Yang Chuxiaâs lips twitched.
No wonder people in the Capital City were suspicious that Brother An was the Emperorâs son. Just listen to the Emperorâs words, expressing his longing for Yangyangâsuch intimate words would not only make others doubt, but even she herself felt confused upon hearing them.
"When will Eunuch Cuiâs children be able to leave the palace?" Yang Chuxia thought to herself that she better not make a trip to the Capital City and have one son stay behind, while risking the possibility of another being taken away.
As soon as Eunuch Cui heard Yang Chuxiaâs question, he became unhappy. What was Madam Ye thinking? Other people would be eager to send their children into the palace, yet the Ye Family was reluctant? What was the meaning of this?
"Madam Ye, how could this servant possibly know the Emperorâs intentions? The Emperor is the Son of Heaven of our Great Zhou, his word is law. Whenever he says it will happen, then thatâs when it will be," responded Eunuch Cui.
Noticing the displeasure in the eunuchâs tone, Yang Chuxia knew he was upset.
She then smiled and said, "Would you please sit for a moment, Eunuch? I need to prepare my younger son."
"Then be quick about it! This servant must rush back to the palace to report," he said, pausing before adding, "Whatâs there to even pack? The palace has everything one needs, doesnât it?"
Yang Chuxia smiled and went on to gather things.
In truth, she had nothing much to pack; she only wanted to give a few instructions to her two sons.
"Yangyang, when youâre in the palace, listen to your brother. Do as he says and be polite when you see people. You must not be willful, understand?"
"Mother, I understand," Yangyang obediently nodded his head.
Lele, standing beside him, said, "Mother, donât worry. Iâll take good care of my younger brother."
"Thatâs my good boy, I know youâre a good brother. Itâs just that I havenât had the chance to talk to you properly, and now youâre leaving again," she said.
"Mother, didnât you say that father would come after a while? By then, I might be able to leave the palace too, Mother," the little guy said, kissing Yang Chuxia.
Yang Chuxiaâs heart warmed at the gesture, knowing that as the child grew older, he would invariably stop showing such affection.
Seeing this, Yangyang also kissed Yang Chuxia on the other cheek. He was quite cheerful, "Mother, donât miss me too much."
"You little rascal," laughed Yang Chuxia as she playfully ruffled his hair. "Alright, go out and walk with Eunuch Cui."
"Eunuch Cui, I entrust my son to your care," she said as she approached Eunuch Cui, who was still sipping his tea.
"Rest assured, Madam Ye."
"I will see you out, Eunuch Cui." Once outside, the servant hurriedly stepped forward. While assisting Eunuch Cui, he stealthily handed him an envelope when no one was lookingâa banknote, Eunuch Cui immediately knew.
Upon settling in the carriage and opening the envelope, it indeed contained a banknote of a hundred taels. He thought to himself that the Ye Family certainly didnât lack for silver.
As the carriage drew farther and farther away, Lele continued to wave at her, while Yangyang chuckled.
"Lele is so considerate, but look at Yangyang, heâs so excited to go to the palace," said Yang Chuxia to Mingcui.
"The young master is also considerate," Mingcui defended Yangyang, "I reckon he thinks heâs just going for a short visit and will be back soon. Plus, itâs the palace weâre talking about; naturally, heâs excited." Mingcui continued, "You see, the palace is such a place that even an ordinary commoner would consider it a lifetimeâs fortune just to walk around beneath the walls of the Capital City, let alone reside inside for a while."
"No need to defend him, do I not know my own son? Sometimes he is too carefree, and he has quite the nerve," Yang Chuxia chided Mingcui, before adding, "But what you say is true. Indeed, many people long to go to the palace, yet I wonder what theyâre all thinking."