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Spring Beauty
墨書 Inktalez
Late Spring and Early Summer, the weather has gradually begun to turn hot, but fortunately, it is not yet noon, and the sun is not too intense.
In front of Nanping City.
Xiao Yao stands among the large group, feeling somewhat impatient. She quietly nudges her Elder Brother, "Haven't the main party arrived? Why is Xuanping Wang still not here after such a long time?"
Hearing Xiao Yao's words, the Nanping Prefect turns his head to glance over. Although his expression is not pleasant, he ultimately says nothing and turns back.
Xiao Mo Yi hisses softly to signal her to lower her voice, then explains, "This time, the prince is on a Southern Tour for the emperor. The emperor naturally places great importance on this, so they must have a lot of supplies for the journey, which is why they are moving slowly."
"…Fine." After all, he is a royal prince, and she is just an ordinary commoner; she might as well bear with it.
Seeing Xiao Yao like this, Xiao Mo Yi smiles and says, "Alright, they should be arriving soon. Just hang in there a little longer."
Xiao Yao nods but secretly rolls her eyes. If it weren't for the fact that this time Xuanping Wang specifically requested to stay at their Xiao Family, she wouldn't be out here under this scorching sun to welcome him!
She can't understand what is going on in Xuanping Wang's mind. Instead of staying at the proper Palace Post House, he insists on staying at Nanping Xiao Family. This old emperor allows Xuanping Wang to act so recklessly; the prince's request to stay at the Xiao Family led to an urgent imperial decree being sent to Nanping Xiao Residence.
In no time, the entire Xiao Family is in a state of anxiety and fear, wishing they had started cleaning up the Xiao Residence a month ago. Fortunately, as the wealthiest family in Nanping City, their house is in good condition. It wouldn't be a problem to set aside a large area of the expansive Xiao Family estate for the prince's residence.
Otherwise, Xiao Yao believes her Father might even go so far as to build a garden just for Xuanping Wang to live in.
The current Xuanping Wang, who is indeed a prince, is not meant to be disrespectful; it’s simply the truth.
The current Xuanping Wang is named He Yu. He is only eighteen years old this year. His grandfather was General Xuanping, who fought alongside the Great Ancestor, risking his life and laying down the foundation of the Great Feng Dynasty. He left his life on the battlefield.
The father inherited his father's bravery and martial prowess, even marrying his wife on the battlefield. However, just a few years later, he lost his life outside Yanmen Pass, leaving the mother heartbroken, following her husband in death. Upon hearing this, the current emperor ordered that He Yu, who was still in the cradle at the time, be brought back to the capital and raised in the palace. He also posthumously honored General Xuanping as Xuanping Wang, allowing He Yu to inherit the title. The emperor personally inscribed a plaque reading "The First Non-Surname King of the Capital" to show his favor, which is still said to hang in the Xuanping Prince's Mansion.
Perhaps due to being raised in the palace, He Yu did not seem to inherit his father and grandfather's military talents. Instead, he developed a mischievous streak from growing up with the princes, constantly playing pranks. Even the Grand Tutor was exasperated with him; teaching one prince was harder than teaching several others!
Starting at sixteen, He Yu began attending court but was always lackadaisical—fishing one moment and sunbathing the next. He refused to stand properly and certainly did not sit correctly; it seemed as if all his bones were connected by lazy tendons. Matters of state and national affairs were of no concern to him; he was far more adept at pursuing romantic escapades and indulging in frivolous pleasures, truly embodying a playboy.
According to Xiao Yao, it was a shame that he wasted the title of Xuanping Wang that his grandfather and father had earned with their lives.
Of course, He Yu's audacity and ability to live unscathed were largely due to the emperor's support, which Xiao Yao considered quite irrational. Perhaps out of a desire to compensate for He Yu's lack of parents, Qidi doted on him even more than on his own son, resulting in this peculiar prince.
While recalling these insights her elder brother had shared with her recently, someone in the crowd shouted, "They're here!"
Xiao Yao's thoughts were interrupted as she looked up and indeed saw a cloud of dust about half a mile from the city gate. She was startled and exclaimed, "It's just a Southern Tour; how many people did they bring?"
"Relax, only the prince and his close attendants are staying at our house; everyone else is at the Post House," her elder brother Xiao Moxian coughed lightly and said.
"Oh." Xiao Yao felt relieved; if so many people were to stay at Xiao Family, they would surely be overwhelmed.
Half a mile wasn't too far away, and soon enough, they arrived at the city gate. The Prefect of Nanping City, as the local official, was naturally the first to greet them. "I humbly welcome Xuanping Wang!"
As soon as the Prefect finished speaking, everyone knelt down in unison and shouted, "We welcome Xuanping Wang's arrival in Nanping!"
In ancient times, one of the most annoying traditions was kneeling at every opportunity. Xiao Yao pouted and reluctantly knelt down with everyone else but inwardly protested. She wanted to see what this Xuanping Wang looked like; such grandiosity was truly excessive!
Moments later, Xiao Yao seemed to not hear anyone walking on the ground, but she did hear a lazy voice coming from nearby, "Alright, this gift I will accept on behalf of the Emperor. Has my residence been arranged?"
Upon hearing this voice, Xiao Yao was momentarily stunned, as if she had heard it somewhere before. However, upon careful thought, she could not recall where.
The voice of Xuanping Wang was peculiar; it had a slightly hoarse quality yet seemed to carry the brightness of youthfulness. Coupled with a lazy tone, it made Xiao Yao unable to resist the urge to look up and see what the owner of this voice looked like.
However, before she could lift her head, she heard the Prefect's fawning tone, "Of course everything is ready. Your Highness specifically requested to stay at the Xiao Family. For the past month, I have been visiting the Xiao Family daily to oversee their cleaning and arrangements, ensuring that Your Highness will be satisfied!"
"Is that so?" He Yu let out a light laugh, clearly filled with disdain and contempt. However, he did not give anyone time to respond and continued, "Well then, if the Xiao Residence is truly as comfortable as the Prefect describes, I am sure my Southern Tour will be quite successful."
"Naturally, naturally!" The Prefect nodded repeatedly. "Today, the people from the Xiao Residence have also arrived. Your Highness staying at the Xiao Family is indeed a great honor!"
"Is that so? Where are they?" Xiao Yao noticed that Xuanping Wang's tone was filled with anticipation and excitement.
Just as she was wondering why, she heard her father respectfully say, "I am the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Guangzheng, paying my respects to Xuanping Wang."
"Ah, Xiao Laoye, please rise," unexpectedly, this prince who usually couldn't be bothered to say more than a few words not only spoke in a humble tone but also personally helped Xiao Guangzheng up. He smiled and said, "I assume these few are your children?"
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