AWB Chapter 487 Leaving the palace incognito
Chapter 487 Leaving the palace incognito
Chapter 487 Leaving the Palace incognito
After the court session, Suzong and Li Chu first handled government affairs and discussed state affairs together. After that, they went to the Queen's Fengqi Palace together.
The queen was teaching Li Ruo how to write. When Li Ruo saw Emperor Suzong and Li Chu coming, she immediately smiled.
After several people saluted, the Queen let Li Ruo go. Li Ruo ran to Suzong like a wild horse and said coquettishly: "Father, can you please tell my mother to stop forcing me to practice calligraphy all day long~"
Emperor Suzong looked at the lovely Li Ruo in his arms, then at the Queen. He said, "Your mother taught you calligraphy for your own good. Calligraphy can help you cultivate your character."
Li Ruo pouted and said, "But...it takes too long to practice calligraphy..."
Emperor Suzong thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'm in a very good mood today. Let me come and see how Ruo'er's calligraphy is going."
After saying that, he stood up and walked to the desk. Not to mention that Suzong hadn't seen Li Ruo practicing calligraphy for a long time since he ascended the throne, but looking at it this way, it can be seen that Li Ruo's handwriting is already very good for her age.
However, Suzong thought that he couldn't let Li Ruo get too proud, so he said, "Well, Ruo'er's handwriting is good. The strength is just right, and the characters are beautiful. However, it seems that your mind is not calm enough. You need to practice more. How about this, as Ruo'er just said, you can practice for a shorter time, but you must calm your mind when practicing calligraphy, otherwise it will be in vain, understand?"
Li Ruo was quite happy to hear that Emperor Suzong had agreed to let her write less every day, so she asked, "Is what father said serious?"
Emperor Suzong laughed and said, "You little girl, you are really... My words are my bond, so they are of course true."
The Queen covered her lips and smiled, "Your Majesty, please just pamper Ruo'er. What if she spoils you later?"
Li Chu continued, "Don't worry, mother. Although Ruo'er has been spoiled since she was a child, she is not overbearing and doesn't even have the slightest princess airs."
Hearing this, Li Ruo gained confidence and said, "Yes, mother, although everyone dotes on me, they will also teach me the ability to distinguish right from wrong, so Ruo'er will not turn bad."
The Queen looked at these people talking back and forth and said, "Forget it, then I will listen to your Majesty's words."
Li Ruo immediately ran up to the Queen with a smile and said, "Mother, you are so kind!" The Queen touched Li Ruo's head, then looked at Suzong and asked, "Your Majesty, is there any good news today? I see that you and Chu'er are both very happy today."
At this point, Emperor Suzong glanced at Li Chu, who understood and stood up to pay his respects, saying, "My Queen Mother, it is indeed a happy occasion! A Yao gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, last night. Both mother and child are safe!"
The Queen was a little worried when she heard that Dugu Jingyao had given birth, after all, it was a premature birth, but she was relieved to hear that both mother and child were safe and sound. "That's good, that's good, as long as everything is fine."
Li Ruo was also a little excited. She asked, "My little nephew and niece are born!" Then she looked at Suzong and the empress cautiously and asked, "Your Majesty, Mother, can I go to the Prince of Guangping's Mansion to see my sister-in-law and my little nephew and niece?"
She was a little nervous at first, after all, she had just finished bargaining, and her time out of the palace for this month had already been used up. Unexpectedly, Suzong waved his hand and said, "Yes, it's fine. You can go with your brother to take a look later. Li Fuguo, you should also go to the storehouse to prepare some supplies suitable for women who have just given birth. Ruo'er, you can also go and take a look on behalf of me and your mother."
Hearing this, Li Ruo was overjoyed, but she did not show any excessive excitement on her face. She bowed and said, "Yes, father." Then she sat back in her seat.
While waiting for Li Fuguo to prepare things, Emperor Suzong said again, "Oh, by the way, Jingyao gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. I am very happy, so I have issued an edict that when the twins are one month old, Chu'er will be named King of Chu, my grandson will be named Crown Prince of Chu, and my granddaughter will be named Princess Yong'an."
The queen was naturally happy to hear this. Like Li Chu, she was not happy that her son was made a prince, but that the emperor valued his eldest grandson and granddaughter.
The Queen quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is really spoiling the children. They're already a Crown Prince and a Princess in just one month."
Suzong was indeed happy because he was a grandfather for the first time, but he felt that his grandson and granddaughter deserved it. So he reached out and helped the queen up and said, "Why are you so polite, Queen? Get up quickly! Don't spoil them. Our Chu'er and Jingyao are so good, how can their children be bad?"
The queen stood up with a smile and returned to her seat. She also wanted to see the two children, but they were too far away and the weather was hot, and it would not be good if the children caught a heat stroke.
Suzong noticed a flash of disappointment on the queen's face and asked, "Jiawan, what's wrong with you?"
The Queen hesitated and said, "It's nothing. It's just that it's too hot now. It's not convenient to bring the children in, and it's not convenient for us to go out. I always feel a little regretful that I can't see the children."
Unexpectedly, what the Queen said made Suzong also want to see the two little ones soon, so he made a decision: "Queen, since you want to see your grandson and granddaughter so much, I also want to see them as soon as possible. Why don't we go out of the palace incognito and go to Chu'er's house to take a look?"
The Queen naturally thought so, and she asked, "Is it really possible?"
Suzong said firmly, "Of course, we will return home with Chu'er later. As for the guards, don't bring too many people, otherwise it will easily attract attention."
Li Chu and Li Ruo just watched the two people at the top talking back and forth until they decided to leave the palace incognito. They had no chance to get a word in.
Suzong directly ordered Li Fuguo to find the imperial guards and explain the matter of leaving the palace. He then asked Li Chu and Li Ruo, brother and sister, to wait here while they returned to the bedroom to change clothes.
When they came back, Sukjong and the Queen were wearing casual clothes and looked like an ordinary couple.
Li Ruo ran to the Queen and said, "Father and Queen are truly a perfect match!"
Suzong corrected him, "Ruo'er has a really sweet mouth, but since you are leaving the palace, there will be no father or mother anymore. You brothers and sisters should just call us father and mother."
The brother and sister looked at each other and bowed respectfully, "Yes, father, mother."
In this way, the whole family, plus a few attendants who followed from a distance, left the palace together and left in a carriage from the palace and a carriage from Prince Guangping's mansion.
The queen had not left the palace for a long time. When she went outside, especially when she heard the lively sounds outside, she couldn't help but quietly open the window a little and look out, feeling happy.
It’s just that because Prince Guangping’s Mansion is very close to the Imperial Palace, it didn’t take long to get there.
After getting off the carriage, Li Chu led Suzong and the empress towards Wangyuexuan. Li Ruo was already familiar with the route. If Suzong and the empress had not been there, she would have probably run away.
When the group arrived at the door of Wangyuexuan, they heard the sound of teasing children coming from inside.
As soon as they heard it, they knew that Dugu Jingyao had woken up. A maid saw Li Chu and Li Ruo coming and wanted to bow, but Li Chu extended his hand to exempt her.
Hearing the noise coming from the inner chamber, Li Chu asked, "Is the princess awake?"
The maid bowed her head and said, "Yes, Your Highness."
Li Chu asked again: "Who else is inside?"
The maid continued, "Your Highness, it's the King of Yunnan, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and the Princess who have arrived."
Li Chu waved his hand and said, "Okay, you can go down." The maid bowed and left, continuing to get busy.
Suzong smiled and said, "It seems that everyone is looking forward to seeing these two little guys! The in-laws are here so early in the morning. Let's go in and take a look."
Li Chu nodded and continued to lead Suzong, the Queen and Li Ruo inside.
Arriving at the door, Li Chu knocked. Dugu Jingyao asked Si Jian to open the door, but she felt that the two little guys were too cute and she really didn't want to go. In desperation, Shi Jian went to the door and opened it.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw several people behind Li Chu. She looked closely and saw that they were Emperor Suzong, the Empress, and Li Ruo. She quickly bowed and said, "This servant greets the Emperor, the Empress, His Highness, and the Princess!"
Hearing Shi Jian's announcement-like salute attracted the attention of other people in the inner room.
Everyone else who could come out and perform the ceremony was doing so. Dugu Jingyao also struggled to get out of bed and perform the ceremony, but Emperor Suzong quickly stopped her, saying, "Jingyao, you just gave birth, there's no need to get out of bed. You all should get up too."
As he spoke, Emperor Suzong, the Queen, Li Chu and Li Ruo entered the room, and the others also stood up to express their gratitude.
The queen walked over to the couch and sat down and asked, "Jingyao, are you feeling okay?"
Dugu Jingyao smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, mother. Apart from feeling a little tired, I don't feel unwell anywhere."
The Queen nodded slightly and said, "Well, that's good. You've had a very hard time giving birth to twins. I suggest you take a double confinement month and take good care of yourself."
It was difficult for Dugu Jingyao to refuse, but Li Chu knew that Dugu Jingyao was also a person who could not sit still, so he said: "Mother, let's see how Ayao recovers. Ayao is also a person who can't sit still. If she really stays in the house for two months, she will probably get sick from boredom."
Dugu Jingyao felt that although what Li Chu said was a bit exaggerated, Li Chu really understood her thoughts, so she just nodded awkwardly.
The Queen covered her lips with her hands and smiled. "Okay, that depends on how your body recovers. Don't try to be too stubborn, okay? Otherwise, you'll develop a chronic illness."
Dugu Jingyao nodded and said, "Yes, I will follow your mother's instructions."
After greeting Dugu Jingyao, they naturally couldn't forget the two little guys. Suzong and the queen walked to the two small cradles, looked at the drowsy little babies inside, and smiled unconsciously on their faces.
They also teased the two little guys for a while, and seeing that the two little guys were really sleepy and started to yawn, Suzong and the queen reluctantly turned their gaze away.
Li Ruo was reluctant to leave. Seeing the two little ones quickly fall asleep, she couldn't help but sigh, "Why did they fall asleep so quickly? I didn't even have time to play with them."
The queen explained: "Babies love to sleep as soon as they are born. You were like this when you were little."
Li Ruo said "Oh" and then asked, "Royal brother, Royal sister-in-law, have you chosen names for your nephew and niece?"
Li Chu replied, "I'm ready, Ayao, you go ahead and talk."
Dugu Jingyao was pleased. Since she had just woken up and the baby was born so suddenly, she hadn't decided on a name yet. She smiled and said, "The brother's name is Li Shi, and the sister's name is Li Ying."
Suzong was also very pleased. It seemed that the two people did not take his words as nonsense and listened to his advice. He laughed and said, "Haha, what a good name!"
Dugu Xin also smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, these two children will be given names." For a moment, the room was filled with joy.
The time here was almost up, and Emperor Suzong said, "My dear, Jingyao, the Queen and I should not be out of the palace for too long, so we will go back first."
Dugu Xin saluted and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Do you need me and your son to take you back?"
Suzong waved his hand and said, "Thank you for your kindness, my dear relatives. You can stay here and chat with Jingyao. You will feel awkward while we are here."
Seeing Suzong and the Queen looking at Li Shi and Li Ying in the cradle reluctantly, they finally turned and left. A voice rang out from behind: "Farewell, Your Majesty, and the Queen."
Li Chu escorted Emperor Suzong, the Empress, and Li Ruo to the carriage and asked, "Father, Mother, how about I send someone to take you back?"
Suzong said: "No, you should go back and spend time with Jingyao and the child. We brought guards with us. And we left suddenly, so no one knew about it. Don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Li Chu could only say, "Then I respectfully bid farewell to my father, the Emperor, and my mother, the Empress."
The carriage was moving slowly along the avenue. The hawking sounds from the stalls nearby attracted the Queen's attention, and she looked out through the window.
Emperor Suzong also noticed the Empress's longing for the streets outside. Fortunately, they had already left the palace today, so a stroll would be no problem. So he said, "Jiawan, Ruo'er, since we finally got out today, why don't we take a walk here? However, we left so suddenly, so we can't stay for too long."
Li Ruo was so happy to hear that she could go out for a stroll. The Queen was also naturally eager to go out for a stroll. This time, she did not refuse and said, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Suzong continued, "Alas, when we are away from home, without an emperor, empress, or princess, you are my wife and I am your husband. Ruo'er can just call us father and mother."
The queen smiled and nodded, and Li Ruo nodded even more repeatedly.
After Suzong gave instructions to Li Fuguo and the guards, they got off the carriage and began to tour the East Market.
Fortunately, Li Fuguo had the habit of carrying money with him, so he bought some rare things he saw on the road. In the end, the original guards' hands were piled high with the things they bought.
As they walked, Li Ruo felt a little hungry, so she suggested, "Father, Mother, why don't we go to Tianxiang Tower to eat something? Tianxiang Tower is the best restaurant in Chang'an City." After saying that, she looked at Suzong and the Queen with expectant eyes.
The Queen actually felt that it was time to go back, as she had indeed been out for a long time. However, Emperor Suzong said, "Really? In that case, let's go and try the best restaurant in Chang'an."
Suzong took the Queen's hand and walked into Tianxiang Tower. Although the waiter had never seen the two people in front of her, she knew Li Ruo, who had been here several times with Li Chu and others.
The waiter greeted him warmly, "Sir, are you here for dinner or to stay overnight?"
Suzong said, "We want to eat. Is there a private room?"
The waiter stepped forward and led the way, saying, "Yes, we have them! Please go to the private room on the third floor."
After arriving at the private room on the third floor and sitting down, the waiter recommended a few signature dishes. Li Ruo ordered two of her favorite dishes according to her usual habit, and then the meal ended.
Just as the waiter was about to leave, Li Ruo hesitantly suggested, "Father, don't you and Mother want to try their peach blossom wine? I heard it's incredible!"
Hearing this, the Queen looked at Li Ruo and asked, "Ruo'er, how did you know? Did your brothers take you out for drinks?"
Li Ruo quickly shook her head and said, "No, I didn't. My brothers and the others said peach blossom wine was delicious, so I remembered it."
Suzong thought about it and decided that since they were already here, he might as well not miss it, so he asked the waiter to add another pot of peach blossom wine.
Li Ruo breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Emperor Suzong and the Queen did not ask her any more questions.
Soon, the food was served and the peach blossom wine also arrived.
As usual, someone tried the food first. After about a quarter of an hour, nothing happened, so a few people started eating.
Emperor Suzong couldn't help but sigh, "It really is the best restaurant in Chang'an. It really lives up to its reputation."
The Queen also said, "Yes. This cooking skill seems to be better than that of the Imperial Kitchen."
Li Ruo looked as if to say, "See, I was right," and Emperor Suzong and the Queen couldn't help but laugh when they saw this.
Suzong said, "Since the food tastes good, I wonder how about this peach blossom wine?" After that, Li Fuguo poured a glass for Suzong and the queen.
Li Ruo looked at them with a certain envy, looking at them expectantly. Initially, they pretended not to notice, but in the end, unable to resist Li Ruo's constant persuasion, they allowed her to have a drink.
After the three of them clinked glasses and drank a glass of wine, the queen said, "No wonder Ruo'er wanted to try it, it is indeed sweet and mellow." Suzong also nodded in agreement.
Finally, they ate and drank for a while. After Li Fuguo paid the bill, they left Tianxiang Tower and strolled for a while before taking a carriage back to the palace.