Jin Feng raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Fu Qiuning laughed and said, "I anticipated that Yige might not like these rustic dishes, so I specifically instructed the chef to send some sample dishes…" Before she could finish, she heard the voices of the maidservants outside greeting each other. Then, the curtain was lifted, and Rui'er and Si'er, the maidservants serving Jin Zhenyi, entered and placed a food box on the table. They picked a few delicate dishes, including steamed catfish, stewed mushrooms with chicken, braised trotters, Dongpo pork, mushroom meatballs, and a bowl of sour bamboo shoot soup. Because Jin Zhenyi liked meat, most of his meals consisted of meat dishes.
The family began to eat. Jin Zhenyi ate the dishes in front of him while his eyes wandered over the dishes on the table. He heard Jin Feng laugh and say, "Although it's rustic fare, it has its own unique flavor. It's really delicious." It made him itch a bit. Then he heard Fu Qiuning also laugh and say, "It's the unique fragrance of the big pot that makes it especially delicious." It felt like there were greedy bugs crawling in his stomach. He looked at his sister beside him, who was a proper young lady, but she didn't touch the sample dishes and only went for the Four Happiness meatballs that didn't look very appetizing, as well as sweet potato slices and fried meatballs—typical rustic dishes. She looked like she was savoring the food.
The aroma of the food filled the air, and as Jin Zhenyi ate his sample dishes, he felt they lacked flavor, and his mouth started to water. At this moment, he couldn't help but blame Qiuning in his heart. He thought, "Why is this woman so meddlesome? Why did she have to think so thoughtfully about it? I just casually mentioned it, did you really have to take it seriously? Aren't you ashamed, as an adult, to fuss over a child like me?"
"Why aren't you eating? Are you already full?" Jin Feng looked at Jin Zhenyi, who had a frustrated expression and was absentmindedly playing with his chopsticks, and asked. Just then, Fu Qiuning had just served a bowl of shredded chicken, egg, and pork blood soup to Jin Zangfeng and Jin Zangjiao. She then picked up a bowl in front of Jin Xiunan and asked with a smile, "Third Miss, would you like some soup? If you do, I'll serve you a bowl."
Jin Xiunan hurriedly said, "Thank you, Aunt." She reached out and took the soup bowl, and then she heard Jin Feng laugh and say, "This soup looks delicious. What ingredients are in it?"
Fu Qiuning took her own bowl, smiled, and said as she served the soup, "I've heard from Yuniang that this kind of soup is indispensable in ordinary households. It's made with shredded meat, pork blood, tofu, eggs, and if the family is wealthy, they add some oysters. It's quite delicious. You see, because it's thickened, it looks appetizing."
Jin Zhenyi looked eagerly at the people drinking soup on the table. He also wanted to drink, but he felt too embarrassed to ask. He turned around to find a maid to serve him, but he couldn't find anyone. It suddenly occurred to him that the maids in the elegant tower didn't serve from behind. Fu Qiuning didn't like formalities and said that when the family ate together, it would be warmer and more intimate if they served each other. So, the maids followed suit. At this moment, when he needed someone, there was no one available.
Therefore, he complained in his heart about Fu Qiuning. Suddenly, he heard Fu Qiuning say, "Why isn't Brother Yi eating? Just looking at the soup? Do you want to drink it too?" After speaking, she took a bowl and filled it for him. Jin Zhenyi felt happy in his heart, but he didn't want to easily admit defeat. He grumbled, "Although it doesn't look good, I can reluctantly have a few sips." While saying that, he quickly took the bowl of soup.
His contradictory actions amused everyone at the table, but they didn't want him to feel embarrassed. So, Jin Zangfeng and Jin Zangjiao lowered their heads and hurriedly swallowed their food. Jin Xiunan didn't want to make fun of her brother, so she also lowered her head and pretended not to notice. Jin Fengju and Fu Qiuning exchanged a glance, both smiled slightly, and didn't expose him. That's when Jin Zhenyi relaxed.
After drinking a bowl of soup and finding it delicious, Jin Zhenyi decided to let go. He thought, "I've already lost face earlier, so what's wrong with being a bit shameless now? I don't believe this woman won't let me eat in front of father." Thinking with a "righteous and bold" mindset, he reached for the chopsticks to pick up the wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, and sliced meat that he had longed for. The dish seemed ordinary, but it tasted delicious and flavorful when he ate it. He realized that what Fu Qiuning said was true. The rustic farmhouse-style dishes were indeed special.
Jin Fengju laughed and said, "Ask Yuniang later about the chef. We should hire him and have him cook these dishes exclusively for our family. I'm sure our ancestors will enjoy it."
By now, Fu Qiuning had finished eating and pushed her bowl aside. She smiled and said, "Why bother? It's just a momentary enjoyment. If you eat it for three to five days, it will be enough. For the sake of this novelty, do we really need to hire someone and inconvenience those families in the countryside who hold various events? Even if our ancestors like it, it's not worth it. We can pick a nice day and invite him to come and cook for us. Do we really need to hire him permanently?"
Jin Fengju smiled and said, "You're right. Let's do that then." After speaking, he saw Jin Zhenyi sneakily put a big Si Xi meatball into his own bowl. He quickly said, "You've eaten a lot, be careful not to overeat. It's okay to stop eating when you've had enough."
Jin Zhenyi didn't dare to oppose his father's words, but he also didn't want to give up the big meatball. He muttered in a low voice, "I'm not full yet." While saying that, he secretly glanced at Qiuning, hoping she would speak up for him again, even though he knew he wouldn't appreciate it. He was being unreasonable in his thoughts.
"That's such a big meatball, just eat half of it. It's all meat, not easy to digest," he said. Unexpectedly, Fu Qiuning not only didn't speak up for him but also stood on the same side as Jin Fengju. Jin Zhenyi was infuriated and wanted to smash the bowl and leave. First, his father was here, so he didn't dare to act recklessly. Secondly, he hadn't taken a bite of the big rice ball yet, and he couldn't bear to waste it. After thinking for a while, he could only bite it angrily and take a big mouthful.
In the evening, after the couple had finished their intimacy, Jin Fengju asked Fu Qiuning, "Did Zhenyi cause any trouble while he was with you? This boy is nothing like me. He has a bit of a rogue character deep down, which I always find troublesome. If he doesn't change this rogue nature even in your presence, let me know, and I'll teach him a lesson."
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, "I actually like him this way. His likes and dislikes are written all over his face, which is much better than those who are deeply scheming. Although Third Miss is quiet and thoughtful, and we rarely interact, our relationship is harmonious. Now Feng'er and Jiao'er are studying with them in the same study room, and it's not as tense as before. I think it's good, so you don't need to worry about these things."
Jin Fengju laughed and said, "That's good. I thought about it for a long time and felt that besides being with you, I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of them. Now it seems that I made the right move."
Fu Qiuning pursed her lips and sneered, "What do you mean? A move? Have I become your pawn?"
Jin Fengju quickly hugged her and kissed her cheek with a smile, saying, "Not a pawn, but a wife. You are not my legitimate wife. Alright, it's getting late. Let's sleep. I won't go out tomorrow, I'll accompany you all day. How about that?"
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, "Don't bother me tomorrow morning. I have to make rice dumplings. Luckily, the ancestral banquet is in the evening; otherwise, there wouldn't be enough time."
Jin Fengju laughed and said, "Dragon Boat Festival is not just about making rice dumplings, right? I'll put peach branches and mugwort leaves on the doors." But then he heard Fu Qiuning's laughter and said, "Those things can be done by the children. Do you really need to do it, my lord?" Jin Fengju retorted, "If that's the case, the kitchen and the maidservants on the rainy steps can make the rice dumplings. Do you, as the lady of the house, need to do it?"
Fu Qiuning wanted to say that she wasn't the lady of the house, but she was afraid that Jin Fengju would misunderstand and insist on letting her wield power in the house. To be honest, although that position held great power and benefits, who would want to bother with it when they could enjoy the fruits without laboring? Qiuning didn't consider herself as capable as Wang Xifeng, and she preferred to hide her talents rather than reveal them.
After teasing each other for a while, the couple fell asleep. It's unknown how much time had passed when Jin Fengju felt someone getting up and dressing quietly next to him. He opened his eyes and indeed saw Qiu Ning quietly getting out of bed. He lazily said, "It's still early in the morning, the sun hasn't even come out yet. What are you doing? I don't have to attend court right now, so I can sleep a little longer. When I start attending court again, I won't have this opportunity."
Fu Qiuning startled him and quickly turned back, whispering, "My lord, please continue sleeping. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it's customary to tie colorful threads to ward off evil spirits before the sun rises for the children." After speaking, she noticed Jin Fengju was about to get up, so she gently pushed him and smiled, saying, "This is the mother's task. How can I let you, the father, do it? Besides, men are usually careless. They might wake the children up."
Hearing her words, Jin Fengju made a sound of agreement and intended to remind her not to forget Jin Zhenyi and Jin Xiunan, the siblings. However, in the end, he didn't say anything. He didn't know why himself. If it was to test Qiu Ning and see if she cared about those two siblings, it seemed unreasonable. After all, the two children were forcibly brought to them, and Fu Qiuning was not their birth mother. She had previously expressed her unwillingness to take them in. Jin Zhenyi, that brat, didn't know how to restrain himself. Even if Fu Qiuning didn't tie the threads for them, it was only natural. Where could he send the two children if he left here?
Thinking like this in his heart, he still felt a shadow looming. He decided to get up as well, but after waiting for a long time without seeing Fu Qiuning return, he washed up and left the room. He asked a servant girl and learned that Fu Qiuning had already started making rice dumplings.
After a while, the household servants had all begun their work in their respective positions. The four children, because they had a day off today, unusually didn't wake up early. However, they didn't dare to delay too long either. They got up as soon as the sun rose, finished getting ready, and sat together in the dining room, waiting for Fu Qiuning to join them for breakfast.
Jin Fengju glanced at the four children with a seemingly intentional, yet also unintentional gaze, and saw that all four had colourful braided silk threads tied around their wrists and ankles. They also had little brooms and medicinal peaches hanging on their chests. The decorations were exactly the same, only made with slightly different coloured threads. He sighed with relief and thought: From this, I can tell that Qiuning must have personally made these things. She is a true loving mother. Indeed, entrusting these two children to her is my best decision.
Just then, Fu Qiuning entered the hall. Jin Fengju beamed at her and asked, "How many rice dumplings did you manage to wrap?"
"We are just about done wrapping all of them." At Jin Fengju's look of surprise, she said, "Do you imagine that I wrap these dumplings alone? Over ten of us woke up early to wrap them. Most of the fillings and other preparations had already been done and the rice cooked. There's only the wrapping left. Even Aunt Yu, on her first day of marriage, greeted her mother-in-law early in the morning and returned here to help us. I told her to stay at her in-law's house for a few days, but she refused."
When Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao heard that Aunt Yu had returned, they raised their hands and cheered. Jin Fengju acted as if he had just noticed the braided thread bracelets and smiled, "Did you braid these yourself? I must say they are very pretty. Much better than the ones I had back when I was young."
Jin Zhenyi and Jin Xiunan both looked down at the braided bracelets on their wrists. Jin Zhenyi badly wished to say that the bracelets made by his mother were even more beautiful, but the one on his wrist, made with several colourful threads and woven into a thick bracelet, was clearly superior and he could not bring himself to say anything.
Fu Qiuning had no idea what kind of fuss Jin Fengju was making. Now that Jin Zhenyi and Jin Xiunan were under her care, as the adult in the house, it was only right for her to treat them fairly regardless of her feelings. Her bracelet-making skills were inherited from original!Fu Qiuning and it was nothing to just let her body do its thing. Thus, she casually answered, "Yes, I made them."
"… ah, I wonder what Mother will say when she sees the bracelets. She used to be so proud of her feminine skills, what must she think!"
"… I cannot say I know what she will think,"
Jin Fengju beamed foolishly. He knew that the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was almost non-existent. However, judging from Fu Qiuning's tone, she didn't have much resentment towards Madam Jiang, only indifference at worse. Looking at his wife's serious side profile, he felt touched and happy. If it weren't for the children being present, he really wanted to hold her hand and cherish this precious moment.
By mid-morning, the rice dumplings had all been boiled.
Jin Zhenyi and his sister sat on the swing under the pergola in the yard, watching Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao running back and forth to the kitchen to check on the rice dumpling's progress. Jin Zhenyi remembered the savoury meat dumplings he had tasted last year and couldn't help but feel tempted.
However, he didn't want to show it, so when he saw Jin Changfeng and his sister coming out again, he coldly snorted, "You're such simpletons. Becoming so greedy over mere dumplings, are you not tired from running back and forth all this while? If Father sees you, won't he say that you're not behaving like a young master or a young lady from a respected family?"
Jin Changfeng blinked at the sudden attack, but only smiled slightly.
Jin Changjiao plopped herself on the swing next to Jin Xiunan and said loudly, "Indeed, we are simpletons. I do wonder, who was it that complained about yesterday's 'pig's feed' yet ended up ignoring the exquisitely made dishes around him to eat 'pig's feed' with us?"
Jin Zhenyi's face turned red and he glared fiercely at Jin Changjiao.
"Jiao'er, do mind your words. What would Mother say if she hears you?" Jin Changfeng smiled at Jin Zhenyi, "The rice dumplings should be ready soon. Mother plans to put some together for Great-grandmother, let us go together."
This was the first time Jin Changfeng spoke to Jin Zhenyi directly after that incident. It was also a reconciliatory gesture. For a while, Jin Zhenyi was dumbfounded. He was tempted to reject this olive branch, but the thought of being excluded again by the entire family over the dinner table made him hesitate. Not to mention, he also knew just how delicious that woman's food was.
After wavering for a moment, he said, "Right, the dumplings won't be as fresh after we come back from Great-grandmother's place. It's best to eat them hot. I wonder how many meat-filled ones they made this year?"
Jin Changjiao looked like she was about to burst into laughter. This was the exact reaction he had intended. He often made Mother laugh at his jokes, but it was too bad that Jin Xiunan was too solemn to laugh at his clowning. Even so, it felt like he had won something when Jin Changjiao had to keep coughing to cover up her laughter.
That afternoon, Fu Qiuning invited Jin Yanfang, the three Feng sisters and cousin as well as Concubine Mei to her place. Jin Yanfang immediately smiled upon entry and said, "Sister-in-law is very considerate to invite us over for a treat. Just the other day, Old Ancestor could not stop speaking about how delicious your rice dumplings were and how varied the fillings. I swear, I caught her drooling even as she described them to us. Yesterday, Zhan'er came back to tell us all about the great feast he had enjoyed here.
Knowing that Sister-in-law is someone who trains her culinary skills well, I conspired with my sisters this morning to scheme our way into your courtyard and seize a few rice dumplings for ourselves. However, we do not know what sort of bribe was worthy compensation. Fortunately, Sister-in-law saved us from utter shameless behaviour with your invitation and allowed us to save a bit of face."
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, "Yes, your faces are saved, but what of mine? I have no face to meet people anymore. What's all this about training my culinary skills well? These are merely little tricks honed during the hard times at Night Breeze Pavilion to persuade those two little ancestors to eat a little bit more of the simple meals we could provide. Just how did it turn into a story of me being a foodie?"
'Foodie' was a commonly used Internet slang that Fu Qiuning casually threw out, much to the delight of Jin Yanfang and the rest. The ladies all agreed that the term was incredibly vivid and interesting. After another round of sparkling laughter, they ordered the maids to serve food.
That was when Jin Yanfang looked around in surprise and asked, "Isn't Second Brother eating with us? He's usually at Elegant Mansion, moreover, there are freshly made rice dumplings here. How could he be absent?"
Fu Qiuning said, "I believe he should be with Old Madam or Elder Madam. There are plenty of rice dumplings there and more have been distributed to the rest of the estate. Whether he is here or not, he is sure to be helping himself to some rice dumplings elsewhere."
To change the subject, she said, "By the way, I heard that Xiangyang Marquisate's side has almost been fully renovated. Is Younger Sister, Second Old Master and his wife planning to move there together?"
Jin Yanfang replied, "We did plan to move there, but Old Madam would not hear of it. She insisted that this garden is too spacious and that I should remain here to keep Sister-in-law company. The estate would be filled with more people soon, so it is likely that we will not move."
Fu Qiuning nodded and said, "That works out well. If you move, even though this Elegant Mansion is close to the edge of the garden, I still wouldn't feel at ease in my heart." Just then, she noticed Jin Zhenyi peeling two dumplings for himself. A little dismayed, Fu Qiuning said, "Remove one from your bowl. You have already eaten one in the kitchen. If you eat two more now, you will give yourself indigestion."
Jin Zhenyi grumpily replied, "The one I ate before had meat in it. I want to try the jujube paste and salted egg yolk next. So what if I ate too many? I'll just go for a run later. If Father asks, I definitely won't involve you. Hmph, I'll take responsibility for my own actions."
"Pei, enough of your acting. Try talking like that to your father instead," Fu Qiuning matter-of-factly grabbed his bowl and pinched off the three corners of both rice dumplings with her chopsticks, placing the extra glutinous rice in another bowl before returning the rice dumplings to him. "If you like the fillings, eat them like this. Glutinous rice is not something you can just digest with a little running, and moreover, these rice dumplings are not small." She turned to Jin Yanfang, "You should watch Zhan'er and Yu'er as well. Children should not eat too much glutinous rice or it will give them stomach problems."
Jin Yanfang's gaze flickered between Fu Qiuning and Jin Zhenyi a few times. Suddenly, a smile bloomed on her face and she said in a soft voice, "Looks like Second Brother is still the better schemer. Although Zhenyi's mother is not up to par, it is their good fortune for ending up in this place."
Fu Qiuning stiffened. She set down her chopsticks a little too loudly and said, "Indeed, your Second Brother is the better schemer. Although, I cannot agree that it is their good fortune for being separated from their mother."
"It is all for their own good. Though they do not understand it now, they will surely understand Sister-in-law's good intentions when they grow up," said Jin Yanfang with a knowing smile. She thought: Indeed, Second Brother has a very good eye for women. Look how she genuinely cares for the children despite her true feelings. It is women who speak sweetly yet lace their actions with poisons that the family ought to be wary of.
Till the end of the cheerful and festive meal, with the Feng girls heaping endless praises upon each type of dumpling, Jin Fengju never turned up, much to the disappointment of the girls. Naturally, they did not show it on their faces. After making arrangements for the children's afternoon naps, the ladies rested for a while and chatted idly with each other, awaiting the appointed time to go to the Health & Longevity Court. The plan was to leave for the place together.
It was at that moment that several dignified and noble guests were slowly approaching the gates of the Jing Dukedom.
"Is this Fengju's residence?" Emperor Zhao Xi asked Chief Eunuch Li Dezheng as he glanced at the majestic golden words on a black plaque that read 'Jing Dukedom'.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is the place. However, the young marquis and the duke may not be at the estate at this time. Moreover, the princes must be at their estates right now, awaiting their summons to the palace," Li Dezhang respectfully replied. He thought: God in Heaven, ah, surely His Majesty is not planning to visit the Duke of Jing's estate? Isn't this too unexpected and whimsical? Such a thing has never happened before. Rumour is that the duke's health is not very good. Won't this visit simply shock him to death?
Just as he was thinking this, he heard the emperor chuckle and say, "What's the point of going to those palaces? Instead, we recall that it has been over a decade since We last visited. They even built an extremely luxurious garden for Us at that time, making it difficult for Us to visit. If Our visit were to cost them an untold fortune each time, they would have worked tirelessly for months in vain. Surely there is no need for that. This is just an incognito visit. Their family is not prepared, therefore, Our visit would not cause a disturbance. Let us go and have a look."
Li Dezheng thought: Sigh, looks like there is no dislodging this idea from His Majesty's head. Although it is true that this type of incognito visit would save the Duke of Jing's estate some ten or twenty thousand silver in reception money, Your Majesty could cause a 'direct scare' instead of a mere 'disturbance'. Really, what unprepared subject could bear an incognito visit from an emperor? Excessive favour could become unbearable at times.
All sorts of thoughts tumbled through his mind, but he dared not let any pass his mouth. In the end, all he could do was trail after the Emperor to the estate gates.
The servants at the gates had already noticed them, especially their expensive clothing. Moreover, the older man in the lead exuded dignity and elegance as well as an aura of noble authority that betrayed his aristocratic background. There was an oppressive air around him despite the amiable expression on his face. Still, they dared not neglect their duties and after giving their humble greetings, politely inquired, "Honourable guests, please halt. May we ask if you have an invitation?"
Li Dezheng was about to reprimand the servant when the Emperor's folding fan snapped open. With a slight smile, the Emperor said, "Ignorance is not a sin. What are you showing off for? This is good. The Jin family is an old and prestigious clan that had been around for over a hundred years. Even the gatekeepers are not the type that would bully others for no reason." He smiled and continued, "Go and inform your masters that Xiao Zou has come to visit."
When the servants heard his lofty tone, they dared not delay and one of them dashed into the estate.
Right then, Jin Fengju, Jin Shi and Jin Yu were speaking together in the study. Jin Yu said to his son, "It's getting late, you should make your way to the Old Madam's place and pay your respects. Come back quickly after that. I fear guests will keep arriving one after another and those young masters from influential families will want to speak with you. Those youngsters will naturally be more restrained before us older folks."
Jin Fengju stood up and smiled, "Yes, Father. This son will go to Health & Longevity Court now."
He was about to leave when he heard nervous voices at the door. Jin Ming came in with a bemused expression on his face, "Old Master, there is a person at the door seeking an audience, he calls himself Xiao Zou."
"Xiao Zou?" Jin Yu, Jin Shi and Jin Fengju looked at each other in confusion. Jin Yu asked, "Did he say anything else? Surely he would have explained his background, right?"
Jin Ming laughed and said, "This servant fears that our gatekeeper had neglected to ask. I had specifically questioned the young man, but all the information they had was 'Xiao Zou came to visit', I don't know if…"
He stopped speaking because his Master's face suddenly paled.
"Fengju, what's wrong? Do you know this Xiao Zou?" Jin Yu furrowed his brow. It was extremely rare for this admirable son of his, who had always been reserved and strong-willed, possessing great self-control over his expression since young to show such panic and anxiety. Even he, as a father, had never seen his incredible, amazing, wow, so awesome stuff son lose his composure like this.
"Xiao… Xiao Zou." Jin Fengju appeared to have lost all his strength. He barely managed to maintain his calm as he stretched out trembling fingers and traced out the character 'Zhao' (趙) on the table.
"What?" Jin Yu and Jin Shi immediately understood. Blood drained from their faces as the two older men stared at Jin Fengju. Jin Yu trembled as he stammered, "C-could it be a coincidence? Surely, the emperor… someone of that venerable position would not suddenly visit us like this? If he intends to grace our place with his presence, surely he would have given us notice months ago and allowed us time to properly prepare?"
"I fear that it really is that venerable old person himself," Jin Fengju slapped his forehead and muttered, "What kind of situation is this?" Then he said to his father and second uncle, "Regardless, even if it's a mistake, we cannot be negligent. Let's quickly go to the gates. If it truly is him, there must be a reason for his sudden visit. We cannot be blamed for our lack of preparation. As the saying goes, ignorance is not a sin."
Although he said all of that, it was mostly to comfort his father and Second Uncle. Jin Fengju himself was so nervous that his heart thundered like a drum as he herded his father and Second Uncle to the side entrance. When they finally caught sight of the tall figure standing just outside their gate, who else could it be if not the Emperor?
Jin Fengju felt his legs go weak, but he still had to gather his courage and support his elders, Jin Yu and Jin Shi. Making sure to keep his face calm, he whispered, "Father, Second Uncle, don't lose your composure," before falling back and allowing the two elders to greet the emperor first. When Jin Yu and Jin Shi reached a certain distance, they fell to their knees, touched their foreheads to the ground and shouted, "We, the guilty officials, pay respects to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live! Your Majesty has arrived, but we guilty officials have failed to give a proper welcome. This… this great offence, cannot be atoned with ten thousand deaths."
"Rise, rise. Ignorance is not a sin. It was a sudden decision for Us to come here. What crime have you committed?" The Emperor smiled slightly as he strolled leisurely through the gates. Suddenly, they heard two 'thuds' behind them. The two nearby servants who had been keeping an eye on the 'honourable guest' finally realised who the mysterious guest was and could not handle the shock and fainted dead away. The rest of the remaining servants had frozen in place, as though someone had hit their paralysing acupoint. Some of them barely breathed.
"Your Majesty, please forgive them. The servants in this official's mansion are all honest and simple-minded. Upon recognising Your Majesty's person so suddenly, they must have been overwhelmed with joy and fainted as a result." Jin Fengju once again forced himself to calm down as he hurried over to personally assist the Emperor down the steps. He turned to Jin Ming, "Call for a few young men to come and carry these two back to the inner court. If they wake up, that's fine. If they cannot wake up, call for a physician."
Then, he turned to look at the people travelling with the Emperor and found that there were only a few guards and Eunuch Li Dezheng with him. He could not help but anxiously ask, "How can this be? Even if Your Majesty is travelling incognito, surely it is better to bring more people? With so few people with you, what if you encounter danger? This is no joking matter…"
The Emperor cut him off with a loud burst of laughter. He pointed at his guards with his fan and said, "Did you hear that? Fengju is questioning your skills. He thinks you are not capable enough to protect Us."
Jin Fengju managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He thought: Really? This person still has the mood to make fun of me like this?
The few guards spoke in unison, "The Young Marquis' concerns are reasonable. We are concerned for Your Majesty's well-being as well."
Seeing that his attempt to sow discord between the guards and his favourite minister had failed, the Emperor appeared somewhat displeased as he snorted and said, "You are the emperor's guards, and your skills are all top-notch. Where is your confidence? Why are you speaking on his behalf anyway? What benefits did he give you to make you so loyal to him?"
Jin Fengju smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, your guards are all upright and honourable people. Please do not make a joke about your safety. Human capabilities are limited and we cannot guarantee everything. We are all sincerely worried about Your Majesty's safety. Of the people here, there are two guards whose names I do not even know, so what kind of benefits could I have given them?"
The Emperor laughed heartily as he snapped his fan open, after fanning himself a bit he smiled and said, "We have been feeling a little stifled at the palace and decided to take a little walk on the streets. The Capital is right at the emperor's feet, We don't believe there is a single thief with the guts to come pluck a whisker from the tiger's maw. Moreover, what is the point of dragging too many people around when travelling incognito? Wouldn't that reveal Our position even more and spoil the fun? As We walked through the streets of Our city, We felt more at ease and comfortable. Eventually, We somehow ended up at the gates of your ducal estate and decided to enter and rest Our legs here. We still have to return to the palace in the evening."
As he spoke, Jin Fengju had no choice but to nod along agreeably. At that point, there was absolutely no time for any kind of elaborate preparation. Even so, it was still the Jing Dukedom after all. To anyone's eyes, it was already quite impressive and had been swept spotless in anticipation for the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Emperor was led to the main hall by Jin Yu and Jin Shi, and though they were nervous, they managed to keep a conversation going as they ushered the Emperor into the main chair while they sat in lower-status chairs. Meanwhile, Jin Fengju used the excuse of arranging tea and snacks to sneak a retreat.
Li Dezheng was currently standing right next to the Emperor, so Jin Fengju could only drag one of the eunuch's apprentices aside and ask in a low voice, "What's going on? Why did the Emperor suddenly want to go out in disguise?"
The junior eunuch pulled a face and said, "In truth, this servant does not know either. After lunch, His Majesty said he was feeling a little bored and wanted to go out for a walk. After changing into ordinary clothes, he brought only a few people with him and went out. My master tried to dissuade him, but not only did he refuse to be dissuaded, he even scolded my master. Walking through the Capital Streets really did seem to brighten his mood. When he asked after the Duke of Jing's estate, knowing that the Young Marquis and the Duke were not at all prepared for a visit, Master tried to arrange for the Emperor to visit one of the princes' estates, but the Emperor refused. This…"
Unsure what else to say, the junior eunuch just spread his hands helplessly.
Jin Fengju furrowed his brows and asked, "Did anything happen before that? Was it really just a spontaneous idea?"
The junior eunuch blinked. He pondered for a long moment before shaking his head, "The emperor's mood had been very good these past two days. Master and I attended to the emperor most of the time and haven't heard anything. If there was an incident, someone would naturally inform my master. It should be a spontaneous decision."
Jin Fengju breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, Jin Ming happened to arrive with a tray full of teacups, a teapot and plates of delicately made pastries rattling under his trembling hands. Jin Fengju hastened forward to chuckle, "You good-for-nothing, scared to this point?"
Jin Ming said to Jin Fengju, "Master, you can still laugh. Are you even human?"
Jin Fengju's smile froze on his face before snorting coldly, "Only Qiuning would appreciate this kind of joke. Oh, what did she use to call it? A cold joke? The kind that can freeze people until they shiver?"
Jin Ming was quick with his reply, but quicker with his wit, seeing how unhappy his master was, he automatically rearranged his face to show contriteness. Anyway, dignity and pride do not put food on the table. Pride? What pride? Dignity? What dignity? Can these be eaten? Lowering one's head and catering to the rich and powerful benefited him more. At that moment, he could only admire Second Madam Ning for putting up with this lord's childish behaviour. That poor woman… Jin Ming mostly had to deal with work-mode Jin Fengju, but Fu'shi was the one who had to deal with that side of him that sends ghosts and snakes into her courtyard.
Apparently satisfied with his show of contriteness, Jin Fengju nodded sharply and strode off for the main hall. Jin Ming was too much of a professional to roll his eyes, no matter how desperately he wanted to. In the first place, the emperor was still in the estate! He continued to keep his head lowered and held out the tray as his master personally served the tea and pastries to the emperor. Jin Fengju personally poured cups of tea for Jin Yu and Jin Shi before cautiously sitting down at a position lower than his father and second uncle.
Jin Ming took that opportunity to withdraw and be one with the wall.
The Emperor took a sip of tea, picked up a piece of pastry, and smiled faintly, "Surely these ordinary pastries could not match up to the magnificent Jing Dukedom? Why not find a better chef? We recall rewarding Fengju with quite a sum of gold and silver, yes? Don't tell me that he is so stingy that he could not spare even this bit of money?"
Jin Fengju thought: Your Majesty, why are you finding fault with our chef? Can you blame him for being nervous when you suddenly drop in on us like this? Do you know just how many plates of snacks and pastries have been dropped in the kitchen when it was made known that you were here? Fortunately, we have some already prepared. Otherwise, if ordered to make more on the spot, I fear that the entire kitchen would have gone up in flames.
On the other side, Jin Yu and Jin Shi were already engaging the Emperor with various small talks with smiles on their faces and answering his questions. The Emperor noticed that Jin Fengju kept his head slightly lowered, his behaviour today completely different from his spirited appearance in the royal study and in court, as if he was a well-behaved and sensible child. Unable to hold back his laughter, the Emperor said, "You little brat, why have you lost your voice now? When Chu Daxiu mentioned your family at court, you were quite passionate with your speech, weren't you? That Chu Daxiu is an unlucky one. He just had to pay attention to something he should not have, losing so much skin off his face that he wasn't able to leave the house for several days. Yet, why are you not speaking up now?"
Jin Fengju quickly stood up and walked to the centre of the room. Just as he was about to kneel, the Emperor expressed his displeasure, "We are currently a guest in your house, and ought to be treated like visiting relatives or friends. Set aside all courtly formalities today. We are tired of seeing all of you kneeling before Us all the time. Now that We have come to your house in disguise, you would still kneel? Instead of relieving Our boredom, you are only increasing Our annoyance. Go and sit down, we shall talk then."
Jin Fengju hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes, this official obeys your orders." He then retreated to his seat and said remorsefully, "This official has realised his mistake. This official should not have mocked Lord Chu out of anger and forgotten his duties as a minister, especially when in court. As an imperial censor, Lord Chu has every right to report on rumours. In fact, it is his duty to do so. As for whether it wi appropriate or not, the final decision should still rest with Your Majesty. This official was too immature and impulsive."
The Emperor couldn't help but laugh. He pointed at Jin Fengju and said to Jin Yu and Jin Shi, "Do you hear this? Just listen to what your family's child is saying. It appears that he acknowledges his mistake on the surface, but still defended his actions in the end. Immature and impulsive? Pei! How many years have you walked through the halls of the imperial court? Still have the cheek to use this excuse?"
Jin Fengju privately heaved a great sigh of relief. Judging from the Emperor's tone alone, it was evident that he was very pleased with Jin Fengju's cheeky reply. Therefore, he quickly stood up and said, "Yes, this official understands his mistake."
The Emperor smiled faintly, picked up his teacup again and took a sip. He looked meaningfully at Jin Fengju's leg and drawled, "From the way you walk, we could hardly tell it was injured. Well? Has your wound completely healed?"Jin Fengju's heart skipped a beat, and he hastily replied, "To answer Your Majesty, although there is no problem with walking, the pain is still quite unbearable."
"Enough, you've already stayed at home for many days now. How long do you plan to hide at home and laze your days away?" The Emperor lowered his teacup and continued, "Attend court tomorrow. However, you are not to lose your temper like before. Amongst the civil and military officials, you are still the youngest in terms of seniority. Even if other officials speak or report incorrectly, you cannot be as reckless as before. Do you understand Our meaning?"
"Yes, this official understands," Jin Fengju's reply was flawlessly respectful. However, inwardly, he was rolling his eyes and thinking: This old man just cannot bear to see me idle. He is clearly telling me off for using tricks to slip out of work. Aih, I'm so pitiful, ah. This is what I get for learning literary and martial arts and selling myself to the imperial family. Pei, how can this be considered selling skills? This is simply already considered selling my life, alright?
At that, he sighed again, this time with relief, and thought: The Emperor must have specially come here to appease me, right? Now that he has done this, surely he would leave? This little visit alone granted me a heaven-spanning amount of face. On the other hand, surely it is unlikely for the Emperor to come here just to appease me? If that were the case, surely it is more likely for him to issue a decree with a few words of encouragement and invite me to a palace banquet? Was it truly necessary to come to our estate incognito?
He was still thinking about this and that when the Emperor stood up. Jin Fengju had finally managed to stuff his heart back into his chest. Jin Yu and Jin Shi both let out a sigh of relief. All three of them stood by respectfully, ready to send Emperor off on his merry way when the old Emperor spoke, "We did not allow you to inform others just now to avoid a fuss. Speaking of which, Fengju, is your grandmother still in good health? Come, lead Us to the inner court for a look. We last saw her at a banquet at the palace banquet. Back then, We were not as old as now, and your grandfather was still alive. Now, however, aih, things are different. This world would soon belong to young people like you."
Jin Fengju's eyelids twitched. The Emperor's deep ponderings were lost to him the moment the Emperor expressed his intention to meet the Old Madam in the inner court. He was completely bewildered. When the old Emperor started to walk out, he hurried over to exclaim, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. Please allow this official to send word to the inner court first."
"If you report to them, your grandmother and mother will have to change into ceremonial attire to receive an Imperial visit. Today, We want to experience the ordinary life of common people. We do not want to be treated as an Emperor. If We let them do that, what's the difference between here and the palace?"
Jin Fengju's forehead was covered in sweat as he stammered, "That is certainly so, however, my grandmother is old, this… this…"
The Emperor glanced at him and suddenly burst out laughing. Still laughing, he scolded, "You foolish thing, what are you saying? Do you imagine that We are a monster? You fear that the very sight of Us will frighten the Old Madam into a fainting fit?"
"No, no, not a fright, a joyous, most pleasant surprise. Your Majesty must know that the elderly cannot bear extreme joys or sorrows. If Your Majesty suddenly appears before them, this official fears that grandmother would be so overwhelmed with joy and surprise and… it would be bad if something were to happen."
Jin Fengju desperately searched for the correct words as he trotted up beside the emperor. In fact, he was surprised that he could still think and speak clearly at the moment. Jin Yu and Jin Shi were still trailing after them like a pair of older gentlemen who had lost their souls. They could barely think enough to function properly, let alone consider all things as thoughtfully as Jin Fengju.
"If that is the case, then go and inform them, ba. Give them a little time to prepare. As agreed, no one is allowed to perform the formal imperial salute," instructed the Emperor. Jin Fengju was relieved as though he had been granted amnesty. He quickly stood up, acknowledged the instruction, and rushed to the inner court.
At that moment, Old Madam Jin and Madam Jiang were speaking together in the room, talking about how the younger generations should be arriving by now, but why haven't they seen anyone yet? While engrossed in their conversation, they heard the maids say, "The Young Marquis has arrived, aiya, what's happening?"
The words had barely faded away when Jin Fengju suddenly charged in.
"Fengju, why are you in such a rush? What happened?" Madam Jiang frowned. She had never seen her son in such a state of panic before and her heart begin to thump uneasily. Who knows what was happening outside?
"Hurry, Old Madam, Elder Madam, Second Elder Madam, you must quickly prepare yourselves. The Emperor is heading towards Health & Longevity Court," Jin Fengju wiped the sweat off his forehead and grabbed a cup from his mother's table. Seeing that it was a cup full of water, he threw all semblance of etiquette away and gulped down the contents in one breath.
Old Madam Jin and Madam Jiang were still in a state of disbelief. Thinking that he must have misspoken, Madam Jiang smiled and said, "Why is this child so flustered today? Who did you say visited? I dimly recall hearing you say it was the Emperor. Are you trying to scare us to death?"
"What do you mean 'scare you to death'? No, it is true… the Emperor has come. Aiya, there is no time to explain. It is that old man's wish to come, he even wanted to surprise you. I had to beg and plead for the opportunity to come and give you some time to prepare your heart. He said something about not wanting you to dress up per your station or conduct a royal reception, and to treat this like a friendly visit from intimate friends and relatives. Aiyo, my heavens, ah. What is he thinking? This kind of big scene may cost me my life."
Only then did the people in the room snap out of their daze. They finally noticed the sweat pouring from Jin Fengju's forehead and his slightly dishevelled appearance from running around. In an instant, everyone became anxious. Jin Fengju turned to Luo Cui and said, "Why haven't the rest arrived yet? Quickly, send someone to invite Second Madam and the others, including Yanfang, over to wait at the Health & Longevity Court's flower hall. If the Emperor happens to summon them but they are not around, it would be a grave disrespect."
Luo Cui was stuck in place as though stunned by a lightning strike. At Jin Fengju's orders, she eventually stuttered, "Second Madam? Which Second Madam?"
Jin Fengju said, "What are you saying? Naturally, both Second Madams should be called over. Also, Sister-in-law from Second Elder Madam's room, and Elder Brother's children. Bring them all and have them wait in the garden together."
Luo Cui finally snapped out of her daze and quickly arranged for a few quick-witted maids to deliver the messages. Although they were not permitted to dress according to their ranks, they should still dress in grander clothes. Fortunately, Madam Jiang and the others were dressed appropriately. With only enough time to get that done, the Emperor arrived.
The old emperor exchanged a few words with the Old Madam. As he asked after her age and health and reminisced over some old stories about the Old Marquis, the rest of the room fell into excruciating silence. Everyone kept their heads lowered and barely dared to breathe.
The Emperor sighed at the tense silence. He turned to Jin Fengju and said, "It is certainly cold and lonely at the top. An emperor is a solitary individual. We had counted on this visit to bring some little warmth and comfort, yet, everyone in this room is just as reverent and distant. Well, enough about that, where are your wives and the rest of the women? It is the Dragon Boat Festival today. Surely they should come and pay their respects to the Old Ancestor and the mothers-in-law?"
Jin Fengju hastily smiled and said, "There will be a Dragon Boat Festival banquet tonight and all have already arrived earlier. Upon hearing that Your Majesty is here, they dare not enter without permission. Beg Your Majesty for your indulgence."
The Emperor nodded and said, "Call them all in. It has been a long time. We heard that you have a few young sons and daughters, but have yet to lay eyes upon them."
Jin Fengju hurried outside and spoke to a maid by the door, "Quickly invite the Second Madam and the others in. Call in all the young masters and young misses too." The maid rushed off and soon, a line of women came forward.
Of the people in this group, aside from Jiang Wanying, none of them had ever set foot within the palace before, let alone have an audience with the Emperor. Therefore, they only knew to kneel, kowtow and shout 'long live'. Fu Qiuning followed along with the rest of them.
Dread was already filling her stomach. She knew that something terrible would almost certainly happen today. She could only hope that she was wrong, but what are the chances?
The Emperor didn't ask Jin Fengju to introduce each person individually. His gaze flickered, and suddenly he said to Jin Fengju, "Ah, that's right, We vaguely remember the hotpot you previously sent me. It seems that your wife made it, yes? That hotpot was good. We often eat it, nowadays."
Fu Qiuning closed her eyes. How she wished Jin Fengju could forget about her existence. From the way Jin Fengju keep doing his best to drag her into the limelight, would he actually let go of this opportunity to make the emperor notice her? Would he make her sing before the court as he had once threatened?
While Fu Qiuning pondered, Jin Fengju laughed and said, "Qiuning, didn't you hear the Emperor's question? Could it be that you want me to speak for you?"
Fu Qiuning thought: Can't you just report to the Emperor that I'm a mute wife? What's the problem with speaking for me? You brought this trouble here, and so it's only fair that you shoulder it.
Thinking that way, she had no choice but to step forward and timidly say, "In response to the Emperor, this humble woman merely spoke without thinking at the time. Unexpectedly, Young Marquis took it seriously. After trying it, indeed, it was found to be quite good. It was all thanks to the Young Marquis's ingenuity. This humble woman dare not take credit for it."
"Oh? We really had no idea that Fengju pays such attention to food," the Emperor took a sip of tea and recalled Jin Fengju's words from that day. This woman seemed to be a shu-born daughter of the Zhenjiang Palace. Now that he thought about it, back then, the Zhenjiang Palace was also too arrogant. To match a shu-born daughter as a main wife to a proud Son of Heaven was simply too presumptuous.
"Yes, previously, the Young Marquis said that Your Majesty had a poor appetite. So when he heard this humble woman's casual remark, he put the entirety of his thoughts into it and actually managed to bring this idea to fruition. It was all out of his loyalty to Your Majesty, wanting to share Your Majesty's burdens and provide some relief. That was how this unique 'hot pot' came to be."
Fu Qiuning still answered in a low voice, fully portraying herself as a textbook example of an ordinary woman. Even so, she could feel the envious gazes burning holes in her back. She could imagine that if she stood out even more, those looks would be enough to reduce her to ashes.
Jin Fengju thought: Great, now everything is pushed onto me.
Just as he was about to speak up for Qiuning, the Emperor casually asked, "You are from the Zhenjiang Palace, correct? How is your grandfather doing lately? It's been a while since We last saw him."
Jin Fengju's heart skipped a beat, looking at the Emperor in disbelief. He wondered: What's going on? Why is the Emperor asking about that old thing from the Zhenjiang Palace? Could he have remembered Qiuning's identity, and he now wants to balance the scales? Aiyo, I beg you, old man, can you not meddle in this matter? What were you doing when the Zhenjiang Palace slapped our marquisate? Now that Qiuning and I are happily married, you suddenly remember that I suffered, and you want to play the knight in shining armour?
Fu Qiuning did not understand this Emperor after all. Although she found his question strange, her mind was still somewhat rigid, and she had no time to think too much. She could only answer in a low voice, "During the visit before the New Year, Grandfather was still in good health. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"Woo," the Emperor said lightly, "Although a daughter who marries is like spilt water, one should still visit one's birth parents more often." He looked at Jin Fengju and smiled ambiguously, "Should We grant your wife some time off?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the room changed. Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying were almost pleasantly surprised and almost shouted out. Fu Qiuning's face turned pale instead. She knew that the emperor now favoured Jin Fengju heavily, and it looks like he wanted to avenge him. This was the emperor, not someone like Madam Jiang. She had little room for resistance. Once the emperor made up his mind, any spoken words could not be changed.
Feeling flustered for a while, Jin Fengju quickly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "In response to Your Majesty, when my mother-in-law was seriously ill, Qiuning also went back to her maternal home for a few days. As a result, the estate was almost thrown into chaos during those days. Old Madam Jin fell ill, and the two children couldn't see their mother and refused to eat, causing a fuss and ending up catching a serious illness. That's why this official did not let Qiuning return to the Palace during this period. This official thinks that after a few days, when the weather becomes hotter, the shipments of ice blocks from Tian Shan would also arrive, and this official plans to escort Qiuning to his mother-in-law at that time."
His words were not only incoherent but also carried a hint of fright. At the least, the emperor would never believe that the Dukedom would fall into chaos just because one woman was gone. It was understandable that the children missed their mother, but even the Old Madam falling ill was a bit excessive. Jin Fengju said all that just to indicate to the Emperor that he didn't want him to balance the scales. He wanted this woman to stay.
The emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and he couldn't help but look at Fu Qiuning. She was an ordinary woman, not some country-toppling beauty at all, so what was it about her that attracted this young man whom even the emperor admired, loved, and even jealous that he wasn't his own son?
While pondering this, the emperor spoke with a pensive tone, "Since you put it that way, then forget about it. After all, this is your family affair, and We won't interfere too much." As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, and he was somewhat surprised, saying, "Are these your children? They seem to be seven or eight years old, right?"
What joke is this? Could it be that Our memory has declined to such a level? Wasn't this Fengju brat only married five or six years ago? How could he have such grown children with Fu Qiuning? They came from this woman, right? We just witnessed those two children standing by her just now.
The emperor exclaimed loudly with astonishment in his heart.
"In response to Your Majesty, Qiuning doesn't have any children. These two children are merely under her foster care," Jin Fengju's face turned slightly red, thinking to himself: What are you doing here, Your Majesty? Are you here just to dig up my past?
He deliberately addressed Fu Qiuning by her name in front of the emperor, which was normally inappropriate. But who asked the emperor earlier to say that he came to the estate to visit a friend? Since he felt too lonely at the top, Jin Fengju decided to be a little presumptuous in these small details. He thought the emperor wouldn't blame him for this. Besides, it was also an implication that he and Qiuning were deeply in love, asking the old man to be magnanimous, to spare them and not belatedly seek revenge for him after six years.
The Emperor understood that in his heart. Looking at Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, they were truly a pair of exquisite children. At that moment, he recalled the time when he was eating hot pot in the palace, Jin Fengju praised Fu'shi's virtuousness. It seemed that a woman, who could educate two non-biological children into such fine individuals, was indeed considered virtuous. No wonder when Fengju heard his own hint of helping him divorce his wife, he became nervous and frightened to the point of disregarding all formalities. Now, thinking back, he had clearly said in the hall that marrying Fu'shi was his fortune. If it weren't for their loving relationship, how could they elevate each other in every aspect? Reflecting on that day's events, he realized that he had been a bit rash in showing favouritism to his ministers while indulging his affection.
With those thoughts in mind, the Emperor smiled and glanced at Jin Fengju before beckoning to Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, saying, "Come here, what are your names?"
Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao quickly and respectfully answered. The Emperor asked Jin Changfeng a few questions about literature, initially not probing too deeply, considering his age. However, seeing the young boy answer with ease, the Emperor was somewhat surprised and began asking more profound questions. Jin Changfeng remained calm and composed in his responses, and this really piqued the Emperor's interest. The Emperor, now enthusiastically engaged, seemed resolved to determine a winner.
After a few more questions, when he noticed Jin Changfeng starting to struggle with his answers, he stopped and looked at Jin Fengju, saying, "Indeed, a tiger does not beget a dog. This child of yours is extraordinary. We remember that you were the third-placed scholar back then, correct? Perhaps in the future, this Dukedom of yours will produce another first-placed scholar. This is all thanks to your excellent guidance."
What lofty praise this was. Jin Fengju quickly smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, you flatter me too much. It is all thanks to Qiuning's good teachings. Over the years, this official has been busy with state affairs and was rarely at home. This official dares not claim credit for his children's education."
The Emperor turned to Fu Qiuning and nodded, saying, "So, from the stories, it seems that you are a virtuous one, having raised these two outstanding seedlings."
Fu Qiuning felt weak from this series of surprises and compliments. It was obvious to her that Jin Fengju should also be receiving numerous resentful glances at that moment, just like her, right? He deserved it. In her heart, she angrily thought: I asked you to help me shoulder the recognition, but now you're heaping all the credit onto me. What are you doing? I wouldn't expose you, but you insisted on making me the scapegoat. Great, now even the Emperor is praising me. You bastard, don't you know that the scapegoat is the first to be shot?
While she contemplated these thoughts, her face showed not a hint of it. She bent down in a formal and humble salute, speaking softly, "This humble woman dares not claim credit for it. The Young Marquis is exaggerating this humble woman's efforts. I dare not say how talented the children are, but they are diligent in their studies and possess virtuous characters, all thanks to the Young Marquis being their role model. For example, Zhenxuan and the Second Young Miss in Sister Fang's household are even smarter than Feng'er and Jiao'er. When Feng'er and Jiao'er were five or six years old, they didn't read as many books as their younger siblings."
Jiang Wanying's head lifted slightly, and she sneered in her heart: Hmph, at last, you understand the situation and know that you can't hog all the limelight.
Back there, the Emperor looked deeply at Fu Qiuning and, as expected, called Jin Zhenxuan over to ask him a few questions about his studies, praising him.
Then, he looked at Jin Yanfang and others. The Emperor remembered the officials who had been killed by bandits, and he felt a hint of sadness. He comforted them and after exchanging a few words with everyone, the sun slowly set in the west.
Jin Fengju looked at the sky outside and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. If this official is not mistaken, there should be a palace banquet during the Dragon Boat Festival, and there would also be dragon boat races. I believe that the boatmen from the princes' palaces have been training hard for days, hoping to have the opportunity to be witnessed by Your Majesty. If Your Majesty is unable to attend, not only will they be disappointed, even the princes themselves will feel let down."
Upon hearing these words, the Emperor stood up and said, "You're right. We have tarried outside for too long, and the Empress Dowager in the palace is probably worried." Turning to Old Madam Jin, he continued, " When you have the time, you should visit the palace. The Empress Dowager has been complaining recently about the lack of company. Life in the palace, even with numerous descendants, cannot compare to the comfort and ease of a family like yours."
The Old Madam quickly agreed, and only then did the Emperor leisurely walk out of the door. Arriving at the front hall, he saw people pouring out from all sides of the house, the scenery black from all their bowed heads kneeling in the courtyard, shouting praises. The Emperor smiled and said, "Indeed, it's the Dragon Boat Festival, and I suppose the visiting noble families' young lords and young ladies will not be in short supply. Very well, you can all go back now. These people also need to be entertained."
Jin Fengju quickly said, "This official will accompany Your Majesty back to the palace. If this official doesn't personally see Your Majesty safely return, how can this official still have the heart to entertain guests?"
The Emperor knew he was speaking the truth and smiled faintly, "Woo, alright." After saying that, he walked out of the gate and saw that although the Imperial Guards did not come forward, Jin Fengju's guards from his days as an Imperial Envoy were all assembled.