Chapter 214
**Chapter 212: A Harmonious Family**
Let it be known, I’m not afraid of others laughing!
According to the regulations set by the royal family of the Qing Kingdom, princes begin their education at the age of six, which continues until they reach adulthood and are officially titled as lords.
But Li Yuanjing was different. From a young age, he had no interest in books; instead, he was drawn to the thrill of battle. He first picked up a bow at the age of three, and later learned to ride ponies. In his youth, he joined the army, living and eating alongside the soldiers. He had planned to spend his life as a lord, conquering lands, but unexpectedly found himself ascending to the throne.
Now, as he looked at his two three-year-old sons, he saw a reflection of his own childhood and felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart.
“Pull the bow harder, you’re doing it wrong,” Li Yuanjing advised.
Shen Wei’s child-sized bow twanged as the arrow went awry.
Her cheeks flushed, she retorted, “The stance is definitely right; it’s just that I lack strength.”
Li Yuanjing raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “What strength does a child’s bow require?”
Shen Wei fell silent, placing the bow on the stone table, as if to say, “You show me how it’s done.”
Li Yuanjing casually picked up the child’s bow from the table. With a simple draw, he released the arrow with hardly any effort, and the small wooden arrow struck the straw target dead center.
Right in the bullseye.
Shen Wei was momentarily stunned.
Li Chengyou’s eyes widened in amazement, his chubby face reflecting shock. He scampered over to the target, discovering that the tiny wooden arrow had perfectly pierced the red center!
“Father, you’re amazing!” A wave of uncontainable admiration surged within Li Chengyou as he rushed back, craning his neck to look up at Li Yuanjing.
He tugged at Li Yuanjing’s sleeve, excitedly pouting, “Father, can you teach me? I really want to learn! I want to learn so much!”
Li Chengtai, who had been quietly observing, furrowed his little brows, glancing between the target and his tall, imposing father.
He pursed his lips and stepped forward, “Father, I want to learn too.”
Li Chengtai wanted to master all of his father’s skills. He aspired to be like his father, to surpass him, so that no one would dare bully his mother, sister, or younger brothers.
Looking at his two sons, one on each side, Li Yuanjing couldn’t help but smile.
Among his sons, the others would tremble like mice before a cat at the sight of him. Only Shen Wei’s sons were the bravest and most considerate, daring to be affectionate and eager to learn from him.
Li Yuanjing felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
The son of an emperor must never be timid or weak.
“Alright, I’ll teach you,” Li Yuanjing said. Having finished his duties for the day, he had ample time. He personally guided his two sons in drawing the bow, adjusting their stances, and aiming.
Li Chengtai and Li Chengyou were earnest in their practice.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei sipped fragrant flower tea and nibbled on delicious pastries, leisurely watching the three of them practice archery.
A father’s involvement in family education is essential. Shen Wei was determined to have Li Yuanjing participate in their children’s upbringing, to strengthen the bond between father and sons.
After practicing for a while, both boys showed slight improvements in their archery skills. A wave of accomplishment surged within Li Yuanjing as he glanced over at Shen Wei, who was enjoying her tea not far away.
“Don’t just watch; you should come and learn too,” he called out.
Shen Wei added a spoonful of honey to her tea, stirring it with a small porcelain spoon. She didn’t want to move, feigning praise for Li Yuanjing, “Your Majesty, you’re so mighty and powerful. I’m just a woman who rarely leaves the house; I only need to embroider and drink tea. Learning archery is of no use to me.”
Li Yuanjing raised an eyebrow, “You’re just being lazy.”
Shen Wei retorted confidently, “I won’t learn; pulling the bow makes my arms sore—Le You is still playing in the water, I should go check on him.”
She handed Li Yuanjing the honey tea she had prepared, gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and then dashed away.
Li Yuanjing shook his head with a smile. Among the concubines in the palace, who wasn’t obedient to him?
Only Shen Wei occasionally acted spoiled and threw tantrums in front of him. In the vibrant harem, she always stood out, captivating and drawing attention.
“Don’t be like your mother, who only practices sporadically,” Li Yuanjing said as he bent down to adjust Li Chengyou’s bow stance.
Li Chengyou, who had always admired his father, nodded vigorously, “Got it! I’ll practice hard, and I’ll be as good as you, Father!”
Beside him, Li Chengtai silently began practicing as well, his little face focused as he drew back the small wooden bow, sending the arrow flying towards the target.
...
As night fell, the Yongning Palace was lively.
The carefully prepared dinner was served. Le You and the others had caught a few fish, and Shen Wei had the kitchen make a rich fish soup, along with sweet and sour fish and fish porridge.
The dining table was bustling with activity.
Li Yao, Li Nanzhi, Li Wan’er, Le You, and Chengtai and Chengyou sat around the rosewood table. The palace maids meticulously removed the fish bones, mashing the fish meat into a fine paste to serve to the young masters.
The large pumpkin sent by the Empress Dowager was also given to the chef. He cut it into small pieces, adding red dates, honey, goji berries, sweet rice wine, and starch, steaming it to create bowls of sweet and fragrant honey-glazed pumpkin.
Li Yuanjing and Shen Wei sat at the head of the table. Li Yuanjing’s imposing presence initially made Li Yao, Li Nanzhi, and Li Wan’er a bit reserved, but they gradually relaxed and began to enjoy their dinner.
The fish soup was delicious, and the pumpkin was sweet; the children loved it.
Li Yuanjing gazed at the fish soup on the table, his mood complex.
As an emperor, he had tasted many exquisite fish soups throughout his life. But tonight’s soup was particularly special, made from fish caught by his own daughter.
It held profound significance, unlike anything he had experienced before.
As he tasted the soup, Li Yuanjing found it exceptionally delightful.
After dinner, the children were all full. Le You turned to Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing, saying, “Father, Mother, I’m going back to Grandmother’s place. If I’m late, the fish soup will get cold.”
Still thinking of her grandmother in the Cining Palace, Le You had the palace maid set aside a bowl of fish soup in a food box to take to the Empress Dowager.
After dinner, Le You left Yongning Palace with her two younger brothers. Li Yao and the other little girls also politely bowed to Li Yuanjing before returning to their own quarters under the escort of the palace maids.
As the moon rose above the willow branches, night descended.
Shen Wei, feeling overly full from dinner, took a stroll with Li Yuanjing in the courtyard to cool off.
On this spring night, the palace walls were quiet, and the sound of unknown insects chirped from the grass. The roses in the courtyard had wilted, and the newly planted flowers drooped. They walked to the archery target in the back courtyard, where lanterns hung brightly, illuminating the area.
Li Yuanjing, in high spirits, said to Shen Wei, “Come, I’ll teach you archery again.”
Shen Wei replied, “...”
She wasn’t particularly eager to learn.
But Li Yuanjing had already sent a eunuch to bring a slightly lighter bow. He wrapped his arms around her, guiding her hands as he taught her how to draw the bow: “You need to apply enough force, raise your arms.”
With her back against Li Yuanjing’s chest, Shen Wei followed his instructions, slowly pulling back the bowstring.
Whoosh—
The arrow went astray.
Li Yuanjing didn’t give up, patiently continuing to teach her. A gentle breeze blew through the night, lifting the strands of Shen Wei’s hair, brushing against Li Yuanjing’s lips like a feather.
It was ticklish.
And there was a subtle, elegant fragrance that was delightful.
It was the unique scent of Shen Wei.
Li Yuanjing’s gaze shifted downward, and from his angle, he could see Shen Wei’s beautifully curved profile. Her lips, slightly upturned, glistened with a hint of moisture. Her skin was as fair as jade, her eyelashes long and curled, her figure slender like a willow.
As Shen Wei drew the bow, her delicate arms brushed against Li Yuanjing’s chest, unintentionally enticing him.
Bang—
“I hit it!”
After several attempts, Shen Wei finally managed to land an arrow on the target. She turned around joyfully, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Yuanjing, beaming, “Your Majesty, I hit it! Let’s continue practicing tomorrow.”
In the next moment, Shen Wei noticed something strange in Li Yuanjing’s gaze; it seemed as if there was a flicker of fire in his dark eyes.
Li Yuanjing pulled her slender waist closer, leaning down slightly, his warm breath enveloping her as he spoke in a husky voice, “Let’s return to the sleeping quarters.”
A sudden gust of wind rippled across the tranquil spring waters.
...
...
In the Qing Palace, Li Nanzhi held a food box as she walked under the moonlight back to the Yuxiu Palace. Yuxiu Palace was the residence of Mei Fei Liu Ruyan. As night fell, only a few palace maids were sweeping the courtyard.
Yuxiu Palace always felt quite cold.
As Li Nanzhi passed through the long corridor, she noticed the lights in the pavilion were still on. Liu Ruyan had not yet gone to bed; she had ordered some tables and chairs to be placed on the empty terrace, enjoying a solitary drink under the moonlight.
“Mother,” Li Nanzhi called softly.
On this cool spring night, the moonlight poured into the depths of the palace. Liu Ruyan sat by the railing, her white sleeves fluttering in the wind, as if she were about to ascend to the heavens.
Li Nanzhi, worried, said, “Mother, it’s chilly at night. I brought you a bowl of hot fish soup; please try it.”
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