Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 18

Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 18

The eunuchs carried more than a dozen large vermilion lacquered chests, followed by palace maids carrying trays, and the group entered the Kang Prince's residence in a grand procession.

The eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs unfolded a yellow silk scroll and read it aloud in a high-pitched voice.

"His Majesty bestows upon Prince Kang the following New Year's gifts: one bushel of pearls from the South China Sea, ten ingots of imperial pine soot ink, and twenty bolts of tribute satin..."

Zhao Yunkang thanked her for the gift, and Yun Yixia casually handed the eunuch a heavy purse, dismissing him with a smile.

As darkness fell completely, Luo Yu closed the door to visitors.

The Prince Kang's Mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Red lanterns hung along the corridors, and icicles under the eaves shimmered with a crystal-clear light under the lamplight.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the main hall, providing warmth and shelter from the howling north wind outside.

Zhao Yuankai stood at the corner of the corridor, looking at the bright candlelight in the hall from afar.

"Your Highness, please go inside quickly!"

Luo Yu rubbed his hands together; the north wind was blowing in winter, making his hands and feet feel icy cold.

"good!"

Zhao Yuankai took a deep breath, lifted his foot and walked towards the hall. Luo Yu knocked on the door, and he hesitated for a moment before going in.

His father and stepmother sat side by side on the soft couch, chatting casually. He went over to greet them, always trying to glean something from their expressions.

"Granny Feng, there are plenty of fruits and snacks today. Keep an eye on the young master while he eats, so he doesn't choke!"

Yun Yixia's attitude towards Zhao Yuankai remained unchanged; she gave him all the necessary instructions and did everything she was supposed to do.

"promise!"

Feng Cha stayed by the Crown Prince's side; looking after him was her job.

The princess's words made her appear kind and approachable in front of the prince.

If the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort have any conflicts in the future, the Prince will only think that the Crown Prince is immature.

The prince was still young, and those little tricks could not shake the princess's foundation. Instead, they caused the prince to lose his father-son relationship with him.

"I know without you telling me!"

Zhao Yuankai muttered something, then noticed his father's disapproval and frown. He felt even more aggrieved, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"Your Highness, let me take you to wash your hands!"

Seeing the prince's grim expression, Feng Cha quickly led the young master behind the screen to wash up, avoiding any potential reprimand.

Zhao Yunkang, dressed in a well-blue brocade robe, leaned against a pillow, his hand resting on his bent knee, staring unhappily at the screen.

No wonder his subordinates were unwilling to approach the Crown Prince when they returned to the capital to report on their work. They would feign pitifulness and complain in front of others, while causing trouble for him behind his back.

Two-faced and despicable!

Like his dead mother, he was repulsive.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Yun Yixia pressed her two slender white fingers against the corner of his lips and lifted them upwards.

May you be happy and everything go smoothly!

Her features were gentle and graceful, and her lilac-purple embroidered cloud-patterned jacket and skirt made her fair and delicate face look even more delicate, making one want to pinch it.

Zhao Yunkang thought this way, and he did it.

"Hiss~"

"Smack!"

Yun Yixia raised her hand and slapped away the large palm, leaving a large red patch on her cheek.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"I tried to use less force, but I still hit too hard."

Zhao Yunkang cupped Yun Yixia's face in his hands and blew on it. He glanced at the person still behind the screen, then quickly lowered his head and took a sip of the "tender tofu," which was fragrant and soft.

I really want to take her with me!

Behind the screen, Zhao Yuankai pouted and wept. He had never seen his father so tender and affectionate.

What gives her the right?

Mother is right!

The women who married into the family after her were all vixens who bewitched her father, making him so unfamiliar to her.

"Young Master, please wash your face!"

Feng Cha used a warm handkerchief to wipe the prince's face. Outside the screen, a beautiful couple was being sweet and affectionate, making him feel like an outsider.

To be fair, the prince's attitude towards the heir has not changed; it has always been lukewarm with a hint of dislike.

She was an old resident of the Kang Prince's residence and knew how the heir was born.

The culprit behind this is dead.

The poor child was left behind, facing the prince's indifference alone.

"Um!"

Zhao Yuankai clenched his fists; he wouldn't let Yun Yixia get away with it.

Granny Chen said that since her mother died in the fire, the next princess should also meet the same fate.

With red eyes, Zhao Yuankai stepped out from behind the screen and sat obediently in the place furthest from his father.

Before returning, the Empress Dowager said that Father King would return to the northern frontier after the New Year.

If we act then, even if my father finds out, he won't be able to get back in time.

By the time my father returns to the capital to report on his duties, it will take at least a year, and all my anger will have subsided.

Zhao Yuankai took the orange that Granny Feng had peeled, lowered his eyes, and stuffed it into his mouth, concealing the malice in his eyes.

The family appeared to be together, but in reality, only the husband and wife were talking quietly, while their son sat in the distance with his head down and remained silent.

Zhao Yunkang peeled back the orange's bright red skin, releasing a burst of refreshing citrus fragrance, revealing plump orange segments. He then removed the white pith and handed it to Yun Yixia.

"Thank you for the reward, Your Highness!"

Yun Yixia took the orange with both hands, broke off the first segment, and brought it to the man's lips, giving him a playful and cute "unserious" thank you.

"loquacious!"

He glared at her reproachfully, then opened his mouth and bit into an orange segment. It was sour at first, then sweet; the taste was quite good.

"Father, Queen, I'm going out for some fresh air!"

Zhao Yuankai couldn't bear to see them being so affectionate, so he jumped off his chair and ran out. Feng Cha quickly bowed, grabbed her cloak, and followed him out.

"No manners!"

Zhao Yunkang spoke in a deep voice, turning to look at Yun Yixia, who was silently eating an orange.

Aren't you going to try to persuade me?

"Problems between fathers and sons need to be resolved behind closed doors."

I am neither your first wife nor his biological mother.

Your Highness, this humble woman truly has no way to help me!

Yun Yixia shrugged. This was her first time falling in love, both in her past and present lives. How could she dare to get involved in such a complicated father-son relationship?

She herself didn't have a happy family background, let alone the challenge of becoming someone else's stepmother.

Seeing that Yun Yixia really didn't mind, Zhao Yunkang felt a mix of bitterness and amusement.

Upon hearing the words "little girl," he suddenly realized that she was ten years younger than him, no more than sixteen after the New Year.

She was able to accept the invitation to a banquet for foreign guests, and she was able to risk her life to wait for his return while hunting... It was truly remarkable.

"Xia!"

Zhao Yunkang grasped Yun Yixia's forearm, wrapped his other arm around her slender waist, and pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Your Highness!"

Yun Yixia's almond-shaped eyes widened, with two small reflections in her pupils. Her lips were slightly parted, revealing her pink tongue.

"Um!"

Zhao Yunkang finally couldn't help but lower his head, pressing it against the soft lips, searching for something even smoother inside.

The overlapping shadows on the window paper took a long time to separate. He held her tightly in his arms, and she leaned against his chest, listening to his pounding heartbeat.

He gently rested his chin on the top of her head, a faint medicinal fragrance lingering around his nose, making him feel as if he had returned to the springtime of March, with the wind carrying a vibrant scent of life.

"Your Highness, are you going to the Northern Frontier after the New Year?"

Yun Yixia leaned on Zhao Yunkang's shoulders and whispered something in his ear.

"They left safely?"

Zhao Yunkang raised his eyebrows, realizing that it wouldn't be easy for the three people impersonating Yelü Hong to escape in the northern frontier.

Once they enter the Khitan territory, the others will relax, but the number of people who come to meet them and the delegation itself is not small.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they planned to smoothly leave the mission and return to the border. Their plan was swift and meticulous; any mishap would put Daqing in a passive position.

"I received news five days ago that they had successfully escaped; this morning I received news that they had returned safely."

Yun Yixia nuzzled his cheek like a cat and whispered an apology, saying she had caused trouble for the general.

When the Khitans discovered their prince was missing, and upon closer examination of certain seemingly "abnormal" behaviors, it wasn't hard for them to realize that their prince had been switched.

They rode back on donkeys, and the prince was still in disguise... How could the Khitans let it go after being so fooled and tricked?

"The fact that they came back safely means it's not a problem!"

Zhao Yunkang patted her back reassuringly, saying that it wasn't a big deal since they couldn't find any fault with her.

"I'm worried they might retaliate fiercely, so I've prepared some emergency supplies. Could you help me arrange for them to be distributed?"

Yun Yixia sold off the Zhao family's shops, using some of the proceeds to open clandestine businesses, and converting the surplus into military supplies as an "apology."

"Distribute them from me down..." Zhao Yunkang's expression hardened slightly. "After the fifth day of the lunar new year, when I leave, I'll take the supplies with me to the Northern Frontier?"

This is tantamount to telling the emperor that most of the money from the Zhao family shop has been delivered to him.

Xia's strategy is also very simple!

Isn't Your Majesty worried that money and military power will be concentrated in one person's hands?

Rather than arousing suspicion in my elder brother, it's better to confirm it directly.

Xia wanted to use his influence to resist the oppression of the imperial power; she also wanted to tell her brother that the money was hers and she could give it to whomever she wanted.

They're playing a game of open and aboveboard strategy!

However... there is no solution to the open scheme.

"Part of it is in Xijing City, and the rest of the team will gradually catch up with you along the way."

Seeing that he was willing to be her support, Yun Yixia smiled so much that her almond-shaped eyes turned into two crescent moons, and she leaned over to give him several sweet kisses.

The consequence of taking the initiative was being caught by the "big bad wolf" and kissed hard.

"How much have you prepared?" Zhao Yunkang smoothed a stray strand of hair from her sideburns. "It sounds like a lot?"

"A lot, a lot!"

Yun Yixia drew a big circle with her arm, her movements were childlike and cute.

“I will put up a flag that reads ‘Zhao Family Shop Donates to Soldiers in Northern Xinjiang’ on the convoy, and I will also ask little beggars to spread the word when we pass by.”

In this way, the local gentry would certainly not stand idly by; they would have to bleed some money out of them.

This will also alert the Khitan spies scattered throughout Daqing.

Even if the Khitans were furious and wanted to fight, they could never defeat the Daqing Northern Frontier Army, which was so well-supplied with provisions and supplies.

Yun Yixia waved her fist, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling, her face turning bright red as she spoke.

"Well done!"

Zhao Yunkang's original "arduous" strategy vanished, and he smiled with great satisfaction as he looked at the young woman in front of him who was "drawing big promises" for him.

He was looking forward to a rich war!

"Once the war is over, I will ask my brother for permission to return to the capital to be with you."

"Okay!" Yun Yixia leaned on his shoulder. "No need to rush! Your safety is the most important thing!"

As midnight approached, the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard outside, and the Prince's Mansion began preparations to set off firecrackers to welcome the New Year.

"Let's go!" Zhao Yunkang picked up Yun Yixia. "Let's go to the courtyard!"

The two went to the courtyard together, where Luo Yu led the servants to set up firecrackers.

Snowflakes began to fall at some point, swirling and dancing in the glow of the lanterns.

"This is the first time in so many years that I've had a proper New Year celebration."

Yun Yixia looked up at the falling snowflakes and sighed softly. Zhao Yunkang put his long arm around her slender shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"Xia, I will spend every year with you from now on."

"good!"

She lowered her eyes and smiled softly, her almond-shaped eyes moistening, without saying anything to spoil the mood.

Zhao Yuankai stood in the shadows of the corridor, watching their figures huddled together in the snow, his heart burning with passion.

vixen!

Damn it!

Firecrackers crackled and popped, their flames illuminating the night sky.

The servants cheered "Happy New Year!" and the palace was filled with joy.

After setting off the firecrackers, everyone returned to the main hall to stay up all night.

Yun Yixia took out a red brocade pouch that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Zhao Yuankai.

"New Year's money!"

May you have peace and good fortune!

Zhao Yunkang handed one over without saying a word.

"Thank you, Father! Thank you, Princess!"

Zhao Yuankai accepted the two brocade pouches, bowed respectfully, and waited for the two to take their seats before taking his own.

On the large round rosewood table were dishes such as braised goose breast, braised gluten with four kinds of happiness, braised crucian carp, eight-treasure duck, and crab meat lion's head meatballs...

Braised crucian carp, prepared in the Jiangnan style, is made with a rich, dark sauce. Several diagonal cuts are made on the fish to allow it to soak up the sauce, and it is served steaming hot on a blue and white fish plate, making it a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

"Your Highness, please have some fish!"

Zhao Yuankai picked up a piece of fish belly and placed it on the plate in front of her. The fish was glossy with a sauce and smelled delicious.

"Thank you... ugh..."