The next day, Zhao Yao slept until the hour of Chen before waking up. After getting ready, he left the palace. To enjoy some tasty breakfast outside the palace, he deliberately skipped breakfast at Kunde Hall. He was heading to the West Market to eat delicious things like tofu pudding, small wontons, deep-fried dough sticks, stuffed pancakes, and noodles.
Yu Meiren packed a large bag of things and asked Zhao Yao to deliver them to her family. Liang Zhaoyi also prepared some items for Yu Meiren’s family.
Under the envious gaze of the Fifth Princess, Zhao Yao left the palace with Tong Xi.
Arriving at the palace gate, Zhao Yao was about to take out his jade token, but the guard stopped him.
"Tenth Prince, you don’t need to specially take out the token, you can leave the palace directly."
Zhao Yao’s hand paused in mid-air as he was about to reach for the jade pendant. He looked at the guard in astonishment, "I really don’t need to show the token?"
"No need, Tenth Prince, you can leave the palace directly." The guard’s tone was filled with respect.
"I’ll show it to you anyway." Zhao Yao thought that since he had already brought the jade token, it would be a waste not to take it out for the guards to see.
Zhao Yao took the jade pendant from his chest, held it up in front of the guard, and showed it to him.
The guard was no longer surprised at Zhao Yao holding the jade pendant. He nodded slightly and said, "Tenth Prince, please proceed out of the palace!"
"Thanks." Zhao Yao put the jade pendant back in his chest and swaggered out of the palace gate with Tong Xi.
Liang Run was already waiting at the entrance, and Zhao Yao ran towards him.
"Uncle, I hope you haven’t been waiting long."
"No." Liang Run said, handing a package from his chest to Zhao Yao, "These steamed buns have just come out of the pot and are still hot; eat them while they’re warm."
Zhao Yao’s eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly reached out to take the buns.
"Are they from that bun shop next to the Zhenxiu Building?"
"Yes, they’re from that shop." Liang Run said with a smile, "I knew you liked them, so I went and bought some specially."
"Uncle, you’re the best." Zhao Yao eagerly took out a bun, took a big bite, and his eyes brightened even more, "Delicious! So delicious!"
"Not only are the buns from this shop tasty, but they also have a unique flavor. I’ve tried several times and couldn’t replicate it."
Zhao Yao said, "They must have their secret recipe; there’s no way they’d let others imitate it easily." These buns were indeed too delicious. Even the palace’s imperial chefs couldn’t make buns this good.
Liang Run prepared to help Zhao Yao onto the carriage, but unexpectedly, Zhao Yao jumped lightly, landing on it, surprising him a bit.
"Tong An and the others didn’t come?" Zhao Yao asked in surprise when he saw Ding Shan and the others were not in the carriage.
"They were supposed to come to pick you up, but I didn’t let them," Liang Run said, "Since you’re heading to Mr. Xiao’s house, bringing them along would be inconvenient."
"True, Uncle is very considerate." Zhao Yao said while eating a bun, "How are Tong An and Ding Yuan doing with their studies? How is Ding Shan doing with his martial arts?"
"Tong An and Ding Yuan are very diligent with their studies; they often study until midnight," Liang Run said as he drove the carriage, "Ding Shan is progressing very quickly in martial arts; his master says he’s a martial arts prodigy."
"A martial arts prodigy?" Zhao Yao chuckled lightly, "Looks like I’ve found a treasure."
"Ding Shan’s master said he couldn’t teach him for many years and suggested I start looking for a new master for Ding Shan now." Liang Run continued, "He also told me to find a better master for Ding Shan, or else his talent would be wasted. I’ve been asking around but haven’t found a suitable new master. Yao Yao, you’ll have to find a new master for Ding Shan."
"Alright, I’ll arrange it." Zhao Yao felt a bit troubled. Although he was a prince, he didn’t know any martial arts experts. Once back in the palace, he’ll ask Mr. Fan if he knows anyone highly skilled in martial arts.
"However, when it comes to studies, this child Ding Shan is..." Liang Run shook his head helplessly, "As soon as he starts reading, he falls asleep. Up until now, he doesn’t recognize many characters, so your idea of cultivating him into a Great General might not work."
"Not necessarily; his disinterest in studies doesn’t mean he can’t lead troops into battle." Zhao Yao said, finishing two buns in one go, "He might have a natural talent for leadership too."
"If he’s talented in military strategy, that would be ideal." Liang Run worried, "I’m just afraid he isn’t, and you’ll be expecting too much."
"Even if Ding Shan doesn’t have the talent to lead troops, it’s fine as long as he can fight well." Zhao Yao wasn’t too concerned about whether Ding Shan had leadership talents, "He’ll just stay by my side when the time comes."