On this day, Shi Muyuan was playing cat's cradle with Ji Ling and Ji Huang after their classes, making the little girl giggle.
Compared with the timid look when they first met, Ji Ling had become much more generous in her behavior. However, as a six - or seven - year - old child, she was quite naughty. Ji Huang had taken her to skip quite a few of Master Li's classes. Every time Shi Muyuan found out, they would put on a pitiful look. Coincidentally, Shi Muyuan fell for it every time. She would just symbolically punish them to copy some books and the matter would be over.
"Is it Teacher Shi's class tomorrow?"
"Yes, yes." Ji Ling nodded excitedly.
"Why don't you two skip Teacher Shi's class but always make Master Li angry?" Shi Muyuan lovingly tapped the noses of the two children.
Ji Huang sniffed and said, "Teacher Shi is too fierce."
"What! Teacher Shi is the gentlest," Ji Ling retorted.
Teacher Shi was so gentle and his lectures were so interesting. Whenever she didn't understand something, Teacher Shi would patiently explain it to her. Unlike Master Li, who always had a serious face and scared her.
Although Ji Huang was young, he never argued with his sister and had to compromise. Looking at the two children, Shi Muyuan suddenly remembered that she used to get along with Shi En like this when she was a child.
When they were young, Shi Li always liked to reason with her. Although Shi An spoiled her in everything, he would still argue with her on some matters. He would stop only when he saw that she was about to cry. Only Shi En would listen silently.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she received the news that Shi En was coming back. Why hadn't her elder brother mentioned it yet?
She didn't know whether he had come back or not.
Remembering that there was an early court session today, she might be able to meet Shi An after the court.
Anyway, she was idle. She might as well go and ask. As his younger sister, she should also prepare some gifts for her third brother whom she hadn't seen for a long time. By the way, she would send the two children back to their palace.
Ji Ling obediently said goodbye to Shi Muyuan at the palace gate. Shi Muyuan wanted to hug Ji Huang, but unexpectedly, the little rascal blushed and dodged.
Helpless, Shi Muyuan had to let him go.
For some reason, Ji Huang always refused to get close to her. Looking at his blushing face, Shi Muyuan held back her laughter to save the child's face.
"Your Majesty, the second imperial grandson is still sulking."
"He's just a child. He's thin - skinned and wears his heart on his sleeve," Shi Muyuan said. Sometimes he was so innocent and stupid that he was extremely cute.
Chatting, the mistress and her maid walked to the outside of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Rows of soldiers were guarding outside. Their shiny golden armors looked intimidating.
At this time, several court officials in official robes walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony one after another.
It seemed that Shi Muyuan and her maid had come just in time.
Not long after, Shi Muyuan saw Shi An coming out.
It wasn't because Shi Muyuan had good eyesight. Instead, he was tall and stood out among a group of stooped old men with white beards.
Moreover, Shi An's face was truly that of an impeccable, strongly - featured handsome man. The moment he saw her, his sword - shaped eyebrows lifted slightly, and the annoyance in his black eyes was quickly covered by a layer of smile.
"Why has Your Majesty come here?"
The brother and sister walked to a less crowded place tacitly and started talking.
"Brother, I was thinking that Third Brother is coming back soon. I came to ask when he will arrive."
"You miss him?"
"Of course I want to see Third Brother. It's been so long since I received the news but I still haven't seen him. I'm a bit worried."
"This kid probably saw some buildings he liked on the way and stayed there for too long, which delayed him. Your Majesty needn't worry. When he returns to the mansion, I'll send someone to inform you."
"So that's it. Then I can rest assured."
"Your Majesty may have forgotten after staying in the palace for so long. Your Third Brother is no less ruthless than I am when it comes to fighting. You'd better worry about who might provoke him rather than his safety," Shi An spared no effort in "defaming" his younger brother.
Indeed, even the most gentle and elegant Second Young Master Shi was no less formidable in a fight.
After the early court, Ji Heng walked towards the imperial study. He hadn't finished reading the memorial left by the national master yesterday. Later, when the national master came, he still had to ask him about the questions he hadn't understood yesterday.
He was thinking about what else he had to do today and didn't notice someone coming up beside him to greet him.
It was only after the chief eunuch, Fu Lu, called him several times that he reacted and turned back.
Concubine Rui was already full of anger. She called out to the little emperor, but the little emperor just ignored her and walked past. Concubine Rui was so angry that she rolled her eyes on the spot. But thinking of her purpose today, she held back her anger.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
"Why is Mother here?"
"I'm just strolling around out of boredom. I didn't expect to meet Your Majesty."
"I've just finished the early court and I'm going to the imperial study." Ji Heng was always well - behaved and filial when facing the concubines, calling them all Mother.
"It's been a long time since I've been with Your Majesty like this."
Ji Heng pursed his lips. What did she mean by a long time? They had never really been together like this!
"Yes, I'm busy with official business. When I've finished dealing with everything, I'll visit the concubines in the harem." Ji Heng still said some polite words.
"Your Majesty should visit the harem earlier," Concubine Rui suddenly sighed with a look of disappointment. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is in a playful mood and has made a complete mess of the harem. There are no rules at all. What if one day something ridiculous happens and becomes known to everyone? It will bring shame to our royal family. Moreover, there's something I don't know if I should say or not." Concubine Rui looked hesitant.
"Mother may speak."
Hearing the emperor say this, Concubine Rui felt relieved. "Although Your Majesty is still young, there will surely be ladies living in the harem in the future. If the harem is in such a mess now, what will happen in the future?"
"Concubine Rui is over - worrying. I'm still young and don't need to think about those things yet." Ji Heng frowned.
"What about in the future? When the harem is in a complete mess, it will be extremely unfavorable to Your Majesty." Those ministers would surely keep submitting memorials to bother him about the matters in the harem. Concubine Rui thought she was really thinking for the emperor.
"I trust Mother's ability. Mother needn't think too much." Ji Heng said softly, but Concubine Rui could feel his great trust in Shi Muyuan.
Seeing his attitude, Concubine Rui awkwardly laughed twice. "Hehe, I was over - worrying."
"Mother just needs to rest well in the palace."
In the end, Concubine Rui didn't even know how she had sent the emperor to the imperial study before leaving. When had Shi Muyuan won the emperor's trust?