Crown Prince Yan Beichen followed Shen Mingzhu directly to the Hanlin Academy, then escorted her back to Marquis's residence before taking a carriage back to the palace.
After the small court assembly in the Imperial Study, Emperor Jingyuan and Crown Prince Yan Beichen chatted for a long time. Around noon, the father and son went to Kunning Palace to have lunch with Empress Lin.
Empress Lin was very happy to see the two of them.
Chen'er, come and sit down. Your mother has instructed the kitchen to prepare a chicken soup with gastrodia elata, saying it's good for your health...
"Mother, I am sorry to have troubled you."
What are you talking about! I heard you and Miss Shen are getting along well, and yesterday you even sent ten boxes of gold and silver jewellery to the Marquis of Changping's residence for her?
Upon hearing this, Yan Beichen's pointed ears turned red, and he smiled.
Mother, Miss Shen also gave me a monk's robe. Ten boxes of gold and silver jewellery are nothing. I'm glad Miss Shen likes them.
Seeing that her son was already interested, Empress Lin smiled and said,
Good, as long as you two are happy together, that's good. Your mother is looking forward to your wedding so I can hold my little grandson...
"Mother..."
Emperor Jingyuan, "Hahaha..."
Stop teasing him!!!
Kunning Palace was filled with laughter and joy, creating a very warm atmosphere.
At this moment, the people in the other palaces of the inner palace looked at Kunning Palace from afar and sighed softly.
Deep within the palace, in the long, dark nights, how many truly understand?
...
The Marquis of Changping's residence, Mingzhu Courtyard.
As soon as Shen Mingzhu returned, she started playing with her cat.
My feline overlord, have you missed me?
Let's go treasure hunting in the mountains together tomorrow, aren't you excited?
Meow~~~ "So happy!!
After a good night's sleep and lunch, Shen Mingzhu began packing, mainly to get several jade boxes to store precious medicinal herbs the next day.
Shaoyao, go to Qinglan Courtyard and tell Second Brother that we need to leave earlier tomorrow and ask him to pack his things in advance.
"Yes, miss."
Peony agreed and quickly went to Qinglan Courtyard.
Knowing Shen Mingzhu's plans for the next day, Shen's mother instructed the kitchen to prepare a lot of food, pastries, fruits, and so on, for fear that the group would go hungry.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and Shen Mingzhu, along with her cat, Peony, and Shen Weiming, went into the mountains.
Second brother Shen Qinglan, future sister-in-law Bai Wanrou, third brother Shen Qingzhan, and fourth brother Shen Qingbo followed her.
Shen Qingbo had been in a low mood for the past two days, and Shen Mingzhu wanted him to get out more, go hiking to relax, and do some manual labor so he wouldn't have time to wallow in self-pity.
Early in the morning, Crown Prince Yan Beichen arrived at the Marquis of Changping's residence and waited for Shen Mingzhu in the main hall.
Guagua, the Crown Prince is here really early!
Host, didn't you tell the Crown Prince to come earlier? Well, he's arrived early.
Okay, let's have breakfast quickly, then we'll set off together.
"Brother Crown Prince, let's have breakfast together. After breakfast, we'll set off together."
Yan Beichen got up early this morning and had already eaten breakfast at the mansion. However, seeing Shen Mingzhu's expectant gaze, he got up and ate breakfast with the Shen family.
Breakfast was simple: rice porridge, pickled vegetables, eggs, meat patties, steamed buns, and so on.
The group was having breakfast, unaware that at that moment, the area outside the Changping Marquis's residence was full of carriages. Everyone was having breakfast in their carriages so as not to miss the mountain climbing and sightseeing trip.
Prince An: Wow, that's early!
Tian Xuezhou: That's right, the early bird catches the worm.
Pei Siyan: Old Tian, stop joking around. Why don't you go in and pay a visit?
Tian Xuezhou: Forget it. Let's just wait and see.
Prince An: Prime Minister Lin, why are you here at your age?
Prime Minister Lin: Prince An, I just wanted to go hiking to get some exercise.
Prince An: I don't believe you.
Turning his head again, he saw the carriages of the Gu family, the Minister of Personnel; the Zhou family, the Minister of War; and even the Su family's carriage!
They were all waiting outside the Marquis of Changping's residence.
Anyone who didn't know better would think Emperor Jingyuan was organizing an autumn hunt!
Emperor Jingyuan: You are all my good ministers. I have never seen you so enthusiastic about going to court to resolve matters of state. You are all so enthusiastic about going hiking!
The entire court: Your Majesty, there's a treasure!!!
Emperor Jingyuan: Have you people never seen a hundred-year-old ginseng?
The entire court: Your Majesty, you can never have too many good things!
Didn't you see it?
All the ministers have brought their most trusted guards, ready to show their skills!
Host, hurry up and eat!
Guagua, don't rush, I haven't finished my porridge yet!
Host, more and more officials are arriving in carriages towards Marquis's residence. If you don't leave soon, the carriages in front of the residence will be completely blocked!
Shen Changyuan: What's wrong with these people?!
Knowing the location, why come to the Marquis of Changping's residence?
Mother Shen: Sigh...
It's all because my little darling is too outstanding!
Shen Qinghong: My sister is so kind! If I weren't so close to the imperial examinations, I definitely would have gone, too!
Shen Qinglan and Bai Wanrou exchanged a glance, knowing that there were many precious medicinal herbs today. They secretly encouraged each other and prepared to do their best to pick as many as possible.
Shen Qingzhan glanced at everyone, then silently lowered his head. He had already gathered the guards he had brought back from the north; working together would surely yield even greater results!
Shen Qinglan: Third brother is still the smartest.
Shen Qingbo: So many people?
Are there any girls here?
He was somewhat reluctant to go.
He glanced at his parents, who ignored him.
Shen Qingbo: I feel a little wronged.
How could his father and mother treat him like this?
He's hurt, okay?
Father Shen: A great man is born between heaven and earth; how could such a trivial matter defeat you? Cheer up, son. Your future is bright.
Mother Shen: You've got some ambition. Learn from your little sister. Look at her. She has His Highness the Crown Prince completely under her thumb. He's been waiting for her at home since early this morning!
Look at you, once bitten by a snake, twice shy!
Amazing!!!
Go out and hunt and gather medicinal herbs!
Shen Qingbo: Dad, Mom! Am I your biological child?
Shen's parents: We picked you up from a garbage dump!
Shen Qingbo: You guys are really going too far!!!
After hearing the system's gossip, Shen Mingzhu finished her congee in a few gulps, washed her hands, and then left Marquis's residence with her cat master and Crown Prince Yan Beichen.
As soon as he stepped outside, she was stunned to see the carriage outside.
What a crowd of people and carriages!
Anyone who didn't know better would think that today's court assembly was being held at Marquis's residence!
Guagua, isn't this a bit too much?
Host, you're not exaggerating at all; quite a few officials are even on their way here!
"Good morning, Lord Shen."
"Good morning, Miss Shen."
"Good morning, Miss Mingzhu."
"Good morning, Prince An."
"Good morning, Minister Lin."
"Good morning, Minister Gu."
...
"Guagua, let's go quickly."
Go! Go! Go! ! !
Crown Prince Yan Beichen looked at Shen Mingzhu's shocked expression and chuckled softly.
The two quickly boarded the carriage and headed towards the mountains in the suburbs.
Following closely behind was Prince An's carriage...
Prince An: I must be number one!!!
The entire court: Excellent! You're awesome!
The Marquis of Changping's residence dispatched two carriages this time: one for Shen Qinglan and Bai Wanrou, and the other for the two brothers, Shen Qingzhan and Shen Qingbo, following closely behind Prince An's carriage as they sped forward...
Because there were so many people, more than Shen Mingzhu had expected, she told the coachman to walk extremely fast, hoping to get to their destination as quickly as possible.
The mountains in late autumn were a scene of abundant harvest, with plenty of wild vegetables growing on them, clearly showing that the people of Shengjing were living a better life.
Guagua, there are still many wild vegetables around here. If a famine were to occur during the Little Ice Age, these could be lifesavers!
Shen Mingzhu bent down and dug some wild vegetables into her basket.
"We'll stir-fry some wild vegetables when we get home tonight."
"Excellent, excellent, I will also dig some up to take back and eat.".
Soon, many ministers responded to the call and began digging for wild vegetables...
Shen Mingzhu looked around and, wow, it was packed with people.
Not only the civil and military officials, but some of them also brought their families and guards!
Especially here, Shen Mingzhu also saw Lin Xiang's granddaughter, Lin Yuxin.
Guagua, look! Lin Xiang's granddaughter, Lin Yuxin, is here too! She's perfect for today's wild vegetable digging activity!
Host, you've taken all the bamboo shoots from the mountain!
Guagua, am I wrong? Doesn't she understand the concept of sunk costs and refraining from major decisions?
Host, look at what you're saying! Isn't the person they've chosen this time the son of Prince An? And he's the legitimate son!
Guagua, did Master Mo say he's the legitimate son of Prince An? Even if he said it now, who would believe him?
Lin Yuxin had already started digging for wild vegetables with great enthusiasm. Now, listening to Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts, she was shocked. Then, she timidly got up and looked at her grandfather, Lin Xiang.
Lin Xiang looked at Crown Prince Yan Beichen, who was standing next to Shen Mingzhu, and patted her arm.