Among them, Luo Hu also peeked through the cracks in the thatched shed to watch Emperor Mingde catch fish. At first, he looked clumsy, and Luo Hu couldn't help but laugh several times.

When Huo Baichuan and Qiu Tangshi arrived at the thatched hut, Emperor Mingde had already caught quite a few small fish with brown spots on their bodies, as well as some shrimp, and the largest were two carp.

Upon their arrival, Zhao Shu hurriedly went ashore and, with the help of Green Ivy and Wan Dong, changed her clothes in the carriage before coming over to greet them.

Huo Baichuan's gaze fell on Zhao Shu, and he nodded with inexplicable satisfaction. This was more like a normal young lady; she could laugh, make noise, and be energetic, unlike her previous weathered and indifferent demeanor.

"I just remembered a sentence while I was catching fish," Emperor Mingde said to Qiu Chengshi in a very serious tone.

Qiu Tang hurriedly asked, "What has Your Majesty thought of?"

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. The sages have never lied to us." Emperor Mingde was quite moved. He was reluctant to let Liang Yunsi hold the fish he had caught himself, and insisted on holding the small wooden bucket containing the fish himself.

Qiu Tangshi and Huo Baichuan exchanged a glance, their minds already aligned with Emperor Mingde's, but neither of them spoke aloud, waiting for Emperor Mingde to continue.

"Ah Jun just said that I fish to cultivate my character, while ordinary people fish to make a living, and fishermen risk their lives to catch fish. Even this simple act of catching fish in the river requires skill." Emperor Mingde pointed to the fish in the small wooden bucket and continued, "And how many fish are there? And how many people can master the skill of catching fish? From the small, we can see the big picture. As the old saying goes, 'Of all professions, only studying is noble,' and this study cannot be limited to poetry, songs, rites, music, books, and mathematics."

Huo Baichuan and Qiu Tangshi quickly exchanged another glance, then knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Rise, my dear minister. A sudden inspiration struck me, and I have already decided that you, Qiu, should undertake this task," Emperor Mingde said, looking at Qiu Chengshi.

Qiu Tang clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to fulfill your command."

Being an emperor is great; you can just give orders to your ministers whatever you want to do. After giving the orders, Emperor Mingde turned to Zhao Shu and asked, "A-Jun, aren't you going to grill some fish?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhao Shu instructed Xiao Guozi to carry a small wooden bucket and choose an open space to start a fire. Xiao Guozi was very worried at this moment. Everyone knew that the county magistrate's hands-on ability was not strong. What if he ruined the fish that the emperor had caught himself?

But Zhao Shu was in no hurry. She waited patiently for the fire to start, then found some wooden strips to thread the large fish onto the boards, and put the smaller fish and shrimp into the water.

When Emperor Mingde saw that Zhao Shu was grilling so simply, he came over out of curiosity. Zhao Shu took the opportunity to hand him the wooden skewer with the fish on it, saying, "Uncle, please take this."

Emperor Mingde took the wooden stick and grilled the fish in place of Zhao Shu, while Zhao Shu grilled another one. There weren't many fish, only two. When Qiu Tangshi and Huo Baichuan saw that there were only two fish, they thought they weren't even enough to fill their teeth, so they went into the water to catch more.

It was no easy feat for each of them to catch one fish. They were only able to do so because the fish were all natural and unpolluted. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to catch so many fish so quickly, thanks to Little Fatty's secret help.

Several people gathered around the fire to grill fish. Qiu Tang tried his best to keep a low profile and didn't say a word. Princess Jun was too bold to let the Emperor grill fish himself. How could the younger generation in his family dare to treat him like that?

However, judging from Emperor Mingde's expression, he seemed to be enjoying the roasting quite a bit.

Huo Baichuan sat next to Zhao Shu and turned his head to look at her. He saw that her profile was as beautiful as jade. As if possessed, he flicked his fingers, and the water on his hand turned into water droplets that flew onto Zhao Shu's face.

Zhao Shu felt a sudden chill on her cheeks and neck. She looked at Huo Baichuan with disdain, warning him with her eyes not to do anything reckless. Then she sat closer to Emperor Mingde and casually took out the veil from her wide sleeve to cover her face.

This little interaction caught Emperor Mingde's eye, and his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. He felt displeased; his niece, whom he had raised with great difficulty, was about to be taken away by someone else. He couldn't be happy about it.

Although he had never raised one, he couldn't help but think that way. He was also slightly relieved that Zhao Shu hadn't reached marriageable age yet, but it was only a matter of time before the end of the year. He really had endless worries.

Admittedly, he's worrying unnecessarily.

Wei Tingsi was just as worried as him. He walked over, leaning on his sword, and happened to see Huo Baichuan flick water onto Zhao Shu's face. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes. Qiu Tangshi, who was less resistant to pressure, shuddered.

A murderous aura flashed by, but in an instant, he bowed first, and Emperor Mingde told him to catch some fish to grill.

After bowing, he walked to the stream, keeping a keen eye on everything around him. He picked a leaf and casually tossed it into the water, whereupon a fish immediately floated to the surface.

The speed was so fast that Zhao Shu hadn't even had time to react before he was back by the fire. Qiu Tangshi, being very perceptive, gave up his seat, and Zhao Shu and he sat on either side of Emperor Mingde.

Emperor Mingde and Zhao Shu were the first to grill their fish, so it was cooked first. There's a saying that other people's wives are always better, but one's own children are always better. A wife is chosen by her parents and through a matchmaker, born to someone else, but a child is created by oneself, so naturally one's own child is the best. The same goes for grilled fish.

Even though he cooked it himself without any seasoning or marinating, Emperor Mingde thought it was a hundred times better than what the imperial chefs made.

In a good mood, Zhao Shu gave Luo Hu half of the fish, specifically the meaty tail. Thinking she should give the teacher a whole fish, she gave Luo Hu the head instead.

As it turned out, Luo Hu was not a noble gentleman at all; he accepted whatever was offered, and after eating, he even sent someone to ask if there was any more.

The crowd was bewildered by the aroma of fish.

Today's attempt to treat scholars with courtesy was not 'successful', so Emperor Mingde planned to come again tomorrow and returned to the city with Zhao Shu and his ministers.

It was already late when they returned to the city. Zhao Shu went back to the Yongwang Mansion, and Wei Tingsi, Huo Baichuan, and Qiu Tangshi were also allowed by Emperor Mingde to return home.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!