NFBE Chapter 230 Are Magpies Migratory or Resident Birds?
Chapter 230 Are Magpies Migratory or Resident Birds?
As night fell that day, Su Nuannuan immediately dispatched Xiao Xingfang to deliver the fresh game that Cang Lan Jingcheng had hunted—several plump wild rabbits and brightly colored pheasants—to the palace to present to the Emperor.
Before leaving, Su Nuannuan specifically instructed Xiao Yanfang: "These wild game must never leave your sight from beginning to end. You are absolutely not allowed to pass them on to others. You must personally deliver them to the Emperor. At the same time, remember to tell the Emperor that this is a gift from his beloved son with a sincere and filial heart."
After respectfully accepting the order, Xiao Xingfang nimbly leaped onto his horse, raised the whip, and galloped towards the capital under the moonlight.
For Xiao Yanfang, successfully entering the capital was not a problem at all. He simply possessed the token given to him by Su Nuannuan, and by showing it, the city guards would obediently open the city gates to let him pass.
As for the palace gates, they are usually not closed until after 7 PM. Therefore, both the distance and the time allotted are more than sufficient.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Su Nuannuan was still asleep when she was awakened by the chirping of magpies outside.
"Your Majesty, listen! Magpies are singing on the branches. As the saying goes, 'When magpies sing on the branches, good fortune is coming.' This is a very auspicious sign." Yaoqin said to Su Nuannuan with a smile as she carried a basin of water into the house.
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but smile slightly, but replied, "I don't currently sense any particular happy event approaching." As she spoke, she got up and walked to the basin to wash her hands.
Just then, two clear, childish voices called out from outside the door: "Mother, may my brother and I come in?" It turned out that Su Nuannuan's two children were standing at the door asking to be allowed to enter.
"Come in!" Su Nuannuan replied with a loving smile.
Soon, the two little ones walked in hand in hand, bowed to Su Nuannuan, and said, "Greetings to Mother Consort."
"Huh? Why aren't you wearing short clothes today?" Su Nuannuan looked at the two children in front of her, who were wearing long robes and long skirts, with a puzzled expression and asked curiously.
Canglan Jingyao blinked her big, watery eyes, tilted her head slightly, and replied in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Mother, have you forgotten? Today is the day you teach us!"
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was taken aback at first, then turned her gaze to Jinse beside her. Jinse smiled and nodded slightly in confirmation.
"Look at your mother's memory! You two are really amazing, you can even remember the day of class." Su Nuannuan looked at the two children with a smile, not sparing her praise.
After saying that, she was about to turn her head around when Yaoqin, who was standing behind her, ruthlessly turned her back.
"Your Highness, please don't move around too much this time, or your hair will be all messed up." Yaoqin gently reminded Su Nuannuan while carefully fiddling with the comb in her hand.
"Alright, alright, I promise I won't do anything rash." Su Nuannuan agreed with a helpless expression.
Then, she turned her gaze back to the bronze mirror in front of her and softly asked the two children reflected in it, "So, is there anything you particularly want to hear today? If not, your mother will have to arrange lessons for you herself."
After the two children pondered for a while and discussed it among themselves, Canglan Jingyao said, "Mother, can you tell us about magpies? We just heard the call of a magpie."
"Alright! After breakfast, I'll tell you all the stories about magpies in detail." Su Nuannuan smiled and gently agreed to the children's request.
She continued, "However, before that, your mother wants to test you two." She winked and asked mysteriously, "Cheng'er, Yao'er, tell your mother, are magpies migratory birds or resident birds?"
Actually, Su Nuannuan had already explained the issue of migratory and resident birds to the children before, and even drew a clear mind map to help them distinguish between the two. So now, she wanted to see if the children still remembered this knowledge after a period of reflection.
"Hmm... You can take your time to think about it. There's no rush. You can answer after you've had breakfast." After saying that, Su Nuannuan's loving gaze fell on the two adorable little ones.
Time flew by, and before long, the three of them happily finished their breakfast. Then, the two children blurted out the answer in unison—magpies are resident birds.
Seeing the children answer the question so actively and accurately, Su Nuannuan was overjoyed. She clapped her hands gently, then sat gracefully at her desk and continued to ask, "Now, can you tell your mother why magpies are classified as resident birds? Which of you will answer first?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Canglan Jingcheng eagerly raised his little hand and shouted, "Mother, I'll answer!" His bright eyes sparkled with confidence and excitement.
“Okay, let’s hear your opinion, brother. Tell me, why do you think magpies are resident birds?” Su Nuannuan looked at her son expectantly, encouraging him to bravely express his thoughts.
"Because magpies don't migrate with the changing seasons and always live in their birthplace, even in the cold winter, they stay in the same place to build nests and spend the winter, so magpies are called resident birds," Cang Lan Jingcheng explained haltingly, recalling what he had learned before.
Hearing her brother's answer, Su Nuannuan smiled and nodded in affirmation: "Brother's answer is very good! Next is your sister. Mother will ask you, besides magpies, what other birds are resident birds? Can you still remember?" As she spoke, she turned her gaze to the well-behaved and lovely Canglan Jingyao beside her.
Canglan Jingyao nodded vigorously and answered confidently, "Of course I remember. Besides magpies, sparrows and crows are also resident birds."
Su Nuannuan smiled with satisfaction, gently patted Canglan Jingyao's head, and praised, "Little sister is so smart! You still remember the knowledge we learned so long ago so clearly, that's really amazing!" Canglan Jingyao was overjoyed to receive her mother's praise, her little face flushed like a ripe apple.
At this moment, Su Nuannuan changed the subject, saying mysteriously, "Actually, magpies aren't just ordinary resident birds; they also have a very prestigious title—the 'master architect' of the bird world. Do you want to know why magpies have earned such an impressive title?" After saying this, she winked and looked at the two children.