She cried, and Zhao Jiaqi felt a pang of discomfort. She handed a silk handkerchief to Pingting, "Why are you crying? You're not a child anymore. You should be happy!"
"Nonsense. If I could, I'd stay by your side forever. I don't want to be a princess and manage such a large fiefdom. It's exhausting, and you don't even care!"
As she spoke, she felt wronged and began to cry uncontrollably, tears like golden beans pouring down.
After crying for a while, she noticed her elder sister-in-law wasn't comforting or coaxing her, just sitting beside her and watching. Pingting pouted, her lips turned down so much they could hold two ounces of sesame oil.
"If you're done crying, turn around. I'll tell you about my experiences governing my fiefdom!"
Pingting sniffled and sat up, listening to her elder sister-in-law's experiences and keeping them in mind. As she watched her sister-in-law impart her wisdom, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Eventually, they would have to part. Meeting even once a year would be difficult.
During the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, she cherished her time with her elder sister-in-law. As for the children, neither of them paid much attention to them, letting them play as they pleased. Such carefree days would end in less than a fortnight.
Lunar New Year's Eve.
Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu had stayed in the village and celebrated a joyous New Year with Fan Zehao's family.
It was the first time these two princes had celebrated the New Year in the countryside and found it all very novel and intriguing.
However, their curiosity only lasted a few days. After the fifth day of the new year, Fan Zehao sent them away to investigate the case of missing children in Yongdie City.
They left reluctantly, but couldn't resist Fan Zehao's imposing presence and obediently departed.
The Lantern Festival, a time for joyous eating of tangyuan, was overshadowed by a somber atmosphere indoors that even the children noticed.
Yu Meng, the eldest of the six children, tugged at Fan Zehao's sleeve, "Daddy, what's wrong? Why are Mommy and Auntie unhappy, and Uncle drinking alone?"
Fan Zehao affectionately patted his daughter's head and said softly, "After today, your uncle, aunt, and sisters will be returning to their own homes!"
He hadn't intended for the children to know, but they were growing up, and it was impossible to hide. It was better to tell them.
When would these cousins be reunited? It was uncertain.
Upon hearing this, the children were stunned. Surprisingly, they didn't throw a tantrum. Yu Meng even comforted her uncle and aunt, which genuinely surprised Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi.
They were also deeply comforted, realizing that as the children grew older, they became more sensible.
The sixteenth day of the first lunar month was Yu Meng's birthday. After discussions between Yu Meng and the adults, they agreed to let Fan Er's family stay one more day to celebrate her birthday. The adults saw no issue with this and agreed.
But the very next morning, Yu Meng, along with Fan Yao, Fan Sen, and Tiantian, took advantage of the guards' shift change and, without anyone noticing, ran away from home, determined to find the culprit.
After reading Yu Meng's letter, Zhao Jiaqi was furious. Both anxious and enraged, she exclaimed, "You damnable brat! I didn't punish you enough, and you dare to run away from home? Don't you know how dangerous it is outside?"
"Catch her and beat her soundly! My wife is absolutely right!" Fan Zehao echoed her words meekly.
Zhao Jiaqi's word was law for now, and he didn't dare to provoke her further.
Seeing her husband's submissive attitude only made her angrier. She kicked him and shouted, "Go find her then!"
"I've sent out all the guards to look for her. Don't worry!" Fan Zehao said, quickly retreating out of the room.
Standing outside, feeling the cold wind, he wondered where the child could have gone.
While anxious, he forced himself to calm down. He remembered her letter mentioned going to pursue the culprit.
Could she have gone to the neighboring county, investigating the missing children case?
With this possibility in mind, Fan Zehao forgot everything else and headed directly to Yongdie City.
Chunfen looked at the untouched food on the table and earnestly persuaded her, "Your Highness, please eat something. His Majesty has already gone to Yongdie City to search. The princess is so clever, nothing should happen to her. If the child doesn't return, and Your Highness falls ill, you won't even be able to chase after her if you want to scold the Eldest Princess!"
This single sentence struck a chord with Zhao Jiaqi.
In order to catch her daughter and give her a good scolding, she picked up her bowl and ate heartily, albeit with lingering anger. Even though her stomach felt unwell after the meal, she persevered.
After the first month of the year, in March, the weather warmed up, and the herbs in the fields began to grow well, showing signs of green. With enough water, a good harvest was in sight.
If cared for properly, an abundant harvest was not impossible.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has sent a letter!" Chunfen, holding the letter, rushed into the room and eagerly handed it to the Empress.
Zhao Jiaqi opened the letter. It stated that the child had been found and was in Yongdie City, but the culprit had not been apprehended. However, it was discovered that the prefect of Yongdie City was a corrupt official who would overlook anything for money.
Therefore, they could not return yet. Once he finished handling matters there, he would bring the children back.
Seeing that her child was safe, Zhao Jiaqi's strained heart finally relaxed. Her tightly held nerves snapped, and she fell ill for several days.
When the children returned, they were hesitant and afraid to approach, fearing their mother's (or elder aunt's) scolding.
This did not include Yu Meng. She skipped joyfully towards Zhao Jiaqi, her voice as clear and pleasant as a cuckoo's, "Mom, I'm back! This time I caught a corrupt official and eliminated a scourge for the people. Aren't I amazing?"
Her large eyes, like stars in the night sky, sparkled. Her eyes were increasingly resembling Fan Zehao's. In childhood, she had looked mostly like her, but in just a few years, she had changed.
"A woman's looks change with age" was likely referring to this.
"Amazing!"
She stroked her child's innocent face. Although she desperately wanted to peel her skin, seeing her appear before her safe and sound finally eased the knot in her heart.
Seeing that her elder aunt wasn't scolding or hitting her sister, Tiantian giggled at Zhao Jiaqi and joined her, resting her head on Zhao Jiaqi's lap and recounting her experiences during their escapade.
Many times they had narrowly escaped danger. Those in the room listened with bated breath. Since the children had been found, Pingting and Fan Xudong were hearing for the first time how much the children had endured.
Pingting's fiery temper seemed to have transferred to Zhao Jiaqi. She grabbed Tiantian's ear and dragged her back to the room for a thorough scolding and punishment.
The adobe house was not soundproof, and coupled with Pingting's enraged roars and the child's cries, it was impossible not to hear.
Yu Meng tugged at Zhao Jiaqi's sleeve, her innocent and bewildered eyes looking up at her, "Mother, I caused such a big problem this time, why aren't you scolding me, or hitting me?"
Zhao Jiaqi poked her little nose, her beautiful eyes filled with helplessness and affection, "If I hit and scolded you, would you still cause trouble?"