n

n

nThe Right Prime Minister and Xu Yang left together.

nXu Yang would follow the Right Prime Minister back to his mansion first, and then they would set out for Quanzhou together.

nAfter the two of them left, Shi said slowly, “I didn’t expect that the Right Prime Minister’s special request is to endow him with some power, including the power to kill some stupid and ignorant leaders.”

n

n

nLong smiled.

nShi looked at him. “Your Majesty, he’ll be really powerful.”

nLong still smiled. “Yes, he’ll be powerful, so I sent two Shadow Guardians there.”

nShi was stunned. “What if that’s not enough?”

n

n

n“That’s enough. Since he asked me for the power face to face, he should’ve known my bottom line. He is a wise man. Qingzhou, don’t worry.”

n“Alas…” Shi sighed, “This is the only way out now…”

nLong took Shi’s hand. “Qingzhou, rest assured. The more power he is given, the more careful he needs to be.”

nShi kept silent for a moment and then nodded. “Your Majesty, you’re right.”

n

n

n“Yes.” Long kissed Shi’s face smilingly. “So don’t worry, Qingzhou.”

nShi nodded. “Let’s go to see my mother.”

n“Right.” Long immediately nodded. “We’re coming here to visit mother.”

nThat was Shi’s mother, but Long called her “mother” so naturally.

nShi smiled. Then, the two of them went out to see Shi’s mother.

nThe lady had been waiting in the main hall for a long time. When she saw his son coming, she rushed to welcome him.

n

n

n“Qingzhou!”

nShi said with a smile, “Mother.”

nShi’s mother saw Long just then. She hurriedly tried to kneel down and greet him, but before she could kneel to the ground, she was pulled up by Long.

n“There’s no outsider here. No need to do this, mother.”

nShi’s mother was surprised when Long called her mother, so she looked at him in shock.

nLong called again, “Mother?”

nHe really looked like an obedient kid at that moment. However, when he behaved like that… it indeed seemed a little weird!

nTherefore, Shi’s mother became more stupefied.

n

n

nWhen Shi gently pulled her mother’s elbow, she just realized it and said repeatedly, “No, no, I can’t afford that…”

n“Mother.” Shi smiled. “There’s nothing you can’t afford. You are my mother and the emperor is my husband. Isn’t it normal for him to call you mother at home? There’s no outsider here, so don’t worry.”

nShi’s mother was still a bit nervous, but she also understood his son was being sincere. Thus, she had to nod embarrassedly.

nLong knew that since he was there, it was highly likely Mrs. Shi wouldn’t be able to say anything.

nTherefore, after a short conversation, Long said that he would go to take a stroll in the garden outside.

nThen, Long left.

nShi’s mother really felt more relaxed after that. She took her son’s hand and asked him about his life in the palace, in the battlefield, and so on.

nShi replied patiently.

nLong wandered in the garden alone leisurely.

nHe also casually grabbed a servant.

n“Where did the empress live as a child?” Long asked the servant.

nThe servant didn’t dare to neglect the emperor, so he hurriedly led Long to the courtyard where Shi lived when he was a child.

nLong stopped in Shi’s room. After sending the servant away, he closed the door…

n

n

nSo this was the place where his Qingzhou lived when he was a child? It looked good.

nLong walked around the room. He looked around, touched the items, and then sat down at the edge of the bed.

nThere was an old duck cloth doll beside the pillow on the bed. Long was so surprised that he took the doll and put it in the palm of his hand.

nThe doll was not big, with the size of two palms. Long took it and rubbed the duck’s head.

nThe little duck’s eyes were very well made and looked very innocent. At this moment, the duck was just looking at Long.

nIt was really hard for Long to imagine the scene when his gorgeous empress was playing the duck doll!

nHe just couldn’t imagine it! It was beyond imagination!

nSo, Long couldn’t help laughing.

nLong amused himself by playing with the duck. After a while, the door was pushed open. Then, Shi came in.

n“What are you doing?”

n“Huh?” Long looked up. “Qingzhou? Here you are…”

nSeeing that Long was playing with the duck doll, Shi was stunned. “You…”

nLong smiled. “Qingzhou, is this your duckling? It looked so beautiful.”

n“Beautiful?” Shi’s lips slightly trembled. That was his toy when he was three years old.

nBecause he was born and raised in a family of generals, he didn’t have many toys.

nMoreover, he was educated with strict discipline in childhood. To be honest, such a toy was really a great treasure for him as a kid.

nHowever, he hadn’t played with it since he was six years old. At this moment, seeing that Long held it in his hand, he didn’t know why, but felt… it was a little weird.

nHe coughed and walked over. “Are you interested in this little doll?”

n“Yes.” Long smiled. “But it’s really hard to imagine you playing with this… Why do I feel it’s a little strange?”

nShi became speechless.

nWhile laughing, Long pulled Shi over and let him sit on his lap.

nShi slightly pursed his lips. Long wrapped his arms around Shi’s waist and kissed his cheek.

n“Qingzhou, it’s exciting to think about how cute you were back then!”

nShi blushed with embarrassment. “What are you talking about?”

n“Qingzhou, are you shy? “Long looked at Shi in surprise. He hadn’t expected that his empress would also be shy like this. That was really… a great surprise!

nShi became so angry that he directly hit Long at the back.

nHowever, knowing that Long was fragile, he didn’t use much strength.

nLong wailed exaggeratedly and then fell back. Shi rolled his eyes and didn’t want to talk to him.

nTherefore, Shi just ignored Long and went outside.

nSeeing that Shi was leaving, Long stopped pretending and quickly got up from the bed.

n“Hey, where are you going?”

nShi opened the door and went out, leaving Long to chase after him.

nLong caught up and grabbed Shi’s arm.

nShi didn’t shake him off, because he was not really angry. What’s more, it was in broad daylight. Shi dared not embarrass him.

nLong took Shi’s hand and grinned.

n“Qingzhou, where shall we go next?”

n“Go back,” Shi said.

n“We’re going back now?” Long raised his eyebrows.

nShi nodded. “It’s an eventful period. We’d better not stay out too long.”

n“All right.” Long thought about it and felt Shi was right, so he nodded.

nThen, the two of them left hand in hand…

nLong asked, “Don’t we need to tell your mother that we’re leaving?”

n“No need. I told her I’d leave after I’ve found you.”

n“Oh.” Long nodded. Since his empress had arranged everything, he had nothing to say.

n