Xiaoyi is Exhausted

“Alright, I’ve already promised you. Why are you still feeling melancholic?”

Xiaoguo looked at Zhuang Zhuang, who was still sulking, and felt a little depressed. “Why does this child have so many worries?”

“I think that the letter I wrote to Father was not good enough.”

Zhuang Zhuang rested his chin on his hands and pouted at Xiaoguo. He really regretted it. If he had known, he would have written more.

After hearing his words, Xiaoguo thought about what she had written. Her letter seemed to be quite complete. She was relieved that she had included everything.

She smiled and patted Zhuang Zhuang’s head. “Take your time to worry.”

With that, she returned to the house.

The cause of this incident happened on the night before Xiaoyi returned to the capital…

After dinner, the three of them were snuggling in bed to keep warm. Xiaoguo happened to think of something. Jiang Danhe had sent two letters recently, but it wouldn’t be nice if she wrote him only one. When she turned around and saw Xiaoyi drinking the autumn pear syrup, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity? Xiaoyi could help bring some to Jiang Danhe when he returned to the capital.

Xiaoguo wasn’t the only one writing a letter. When Zhuang Zhuang saw Xiaoguo writing, he immediately picked up a brush and paper to start writing too. He even used the plum ink that Jiang Danhe had given him.

Halfway through, Xiaoguo detected the fragrance and wanted to use some of the ink too. However, Zhuang Zhuang refused to let her use it no matter what. Since she couldn’t use the ink openly, she had to resort to underhanded means. When Zhuang Zhuang wasn’t paying attention, she secretly tried to dip her brush into the ink. But Zhuang Zhuang was guarding it so closely that she couldn’t find a chance to do it.

Xiaoguo continued with her childish ways and secretly created trouble for Zhuang Zhuang. That made him unable to focus and ended up writing very little words. Eventually, the emotions that he had been building up were all ruined by Xiaoguo. Hence, he could only write the letter hastily. Before he could do a final check of the letter, it was stuffed into an envelope by Xiaoguo.

In the end, she added that letters should not be rewritten after they were done. This way, the feelings expressed in the letter would be the most heartfelt. Once the words were changed, it would not be the truest version of one’s feelings.

After hearing those words, it was difficult for Zhuang Zhuang to change anything even if he wanted to. He decided to give up on the idea. Besides, with his writing skills, the letter shouldn’t be that bad.

Xiaoguo stuffed the two letters into Xiaoyi’s bag, but looking at the flimsy design of the bag, she had some thoughts. Then, with Xiaoyi’s permission, she reconfigured his bag into a satchel. This way, things wouldn’t fall out easily and it would be easier for him to carry the bag.

—-

During Xiaoyi’s return trip to the city, the journey was much faster. Before he had even seen enough of the scenery along the way, they had arrived at the capital.

“Let’s not go back to the palace first. Let’s go find General Jiang.”

When Guanxi heard this, he turned to look at Xiaoyi. “Your Highness, if you’re looking for the general, you can just go back to the palace. He is in the palace now.”

“Is that so?” Xiaoyi pursed his lips. “Alright, let’s go back to the palace first. If the general is not around, you have to send me out of the palace immediately to look for him!”

Xiaoyi suspected that Guanxi was trying to trick him into returning to the palace, so he asked cautiously.

“…Yes!” Guanxi was silent for a moment before replying helplessly.

With his assurance, Xiaoyi was much more relieved. He snorted and sat back in the carriage. “Look at how wise I am!”

“Back to the palace.” Guanxi glanced helplessly at the crown prince in the carriage. The prince was really overthinking. He wasn’t lying at all. The general was really in the palace, with the emperor.

“Is he really here?”

Xiaoyi followed Guanxi suspiciously and stared at him with his big eyes to see if he was lying to him.

“…”

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you really lying to me? Did my father ask you to trick me into coming back?”

Xiaoyi looked like he had expected this. Guanxi was so tired from the prince staring at him. “Do I have to lie to you?”

“Your Highness, the general is really in the palace.”

“Lead the way then.” After some thought, Xiaoyi decided to believe him. In any case, Guanxi had promised to bring him to the general if he wasn’t around in the palace.

Guanxi had no words for him. He silently led the way in front. The sooner he brought the crown prince home, the sooner he could return home. It was too tiring to handle the prince…

Xiaoyi tightened his grip on his small satchel as he tensed up his calves and kept pace behind Guanxi, trying hard not to miss a step.

When they arrived at the Imperial Study, Guanxi stopped. Xiaoyi went up the steps alone. As he watched the crown prince disappear from sight, he heaved a sigh of relief. He had finally done his job!

“I’m back.”

Shao Zhan was not surprised with Xiaoyi’s appearance.

“Don’t you know everything?”

Xiaoyi did not even look at Shao Zhan. His eyes were scanning through the entire room, looking for something. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he ran out anxiously and dejectedly.

“Aye, wait.”

How could Shao Zhan let him leave just like that? It had been a long time since he had seen the boy. As soon as they met, he didn’t say anything to his father. Instead, he just kept looking for something. When he couldn’t find it, he wanted to leave again. How could he behave like this? It seemed that this kid wished to be grounded again!

“Aiya, I’m busy!”

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave. Xiaoyi was not afraid of his threats now. In any case, the emperor would never get mad at him.

“Sigh…”

Seeing that he could not stop the crown prince, Shao Zhan let out a long sigh. “This boy had no respect for his elders. In a while, I will ground him for seven days!”

Xiaoyi, who had not gone far, heard his sigh. He felt sorry to hear his father sigh, and he quickly ran back. He placed his hands on the door frame and looked at the man inside. He said mischievously, “I’ll come and eat with you later.”

With that, he ran off in a hurry.

Shao Zhan was jolted from his thoughts and he chuckled. “Forget it, forget it. I shouldn’t ground him. If he’s grounded, how can he come and eat with me?”

“Guanxi, Guanxi!”

As soon as Xiaoyi left the house, he called out Guanxi’s name loudly. He looked at the steps and did not see the man, so he ran and shouted for him.

“Aiyo, what’s wrong, Your Highness?” Eunuch Su stopped Xiaoyi and wiped his sweat.

“Eunuch Su, where’s Guanxi?”

“Commander Guan? I saw him over there just now, but he should be long gone now.”

“Huh?!”

Xiaoyi looked disappointed. “He had already left. What should I do…”

“Should I send someone to find him?” Eunuch Su couldn’t bear to see the disappointed look on the prince’s face, so he immediately thought of sending someone to look for Guanxi.

Xiaoyi’s mind raced, and he was enlightened within the next minute. Why was he looking for Guanxi? He could just get someone to find the general.

“Eunuch Su! We’re not looking for Guanxi.” Xiaoyi immediately stopped feeling anxious now that he had an idea. “I’m looking for General Jiang!”

“Oh…” Eunuch Su smiled when he heard that. “I just saw him earlier. He said that he was going to the Imperial Study. He should have reached there by now.”

Xiaoyi’s legs went weak when he heard that. Had the general gone in right after he left? “Oh my…”

“Crown Prince? Crown Prince? Don’t scare Eunuch Su…”

Eunuch Su’s heart could not take this. Xiaoyi immediately shook his head to show that he was fine. He looked at the extremely long flight of stairs and encouraged himself. He could do it!

After bidding farewell to Eunuch Su, Xiaoyi grabbed his small satchel tightly and ran up the stairs with his fists tightly clenched.

When he arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, he leaned against the pillar, panting. He wondered what the person was thinking when he built the steps. Was he trying to tire everyone out by building such a long staircase?

He shook his head at the guard who came to help him. He was fine. There was no need to hold him.

After catching his breath, he staggered inside. The moment he spotted the tall man, Xiaoyi felt like a spring breeze was blowing across Lugu Lake. At this moment, Jiang Danhe looked even more adorable than Xiaoguo in his eyes.

He pounced on him eagerly and hugged his legs tightly, refusing to let go.

When Shao Zhan saw Xiaoyi behave in this manner, his heart was filled with jealousy. Why did Jiang Danhe seem more like his biological father? He had never enjoyed such treatment before…

Unable to make sense of the situation, Jiang Danhe put down his teacup and looked down at his legs. He saw Xiaoyi, who was sweating profusely. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at him with unblinking eyes. Jiang Danhe was immediately stunned by the dazzling starlight in the boy’s eyes. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Xiaoyi again.

“Don’t run away from me! The stairs are too difficult to climb!”