Chapter 7: Chapter 836: Do You Miss Your Brother?

Due to the bumpy journey and the back-and-forth travel, the little Prince, being just a child, was already exhausted. After finishing his meal and chatting and playing with Ji Ziyan for a while, he unknowingly curled up in Mu Qingge’s arms and fell asleep.

Mu Qingge originally wanted to have the palace attendants take him back to the palace where he had been resting, but Ji Ziyan stopped her, saying softly, “Let him stay in my bedchamber.”

Mu Qingge actually wanted to avoid any impropriety, and Ji Ziyan naturally knew this. He smiled and said, “Even if people have any complaints, it’s only for a time or two. Once you return from this trip, we don’t know when we will be able to meet again.”

Mu Qingge fell silent at this.

This world was not as technologically advanced as her previous life; the fastest means of transportation was a horse.

From the Tianqi Imperial City to Jueyan, it would take more than a month of traveling day and night to arrive.

Everyone had their own affairs to attend to, and since they were in a foreign land, visiting once a year was a luxury.

Ji Ziyan and her son were both still children. Being separated for a year or two would mean they would both change significantly, and it was truly lamentable that the bond between uncle and nephew would be left with regrets due to distance and status.

Mu Qingge sighed, “Although Zhan’er is still young, he has a good memory. If you correspond often, he certainly won’t feel like you’re a stranger.”

The tips of Ji Ziyan’s ears turned red, and he said annoyedly, “That’s not what I’m concerned about!”

“Stubborn!”

Mu Qingge rolled her eyes at him and tugged at his cheek, “Don’t think I can’t tell.”

Ji Ziyan immediately fell silent.

He had watched his little nephew grow up from such a small size, and their relationship was far from ordinary. He had few relatives to begin with, and not many people to care about. If the child he watched grow up became distant from him, how could he not be sad?

Mu Qingge comforted him, “You should write to each other often, and we will bring him to see you at least once every two years. How does that sound?”

“For real?”

Mu Qingge couldn’t help but pat him on the back, “When have I ever lied to you?”

Ji Ziyan didn’t dare to dodge, but upon hearing this, he dared to talk back, humming, “You definitely lied when I was little. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

“Then tell me, how did I lie to you?”

“……”

Seeing him look so frustrated, Mu Qingge was caught between laughter and tears. She pulled him to sit down and said gently, “Are you missing your brother?”

Ji Ziyan glared at Mu Qingge, “I don’t miss him at all. I hate him.”

“……”

Mu Qingge rolled her eyes, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. When you were little, you went out of your way to go against him, but you clung to him more than you clung to me.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Ji Ziyan wanted to skip this topic. He changed the subject, his expression becoming serious again: “Little Mother, you are well-traveled and have your own insights into the art of governance. You’ve been wandering around Jueyan for so long this time; do you have any good insights regarding Jueyan?”

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, “Oh? You can actually think of this? You really have the look of an emperor now.”

Mu Qingge was actually very gratified. A young boy like him already had such ideas, trying every way to build and perfect his empire—it was truly rare.

“……” Ji Ziyan walked to the table with red ear tips and picked up a brush, urging her, “Hurry and tell me.”

Mu Qingge, however, chose not to say, asking slowly, “You trust me that much?”

“Yes.”

He answered this single word very solemnly.

He had been raised by her for a period of time, and he knew how clever she was. Her ingenious ideas and unique insights were things he had never seen or heard of before.

Sometimes, when he recalled the things he witnessed while spending time with her as a child, he felt amazed.

As he became serious, Mu Qingge couldn’t help but become serious as well. She said, “I do have some ideas, but I was just traveling before and didn’t understand things clearly enough. I’m afraid my ideas won’t be able to integrate into reality.”

Ji Ziyan frowned, “You lack confidence?”

“That’s not it,” Mu Qingge said earnestly. “Since we want to improve things, we naturally have to be certain before we take action.”

Ji Ziyan still didn’t understand, “So, you don’t dare to give your opinion casually?”

“No, I need to understand things clearly first.” After saying this, Mu Qingge pondered for a moment and said, “How about this: I’ll stay here for another half a month. If you trust me, give me a detailed map of Jueyan’s geography and terrain. I will go and inspect it, and then give you suggestions based on the most accurate situation. How about that?”

Ji Ziyan nodded immediately, “Good!”

Mu Qingge couldn’t help but say, “Don’t trust others so easily in the future, especially regarding matters of your empire.”

“I know.”

Ji Ziyan also said seriously, “But you are not ‘others.’ If I can’t trust you, who else in this world can I trust?”

Mu Qingge rubbed his head and sighed, “However, it’s best not to let everyone know that I am the one inspecting the terrain for you. You should quickly get me a new identity in the next two days. I will disguise myself before I go to work.”

Even if he agreed to let her inspect it, his ministers certainly wouldn’t. Once they found out, who knew how many problems it would cause.

It was better to be cautious.

The young emperor smiled, “Actually, that’s what I was thinking too.”

Mu Qingge’s eyes darted, “Honestly, have you been thinking about this ever since I started taking Zhan’er out to play?”

The young emperor coughed lightly, not daring to hide it, “Yes.”

Mu Qingge praised him, “Smart.”

After saying this, she suddenly felt enlightened.

To be honest, when she returned this time, both she and Rong Jue were actually very worried about this younger brother. They were afraid that he would find this position difficult, that he would struggle, and that he wouldn’t be able to cope.

Coming here this time, besides her wanting to see her son, they had also discussed letting Mu Qingge check on the young man’s state.

After this look, Mu Qingge realized that they had clearly worried too much.

She felt that this young man was a natural-born emperor.

At such a young age, he already possessed such ambition and such depth of thought.

The young man tugged at Mu Qingge’s sleeve and shook it gently, acting spoiled, “I’m not as good as Little Mother.”

Mu Qingge shook her head with a smile, “No, intelligence is hard to compare. I’m saying this for real: you are very well-suited for this position.”

The young man lowered his head and did not answer.

When he first sat in this position, he was indeed very anxious. Even now, being praised, he still felt lost in his heart, deeply afraid that a wrong decision would bring disaster to the country and the people.

Mu Qingge felt his confusion and touched his face like she did when he was a child, “Don’t be afraid, just go ahead and do it. If you are hesitant and cannot make a decision, discuss it more with the veteran ministers. After all, you only know if something works by trying it, right? Of course, if you need to in the future, you can also ask us.”

“Okay.”

After talking with her like this, the young man felt much more at ease.

“Good boy.”

Mu Qingge rubbed his head and said, “Then starting tomorrow, you help me look after Zhan’er. I will also look up information on various aspects for you and start preparing.”

“Mm!”