"What?" Emperor Cheng shot him a look. "Can't I go?"
That Dashui Village was blessed with abundant resources and outstanding people. Even Prefect Qin praised it highly in every memorial he submitted. Emperor Cheng had long wanted to see it for himself...
It was also a good chance to check on his son's living conditions, see if he was studying diligently, and if he lacked anything, he could get it for him.
This boy rarely asked him for money when he was away. He didn't know how he had managed all these years.
Xiao Jinheng twitched the corner of his mouth and smiled, "Father... Father Emperor, if you go there suddenly, won't it expose your identity?"
After all, he had lived in Dashui Village for so many years, and the villagers knew he was wealthy and had vague suspicions about his identity.
What if Father Emperor's sudden appearance in Dashui Village caused trouble?
"If I'm not afraid, why are you?" Emperor Cheng poked his forehead. "Look at me, dressed in these ragged clothes, so dirty, like a beggar. Who would pay me any mind?"
Xiao Jinheng opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but Emperor Cheng waved his hand, "Alright, alright. My mind is made up, don't try to dissuade me!"
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
Alas, Father Emperor was still so stubborn.
It would be great if Mother Empress could be brought along this time.
"Father Emperor, there's something I need to tell you!" Xiao Jinheng murmured.
"What is it, speak quickly!" Emperor Cheng casually took the small dining table handed over by Eunuch Zhao and placed it in the center of the carriage.
Xiao Jinheng hesitated for a moment before looking up, "Father Emperor, to be frank, Imperial Sister is in Dashui Village. She is currently staying with the Old Yun family. When you go there this time, please don't startle her..."
"What nonsense?" Emperor Cheng was reaching for a plate of food when he heard Xiao Jinheng's words and almost dropped the plate. "What is your Imperial Sister doing in Dashui Village?"
This brat! Anywhere else she could go, but she had to go to Dashui Village.
If Heng'er's identity was exposed, all plans would be ruined...
"Father Emperor, don't be anxious. Although Imperial Sister is carefree, she knows what's important. It's fine!" Xiao Jinheng pleaded for Xiao Xinling.
Emperor Cheng snorted, "She knows what's important? She's already grown up, always playing around. When we return to the capital, I'll marry her off. Let's see if she can still be so lively!"
Xiao Xinling, far away in Dashui Village, suddenly sneezed...
Who was thinking of her?
Xiao Jinheng shook his head helplessly. He suspected Imperial Sister already had someone she liked. If Father Emperor forced her into a marriage, wouldn't Imperial Sister cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang herself?
That would be quite a spectacle!
Eunuch Zhao had good cooking skills. He had prepared four dishes and one soup, and steamed white flour buns...
Emperor Cheng was on a covert visit, so the food and drink would naturally be the best.
Eunuch Zhao had also prepared a large pot specifically for Emperor Cheng to cook various delicacies.
Stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, braised pork knuckle, pork skin stir-fried with soybeans, and a plate of stir-fried eggs with scallions, plus a pot of tomato and egg soup...
Although the weather was turning cooler, without refrigerators, meat could not be preserved for long.
So, Eunuch Zhao prepared a large barrel of ice. Every time they arrived at a place, he would cut a piece of meat and place it on the ice to keep it fresh.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhao!" Little Xi Tian bowed to Eunuch Zhao.
It wasn't for anything else, but he had just sent over a braised pork knuckle, which was definitely an improvement in their meals for the weary travelers...
After Eunuch Zhao learned of Little Xi Tian's identity, his attitude was no longer hostile. "Miss, please enjoy. If it's not enough, I'll stir-fry another plate of three fresh vegetables later. Those dishes are very appetizing!"
"No need!" Little Xi Tian shook her head. "This is enough!"
"Then, Miss, please enjoy. We've brewed some tea over there. I'll bring you a pot later..." Eunuch Zhao bowed and turned to leave.
Yun Sanman wiped Shangguan Fang'er's mouth and called out to Eunuch Zhao, "Old man, wait a moment!"
Eunuch Zhao stopped in his tracks and turned back, "Young master, do you have any instructions?"
He couldn't afford to offend any of these people from the Old Yun family!
If His Highness really married this young lady, the entire Old Yun family would be rewarded with official positions and titles...
Yun Sanman asked curiously, "Old man, Young Master Xiao has been in that carriage for over an hour and hasn't returned yet. What is his relationship with the gentleman in the carriage?"
If it wasn't someone they were extremely close to, how could they talk for so long?
Eunuch Zhao scratched his head, remembering what the Emperor had instructed him, and said, "To be honest, the person in the carriage is the young master's father..."
"What?" Before Yun Sanman could be surprised, Little Xi Tian suddenly stood up. "Father?"
This brat rarely mentioned his family matters to her, whether his parents were alive, or how many siblings he had.
Although she had guessed his identity to some extent, to meet his father in the wilderness, what kind of luck was this...
So, she had been happily wiping medicine for that old gentleman and accepted his jade pendant, only to find out it was the brat's own father all along.
Little Xi Tian felt completely unwell.
Eunuch Zhao smiled and said, "Yes, my Master Huang has been doing business outside for many years. Fearing that the concubines in the manor would scheme against the young master, he sent him away to be raised early. Now that father and son are meeting, they must have a lot to talk about..."
Yun Sanman's mouth widened. He finally understood Young Master Xiao's identity.
Father always said that Young Master Xiao was the illegitimate son of the Crown Prince or some high official, but he never expected it to be on this level.
So, he was the son of a wealthy merchant...
But looking at that Master Huang, dressed in rags and with a sallow complexion, he didn't look like a rich person?
Could it be that he deliberately made himself look like this?
"Please enjoy your meal!" Eunuch Zhao gave a dry laugh and turned to leave.
Little Xi Tian blinked her big eyes and looked at the steaming braised pork knuckle again, feeling that something wasn't that simple...
She wasn't so easily fooled.
Just when she thought the matter was over, Shangguan Fang'er suddenly stood up and pointed at Eunuch Zhao's retreating figure, saying, "I know that old man. I've seen him, I've seen him, he's a eunuch!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Yun Sanman: "..."
Eunuch Zhao hadn't gone far. Upon hearing this, he suddenly turned back. In the dim firelight, he clearly saw Shangguan Fang'er's face.
"Oh, my, my heavens! How could it be her?" Eunuch Zhao was so startled that he broke out in a sweat and quickly scurried away, holding up the hem of his robe.
Yun Sanman frowned and tugged at Shangguan Fang'er's sleeve. "Sit down quickly. What kind of eunuch has a full beard?"
As he spoke, he cut off a piece of pork knuckle and stuffed it into Shangguan Fang'er's mouth. "Eat meat!"
Unexpectedly, Shangguan Fang'er kept her eyes fixed on Eunuch Zhao, saying as she ate, "His beard is fake. He's a great eunuch!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."