The sun rose from the horizon, bathing the mountaintops in its light and casting a warm, rosy hue upon the surface of the Huaxi River, its ripples glimmering. In the fields, paths crisscrossed, and farmers walked among them, occasionally shouting loudly and erupting with hearty laughter...

This was a sight that the six-year-old Young Emperor Yuanshang Yi had never seen before.

Feng Yun knew he was curious and didn’t order a carriage to be prepared, instead taking him by the hand from the manor to the farm tool workshop to see the new tools freshly forged.

The guards followed at a distance, and Yuanshang Yi clutched Feng Yun’s hand very tightly.

He was very nervous.

A novel, unknown world.

Part of him was curious, and part of him was at a loss.

Feng Yun didn’t expose his feelings, nor did she ask anything. She let him digest the experience slowly, just softly and gently explaining to him the process of farming tools being shaped from molten iron...

Yuanshang Yi didn’t talk much but nodded frequently, very well-behaved.

Feng Yun increasingly felt that his nature was somewhat like Queque’s; he was an extremely sensible child, and so the small hand she held in her palm grew gentler.

Her heart was nearly melting.

One was a child without a mother.

One was a mother who had lost her child...

For a moment, Feng Yun felt as if her empty heart had found some fill.

From the farm tool workshop to the garment factory, during the short journey, the bond between Yuanshang Yi and Feng Yun grew closer.

"Princess, are we going to see cats?"

"Yes, to see the kittens." Feng Yun thought for a moment before adding with a smile, "Another day I’ll take His Majesty to see bigger kittens."

Yuanshang Yi nodded in approval.

Kong Yun’e’s cat had indeed given birth to six kittens, and it was unclear who the father was, but several of the kittens were exceptionally cute, especially one with pear blossom white fur, large eyes, a small mouth, and a distinctive, handsome face, more beautiful than its siblings.

Yuanshang Yi watched without blinking an eye.

Kong Yun’e asked, "When the kittens are weaned, shall I send one to His Majesty, would that be all right?"

The kittens were originally raised to alleviate Hengyang’s boredom; they were his little friends. Hearing his mother’s words, Hengyang felt unhappy.

That was his favorite kitten.

"Mother, it’s mine, it’s mine..."

Hengyang was only three years old and didn’t understand the concepts of social hierarchy or rank. He showed no particular respect for the boy who was taller and older than him; he only knew someone was after his beloved treasure and protectively glared while holding the kitten.

Yuanshang Yi was taken aback.

He looked up at Feng Yun.

Feng Yun asked, "Do you want it?"

Yuanshang Yi hesitated momentarily.

People in the palace had told him that everything under the heavens belonged to him; he was the Emperor and could have anything he wanted...

He wanted the little cat, but he could see Hengyang’s reluctance. After pondering for a moment, he shook his head...

A smile appeared on Feng Yun’s face; she said no more.

Yet, Kong Yun’e was somewhat flustered inside.

The child may not understand, but shouldn’t the adults?

She saw the Young Emperor glance repeatedly at the pear blossom white kitten, feeling both guilt and nerves as she offered to bring over the kitten once it was a bit bigger.

"There is no need for such trouble, Yun’e."

Feng Yun reassured Hengyang with a few soothing words and took Yuanshang Yi away from Kong’s home.

"Your Majesty liked that kitten, right?"

Yuanshang Yi softly responded with a hum.

Feng Yun looked down at him, "Then why did you shake your head when Madam Kong asked if you wanted it?"

Yuanshang Yi pursed his lips, looking down as he walked, remaining silent.

Feng Yun’s eyes curved upwards, "Is it because you saw Hengyang liked it and didn’t want to take his thing, right?"

It was then that Yuanshang Yi hummed again.

The child was indeed sparing with words. Feng Yun could hardly imagine how he would communicate with his destined senior official, the Prince of Yonghuai, when he grew up a little more.

"What you did was right," encouraged Feng Yun. "A gentleman does not take what others cherish; Your Majesty is a gentleman, and when you rule independently, you will be a benevolent monarch."

Yuanshang Yi’s eyes darkened.

"I don’t want to be the Emperor; is that possible?"

Feng Yun’s brow twitched upon hearing this, her cheeks stiffening for a moment.

Fortunately, except for Xiaoman at her side, the other guards were a bit far away. Otherwise, if these words got out, it could be said she was seducing the Young Emperor, and it wouldn’t be too good for him.

She wasn’t as anxious as Dong Bai, nor did she chastise like the Female Historian, but after pondering for a while, she spoke in a low voice:

"You should think about this when you are older, Your Majesty. Right now, you’re still young, and you just need to be a child and do as you please."

Yuanshang Yi: "Being the Emperor means you can’t do as you please."

Feng Yun was taken aback for a moment.

The usually quiet child had so many thoughts.

She smiled, steering the conversation elsewhere, "Let’s go for a walk on the street later, shall we?"

Yuanshang Yi indeed forgot the recent conversation. He didn’t say much, but his face and eyes were alight with joy.

After all, he was a child, and his emotions were plainly shown on his face.

After returning to the manor from the garment factory, Feng Yun had an ox-cart hitched up, as previously agreed upon, to take Yuanshang Yi to watch the firing of the clay kilns. They then slowly made their way toward Andu City while it was still cool.

Yuanshang Yi watched the big ox without blinking.

This was his first time riding an ox-cart, and it had an open canopy.

Along the way, villagers greeted Feng Yun from time to time.

Yuanshang Yi clung close to Feng Yun, his eyes showing curiosity.

"Why don’t they call the Princess ’Princess’? And why don’t they bow when they see her?"

Feng Yun smiled and said, "There aren’t so many formalities in the village. Everyone is busy, carrying shoulder poles and baskets. If there were too many courtesies, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable?"

Yuanshang Yi asked, "Doesn’t the Princess feel disrespected by them?"

Feng Yun smiled gently, "Of course not, this way I feel much happier."

After speaking, it was as if something occurred to her. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"When we enter the city later, Your Majesty can just call me ’my lady’ like they do."

Yuanshang Yi pondered for a moment, "And what about me?"

The child had very fair skin and his eyes were filled with anticipation, which was rather heartbreaking to look at.

Feng Yun couldn’t resist the urge and tapped his nose lightly.

"Today, when you go out, you’re not the Emperor. Otherwise, if everyone on the streets came over to kneel and pay their respects, where would the fun be?"

Yuanshang Yi nodded firmly.

It was clear that he was quite willing to do this.

Feng Yun tilted her head and asked with a smile, "Then what should I call you? Young Master Yuan? Ayuan?"

Yuanshang Yi: "Ayuan."

He replied quickly.

Fearful that Feng Yun would decide on her own.

Because ’Ayuan’ sounded much more affectionate than the polite ’Young Master’.

He liked being close to the Princess.

Feng Yun could see that, and on the side where the child couldn’t see, her lips curled into a gentle smile, her face radiant with soft light.

"Ayuan, come sit closer to me. I want to test you to see if you recognize any of these crops by the roadside..."

The ox cart rattled into Andu City. The soldiers guarding the city recognized Feng Yun and were about to come forward to salute her, but she stopped them with a look.

She walked through the bustling crowds just like an ordinary citizen, maneuvering through various street vendors with Yuanshang Yi by her side.

Pork buns were three coins each.

But the vendor had laid out his stall for half the day, and what sold the quickest were the dark-faced buns in the steamer next to him.

Yuanshang Yi was puzzled, "Don’t they like pork buns?"

Feng Yun said, "One pork bun can buy two pounds of coarse rice."

She didn’t explain too deeply.

But Yuanshang Yi understood on his own.

"My lady means, they would rather not buy pork buns and instead buy coarse rice?"

"Mhm," Feng Yun said, "One pork bun isn’t enough to fill one’s stomach, but two pounds of coarse rice can feed a family porridge for two or three days..."

Yuanshang Yi nodded as if he kind of understood.

Feng Yun then took him to visit rice shops, cloth shops, butcher shops, and even incense stores and pawnshops.

Gradually, the excitement on Yuanshang Yi’s face lessened...

Feng Yun touched his head, "Are you tired?"

Yuanshang Yi frowned slightly, "I used to think being the Emperor was the hardest."

Feng Yun laughed, speaking softly, "Of course, being a good Emperor is very hard. The greater the responsibility one carries, the heavier the burden, and thus the harder it becomes. But the better the Emperor, the harder he works, the less the common people have to suffer."

Yuanshang Yi pursed his mouth and nodded silently, his pale cheeks now slightly flushed.

Feng Yun saw that the sun had risen high and the day was getting hotter. She lifted the child onto the ox cart and headed to Yutangchun.

Wen Hui came out to meet them and was startled to see Yuanshang Yi.

"Oh, my lady, whose young master have you brought with you? He’s carved out of jade, so handsome..."

Yuanshang Yi’s cheeks turned even redder.

He was silent, looking at Feng Yun.

Feng Yun embraced the child, "He’s mine."

She also threw a glance at Wen Hui, bent down to wipe some perspiration from Yuanshang Yi’s forehead, and laughed, "Go get some perilla drink. It’s terribly hot, and look at all this sweat on his head."

Wen Hui responded with a smile.

She didn’t recognize Yuanshang Yi and never expected Feng Yun to brazenly pull the Young Emperor around the streets.

However, by noon when He Chuandong came to dine, he was initially startled to see the guards at the door. When he went to greet Feng Yun later, he was utterly terrified.

"Your, Your Majesty?"

Having accompanied his father to Wanning that day, He Chuandong had seen the Emperor Tian Shou with his own eyes. Suddenly seeing him here, he too was shocked beyond measure.

Everyone knew the Young Emperor was unwell.

For the Princess to bring him out like this, she was taking a great risk.

If anything happened to the Emperor, how could she explain?

Feng Yun glanced at Yuanshang Yi, and spoke seriously, "My lord need not be overly formal. His Majesty is incognito today, conducting a secret inspection of the people’s conditions; we cannot let anyone discover this..."

He Chuandong’s eyelid twitched and he quickly bowed.

"Understood, understood, this subject understands."

Feng Yun gestured for him to sit down.

He Chuandong waved his hand, "I’ll just eat something and then I have to leave, today I am going with my father to visit Liu Family Village..."

As a governor, He Qia visiting a village?

Feng Yun asked, "What happened?"

He Chuandong frowned, "The village head reported to the prefectural government about locusts found in the village. After the prefect reported to my father, my father has been deeply worried and is preparing to visit the village himself."