The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

"No matter if I am a shrewish scold or as gentle as water, you slow down and tie your cloak properly—catching a cold means having to take medicine."

Yang Chuxia took the little cloak from Mingcui’s hands and tied it securely for him.

"Look how obedient your brother is, he wrapped himself up nicely before leaving."

Yangyang looked at Lele, who indeed had gotten himself ready, and at some point had already been taken by the hand by Ye Zi’an.

"Alright, alright, I’ll behave, okay?"

As soon as Yang Chuxia stood up, he proactively reached for her hand, "I won’t run anymore, I’ll walk slowly with mother."

The carriage outside was already prepared. After Yang Chuxia and the two children boarded, Ye Zi’an also squeezed in; on such a cold day, he certainly didn’t want to ride a horse.

"Father, last time I forgot to tell you something." Once the carriage started moving, Lele snuggled into Ye Zi’an’s embrace, then suddenly blurted out.

"What could you possibly forget?" Ye Zi’an raised an eyebrow, saying it was more likely he purposefully didn’t tell.

"When the Emperor asked me which character I liked the other day, he also asked me an additional question."

"What question?"

"He asked me whether I think being a Prince is better or a Provincial Prince."

Ye Zi’an turned the boy around to face him, "And then? Your answer?"

"I naturally said being a Prince is better. Who would be foolish? A Provincial Prince is clearly a rank lower than a Prince." He paused and then continued, "But the Emperor laughed and scolded, saying it’s not good for a child to be so greedy."

Upon hearing this, Ye Zi’an and Yang Chuxia exchanged a glance, their hearts stirring slightly.

"What happened next?" Ye Zi’an thought to himself that based on his understanding of his son, he surely wouldn’t have said nothing at all.

Indeed, he heard him giggle crisply, "I said that if I didn’t want to become the most awesome prince among the princes, I certainly wouldn’t be a good prince."

"You sure are clever," Ye Zi’an laughed pinching his cheek, "It’s fine to say these things to your mother and me, but don’t mention them to other people."

"Dad, am I foolish?" Lele retorted proudly, then, touching his chin, he whispered in Ye Zi’an’s ear, "I’m thinking that perhaps he also wants to bestow on me the title of prince. So I’m giving you a heads-up in advance, just in case it’s true so that you won’t be startled. If it turns out to be false, I don’t really mind; after all, I’m still young, and it’s okay to misunderstand."

While he spoke, his little hand continued to smooth things over for Ye Zi’an.

Ye Zi’an was stunned speechless.

He stared at him for a long time before finally managing to suppress his surprise.

He then roared, "How many times have I told you not to call me old man? Have you ever seen such a young old man?"

"I have, isn’t it just you?" Lele responded calmly with another quip.

"..."

Suddenly, Ye Zi’an found himself not wanting to speak anymore, his heart aching!

The carriage soon arrived at the palace gate. Mu Shaoling and Commandery Princess Dongyang had already arrived but hadn’t gone in yet.

"Did you come to Capital City today?" After alighting from the carriage, Ye Zi’an asked.

"I arrived this morning. I didn’t want to attend the palace banquet at first, but then the Third Prince sent a message saying that the Emperor had also granted you permission to attend the banquet, so here I am waiting."

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, those eligible for the palace banquet were at least from the third rank and above. Ye Zi’an, however, was only a fourth-rank official and ordinarily wouldn’t qualify to attend. Yet now, he had received the Emperor’s special decree to participate. Although it was a good thing, most of those officials were high-and-mighty, with minds sharp as needles; without someone to look after him, they might just cause some trouble.