Qin Huaiqiu recovered from his illness after a good sleep.
Anyway, he was a member of the Qin family. Since childhood, his father had dragged him to the drill ground for training. Although he was the young master of the general's mansion, Qin Feng trained him no differently from an ordinary soldier. Moreover, Qin Feng's requirements for him were even higher than those for ordinary soldiers. When he was fifteen, he trained with soldiers seven or eight years older than him. As a result, his physical constitution was much stronger than that of ordinary people.
Qin Huaiqiu stood up, stretched his muscles and bones, put on his tight - fitting uniform, took a long sword from his room, and started practicing in the yard.
He was proficient in many weapons, especially the long spear, bow and arrow, and sword. The long spear and arrow were for mounted archery, while the sword was for close - combat.
Qin Huaiqiu's swordsmanship was passed down from Qin Feng. With his natural intelligence and his own understanding, his swordsmanship had reached an extraordinary level and formed his own style. It had both Qin Feng's coldness and sharpness, as well as the elegance and unrestrainedness of a young man.
Ziyun and Yalan had grown up in the deep palace since childhood and had never seen such swordsmanship before. They couldn't help but be stunned as they watched. After Qin Huaiqiu finished his set of swordplay, he saw Ziyun and Yalan holding the changed bedding, standing under the corridor not far away and watching.
Qin Huaiqiu's face was covered with a thin layer of sweat. Just as the rising sun was shining brightly, the soft sunlight fell on his young and handsome face. Then he curved his eyes and gave them a hearty smile.
Yalan was so entranced that she murmured, "Your Majesty is so cool..."
Ziyun slapped her and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"O - oh."
"What are you two up to?" Qin Huaiqiu put away his sword and walked closer to ask.
Ziyun replied, "This servant is going to the laundry room to sort out the old clothes and will also go to collect the monthly allowance by the way."
Qin Huaiqiu nodded. Qin Lan had gone out early this morning. Most likely, he had gone to investigate. Qin Huaiqiu didn't ask any more questions and just waited for Qin Lan to come back and report.
Suddenly, Ziyun seemed to remember something. She asked, "Your Majesty, are you going to the Cining Palace today?"
Qin Huaiqiu thought for a while. Since he had had an accident this time and it was said that the Empress Dowager had fallen ill because of it, he should go and visit her. Looking at the two of them, he asked, "Qin Lan has gone out. Ziyun, accompany me to the Cining Palace. Can Yalan go to collect the monthly allowance alone?"
Up to now, Qin Huaiqiu still couldn't get used to referring to himself as "Your Majesty" because there were no outsiders around. He was too lazy to change, and they had gradually gotten used to it.
"I can." Yalan nodded, reached out and took the cloth from Ziyun's arms, and said, "Then this servant will go first."
Ziyun helped Qin Huaiqiu tidy up his clothes and put on a light makeup for him. According to Ziyun's suggestion, Qin Huaiqiu selected a jade ruyi that Qin Huailian had brought as her dowry from the warehouse and took a sedan chair to the Cining Palace.
Since he had come early, the Empress Dowager was having breakfast. Hearing that the Noble Consort De had come, the Empress Dowager's face showed a bit of joy. She quickly ordered someone to invite the Noble Consort De in.
After a day of recuperation, the Empress Dowager was in much better spirits. Since there were no outsiders, she waived the courtesy for Qin Huaiqiu, pulled him to sit beside her, and ordered more dishes to be served.
Looking at the steaming meals in front of him, Qin Huaiqiu felt warm inside. After all, his and Lian'er's mother had died in childbirth, and Qin Feng had never remarried in his life. So he and Qin Huailian had grown up without a mother.
He couldn't quite explain his feelings towards the Empress Dowager. Although he knew that the Empress Dowager had a scoundrel son, he could still tell that the Empress Dowager was kind to him. So whenever he called the Empress Dowager "Mother", he didn't feel resistant at all. Instead, he felt a little happy.
"Lian'er, come and try this assorted shrimps. This is the imperial chef's specialty. And this steamed perch and salt - water chicken..." The Empress Dowager was in a good mood and picked several dishes for Qin Huaiqiu in a row.
It seemed a bit too sumptuous for breakfast.
"This... Mother is making this subject's wife feel unworthy."
"It's okay. There are no outsiders." The Empress Dowager said, "Eat."
Qin Huaiqiu was a bit flattered. Although it didn't conform to the etiquette, he couldn't resist the Empress Dowager's enthusiasm, so he picked up his chopsticks with a bit of reluctance.
It had to be said that the dishes from the imperial kitchen were far superior to those from the Qin Mansion. Qin Huaiqiu simply let go and ate mouthful by mouthful.
The Empress Dowager sat beside him, propping her face up and watching Qin Huaiqiu eat. A kind smile was always on her face.
When Qin Huaiqiu had almost finished eating, he picked up the millet porridge and was about to take a sip.
"Did the Emperor stay with you last night?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.
"!" Qin Huaiqiu was startled. Then he choked on the millet porridge in his throat and almost spat it out.
"Um... Cough, cough, cough!" So that's why there was such a sumptuous breakfast this morning!
Qin Huaiqiu was extremely speechless.
"Ouch, Lian'er, eat slowly. I'm just asking. Don't be in a hurry..." The Empress Dowager patted his back to help him catch his breath.
Qin Huaiqiu covered his mouth and said, "Mother... Cough, cough, cough... Please forgive this subject's wife."
"Hey." The Empress Dowager smiled mysteriously. Looking at Qin Huaiqiu in the posture of an experienced person, she said, "It's okay. It's your first time. It's normal. I understand."
"..." Qin Huaiqiu coughed even more violently.
The Empress Dowager wiped away a tear and said, "Alas, for so many years, I've just been hoping to see a fat imperial grandson before I die. Lian'er, you must work hard."
Qin Huaiqiu finally caught his breath. His face twitched. He thought that he had to explain this matter: "Mother, actually this subject's wife..."
The Empress Dowager sighed and advised, "Don't say anything, Lian'er. I know you've suffered, but you should also understand the Emperor. After all..." The Empress Dowager almost let something slip and quickly changed her words, "After all, the Emperor is busy with state affairs. He has neglected these things a bit."
"..." Qin Huaiqiu was speechless.
It was getting more and more absurd!
"Mother, actually I didn't suffer last night." Qin Huaiqiu said. If anyone had suffered, it should have been her son. He had left the Kuning Palace in the middle of the night to blow the cold wind. On the contrary, he had fallen asleep again not long after Sikong Ting left and had slept until he woke up naturally the next day.
The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment and then suddenly smiled with relief: "That's great. Do you feel unwell today?"
Qin Huaiqiu shook his head.
He knew that the Empress Dowager had misunderstood, so he sighed, thinking about how to remind the Empress Dowager indirectly so that she wouldn't feel too embarrassed. He paused and explained, "Mother, the Emperor didn't stay with this subject's wife for long last night."
But the Empress Dowager didn't understand his meaning at all: "It's very normal, Lian'er. I just told you to understand the Emperor."
"..." Qin Huaiqiu said, "Mother, the Emperor went back to the Zichen Palace last night."
"Um - hum." The Empress Dowager didn't seem to care much about these details. She picked up her tea and took a sip. A motherly smile appeared on her face: "Don't worry, Lian'er. It's just that the Emperor is shy."
Qin Huaiqiu: "..."
It was completely impossible to explain!
Thinking about how he had been sound asleep last night and had been woken up by Sikong Ting for no reason and had been scolded by him, Qin Huaiqiu got angry. He made up his mind and simply didn't bother to explain anymore.
Damn it, Sikong Ting. You created this mess. You explain it yourself.