Chapter 281: Constrasts
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Which young girl didn’t yearn for love?
However, most of the people around her all fawned over her. Even when they fought with his brother, they were weak and did not dare to use their full strength. It was so strange that it was boring to her.
Han Chi, on the other hand, was very bold.
He didn’t cower and fight with her brother with all he had.
Sun Xiu and Sun Yi first sneaked a peak at Li Mi. Seeing that she didn’t blame them, they then turned their focus on the two people fighting in the courtyard.
They were secretly cheering for their brother.
At the end of the day, a spar was a spar. Naturally, they wanted their brother to win.
Han Qiao stood at the door and looked at Han Chi’s stubborn and unyielding stance. She was angry yet amused at the same time. She shook her head helplessly and turned around to do her own thing.
When the children sparred, at most, they would get bruises on their bodies that would hurt for a few days. Nothing too major.
Some friendships were formed from fist fights.
Han Chi panted heavily when he got knocked down to the ground.
Li Zhao was not any better. Han Chi was too difficult to deal with.
Panting, he reached out his hand to Han Chi.
Han Chi reached out and grabbed his wrist, throwing Li Zhao over his shoulder before anyone could even blink.
Li Zhao also reacted quickly. He immediately pulled Han Chi back and forth a few more times before they fell to the ground together.
“You cheated!” Li Zhao panted heavily.
“All is fair in war, my prince. We’re just playing around. Will your enemy tell you their plot against you? You have to be careful,” Han Chi exhaled deeply.
It was an enjoyable fight.
Li Zhao was slightly stunned by his words.
He knew of this logic.
Yet, because he was so used to the moon in the night sky and his mother’s endless protection, he never came into contact with pure darkness.
And this logic… Who could guarantee that human nature would always be upright?
“You’re right.”
He turned to look at Han Chi, “I’m definitely going to be friends with you.”
“Same, same.”
The two of them looked at each other and laughed.
Upstairs by the window, Li Mi looked at Sun Xiu and said, “This is the first time my brother smiled so freely.”
He was usually such a steady person, but his words and actions seemed to be measured with a ruler and would never go out of line.
This was the first time her brother laughed without restraint.
The Gong Prince’s consort also smiled lightly.
Naturally, she hoped that her son would be happy and live a happy life while holding power.
Han Chi and Li Zhao’s clothes were wrinkled, and there were footprints and dust all over them.
In the past, Li Zhao would never let his mother and sister see him in such a way, but today, he was happy.
The Gong Prince’s consort asked someone to fetch hot water for them to wash their hands and faces.
By the time they were done cleaning, the tea, pastries, and sweet soup were already on the table.
“Come and eat,” The Gong Prince’s consort gently greeted them.
Li Zhao bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Mother.”
“…” Han Chi was stunned for a moment before he bowed as well, “Thank you, Princess Consort.”
Their interaction was a little different from what he did at home.
Usually, Mother would call for food, he thanked her, and then they sat down to eat.
There was no need to bow.
Han Chi also knew that this was the rule of any wealthy family.
He wondered if he should do this when he returned home.
He was a little hesitant as he ate.
The voices of his four younger siblings and Princess Li Mi came from the inner room. He Cheng didn’t quite understand, but he was very surprised by many things and kept saying “Wow!”
His small act of pretending to know made the sisters laugh heartily.
“Is he usually so cute and charming?” Li Mi asked with a smile.
“He’s more active at home and likes to chase cats, but the cat runs faster and he couldn’t keep up.” Sun Xiu said gently.
Li Mi pinched He Cheng’s little face.
She also had younger brothers and sisters, but she had never had a younger brother or sister that she cared for.
It wasn’t that she was cold-hearted, but those younger brothers and sisters were always scheming against her.
Her aunts were not easy to deal with either.
If not for her mother’s tricks, she and her brother might have been bullied a long time ago.
As expected, it was good to have a family without a concubine’s son or daughter around.
Even if they were adopted children, they could still have a deep bond and get along well with each other.
And less scheming.
When Han Qiao came over to talk to the Gong Prince’s consort, Li Zhao brought Han Chi to the inner room for a seat.
They were all girls and boys in their teens. Although there were rules between men and women, they were not privately communicating with each other, so they could have a quick chat.
Han Chi was talkative and knew how to speak well.
Li Zhao, on the other hand, was well-read and knew at least 80 percent of the topics that were talked about.
His knowledge quickly made Han Chi admire him. He swore that he would study hard and become a well-educated person like the prince.
Li Mi went over to Han Chi several times.
The girl was still in a daze, feeling that this boy was different from the others.
Even though she was tempted, she didn’t think about the relationship between a man and a woman.
Han Chi did not have such thoughts either.
He just treated her as his friend’s younger sister. And since she was technically older than him, he would just treat her with more respect.
He threw away all those bad thoughts from chatting to playing chess.
No one had really taught Han Chi how to play chess before, so how could he beat Li Zhao in this game?
Li Zhao was on one side, while Han Chi, Li Mi, Sun Xiu, and Sun Yi were on the other. Sun Ke and He Cheng were cheering on the side.
The four of them racked their brains to find ways to beat Li Zhao, and for a moment, they could not bear to end this moment.
Meanwhile, in the hall outside, the Gong Prince’s consort smiled, “I have never seen Zhao’er and Mi’er so happy and reckless.”
“Let them interact more in the future.”
Han Qiao smiled, “It is their blessing.”
She then told the Gong Prince’s consort about some of the problems she found in the restaurant.
“The kitchen needs to be tidied up. Also, the place where the firewood is stored needs to be changed…”
They may not look like something major, but once something happens, it could lead to a huge disaster.
Therefore, they have to nip it in the bud.
“I don’t understand any of this. Just do as you see fit. The chefs and waiters are willing to listen to your orders, are they not?”
“For the sake of my own money bag, they will listen.” Han Qiao laughed.
The Gong Prince’s consort also smiled, “They weren’t lazy people to begin with, but, indeed, they didn’t put in their best effort. Now that there are tangible benefits, they will work together even more to make the restaurant flourish.”
“As for the other shops, 1 won’t be coming over personally tomorrow. 1’11 let Granny Lian follow you.”
“Princess,” Han Qiao called out softly.
“Tell me.”
“I don’t want the dividends from the other shops because I won’t accept any rewards without merit. I’m just going to go through the motions, so I don’t feel comfortable taking the silver.”
The Gong Prince’s consort stared at Han Qiao for a moment.
She knew that Han Qiao was capable and it was not difficult for her to earn money.
“I thought everyone in the world loved money.”
Han Qiao smiled, “I love it too. It’s just that you have to take it wisely. 1 should get a share after putting in the effort, but I’m just going through the motions and taking silver. I’m greedy. I don’t think it’s good to take silver that is not from my effort”
“I also hope that through myself, 1 can establish a correct outlook on life for the children.”
A gentleman loves money and takes it appropriately.
She didn’t want any money.
“Up to you. By the way, your nephews are here too. Why don’t you invite them over and let them have a seat?”
“Your Highness, not everyone is as daring as Ah-Chi to shamelessly spar with the prince.”
The Gong Prince’s consort instantly understood.
A village child who had just arrived in the city and did not have much knowledge would also feel inferior.
“Give them more time and they will mature. When that time comes, I will bring them and let them kowtow to you, Your Highness..”