Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Noticing Ming Tang, who had been flipping through the account books, unconsciously leaning toward the ice basin, Mrs. Pei sighed helplessly, "Overindulging in the cold isn't good for your health. You should be more careful."

Ming Tang straightened up slightly, outwardly compliant but inwardly unyielding. Before Mrs. Pei could remind her again, she quickly interjected, "Once this matter is settled, Mother, why don’t you take us to the suburban villa for a few days? It’s sweltering this year—His Majesty might even move to the summer palace. When that happens, the whole capital will follow suit. Rather than waiting until then, why don’t we go now?"

Mention of the summer palace stirred something in Mrs. Pei’s mind, reminding her of the Prince of Yan, who had earlier been assigned by the emperor to oversee the renovation of the Cold Spring Palace under the Ministry of Works. It seemed His Majesty had already considered retreating to the palace to escape the summer heat. She wondered if the Prince of Yan could pull it off seamlessly.

For months, there had been no word of any work outside the city. Compared to the fanfare during the late emperor’s construction of the palace, the current renovation should not have been so quiet.

The Cold Spring Palace occupied the finest spot on Mount Yuming outside the city, renowned for its ever-flowing cold spring. It had been built during the late emperor’s reign. Originally the private estate of a noble family, the emperor, suffering from the summer heat and bored with the palace scenery, dropped hints until it was handed over. The estate was then expanded threefold, adorned with intricate carvings and rare materials, sucking up vast resources and labor.

However, as the late emperor grew older and feared the cold, he no longer visited the palace, and it gradually fell into disrepair. The current emperor, averse to extravagance and grand displays, had long left it to rot, leaving it even more dilapidated.

Mrs. Pei had visited the palace as a child and remembered its breathtaking beauty—every corner painted with intricate designs, a perfect embodiment of the late emperor’s taste. Decades had passed, and now the once-celebrated palace was about to return to public attention, stirring Mrs. Pei’s nostalgia.

Her thoughts drifted far away before she noticed Ming Tang still waiting for her reply, her puppy-dog eyes just like Pei Ze pleading for an extra day of rest. Mrs. Pei chuckled and nodded. "Since you’ve put it that way, going to the suburbs is fine. But the villa on Mount Yuming hasn’t been lived in for a long time. If we’re to stay there, we’ll need to send people ahead to prepare. And since A Ze is coming, his tutors and classmates must join us—we can’t disrupt their studies. Arrangements must be made, and their families informed. Since it was your idea, you’re on deck for this. The villa’s steward can report directly to you."

With the end goal in sight, Ming Tang agreed without hesitation. Eager to escape the summer heat, she even put in extra hours in the morning.

Finally, everything was ready—the villa prepared, parents of Pei Ze’s friends looped in and on board—when the stable reported that Zhao Ye had just given birth to a foal. Knowing how much the young master cared, they rushed to report.

It was evening, just after Pei Ze’s afternoon lessons. He had been eagerly awaiting the foal, frequently visiting Zhao Ye during her pregnancy, even unconsciously doing "horse prenatal care" by talking to her. Recently, with added martial training and Pei Sheng’s tales of the frontier, his excitement had only grown.

Now that the foal was finally born, Pei Ze couldn’t wait. He rushed to the stable with his friends, familiar with the path to Zhao Ye’s specially prepared "delivery room."

When Ming Tang arrived, the four children stood in a row, craning their necks to see inside. Zhao Er, the groom who usually cared for Zhao Ye, barred their way, arms spread, looking troubled. "It’s still messy in there, Young Master. Wait a little longer—it’s better once the foal’s on its feet."

Pei Ze couldn’t wait, but he had been taught that if someone gave a reason to stop him, he should make his case. After thinking, he replied, "I know there might be blood, but I’ve seen Uncle hunt—I’m not afraid. If Grandmother asks, I’ll say I insisted. It won’t be your fault."

Zhao Er gaped at the kid’s logic. Though impressed, he still hesitated until he spotted Ming Tang approaching, relieved to defer to her authority.

Pei Ze, puzzled by this unexpected obstacle, turned to Ming Tang as Zhao Er repeated his explanation, leaving it to her.

"If A Ze says he’s not afraid, let him in. Do your thing—ignore him." She ruffled Pei Ze’s hair. "Go on."

Eager to see the foal, Pei Ze hurried inside with his friends.

Zhao Ye had safely delivered the foal, and both lay resting on the hay. The room reeked of iron, intensified by the summer heat, but the children paid no mind. They stood at the railing, mesmerized, like sunflowers chasing the sun.

The newborn foal, still covered in a pale blue membrane, had snow-white fur like Zhao Ye, save for a black streak on its forehead—a badge of its bloodline, adding a spirited charm. Zhao Ye licked the foal’s nose and coat as it struggled to lift its head in response.

As the membrane peeled away, the foal’s damp, gleaming coat and elegant limbs hinted at its future beauty.

Pei Ze was practically vibrating. Hearing Ming Tang enter, he and his friends hastily bowed before turning back, his voice light with joy. "Mother, come see! Big Cat is so beautiful!"

Ming Tang, also marveling at her first sight of a newborn foal, sighed inwardly at Pei Ze’s stubborn nickname. She approached the railing and called Zhao Er over, whispering, "Are Zhao Ye and Big Cat well?"

Relieved to avoid conflict with the young master, Zhao Er replied smoothly, "Zhao Ye is healthy and the birth went smoothly, but she’ll need rest. The foal is strong—once she can stand, she’ll be ready for light exercise. But if the Young Master wishes to ride, she must wait until after her first year. Early training could stunt her growth."

As they spoke, Big Cat wobbled to her feet, her legs splaying comically as she took her first unsteady steps—one foal kicking up the energy of ten.

Zhao Ye had also regained her strength and stood up to accompany Big Cat, bending her neck to gently nudge the foal's legs before pacing beside her, demonstrating the movements.

Perhaps it was the awakening of instinct or Big Cat's innate intelligence, but within moments, she had coordinated her limbs, taming the unruly parts of her body, and began trotting leisurely on the hay like Zhao Ye.

Even the experienced stablehand couldn't help but lower his voice in awe, while Ming Tang felt a pang of regret—if this were the modern era, she would have recorded it and posted it online with the title, "Foal Learning to Control Her Limbs: A Real-time Documentation."

The children were utterly captivated, even letting out small cheers when Big Cat glanced their way. It wasn’t until the light dimmed that they snapped out of their trance, realizing they had lingered too long.

Pei Yang, the most rule-bound among them and Pei Ze’s closest friend, paled slightly upon realizing they had delayed their return home. He hurriedly said goodbye to Ming Tang, eager to leave before his family grew worried.

But Ming Tang had already sent word to their families and even prepared rooms for them to stay overnight. She reassured the children, "Don’t worry, I’ve already informed your families. Weren’t we planning to go to the countryside together soon? Since it’s late now, it’s inconvenient to return. Consider this an invitation from A Ze—stay here tonight and try living together for once, alright?"

Being young children who got along well, their excitement quickly overshadowed any concerns once they learned the adults had arranged everything.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Ming Tang even had dinner sent to the prepared courtyard, letting the four of them eat together. With attendants watching, they couldn't get into too much trouble.

This was Pei Ze’s first night away from the elders’ quarters. Though she knew this day would come, Mrs. Pei couldn’t help but fret until a servant reported that the young master and his friends had finished their studies and were now squeezed together on a bed, fast asleep. Only then did she relax, amused at the thought of the children huddled together.

No matter how well-mannered or articulate they usually seemed, at heart, they were still children, unable to resist the thrill of new experiences.

After this shared night, perhaps due to the camaraderie from sharing a room, when Ming Tang later proposed they learn horseback riding alongside Pei Ze—with suitable ponies already prepared—the three boys no longer hesitated as before. They grew more comfortable and affectionate with Pei Ze. To an outsider, they might have seemed like true brothers.

Perhaps due to Zhao Ye’s foaling and Pei Ze’s insistence on bringing Big Cat along, the Pei family’s departure was delayed by a few days. Just as their impressive procession had settled into the Pei family’s villa on Yuming Mountain outside the capital, and Ming Tang and Mrs. Pei were watching the children look over the ponies Pei Yue had sent for riding lessons, news arrived that the Emperor was moving his summer residence to the Cold Spring Villa.

At that moment, Pei Ze and his friends, having just mounted their chosen ponies with assistance, were being carefully corrected by Pei Sheng on their posture. Mrs. Pei and Ming Tang sat under the shade of a tree by the field, letting the cool mountain breeze brush their skirts—utterly at ease. Even Zhao Ye and Big Cat strolled leisurely, enjoying the pleasant weather.

The timing of the news amused Ming Tang. "Good thing we left early today. Once the Emperor’s decree spreads, the roads out of the city will be jammed."

Mrs. Pei chuckled. "What strange things you say. Traveling isn’t that simple. You'll see, it’ll take at least three to five days before the mountain truly livens up."

Still, the Emperor’s arrival brought advantages.

"At least our guess was right, and the news came in time. Any later, and someone might’ve grown restless with waiting. Sending letters between courtyards is one thing, but how would they manage being apart for months in the villa?"

In the past, Ming Tang would laugh off or openly acknowledge Mrs. Pei’s teasing about her relationship with Pei Yue. But now, being called out so directly, she felt a flicker of nervousness—like being caught sweet-talking by a teacher.

Then again, the "teacher" was her mother-in-law, and their relationship had long progressed beyond mere courtship. Since Mrs. Pei had always approved, there was no harm in their little exchanges. Ming Tang relaxed again. "Luckily, Yue sent some excellent horses to the villa. Even if letters are sent daily, they won’t tire out."

Mrs. Pei said nothing more, standing to enjoy the mountain breeze with her eyes squinting slightly. "No wonder immortals prefer the mountains—it’s far more comfortable than the city. Since the villa has good horses and ample space, we should ride a few rounds ourselves soon, keeping the little ones company."

The children were still in the lengthy process of posture correction. Pei Ze, the most advanced among them, could only sit independently on his pony while being led at a slow walk.

Ming Tang glanced at them and smiled. "Sounds good."

She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Pei Sheng in advance, hoping he’d still manage to keep them in line tomorrow and keep their patience intact for steady learning.