As the days went by, the Little Crown Prince of Liang Country gradually celebrated his first birthday, learned to walk, and could clearly call out "daddy" and "mommy."
His little body grew taller, and the soft baby fat on him became more solid, making him look less like a little pumpkin.
With the weather warming up again, early summer arrived, and Yanshu and Yuwen Lan took the little one to visit Grandma.
Little Heng'er slept on the carriage as usual, waking up when the carriage came to a halt.
Stepping out of the carriage, he saw the familiar and comfortable courtyard, and dear Grandma waiting for him at the gate.
Mommy smiled and encouraged him, "Heng'er, walk to Grandma by yourself."
The little one nodded and trotted over to Grandma, calling out "Grandma, Grandma" with his sweet baby voice.
His adorable voice could melt anyone's heart.
Grandma couldn't stop smiling, bending down to scoop the little one into her arms, saying, "Heng'er is good, Heng'er is so smart."
Little Heng'er giggled and echoed, "Smart..."
This made Grandma laugh even more, unable to resist kissing his chubby cheeks.
Then, the little one reached into the small pocket on his chest, fumbling around until he pulled out a sweet potato candy and handed it to Grandma, saying, "Grandma, candy."
Grandma was surprised and asked, "Is this for Grandma?"
Little Heng'er nodded vigorously.
Yanshu explained beside them, "This morning, when Heng'er heard we were coming to see Grandma, he put on his pocket, already planning to share with you."
This warmed the Empress Dowager's heart, and she quickly took the candy, smiling at her grandson, "Then Grandma thanks Heng'er. Grandma will keep this candy and eat it slowly."
Little Heng'er hummed in agreement and reached into his pocket again, pulling out two milk-flavored fruit candies and offering them to Grandpa, saying, "Grandpa, eat."
Qi Shuguang was taken aback, feeling honored, "Are these for me too?"
Yanshu quickly added with a smile, "Since Grandma and Grandpa are together, if there's Grandma's, there's naturally Grandpa's. Please take them."
Qi Shuguang agreed and accepted the candies.
The little one was very happy, struggling to get down from Grandma's arms and walking into the courtyard on his own.
While the adults exchanged greetings, Little Heng'er curiously looked around, soon spotting the white, fluffy little rabbits in the corner.
The little one, already quite knowledgeable, pointed at them with his chubby hand, saying, "Bunny..."
This made Grandma's eyes light up, "Heng'er knows rabbits?"
Yanshu explained with a smile, "I had some children's books drawn and let Heng'er look at them every day. There are also some rabbits and cats in the imperial garden that Heng'er often plays with, so he can tell them apart."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "That's very good."
Then, the little one trotted over to a corner, plucked a green, oily little grass, and held it in his chubby hand, saying, "Feed bunny."
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh, "Heng'er even knows how to feed the bunnies? What a clever little one."
The clever Little Heng'er, intent on feeding the bunnies, had already trotted over to the rabbit cage.
Yuwen Lan and Yanshu quickly followed.
After all, who wouldn't like to feed such cute bunnies?
While the family of three was busy feeding the rabbits, the Empress Dowager picked some fresh vegetables from the garden and washed them clean with clear spring water. So, after feeding the rabbits, the family started feeding themselves.
The freshly picked cucumbers were crisp and sweet, and the apricots were soft and fragrant. Yanshu praised as she ate, "Mother really knows how to grow vegetables. The vegetables here taste especially good."
The Empress Dowager smiled, "The vegetables grown with mountain spring water naturally taste different. But I'm just an amateur; he's the one who does the actual work. I just help out occasionally."
Yanshu quickly added, "Mr. Qi is indeed skilled in everything. Truly impressive!"
Hehe, it had been a year and a half since they left the palace. The Empress Dowager's complexion had clearly improved, indicating a comfortable life, which made Yanshu, a CP fan, very pleased.
As she was feeling happy, she saw her son, who had been playing with Grandpa, walk over with a flower in his chubby hand, saying to her, "Mommy, flower."
Yanshu's heart warmed, and she quickly took the flower, kissed the little one's cheek, and said, "Thank you, my little darling. You're Mommy's precious baby."
Little Heng'er giggled.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Lan said, "Did you forget about Daddy, Heng'er?"
The little one had given something to everyone today except him.
Was he not important in the little one's heart?
Upon hearing this, Little Heng'er paused.
This question seemed a bit difficult for a one-and-a-half-year-old.
Seeing this, Yanshu quickly explained to her son, "What should Heng'er give Daddy?"
Finally understanding, Little Heng'er walked up to Daddy, opened his arms, and said, "Hug..."
Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow. Everyone else got gifts, but he only got a hug?
Of course, who could resist such a cute little one? He bent down and picked up the little one.
Then, the little one hugged his head and kissed his cheek.
Yuwen Lan was stunned, but Yanshu laughed, "So Heng'er wants to give Daddy a kiss?"
The Empress Dowager also laughed, "What a clever little one."
Little Heng'er giggled.
The laughter echoed in the adults' ears like a clear spring in the mountains.
Yuwen Lan also smiled and returned the kiss to the little one.
Well, what a clever little one, just like his mommy.
The family of three spent a pleasant afternoon on the mountain. After dinner, they said their goodbyes and left.
With the courtyard quiet again, the Empress Dowager planned to clean up the dishes, only to find Qi Shuguang already squatting by the water basin, washing them.
She quickly walked over and said, "Today's meal was prepared by you, let me wash the dishes."
He replied, "Your hands are delicate, let me do it."
The Empress Dowager smiled, "What's delicate about it? It's not like it was in the past."
Qi Shuguang said, "Whether now or in the past, you've always been the same in my heart. Let me handle these rough chores."
The Empress Dowager paused, then sighed, "You're just flattering me. I'm clearly old."
He said, "Nonsense, you're not old at all. Just right in my heart."
This man, he's getting better and better at saying things that make one blush.
The Empress Dowager smiled, "Smooth talker."
Qi Shuguang didn't say anything, just continued washing the dishes with a smile.
After a while, the Empress Dowager said, "By the way, the academy will have a field break soon. Let's go back to Langya this year."
Qi Shuguang paused, "Why think of going to Langya?"
The Empress Dowager sighed, "You've been away for two years, it's time to pay respects to your parents. Langya isn't far, if we hurry, we can make a round trip in about half a month."
He said, "Half a month of travel might be too tiring for you."
The Empress Dowager immediately raised an eyebrow, "How could I be tired? You just said I'm not old. Or, do you not want me to pay respects to your parents?"
Qi Shuguang quickly said, "How could that be?"
The Empress Dowager said, "Then let's go back. I've been in the capital for so many years, I'd like to see more of the world."
Hearing this, Qi Shuguang finally nodded, "Alright, let's go back. I'll make arrangements tomorrow."
So it was decided. A few days later, when the academy had its field break, the two of them set off for Langya.
With ample time, Qi Shuguang drove the carriage himself, with Yuwen Lan's arranged guards following closely for safety. They traveled leisurely, stopping to enjoy the scenery and local delicacies, having a wonderful time.
Yanshu was very envious. She wanted to travel and taste the world too!
So, during the evening family time, she seriously told her son, "Baby, you have to study hard and take good care of the house for us in the future. Mommy also wants to travel with Daddy!"
Little Heng'er, wearing his pajamas and lying next to his mother, nodded understandingly with his sweet baby voice, "Mm-hmm."
Meanwhile, Yuwen Lan, who was leaning on the bed reading, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, now she was considering taking him along on the trip.
"Are you planning to take me along as well?" Yuwen Lan asked, feigning ignorance.
To his surprise, Yanshu replied, "Of course! I don't know how to drive a carriage."
Yuwen Lan was taken aback. "???"
So, after all that, she just wanted him to be the coachman?
The Little Crown Prince of Liang Country was growing bigger and smarter by the day.
For instance, after experimenting and observing, he finally realized that bones were not as tasty as meat. Hence, the next time his mother ate a lamb leg, he was no longer content with gnawing on the bones.
However, now that the little one had about a dozen teeth, he could also enjoy meat. Meals like minced meat mixed with rice, shrimp paste, fish paste, and noodle slices were all within his dietary repertoire.
Thus, he could now join the adults for all three daily meals.
Moreover, the little one had recently started eating with his own little spoon. In just a month, he had progressed from smearing food all over his face to accurately placing it in his mouth.
Truly a little master of dining.
Of course, the little one was also at an age of intense curiosity, showing interest in all foods he had yet to try.
For example, during lunch one day, there was a dish of boiled fish, which Yanshu had specially ordered. As soon as the dish was served, the little one's eyes were immediately drawn to it.
He thought, "That dish looks so bright and beautiful, and it smells so fragrant. It must be delicious."
However, why was his mother eating it herself and not giving him any?
He stretched out his chubby little hand, pointing at the boiled fish and said, "Fish..."
To his surprise, his mother replied, "This fish is spicy, Little Heng'er can't eat it. Just eat what's in your own bowl. Today's meat paste is also made from fish."
The little one paused, then remembered that he hadn't finished his own meal and continued eating.
But after a while, he looked up again and saw the boiled fish, and the thought of it resurfaced.
That fragrant fish, he really wanted to try it too!
But his mother didn't give him any. What should he do?
The little one thought for a moment, then took advantage of his mother talking to Rendong and reached out with his little spoon to scoop some from his mother's bowl.
Rendong, keeping a watchful eye, immediately called out, "Little Crown Prince!"
He was about to stop the little one.
When Yanshu turned around, she saw her son holding a small spoon with spicy broth and about to put it in his mouth.
She was about to stop him too, but then thought, "Let him try it first."
So, everyone refrained from intervening, watching as the little one brought the spoon to his mouth and licked it with his little tongue.
Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds, then the dining table was filled with loud wails.
His tongue!
The little one felt that his tongue was in pain!
Sob, sob, sob. His mother was right. Grown-up food was so scary!
