Adoption brings disaster

After His Highness the Seventh Prince becomes self-aware and makes progress, I will naturally be the biggest beneficiary.

Since that day when I studied, my life has become much better. The Seventh Prince gets up early in the morning to practice martial arts, and often asks me for advice in the evening.

Seeing how hardworking he is, I will no longer worry about his studies. Besides, the Seventh Prince is making great progress, so his life will be busy. I don't have to worry about him being uneducated and causing trouble everywhere.

Several months passed in this comfortable manner. I had nothing to worry about every day. I either ate or slept. In just a few months, I grew a lot taller and became rounder. I looked at my chubby face in the mirror and felt a little distressed.

I do feel distressed, but I also don't want to lose weight. Now my daily life is so regular that it's no different from just eating and waiting to die.

When the Seventh Prince got up in the morning, I got up too and accompanied him to practice martial arts. After the practice, the Seventh Prince went to school, and I happily took a nap until early morning. Then I got up, read a book to prepare for get out of class, had lunch, and then took another nap.

Most afternoons the Seventh Prince was not in the pavilion. He was either riding a horse or shooting arrows.

When the Seventh Prince is not around, I have even more free time. I mostly spend my time daydreaming or chatting with Liu Shuiqing. In the evening, I have dinner with the Seventh Prince, talk to him about the lessons I prepared in the morning, and then I can go to bed.

These days are so comfortable. Time passes so quickly during comfortable days, just like the summer vacation that passes in the blink of an eye.

In this way, several months passed in the blink of an eye. I had lunch and was drinking tea to help digest the food when the person sent by the imperial concubine came over to pay his respects.

Speaking of which, I've been serving this person by my side for the past few months, and there's really nothing I can fault with him. He's truly an extremely capable person.

He is very careful in his work and a good person. He is also nice to hear. Especially after the Seventh Prince specifically instructed me to be the boss in Qianqiu Pavilion, he became even more humble and courteous, and took flattery and currying favor to the extreme.

Although this man is a good person, there is one thing that I don't like, that is, he often uses the title of Imperial Concubine to pressure me and doesn't let Chunyu and others enter the house to serve me. He always brings up the mistress, and I am a little annoyed with him after talking about it so much.

When I saw that man come in, I ignored him. He knew that I had punished Xiaotao for rushing into the house that morning, which made me unhappy. I didn't dare to say anything and could only kneel down to greet him.

The man knelt for a long time, and our eyes occasionally met. He seemed to be feeling wronged and pitiful. I also knew that it was not his fault, so I softened my heart and let him stand up to talk.

When the man saw me asking him to stand up, he kowtowed again, then tremblingly stood up and said, "Your Highness, the day after tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival. Does Your Highness have any instructions for the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner? Should we follow the regulations, or are there any other arrangements?"

When I heard that person mention it, I realized that the day after tomorrow was Mid-Autumn Festival.

But I've been an orphan since childhood, so this festival is nothing special to me. Without even raising my eyelids, I said, "Go ask His Majesty the Seventh Prince what he wants to eat. For the rest, just follow the usual routine."

"Your Highness, according to etiquette, the prince must celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with his biological mother. This year, the imperial kitchen has prepared a Mid-Autumn family banquet. Your Highness should celebrate with His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine."

I vaguely remembered that there seemed to be such a clause in the Northern Shang Code, but it wasn't a major matter. I looked up at the man and said, "Since His Highness the Seventh Prince won't be having dinner in the pavilion, then you can take care of the arrangements. I trust you to handle the matter."

These words were a great favor to these servants. The man knelt down to thank the grace and accepted the order, the excitement on his face beyond words.

The man took the order and was about to make preparations. I suddenly thought that if the prince was going to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with his biological mother, then the crown prince would also have to attend the family dinner on that day and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the emperor and the queen. Then would Liu Shuiqing also be the same person?

I thought of this and said excitedly, "Prepare something rich, and then get some delicious fruit wine. Good tea with mooncakes is also a must."

The man agreed, and I continued, "I remember a while ago a batch of material was delivered from outside the palace. I selected some to make some clothes so that everyone can wear something festive."

It’s only two days away from the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it’s still a bit difficult to choose materials, measure sizes, and make clothes.

However, that person had been in the palace for more than ten years, so this was not a problem for him.

After everything was arranged, I sent the man away. I led A Da and the others straight to Baidai Pavilion and invited Liu Shuiqing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with me.

Thinking about celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with Liu Shuiqing, I was quite happy. Before I even reached Baidai Pavilion, I shouted, "Liu Shui, Liu Shui, are you celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival alone? Do you want to come to Qianqiu Pavilion and celebrate with me?"

When Liu Shui saw me enter the pavilion, he hurriedly called for someone to serve me: "Prince Qianqiu is here, please serve tea quickly."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has always been frugal. The tea from Baidai Pavilion cannot be compared with the good tea sent from the Zhenbei Palace. Moreover, it is not new tea at this time. I have no interest in this tea at all.

He refused to let the servants serve tea, but simply pulled Liu Shui aside and said, "No more drinking, no more drinking. I just came here to invite you to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with me."

Seeing that I didn't drink tea, Liu Shui said, "Your Highness Qianqiu, would you like some cakes? The osmanthus cakes in the small kitchen in the pavilion are quite refreshing. Would you like to try some?"

The sweet osmanthus flowers in the palace bloomed early, more than 20 days ago. At that time, Liu Shui asked the kitchen to make some and send some over. I was happy to eat it, so Chong Guang asked the Zhenbei Palace to make it in every day. Now, let alone eating this sweet osmanthus cake, I feel sick just looking at it.

"No, no, I just had lunch, how can I eat osmanthus cake? If you like osmanthus cake, I will ask the chef of the Zhenbei Palace to make some and send it to the palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival. It will definitely not be worse than the one in your small kitchen."

Seeing that I didn't eat, Liu Shui continued, "Your Highness Qianqiu, you must go and see the osmanthus flowers. The osmanthus flowers in the imperial garden are in full bloom."

"Don't look at it. Ah Da goes to the Imperial Garden every day to pick some osmanthus flowers. Now the whole house is covered with osmanthus flowers. What's so beautiful about it? If you like osmanthus flowers, I will find some rare osmanthus trees as a Mid-Autumn Festival gift for you."

After saying that, he arranged for Ada to find some.

"Your Highness Qianqiu." Liu Shuiqing said softly, his eyes kept glancing at this place, and his expression looked a little embarrassed.

I followed Liu Shuiqing's gaze and saw a window in the attic slowly opening. The Crown Prince looked at me with a smile and said, "Congratulations to His Highness Qianqiu on your promotion to the position of Minister."

Seeing that it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I smiled and said, "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness Qianqiu is too polite. A small lake cannot compare to the grandeur of my Seventh Prince."

I chuckled, then pulled Liu Shuiqing aside and said, "I have an appointment with Liu Shuiqing to visit the Imperial Garden, so I won't disturb His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"The sweet-scented osmanthus flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Your Highness Qianqiu can go and see them." He then closed the window, and then the Crown Prince's voice could be heard, "Your Highness Qianqiu's kindness is hard to refuse. I'll trouble Your Highness Qianqiu to take care of Liu Shuiqing."

I don't know why today, but I was a little afraid of the prince. I pulled Liu Shuiqing and ran out of Baidai Pavilion as if we were running for our lives, just like when we met the principal outside.

"Why is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the pavilion at this time? Shouldn't he be attending school now?" I asked in confusion after leaving Liushui Pavilion.

"The teacher said that the Crown Prince's knowledge far surpassed his, so he informed Your Majesty that the Crown Prince no longer needed to continue studying."

"I see." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very capable, but I, Chongguang, am not bad either, the only difference is that I am a little younger. I think it won't be long before I can become more knowledgeable than that pedantic teacher, and I won't have to go to school anymore.

I was chatting with Liushui, and soon we arrived at the Imperial Garden. I saw that the osmanthus trees in the osmanthus forest were missing limbs.

I looked at Ah Da who was standing next to me with his head down and silent. I felt a little embarrassed and said, "I got up too early this morning and I'm very sleepy now. I'll go back and take a nap. When you come early on Mid-Autumn Festival, we can have tea and mooncakes, watch the moon and drink wine, and have a good time."

If there is something going on, the day will be long; if there is nothing going on, the day will be short. In a flash, two days have passed.

On the day of Mid-Autumn Festival, His Majesty the Seventh Prince left Qianqiu Pavilion early.

When he left, he specifically told everyone to let me sleep well. I slept until dawn, and I even had a headache because I slept too much.

I had breakfast, or lunch depending on the time. After breakfast and lunch, Liu Shuiqing still hadn't arrived. I was a little anxious, so I asked A Da to go to Baidai Pavilion to invite Liu Shuiqing.

Ada was unwilling, but he didn't dare to disobey the order. He could only look at me resentfully and move outside like a snail.

I felt so sorry for him when I saw his look, but then I thought that although the Seventh Prince and the Crown Prince were young, it was inevitable that they would fight for the throne under the tide of history.

For their own interests, the two sides have begun to dislike each other, and some have even started to fight against each other. It is indeed difficult for Ah Da to go to Bai Dai Pavilion.

Thinking of this, I also said, "Liu Shuiqing is a very sensible person. He is not here now, so he must have his own considerations. Ah Da, you should not go."

After hearing this, Ah Da felt as if he had been pardoned. He ran to my side happily and said auspicious words to make me happy.

Liu Shuiqing didn't come, and I wasn't in the mood to listen to any nice words, so I sent them away and lay down in the rocking chair, looking at the door, hoping that Liu Shuiqing would walk in inadvertently.

It's still a bit hot in the autumn. Seeing me lying on the rocking chair, Ada asked someone to bring some ice cubes. However, the irritability in my heart could not be relieved by these ice cubes. I felt a little annoyed looking at the ice cubes. I asked Ada to move the ice cubes away and then called the manager over.

"That person, come here."

The steward sent by the imperial concubine quickly came to my side and waited for my instructions.

"I'm a little tired, I'll take a nap. Please keep a close eye on the arrangements, and make sure nothing goes wrong."

The steward accepted the order and called two palace maids to fan me. The cool breeze blew and I fell asleep unknowingly as the rocking chair swayed.

When I woke up again, the sun was about to set. Qianqiu Pavilion was decorated with lights and was bustling with activity. I calmed down and asked, "Has Liu Shuiqing arrived yet?"

Upon hearing this, Chunyu hurried over to me and said, "Your Highness, Liu Shuiqing hasn't arrived yet. I've already sent Xiaochuan to Baidai Pavilion to guard it. He'll come back and report when Liu Shuiqing arrives."

I felt a little depressed. Why hadn't the spring rain come yet so late? I let the spring rain stop and lay in the rocking chair alone, sulking.

Liu Shuiqing arrived only when it was completely dark and the moon was hanging high on the branches.

I sat there staring at Liu Shuiqing in silence, my face full of displeasure. Liu Shuiqing softly apologized, "I came out a little late and made Qianqiu wait for so long. Lord Qianqiu, please forgive me."

"Cough cough." The servant next to Liu Shuiqing coughed twice.

I was a little unhappy, but I didn't want to blame Liu Shuiqing, so I could only pout and say in a muffled voice, "Drink three cups as punishment, and I'll forgive you."

Liu Shuiqing glanced at the servant behind him and said with difficulty: "I will punish myself by drinking three cups as an apology."

"Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince specifically instructed you not to drink."

This servant came out to interfere, and in the name of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he made it so that Liu Shuiqing could neither drink nor put down the wine glass he was holding, and could only stand there awkwardly.

I was so angry that I had no place to vent it, but thinking that this servant was also the prince's servant, I suppressed my anger and said unkindly, "Where did this servant come from who doesn't know the rules and dares to interrupt the master?"

The man didn't respond to my words, but just said to Liu Shuiqing: "Your Highness."

Liu Shuiqing put down his wine glass, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, tasted it and said, "This cake is really delicious. The fragrance lingers on my lips and teeth after eating it."

Seeing that Liu Shui liked it, I took another piece for him and said, "If you like it, I will ask the palace to make some and send it in in a few days. In addition to this osmanthus cake, there are some other cakes that are also very delicious."

Liu Shui took it and was about to eat it when the servant behind him said again, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince said that you should not be greedy."

After hearing what the servant said, Liu Shuiqing reluctantly put down the osmanthus cake in his mouth.

When I saw him, my eyes were also downcast, and I was still very unhappy in my heart, but I also remembered that I was serving His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and if I dealt with him, I would be slapping His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the face.

I'm not afraid of what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will do, but I'm afraid that Liushui will have a hard time because I dealt with this servant, so I suppressed my unhappiness and ate a sumptuous dinner with Liushui Qing, drinking tea and chatting.

I was chatting with Liushui, and that servant would interrupt from time to time, and Liushui would always listen to him, which made me more and more angry, and I was about to explode.

After eating for a while, the servant said, "Your Highness, it's time to return to the pavilion."

I held down Liu Shuiqing, who was about to stand up, with one hand, and grabbed the poisonous anaconda with the other. I said angrily, "How dare you, a servant, interfere in the master's affairs? Is this really the rule of Baidai Pavilion?"

Seeing that I was angry, the man was not afraid. Instead, he straightened his back and said, "These are all orders from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I hope His Royal Highness Qianqiu will not embarrass me."

You dare to use the Crown Prince to pressure me? I really can't stand it anymore. I laughed coldly and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the master, but doesn't Liu Shuiqing also mean the master? You are trying to sow discord between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Liu Shuiqing. You deserve to be killed, Ah Da."

Before he could finish his words, A Da and A Si had already pinned the man down.

I took a glance and saw that Ada and A Si pushed the man outside and slapped him in the face. The man was stubborn at first, but then he started crying and shouting, and finally he just begged for mercy.

I was annoyed by the slave's plea for mercy, and said in disgust, "Ada, it's too noisy."

Then there was no sound.

Without this spoiling servant, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet between Liu Shuiqing and I officially began.

Predict what will happen in the future, and listen to the next decomposition.