Chapter 977: Chapter 977: Let’s Go Together

Yun Jiao said helplessly, "Mother, let’s consider a suggestion that’s not quite a suggestion."

"Hui Niang hasn’t been gone for long. Even if we want to elevate Little Bowl, there’s no rush."

"Little Bowl is still young, and although she’s a bit soft in nature, if you explain the pros and cons to her clearly and teach her how to manage the household and keep the servants in line, perhaps after a few years, she will mature."

"If she truly doesn’t mature, the position of Liu Lang’s proper wife is still vacant, and you can make further plans in the future."

Mrs. Chen nodded slowly, "I think it’s a good idea. I came to you today for a reason."

"I’ll go back and tell Liu Lang that Hui Niang hasn’t been gone long and we should at least wait three years. Liu Lang will agree."

Yun Jiao smiled, "That’s good."

"I haven’t seen Xing Er in a while, is he growing well now?"

Speaking of her grandson, Mrs. Chen’s expression lit up, "Xing Er is a healthy child, eating and sleeping well. He’s growing chubby and adorable, just begging to be loved."

Yun Jiao smiled, "That’s good to hear."

Then she spent some time chatting idly with Mrs. Chen before asking Ah Er to harness the carriage and send Mrs. Chen back.

In the blink of an eye, summer arrived.

Jiang Youzhi returned home that day not quite happy.

It was well known that Lord Chief Minister had long practiced concealing his emotions.

Yun Jiao found it strange, "What’s wrong? Did the other elders in the Cabinet upset you again?"

The Cabinet’s five ministers were divided into three camps.

Jiang Youzhi had his own faction; Grand Tutor Xie and Scholar Wen formed one, while Grandmaster Jiang and Scholar Su formed another. Even within a faction, there was occasional infighting.

This was inevitable; the Emperor wouldn’t want to see a completely unified Cabinet.

Jiang Youzhi shook his head, embraced Yun Jiao, rested his head on her shoulder, and said sullenly, "The Emperor wants to escape to the newly built traveling palace for the summer, and I have to accompany him."

Yun Jiao had heard about the newly built traveling palace over two hundred miles from Xiang City at Dangu Mountain.

It’s understandable for the Emperor; although he was very frugal, it was unavoidable to spend a large amount of silver on building a traveling palace.

Xiang City was too hot in the summer.

Before the Emperor ascended the throne, every summer he would take his family to a villa at Yuelu Mountain to escape the heat. After ascending the throne, he didn’t have the same freedom to come and go as he pleased.

Seeing the Emperor lose his appetite and sleep every summer, the Imperial Physicians were anxious, and the officials were also concerned. Someone proposed building a summer retreat palace; initially, the Emperor disagreed, arguing it would burden the people and waste resources.

But he couldn’t withstand the repeated persuasion, and finally, the Emperor agreed.

The expenses for building the palace mostly came from the Emperor’s private treasury, and Jiang Youzhi managed to shift some funds around, without using the silver reserves from the National Treasury, as that was reserved for wars.

There’s a lake near Dangu Mountain, making the climate particularly cool. With the traveling palace built, the Emperor naturally wanted to spend the summer there.

This trip would last at least two or three months.

Jiang Youzhi had to accompany them, but Yun Jiao could not go without an imperial edict.

This meant the couple would be separated for a while.

Jiang Youzhi was extremely frustrated.

He kissed Yun Jiao and said, "I don’t want to be apart from you. How about I request the Emperor to issue an edict, allowing you to come along?"

Yun Jiao shook her head, "What would I do there? Just idly passing time? I don’t want to be confined in the traveling palace for months."

Jiang Youzhi began to playfully beg, "Oh come on, aren’t you writing a medical book? The traveling palace is cool; it’s a good opportunity to write quietly."

Yun Jiao still shook her head. Jiang Youzhi stopped persuading her and said, "All the Princes and Princesses are going, and Ruru, as the Princess’s companion reader, will certainly go to the traveling palace."

"Moreover, since the Forbidden Army is responsible for the Emperor’s safety, my father will personally lead the troops to guard, and he will probably take both children."