Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1151 - 1148_1

Chapter 1151: Chapter 1148_1

In the carriage

Recalling how she swam last night in the void and ended up falling asleep from fatigue right in the water, Xiao’er couldn’t remember swimming to the shore before she drifted off to sleep. Hesitantly, she asked: "Brother Shangguan, how did we get to shore last night?"

Shangguan Xuanyi looked up from his book and gazed at her after hearing her words: "What do you think?" he asked.

"Did I guide us to shore with my consciousness?" Xiao’er instinctively hoped this was the case, otherwise, she hadn’t served to relieve Shangguan Xuanyi of his stress but had added to it!

"Impossible! It was I who swam us to shore while you were sound asleep! My dear, I was utterly exhausted for your sake last night; how do you plan on compensating me, hm?"

Hearing this, Xiao’er felt guilty for falling asleep like that. Still, she retorted, "Why would you do something so foolish? Why didn’t you wake me up and let me guide us to shore? You want compensation from me for your own stupidity? No way!"

Such a heartless girl! If it weren’t for his reluctance to wake her up, would he need to suffer so?!

It seemed like she wouldn’t realize her mistake unless she was unable to get out of bed the next day as a punishment. Shangguan Xuanyi decided this in his heart.

"Girl, because of carrying you to the shore, my hands are trembling from exhaustion even when holding chopsticks now! Are you really not going to compensate me?" he insisted.

Well, he needed to garner her sympathy so she’d soften her heart and allow him to do as he pleases later at night.

"Really?" If she herself had swam for six hours — exhausting to the point of falling asleep in the water, Shangguan Xuanyi, who had to swim for another three or four hours to carry her to shore, would surely be struck with trembling hands from the fatigue.

Softening at this thought, she suggested, "After we return home, I’ll give you a massage. You will feel better quickly."

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded in satisfaction: "Good!"

"But Brother Shangguan, I never thought you would be so physically capable. You managed to swim back to shore despite everything."

Having heard this, Shangguan Xuanyi just smiled and kept his thoughts to himself — ’Wait till you see how much more robust I can be, my dear. You’ll find out when we get home.’

"But didn’t you have to go out last night? When would you have used chopsticks?" she asked.

Could his errand have been late-night snacking?

"The Empress had prepared a midnight snack," Shangguan Xuanyi explained.

What happened in the imperial study last night then? (The following is a flashback to last night)

Last night, the Emperor received an urgent report from the front lines. Despite the late hour, he still summoned several ministers to the palace to discuss matters.

At dawn, the Empress sent over some midnight snacks for everyone to enjoy.

Having spent the day in the void and swimming for six hours, Shangguan Xuanyi was hungry. Despite his usual abstaining from late-night snacks, he couldn’t help but eat now.

While he was eating, the Emperor noticed that Shangguan Xuanyi’s hands were shaking slightly as he held the chopsticks.

Seeing this, the Emperor asked, "Xuanyi, what’s wrong with your hand?"

He had noticed something odd about his hand when he was writing earlier.

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at his hand and told a credible lie: "After returning to the mansion just now, I practiced swordsmanship all night, and my hand is a little sore!"

After hearing this, Shangguan Xuanhao couldn’t help but admire him, "No wonder the martial arts skills of my sixth brother are so formidable. He has even trained his hand to the point where he trembles while holding chopsticks. What dedication!"

"Prince Rui’s diligence truly makes old ministers like me feel inadequate! Indeed, each new generation surpasses the last. The nation always has more talented people emerging!" After Di Shaowei took over Di’s position as a general, the old General Di returned to the Imperial City to train new recruits.

General Di is a big fan of Shangguan Xuanyi. As a prince, Shangguan Xuanyi certainly isn’t lacking in skilled people around him to protect him and to assist him.

But he didn’t take his position for granted and become complacent. Instead, he worked even harder than the average person, strived for perfection in everything he did, and won the respect of the entire imperial court.

Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t say a word, to avoid getting caught in his own web of lies.

Thinking about the cause of his shaky hands, Shangguan Xuanyi remembered Xiao’er and wondered how long she had slept. He knew that she was stubborn and competitive. She should have given up earlier while they were in the void last night.

He had never been this exhausted before.

The Emperor, hearing all this, was quite pleased with his son, though he wasn’t as impressed with his older son. He couldn’t help but reprimand him, "You are well aware of your brother’s diligent nature, why aren’t you putting the same effort into your responsibilities?"

Shangguan Xuanhao was tempted to roll his eyes. Here it goes again! Nowadays he wakes up at the crack of dawn and stays awake till late at night working diligently to produce more healing medicines. He’s exhausted from all the work, and he hardly has time to embrace his wife!

How is that neglecting his duties?!

Even when he conducts his medical research in daily life, it’s with the intention of serving society and saving lives in the world, to benefit the people!

Why doesn’t his father appreciate his consideration for the world and public welfare?

He always accuses him of neglecting his duties!

Experience taught him that if he dared to refute the Emperor’s word, a deluge of memorials would appear on his study desk, giving him a massive headache. So, he better endures silently!

After all, his father was the emperor, and he was the son.

So, Shangguan Xuanhao very sincerely replied, "Your humble son will try even harder!"

Emperor glimpsed his son, who clearly tried to deceive him, felt a slight chest tightness.

He is endowed with great talent and strategy, but his second son seems to have inherited none of it. He even starts to feel that even Xiao’er outshines him!

Thinking of Xiao’er, the Emperor also came to realize her extraordinary military talent. Next time when discussing the specific combat strategies, she should be included.

Just as this thought began to form in the Emperor’s mind, General Di said, "Your Majesty, I recall that Princess Rui has insightful views on marching and fighting. Why not invite her to discuss with us in the palace?"

The Emperor grinned from ear to ear, filled with pride, as if it was him who General Di had just praised.

"Ha-ha, General Di and I are thinking the same! I’m planning to invite her to join us in our discussion next time! Xuanyi, be sure to tell Xiao’er to accompany you to the palace the day after tomorrow. As for your children, leave them to your mother to take care of!"

The other ministers, hearing that the Emperor was inviting a woman to discuss matters, had no objection since they too remembered Xiao’er’s profound understanding of military formations. They believed that with her present, they might be able to discuss a good plan more efficiently.

So, they all unanimously agreed that it would be beneficial to invite Princess Rui to join their discussion.

...(End of flashback)

Shangguan Xuanyi remembered the Emperor’s instructions from last night and said, "You need to accompany me to the palace tomorrow, girl."

"Why?"

"Father wants you to join him in the discussion."

"Isn’t that unnecessary? If people from the harem involve themselves in politics, won’t that be improper?" Xiao’er didn’t want to irritate the Empress Dowager again now that she had finally stopped bothering her.

"How would it be improper? It was my father who said it, and all the ministers agreed too!" Shangguan Xuanyi was quite pleased with his accomplished wife.

Xiao’er didn’t say anything further. She looked at the shadows under Shangguan Xuanyi’s eyes, "Why don’t you take a nap, Brother Shangguan."

After that, Xiao’er sent Shangguan Xuanyi into the void for a good rest.