Xie Hao: Stop talking.
We don't actually eat pastries at home.
This stuff is expensive and doesn't keep you full; how could a bunch of grown men in the house possibly buy it to eat?
When my grandmother was alive, we used to see these things at home. But since she passed away, my grandfather has never brought any pastries into the house again.
Xie Hao ate a piece of pastry one after another and soon finished a whole plate.
Guagua, my cousin is eating so deliciously! I want to shove my plate to him, too. Watching him eat must make me really hungry.
Host, a half-grown boy like him, can eat his father out of house and home. Look at your cousin Hao. He's only sixteen, at the age when he's growing. It's normal for him to eat a lot; it wouldn't be surprising if he ate all the pastries in the main hall.
That's true. I remember a news story about a boy who was growing up and couldn't get full even after eating over eighty dumplings in one meal, but he could still eat two large bowls of rice.
Xie Hao: What's the news?
Do I even need to look at this?
He could eat as many as eighty dumplings in one sitting and still not be enough!
Shen Mingzhu: Okay, okay!
I'll fight you all to the death! There will be plenty of food, and you'll eat and drink to your heart's content.
Thinking of her 100 tons of broken rice, she went to her beautiful mother, took out 10 bags of 1000 jin, and told her mother to cook as much as she could!
The rice that Shen Mingzhu bought on a daily special offer, although it was broken rice, was this year's new rice. It was clean and fragrant, without any impurities or pebbles, and was even better than the tribute rice that Emperor Jingyuan ate.
When Shen Changyuan brought five bags of rice into the palace, Emperor Jingyuan fell silent upon seeing the white rice.
"Is this the broken rice?"
Shen Changyuan smiled obsequiously.
"Yes, Your Majesty, you can grab a handful of rice and see. These grains are all split in two; they're not a single whole grain..."
The more he spoke, the softer his voice became.
Clearly, everyone knew the quality of this batch of rice.
Of course, these are things for tomorrow.
At this very moment, Emperor Jingyuan is receiving Xie Yuze.
That evening, Emperor Jingyuan prepared a welcoming banquet for the Xie family father and son and invited all the officials.
Prince An stared intently at Xie Yuze, thinking, "Oh dear, this old ox is too old. Can he really gnaw on young grass?"
He was tall and muscular, dark-skinned, and had a stubble beard; he looked like a big black bear.
The thought of the delicate and pampered eldest daughter of the Shi family sharing a bed with him sent a shiver down his spine.
No!
No!
No!
I can't think about it, I can't think about it, I can't think about it!!!
It's none of his business!
It's not that his daughter likes big black bears!!!
"This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
Soon, Xie Yuze led his men back to the Marquis of Changping's residence.
As for the invitation to enter the palace, they had already received it. At this moment, in the main hall, everyone was chatting and laughing. His good-for-nothing fifth son was eating with a big smile on his face, as if he hadn't been given any food.
Looking at the unfamiliar food on the table, Xie Yuze sat down with a face full of curiosity.
"Uncle."
"Mingzhu, your uncle brought you a gift."
After he finished speaking, the guards behind him stepped forward.
Looking at the bright red fox fur cloak, its vibrant colour and soft, smooth fur clearly indicated it was a top-quality item.
Shen Mingzhu's eyes lit up. She happily got up, took the drape, and twirled around in it.
"Thank you, Uncle. This cloak is really beautiful."
Xie Yuze laughed heartily.
"I'm glad Mingzhu likes it. I had a hard time finding this in the North."
Guagua, my uncle is so nice! It must be super warm wearing this fox fur coat in winter.
The system was quite disappointed and said in a cheeky tone.
Host, you weren't going to be cold anyway. You forgot, your second brother gave you a white fox fur cloak, and you even bought a phoenix feather robe from the system shop. It's the common people who are truly suffering from the cold and hunger!
Guagua, you!
Host, it's always been a case of the rich feasting while the poor freeze to death on the streets! But thankfully, your uncle and his men brought back a large number of orphans, the elderly, and the disabled soldiers this time, so your grandfather should have a better chance this winter.
It glanced at Xie Yuze and Xie Hao.
Otherwise, the Xie family will be very busy this winter.
Xie Yuze thought of his father's benevolent nature and the words of Lin Xiang's grandson, Lord Lin, and his mood suddenly became heavy.
After everyone chatted and laughed for a while, Shen Changyuan returned to his residence, and lunch officially began.
Because of Xie Yuze and Xie Hao's return, lunch was very lavish, with a whole table full of food, all carefully prepared by the kitchen several days in advance.
The meal was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves immensely.
Guagua, why is my dad so busy lately? I hardly ever see him.
Shen Changyuan gave Shen Mingzhu a resentful look.
It's all your fault!
Why...
Their Ministry of Revenue is now cooperating with various regions in procurement, and the money they just obtained from confiscating property will soon be gone again.
Honestly, at this moment, he even hoped that his beloved daughter would reveal a few more secrets to replenish the national treasury.
If Shen Mingzhu knew her father's true thoughts, she would probably roll her eyes to the heavens.
Listen to these ideas.
The national treasury is filled by confiscating property.
Who will want to be an official in the future?
Shen Changyuan: Of all things, only studying is noble!
This is an unchanging truth that has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
Shen Mingzhu: Truth lies only within the range of cannons, and dignity lies only on the edge of a sword!
The main hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation when the system's voice sounded again.
Host, the Great Yan Dynasty, is currently engaged in active trade and procurement, spending money hand over hand. With that flowing silver, your cheap old man, as the Minister of Revenue, will definitely have to oversee things!
Hearing Shen Mingzhu refer to Shen Changyuan as her cheap father, Xie Yuze couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle.
That's really quite interesting.
Xie Hao silently observed everyone's expressions. My goodness, everyone remained expressionless. Could he be the only one who could hear his cousin Mingzhu's inner thoughts?
He was secretly pleased with himself.
That's amazing.
Mingzhu's cousin calls her own father, "Cheep old man."
Hahaha～～～～
Are there also luxurious fathers? Valuable fathers? Or even super-expensive fathers?
It's so much fun.
Looking at the dessert and so many snacks he didn't recognize, Xie Hao ate while watching everyone and finally listened excitedly to Shen Mingzhu's thoughts, secretly happy and spinning around in his heart.
He, Xie Hao, truly is the chosen one!
This time, he will personally kill the leader of the Hu people and carve out his own territory.
Hahaha~~~
He couldn't stop laughing inside...
Soon, it was evening, and Shen Mingzhu and her entourage arrived at the palace by carriage.
This time, Empress Lin arranged for Shen Mingzhu to sit next to Crown Prince Yan Beichen, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Of course, what was surprising was that the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan and his concubine Shen Jiaojiao also attended the welcoming banquet.
The effects of the Stinky Pills have worn off, and they think they're invincible again!
Xie Yuze: He said he seemed to have forgotten something. Wasn't it just that he forgot Shen Jiaojiao?
Looking at her now accompanying the Second Prince, and then looking at Shen Mingzhu accompanying the Crown Prince.
Then look at my brother-in-law, Shen Changyuan, his face beaming with a fawning smile, seemingly obsequious as he speaks to Emperor Jingyuan…
This relationship is indeed quite complicated.
Oh my, Guagua, look, we get to have a feast again!