Originally, I thought Zhi might be impatient, but unexpectedly, he nodded: "I know." Then he paused and pointed outside the door: "...just like with the parrot, right?"

Xiqiu was taken aback, feeling that his analogy was inappropriate, yet in a certain sense, it did share some commonality, so she did not object: "As long as you remember what Mother just said, Mother will take you tomorrow, and we’ve made an agreement not to back out, okay?"

Seemingly intrigued, Zhi listened and nodded: "Yes, a promise is a promise!"

Xiqiu looked at his earnest expression and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, exchanging a glance with Fourth Master Xiao, who then picked Zhi up happily and said, "Come, show me your parrot!"

"Okay!" Zhi lay on Fourth Master Xiao’s shoulder, laughing heartily as the father and son headed out the door.

In the room, Xiqiu called Chunliu and instructed, "Take out the clothes to be worn tomorrow and press them. Zhi will wear the elegant green short coat and black velvet pants, and for shoes, he’ll wear the pair of velvet shoes I just made..." Though not eye-catching, Chunliu thought the colors were a bit dull, but since Madam had instructed, she had no doubts.

Nodding in agreement, Chunliu replied, "Su Quansheng is handling some errands in the office. I observed that he is quite diligent and quick-witted!"

"That’s good, instruct Tiancheng to keep an eye on him a bit, nothing else." Chunliu listened carefully and left the room.

Early the next morning, Xiqiu pulled Zhi out of bed and let Mrs. Zhou and Wenyu clean him up and dress him in fresh clothes. Zhi’s small head drooped, appearing half-asleep, until he sat at the table for breakfast and gradually woke up, squinting at his father, mother, and brother... 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Eat something quickly; we need to go out." Xiqiu gestured for Zhi to feed himself, then turned to Min and said, "I, your brother, and your father need to visit the palace, and I’ll be back around noon. You must behave well in the outer courtyard, listen to the teacher, and don’t run around!"

"I understand," Min nodded, asking no further questions and continued eating.

After breakfast, Xiqiu donned a beaded crown and the attire of a First-Grade Lady, holding Zhi’s hand while taking a few maids and Mrs. Zhou to the palace. Leaving a few maids outside the Imperial City, she only kept Mrs. Zhou by her side. After parting ways with Fourth Master Xiao outside the inner palace, Xiqiu and Zhi headed directly to Fengwu Palace.

"Fourth Madam!" Nanny Mao approached with people to greet them, smiling as Xiqiu nodded back. Nanny Mao’s eyes fell on the small child beside her, wearing an elegant green short coat, with fair skin and bright eyes. Her eyes lit up as she praised, "What a handsome and lovely young master he is."

"You overpraise him." Xiqiu responded with a smile, lowered her head, and said to Zhi, "Greet Nanny Mao well."

Zhi heard and cheerfully called out, "Hello, Nanny!" dropping the surname, which made Nanny Mao even happier, nodding, "Hello, young master, hello!" She gestured them inside, walking with Xiqiu into Fengwu Palace.

"Fourth Madam, please have a seat. The Empress is in the back garden with the Eldest Prince at the moment." Nanny Mao said with a smile, personally taking the tea from the female official and offering it to Xiqiu, placing a tray of assorted sweets and nuts in front of Zhi, "Young master, have some candy!"

Xiqiu smiled at Zhi, who thanked Nanny Mao with, "Thank you, Nanny." He then took a piece of candy, nibbling it but not taking another bite.

"What a thoughtful young master." Nanny Mao beamed, then addressed Xiqiu, "Please have a seat while I inform them in the back garden."

Xiqiu agreed, and Nanny Mao went out.

Xiqiu turned to look at Zhi, who also looked at his mother. Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, showing approval in her eyes, sneaking a thumbs-up to Zhi. Encouraged, Zhi sat even more upright.

Mother and son sat for a quarter of an hour before the Empress entered, dressed in a red high-waisted coat with gilded edges, and the Su Embroidery of blooming peonies, walking gracefully and with dignity. She smiled and sat high on the main seat. Xiqiu and Zhi had already stood up from their chairs to pay their respects: "This concubine and my son pay our respects to the Empress..."

"Please, rise." The Empress waved her hand with a smile, "Whenever we meet, you don’t need to be so formal." After a pause, she added, "Was the journey smooth? It’s a bit troublesome for Fourth Madam because of me, and I apologize."

"Not at all, being summoned by the Empress is my fortune, and I am overly delighted, never feeling burdened!" Xiqiu replied softly, keeping her head down and not looking at the Empress.

The Empress chuckled lightly, her gaze falling on Zhi as she smiled, "This is the Second Young Master, right? How clever he is." She beckoned, "Come, let me have a look."

Zhi peeked at Xiqiu, who gave a slight nod before he smiled broadly and started to run over. But remembering his mother’s instructions, he corrected his expression and walked one step at a time, stopping three steps away from the Empress. The Empress showed a hint of surprise, praised, "Fourth Madam, you have taught your child so well." She grasped Zhi’s small hand, thoroughly observing him with a smile, "He looks just like the Great Governor."

"Thank you for the compliment!" Zhi replied sweetly, unsure of what to call her, so he left it out.

The Empress laughed and pointed to Nanny Mao, "Bring my meeting gift for the young master." Nanny Mao obeyed and brought over a box. Opening it before the Empress, she revealed a dagger embedded with red and blue gems, five to six inches long, small and exquisite.

Zhi’s eyes lit up upon seeing it. The Empress, pleased with his delight, said, "I guessed you would like it." She personally handed the dagger to Zhi, "Take it to play with, but remember not to hurt yourself."

"Thank you!" Zhi held the dagger, examining it with a big smile. After playing for a bit, he suddenly realized he hadn’t asked for his mother’s approval, so he turned to look at Xiqiu, who was smiling at him. She said, "He loves these things all day long. When I try to teach him to read, he can’t sit still for a moment."

The Empress smiled slightly, nodding, "Everyone has their own specialties; there’s no need to force it." She lovingly caressed Zhi, "What an adorable child." Then, addressing Xiqiu, she asked, "Has he not started formal education this year?"

"Not yet, I plan to wait another year because he is very lively." Xiqiu replied softly. The Empress nodded slightly, "There are benefits to starting later; the child can be more cheerful." She sighed lightly, "The Eldest Prince will begin formal learning after July. I thought like you did and let him play for now, as leisure won’t always be possible in the future."

Xiqiu nodded along, smiling, and after a pause, the Empress looked down at Zhi, "The Eldest Prince and Second Prince are playing in the back garden; do you want to go see them?"