything for her, and anything she picked up was good.

"Okay, remember to write back when you get there and tell me if you need anything, and I'll send someone to deliver it to you."

It was hard to let go of her playmate who she had grown up with, but this was all she could do.

"Don't worry, I'm the eldest daughter of the Xiang family. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother will accompany me this time. We'll visit some old friends and stay with me for a few months. Once I've adapted, they'll leave. You don't have to worry."

There were thin calluses on Xiang Ke's knuckles that never disappeared, which showed that she had been practicing martial arts every day these days without slacking off.

But not everyone is Master Fei, and it is impossible for Master Fei to leave the palace to continue teaching Xiang Ke martial arts.

"When are you leaving? I'll prepare something for you to take with you."

"Wait until your coming-of-age ceremony is over, and Jiaoyun and Xianqing come back to celebrate your birthday. You should stay. With them and Xiaowan by your side, you will have both civil and military support. I think Your Highness won't be lonely. Don't miss your sister too much."

Xiang Ke reached out and scratched Minglang's tall nose, just like he did when he was a child.

The atmosphere between the two of them was not as warm as when they were children. The sadness of impending separation lingered between them and could not be dispelled even if they did not say it.

"Okay, then I'll wait for my sister to master the peerless magic skills as soon as possible and come back to protect me."

With their hands folded together and their knuckles rubbing against each other, Minglang insisted on sending Xiang Ke back to Xiang's home after dinner.

Under the plaque of Duke Dingguo’s Mansion.

"Okay, I'm home now. You left the palace today for official business. Why don't you go back?"

As soon as Minglang got off the carriage, she heard Xiang Ke urging her to leave.

"No hurry. I haven't been to your house for a long time. It would be inappropriate not to visit you today."

After Xiang Ke accompanied Minglang to visit several elders, Minglang sent him back to the courtyard where he lived.

"I'll come back in a few days and bring you the things I prepared for you."

Minglang coaxed Xiang Ke back to his own yard in a gentle voice, then turned and went to the study in the main courtyard.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

Minglang stepped forward and helped the old Duke up without any hesitation. When Xiang Ke brought her to visit just now, she believed that the old Duke understood why she came today.

"Ake was raised in pampered circumstances. I wonder where the Duke has found training for her?"

In Minglang's mind, A Ke should stay in the most prosperous place in the capital, build a garden for her, plant various fruit trees in it, and raise her.

The little devil, covered in the sweet fragrance of flowers and fruits, went into the mountains. I wonder what he will look like when he comes out again.

When the old Duke dealt with His Majesty in the past, he never felt this kind of oppression.

"I have several old friends who are secluded in the Taihang Mountains, cultivating their martial arts. Two of them are practicing martial arts very similar to what Ah Ke used to practice. I am thinking of taking Ah Ke with me to train there for a few years, so that we can serve Your Highness upon our return."

"Penance?"

Minglang frowned slightly, these two words didn't sound like Xiang Ke.

"Yes, hard training. A'Ke is good at everything. Whether it's martial arts or studying, she's diligent and hardworking. It's just that I'm too old to teach her. Her father and brothers are at the border, and the cold and harsh weather there is even worse than in the Taihang Mountains. I'm bringing her into the mountains for her own good."

"I know that Ako and Your Highness have always been on good terms. I believe Your Highness also hopes that Ako can become better than she is now."

The old Duke's words hit Minglang's heart. She felt sorry for A Ke, but since A Ke had made a decision, she shouldn't stop him as long as it was for her own good.

"I once took Ake's father into the Taihang Mountains. By Ake's generation, the children had grown up so quickly, and I'm old too. I'm afraid this will be the last time I go into the mountains."

"Ake is a gifted child. She has been able to learn all the skills of my old friends. My old friends now have successors, which is also a good thing for Your Highness."