Lake Trip

When the emperor said they would take a boat out on the lake, Xie Ning thought it would be a small boat that could be operated by just a few eunuchs, with a small canopy for shade. When she saw the floating house docked by the lake, she was taken aback.

This was not just any boat, but a three-story high palace-like ship with intricate carvings, painted rafters, and flying eaves. Xie Ning had never seen such an exquisite and beautiful boat in her life.

"This boat took over two years to build during the previous emperor's reign," the emperor spoke softly. "However, the Empress Dowager did not care for this boat. She ordered it to be destroyed and burnt as the boat's name, Mingzhu, was the same as the name of a favoured concubine at the time."

Xie Ning wondered why the boat still existed and was not burnt to ashes.

The emperor helped Xie Ning up the boat, followed by the wet nurse carrying the eldest prince and the Princess Yuyao. The second prince was also carried on board.