(This is Qinghe's Water Cooling Heart's long comment. It's finally not raining in Nanjing anymore. I can finally go out for a stroll.)

Princess Leyao hugged Emperor Chengping's arm and giggled sweetly.

Emperor Chengping was both emotional and sad as he watched his doted daughter grow ten years old in the blink of an eye and reveal the figure of a young girl.

When Princess Leyao was younger, he would often carry his daughter in his arms. But as she grew older, the most intimate action they had was to touch her soft hair.

Princess Leyao was Emperor Chengping's youngest daughter. Girls naturally needed to be educated. Moreover, there were some secrets that ordinary people did not know about. Emperor Chengping did not mind pampering his youngest daughter a little more.

Princess Leyao's almond-shaped eyes, which were similar to Chu Lian's, scanned the Rain Admiration Pavilion and finally locked onto Chu Lian, who was standing nearby.

She narrowed her big eyes behind Emperor Chengping's sleeves and then resumed her innocent look in front of Emperor Chengping. "Father, father, she is the newly appointed Lord of Jinyi Village?"

Emperor Chengping smiled. He knew that his youngest daughter had her own thoughts. For example, Princess Leyao must have seen Chu Lian at Marquis Dingyuan's residence before. The two of them were not on good terms, but now she was pretending to see Chu Lian for the first time.

However, Emperor Chengping could not be bothered to expose her. "Yes, why is Leyao asking about this?"

Chu Lian stood where she was and bowed to Princess Leyao from afar. Her heart sank. Princess Leyao must be up to no good when she mentioned her. The two of them had a grudge that day.

Princess Leyao looked up at the tall and handsome Emperor Chengping with admiration. She said coquettishly, "Imperial Father, Yao 'er heard that Jinyi Village Lord's longevity peaches are delicious. Why don't you let her go to my palace to make some for me?

Yao 'er is really craving it! "

As soon as Princess Leyao's words left her mouth, Emperor Chengping's face, which was filled with gentleness a moment ago, immediately darkened. Concubine Wei jumped in fright and pulled Princess Leyao over. In a low voice, she reprimanded, "Yao 'er, whatever you want to eat, the palace doesn't have. Those longevity peaches are for celebrating a birthday. You don't usually eat them."

Princess Leyao had only heard that the Emperor was receiving Chu Lian at the Rain Admiration Pavilion and had rushed over to find fault with him. She had no idea what had just happened in the Rain Admiration Pavilion.

Just now, Emperor Chengping was unhappy because of the longevity peaches. Now that she mentioned it again, Emperor Chengping's expression naturally didn't look good.

Princess Leyao only wanted to show Chu Lian her authority. She couldn't care less about Imperial Consort Wei's advice. She struggled out of Imperial Consort Wei's arms and shook Emperor Ping's. "Imperial Father, didn't you say that you love Yao 'er the most?

Why won't you agree to such a small request? What Yao 'er wants now is to eat the longevity peaches made by Jinyi Xiangjun! "

Chu Lian was having a hard time holding it in. This Princess Leyao was too arrogant. Emperor Chengping's expression was clearly not good, but she was still clinging onto him.

Empress Shen looked coldly at Imperial Consort Wei and her daughter. Her earlier gloominess had disappeared. She looked at Princess Leyao with disdain. What a fool!

Princess Leyao was used to being arrogant and willful. She could get whatever she wanted. In the palace, the Emperor doted on Imperial Consort Wei and even Concubine De spoiled her. She had never gotten anything that she couldn't get. Seeing that the Emperor wasn't saying anything, she was so frustrated that she started crying.

"Imperial Father doesn't love Yao 'er anymore. Sob sob sob …"

Emperor Chengping was already in a gloomy mood. When Princess Leyao started crying, he felt as if his head was being pricked by needles. After all, he was a high and mighty Emperor. Even if he doted on his children, he still had a bottom line.

He lowered his head and stared at Princess Leyao, who had grown a lot taller. She was already ten years old. In the past, he thought that she was still young, so he let her do as she pleased. However, with her current personality, he couldn't let her do as she pleased anymore.

Emperor Chengping suddenly shook off Princess Leyao's hand that was tugging on his sleeve. He growled, "Leyao, are you done messing around?!"

In the past, Emperor Chengping would never say anything harsh in front of Princess Leyao. But now, he was reprimanding her in such a cold tone. Princess Leyao was completely dumbfounded by Emperor Chengping's reprimand. She stared at Emperor Chengping in disbelief, as if she couldn't believe that those words had come out of his mouth.

After what seemed like a long time, Princess Leyao asked in a trembling voice, "Imperial Father, are you … scolding Yao 'er?"

Just as Princess Leyao was about to say something, Imperial Consort Wei was so frightened that she covered Princess Leyao's mouth.

Emperor Chengping's face darkened. He flicked his sleeves and said, "Leyao, I have been too arrogant and spoiled. I let you do whatever you want without any rules. Jinyi's rank is too low. She is a village magistrate that I personally conferred. How can she be a cook in your palace?

Imperial Consort, if you don't teach Leyao well, I will adopt her to the Empress and let her be raised by the Empress. "

Empress Shen and Imperial Consort Wei didn't expect the Emperor to say such a thing. Let the Empress raise her?

How could they do that?

Moreover, Princess Leyao was already ten years old. She wasn't an immature child. How could they raise a child of her age?

Empress Shen and Imperial Consort Wei were unwilling. Imperial Consort Wei's body was injured when she gave birth to Princess Leyao. She would never be able to bear another child again. Princess Leyao was her only child.

Imperial Consort Wei was so frightened that she loosened her grip on Princess Leyao's mouth.

Princess Leyao broke free and cried loudly. "Imperial Father, Yao 'er doesn't want to go to the Empress. Yao' er doesn't want to leave Imperial Mother!"

"How dare you! Who gave you the guts to call her Imperial Mother?

Remember, the Empress is your mother! "

Emperor Chengping pinched the space between his brows tiredly. "Forget it. I have been spoiling her for too long. After the mid-autumn banquet, both Imperial Consort and Leyao will be grounded for a month. I will send an instructor to teach Leyao the rules."

After saying that, Emperor Chengping left with his men, leaving everyone to see his broad back view.

Princess Leyao couldn't believe that not only had she failed to teach Chu Lian a lesson today, she had even caused her and her mother to be grounded. She glared at Chu Lian with resentment. Fortunately, she had learned her lesson from Emperor Chengping and didn't fight Chu Lian right away.

Chu Lian only glanced in the direction of the Empress and Imperial Consort Wei. Eunuch Sun, who had just escorted her, said softly, "Fellow citizen, please follow this servant. His Majesty has ordered us to send you to the Empress Dowager."

Chu Lian nodded in thanks and bowed to the Empress before following Eunuch Sun out of the Rain Admiration Pavilion.

Only Empress Shen, Imperial Consort Wei, and the bewildered Princess Leyao were left in the reception pavilion of the Rain Admiration Pavilion.

Empress Shen adjusted the hem of her bright yellow palace dress and walked with the most appropriate steps to the half-paralyzed Imperial Consort Wei. She looked at her from the corner of her eyes. "Younger Sister Wei, you must learn your lesson in the future. No matter how favored you are, there will come a day when you fall out of favor."

After saying these specious words, Empress Shen also left with her people.

Imperial Consort Wei hugged Princess Leyao and bit her red lips with her snow-white teeth. Only when she tasted a trace of blood in her mouth did she adjust her expression and look at her daughter.

"Yao 'er, remember today. Sooner or later, we, mother and daughter, will pay back double for the grievances we have suffered!"

It wasn't until they were a good distance away from the Rain Admiration Pavilion that Chu Lian felt her entire body relax.

Thinking of the look in Princess Leyao's eyes when she left, Chu Lian knew that she wouldn't let her off so easily. She sighed. Could it be that she was a troublemaker?

The Imperial Garden in the Imperial Palace was very large. It was currently mid-autumn and there were large patches of chrysanthemums blooming in the Imperial Garden. There were many kinds of chrysanthemums. Occasionally, palace maids would pass by, creating a lively scene.

The Empress Dowager's Peace Palace was quite far from here. Sun eunuch Sun had already told her when he led the way.

However, the Imperial Garden was winding and secluded, and there were chrysanthemums of all colors in full bloom everywhere. Looking at the beautiful scenery, it didn't feel like the journey was long.

Eunuch Sun stretched out his hand and pointed at a pavilion not far away. "You can sit in the pavilion for a while later."

Chu Lian nodded and followed Eunuch Sun's lead. This pavilion was surrounded by a sea of chrysanthemums. The scenery was beautiful and it was indeed suitable for a short rest.

Eunuch Sun smiled and said, "Why don't this servant bring some tea and snacks for you so that you can have a good rest in this pavilion?"

Chu Lian saw that this Eunuch Sun had a good personality. She smiled and shook her head. "There's no need, Eunuch Sun. I'm just going to sit for a while. Grandmother is still waiting. It won't be good if I'm delayed."

When Eunuch Sun heard Chu Lian say this, he didn't move.

Chu Lian was very careful now. The Imperial Palace wasn't like Count Jing 'an's estate. She might just randomly bump into a small boss. It was better for her to keep a low profile. She had just been schemed against, so she didn't want to go through it again.

The maidservants at home were still the most considerate. Going to the Rain Admiration Pavilion was exhausting both physically and mentally. Looking at the beautiful flowers, she was really a little hungry.

Eunuch Sun, who was standing at the side with his head hung low, caught a glimpse of Jinyi Xiangjun from the corner of his eye. He happily took out a small embroidered pouch from his wide sleeves. Then, his slender fingers pried open the pouch. Not long later, he took out a browned dessert with complicated patterns from the pouch. He pinched the dessert with two slender fingers and placed it on his cherry lips to take a small bite.

Then, his clear almond-shaped eyes squinted in enjoyment. Immediately after, that round dessert with patterns on it was all in the Xiangjun's stomach.

Eunuch Sun's mouth involuntarily secreted saliva. He gulped down a mouthful, but he was racking his brains to recall the desserts in the palace. However, even after going through all the desserts that the imperial chefs in the palace knew how to make, he still couldn't find the one that the Xiangjun had just taken out to eat.

The dessert in the Xiangjun's hands looked very delicious.

There was a core inside the crispy yellow dough. It looked like egg yolk. Egg yolk could also be used as dessert?

Would it taste sweet or salty?

Eunuch Sun felt that he couldn't continue thinking about it. Otherwise, he would definitely be unable to resist the urge to snatch the small embroidered pouch with the dessert from the Xiangjun's hands.

Eunuch Sun's head drooped even lower, no longer looking at Chu Lian's expression as she ate the dessert. Sob sob sob, no wonder the Xiangjun didn't want him to bring dessert and tea. He had prepared it himself!

Eunuch Sun, who was dazzled by the delicacies, completely didn't think of it. Which young lady would bring rations when entering the palace? It wasn't like they were going for a walk in the countryside. It was clear that this Jinyi Xiangjun was a strange foodie.

Chu Lian took out a slender piece of dried beef from the small embroidered pouch and stuffed it into her mouth. This was the newly made spicy beef jerky. It was appetizing and delicious. She wondered if He Changdi could eat spicy food.

Not far away, in the Nine Winding Corridor, Emperor Chengping stood at a corner with his personal eunuch, Eunuch Wei, beside him.

From Emperor Chengping's direction, he just happened to be able to see Chu Lian sitting in the pavilion eating dessert. The sunlight shone in at a slanted angle, illuminating her small face in an incomparably resplendent manner. The expression of enjoyment on her small face could be seen clearly.

Emperor Chengping couldn't help but think, 'What is this lass eating?

Is it really that delicious? '

Thus, in the next moment, Eunuch Wei heard the Emperor say, "Go and take the embroidered pouch from that lass's hands."

Eunuch Wei's eyelids twitched. He simply didn't dare to believe the words of the wise and mighty Emperor. The Emperor, this' old man ', wanted him, a chief eunuch of the Imperial Palace, to snatch the Xiangjun's snacks?