kvmb Chapter 374 Spring Plowing
Chapter 374 Spring Plowing
An Lingrong was afraid of disturbing the emperor's interest, so she did not go to the east side hall to pay her respects.
She nodded at Su Peisheng and went straight to the small kitchen.
There were many people having breakfast today, so Baoge started to get busy before dawn.
With just a casual glance, you can see carefully prepared meals such as pot cakes, pea cakes, meat pancakes, bamboo-rolled steamed buns, tofu and cabbage, stir-fried shredded vegetables, yam and red date millet porridge, stir-fried sea cucumbers and stewed meat with sauce. The aroma is so fragrant that it makes your stomach sing.
An Lingrong looked through all the meals and asked in a gentle voice.
"Bao Ge, do you have any minced meat and egg custard?"
"My Lord, I know that the three young masters love this dish, so I have already prepared it."
Bao Ge replied with a smile and continued to persuade.
"Your Majesty, you have just returned from paying your respects. You should return to the main hall and rest for a while. I will be ready soon."
The small kitchen was filled with smoke and the smell of cooking fumes was strong, and Baoge was afraid that it would bother her master.
An Lingrong understood Baoge's meaning and nodded with a smile.
"Then the small kitchen is up to you."
As soon as she came out of the small kitchen, she bumped into Hongyao who was rushing towards her.
An Lingrong grabbed his collar and frowned.
"Hongyao, why are you running so fast?"
"Mother, the Emperor said you went to the kitchen to finish the goodies there, so I came to see if you were full."
Hongyao raised his head and glanced at her mouth, trying to confirm whether she had eaten anything.
An Lingrong gently tugged at his pigtail, "Your Royal Father is just joking with you. Hongyao, look at any mother who doesn't wait for her child to get something together."
"Mother, Sister Anle said that Mother Hua secretly ate crab cakes without her knowledge, and she caught her several times."
Hongyao stared at his mother suspiciously.
"You wouldn't be like Hua E's mother, secretly eating lactose without your knowledge, would you?"
An Lingrong squatted down, looked directly into Hongyao's eyes, and explained in a gentle voice.
"Hongyao, sister Anle is weak and still young. She can't eat crab cakes yet. Your mother Hua is hiding for her own good."
"Aunt Baoge's nougat is limited. I gave some of Dongyue's nougat to my uncle and others. There's not much left..."
An Lingrong explained for a long time before Hongyao stopped worrying about the nougat.
She secretly winked at Baoque, indicating that the amount of lactose for the three children should be halved.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Your Majesty, how could you have deceived me, Hongyao, into eating alone in the small kitchen?"
Since the emperor wanted to have fun, An Lingrong naturally had to join in.
"Rong'er, you misunderstood me. I just said that you went to the small kitchen as soon as you came back. Maybe you didn't eat any snacks before paying your respects."
"Hongyao rushed to find you before I could finish my words."
The emperor refused to admit that he just wanted to play a trick on his son and make fun of the mother and son.
An Lingrong smiled and patted Hongyao's shoulder.
"Hongyao is too impatient. I think it's better for him to learn more from you, Your Majesty. How about I send Hongyao to stay with you for a few days?"
The emperor was afraid of the energetic Hongyao and quickly waved his hand.
"Rong'er, I'm afraid it won't work this time. It's spring plowing time again, and I have to go to the altar to offer sacrifices, and also go to the garden to farm."
"I came here today to tell you something. Hongzhan has been studying hard, and I want to take him out of the palace for a walk."
"The corruption in the Imperial Household Department has taught me that the royal family's children need experience. All the princes in the harem must follow me to farm. Hongzhan is the oldest of my children, and I want him to experience the suffering of the people early on, so that he won't be deceived by the servants below him in the future."
"Your Majesty is wise. I will have someone pack up Hongzhan's boxes later."
Seeing An Lingrong agree immediately, the emperor asked curiously.
"Leaving the palace to farm is a hardship. Hongzhan is still young. Are you willing to let him go with me?"
"Your Majesty, although I feel sorry for Hongzhan, I know you are doing this for his own good."
An Lingrong replied sincerely.
"'Knowledge gained from books is always shallow; true understanding requires personal experience.' I am not ignorant of truth."
The emperor came this morning to inform her directly, not to discuss it with her.
If she cried and made a fuss out of pity for the child like Li Shuren did, it would probably ruin Hongzhan's future.
The emperor confirmed again and again that An Lingrong was not lying, and spoke with relief.
"Rong'er, you really didn't disappoint me. We have to leave for the agricultural altar for sacrifice early the day after tomorrow. Please make arrangements for Hongzhan in advance."
"I understand."
An Lingrong responded respectfully and smiled as she invited everyone to have breakfast.
After seeing off the emperor who was going to handle government affairs, An Lingrong ordered Baoque to take Hongyao and Zhaohua to the back hall to help digest their food.
She pulled Hongzhan into the study and asked with red eyes.
"Why did the Emperor propose to take you out of the palace for spring plowing today? You are my mother's child, don't fool me."
Hongzhan lowered his head and explained in a low voice.
"Mother, I know I was wrong. Yesterday, I heard the Emperor and Eunuch Su talking about the spring plowing, and I thought this was a good opportunity to be alone with the Emperor. I asked the Emperor a few questions about the spring plowing, and he decided to take me out of the palace."
An Lingrong hugged Hongzhan in her arms and said with sobs.
"Hongzhan, it's mother's fault. I put too much pressure on you."
"Since leaving the palace to farm is a foregone conclusion, you must ensure your own safety. Mother is planning to let Xiao Linzi and Bao Que go with you."
"I have acted impulsively this time. Please punish me, Mother."
Hongzhan admitted his mistake softly.
Spring plowing was a major event for the imperial court, held annually. On the auspicious day of Hai in mid-spring, the emperor led his officials to the altar of agriculture to offer sacrifices to the God of Agriculture and pray for favorable weather and good harvests.
After the sacrifice, the emperor led the ministers who accompanied him to cultivate the land personally.
There are quite a few people going back this time, and with more people it is easier to take advantage of the situation.
The Fourth Prince, Longyue and Concubine Hui all had accidents in the palace, not to mention that the young Hongzhan still had to go out with a group of people.
An Lingrong gently explained her concerns to him and gave him detailed instructions.
"Hongzhan, when you leave the palace, try to stay with the emperor. Mother will also ask Eunuch Su to take care of you."
"Aunt Baoque has always been steady, so we must consult with her when encountering problems."
"Mother, I understand."
An Lingrong touched his head and added in a gentle voice.
"You are right to want to cultivate a father-son relationship with the Emperor, but Mother must remind you that the Emperor is suspicious by nature. You should not do anything beyond your age."
"This time when I leave the palace, I'll just treat it as a way to relax after being tired from studying."
"Hongyao and Zhaohua are playing in the backyard. You should go over there too. And help mother call Aunt Baoque over."
"Thank you for your guidance, mother. I will go now."
An Lingrong sent Hongzhan to the door and sighed softly.
She had given birth to three children for the emperor, but that man still didn't trust her and had to take the opportunity of having breakfast to test her.