The Prime Minister's wife raised her eyes slightly. "This is a special gift from my daughter. Please enjoy it yourself."
There's a hint of sourness in those words.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Nan Xiang smiled smugly. "Don't be shy, everyone, start eating."
As Nanqianyue quietly sipped her Eight Treasures Nourishing and Energizing Porridge, the maidservant beside her served her food in a very quiet manner.
"Ugh!"
A very untimely voice suddenly rang out, and everyone looked toward the source of the sound, only to see Nan Xiang swallowing back what he had almost vomited up with great difficulty, as if swallowing iron.
That expression conveyed suppressed pain.
Hearing the gazes of many, Nan Xiang wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead and forced a smile, "Everyone, eat up, don't just stare at me."
He thought to himself that he shouldn't act too strangely, lest he hurt his daughter's feelings.
The Prime Minister's wife smiled knowingly, taking a small, elegant bite of the Jade and White Jade Blessing Stew. She thought to herself, "Serves you right for being so smug."
——
The next day, the morning court session began.
The old emperor, seated high on the dragon throne, was asking who would be willing to receive the foreign delegations the next day. This matter was of great importance and could not be taken lightly. The etiquette and ceremony had to be impeccable, so as to demonstrate the grandeur of a great nation and the majesty of the Eastern Mausoleum.
At this moment, the Southern Prime Minister, who stood at the head of all the officials, suddenly stiffened. He pursed his lips tightly, his hands hidden in his sleeves clenched tightly, and his body twisted slightly with great restraint. The official standing behind him suddenly wrinkled his nose.
Why does it smell bad? Who farted?
"His Majesty!"
Nan Xiang couldn't hold back any longer and had no choice but to boldly step forward and interject.
The old emperor was quite displeased. "What urgent matter requires you to interrupt me?"
The Prime Minister bowed deeply in fear and utterly ashamed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have suddenly felt an unbearable, severe abdominal pain, as if the sea is churning. I fear I may be disrespectful and humbly request Your Majesty's permission to temporarily withdraw and attend to the matter immediately!"
The old emperor's brow did not unfurrow upon hearing this. Could it be that the Southern Chancellor was deliberately using this opportunity to leave and thus wash his hands of the task of welcoming the delegation?
That old fox, he's such a convincing actor.
Just as the old emperor was about to reprimand him, he noticed that the official behind the Prime Minister seemed to be holding his breath and even secretly moving back. Seeing this, his slightly furrowed brows instantly smoothed out, and he smiled and said, "Go, pay more attention to your diet in the future, and make sure there is no next time."
"Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty!"
The Southern Chancellor's retreat was hurried and flustered, which made the old emperor laugh heartily, and only then did the ministers in the hall dare to laugh out loud.
The Prime Minister's Residence, Luhua Courtyard.
The Prime Minister's wife was choosing clothes for her three children to wear to the palace banquet. As she did so, she instructed them, "Tomorrow, delegations from various countries will be arriving in the capital. The city will be crowded with people, so the three of you must not leave the mansion. Just stay here."
"Qianyue, can you hear me?"
Nanqianyue nodded awkwardly, "Oh, Mother, don't worry. I won't leave the manor unless someone invites me."
The Prime Minister's wife glanced at her, picked up a piece of silk and rubbed it, and said, "Try to decline invitations from others. It's not just Nan Jing and Xi Qiu who are coming to Dongling this time; those small countries in the north will also be coming. You're a young lady, so don't always show your face in public."
Nan Qianyue lowered her head slightly, clutching the dress held up by the servant with a listless expression. "I understand, Mother."
The Prime Minister's wife chuckled at her listless appearance. "Is your mother afraid that others will pester you? With your looks, how many people wouldn't be tempted?"
"Yeah, big sister, those students at Mingyi Hall kept staring at you last time. I wanted to rush in and beat them up!" Nan Yichu said indignantly.
The Prime Minister's wife immediately glared at her, "So you've learned to hit people now?"
Nan Yichu instinctively hid behind Nan Qianyue, "I was just saying, Mother, don't take it seriously."
“Mother, my brother is just eager to protect his elder sister,” Nan Kezhi explained from the side, but ever since she entered Luhua Academy, there had always been a faint sorrow in her eyes.
The Prime Minister's wife was quick-witted and had already noticed. When she saw that Kezhi had finally spoken, she pulled her closer and said softly, "Kezhi, your mother watched you grow up. Your mother knows you are a good child. Your mother hopes you can relax and not overthink things. In your mother's eyes, you are the same as Qianyue and Yichu."
Nan Kezhi's nose tingled, and her eyes instantly reddened. She looked at the Prime Minister's wife, feeling both moved and guilty. "Mother... on such an important occasion as His Majesty's birthday banquet, every family brings their direct descendants. I... I used to take advantage of so many things because I was the only daughter of the Prime Minister's family... This time, you shouldn't have taken me..."
"What nonsense is this?" The Prime Minister's wife feigned reproach. "We are all daughters of the Prime Minister's family, why are there so many rules?"
Why are there so many rules?
Nan Qianyue and Nan Yichu exchanged a glance, both surprised that their mother could say such a thing.
"Kezhi, if you are willing, you may be adopted by your mother from now on," the Prime Minister's wife said earnestly and calmly.
Nan Kezhi was completely stunned.
What did my mother say... adoption...?
Nanqian smiled, thinking, "This family is so kind. They talk about everything and understand and tolerate each other."
"Little sister," Nan Qianyue said, pulling Nan Kezhi's other hand and teasingly asking with a smile, "would you like to be my little sister?"
Nan Yichu also came over, and seeing that both of his second sister's hands were occupied, he took her long sleeves into his hands and asked with a smile, "Second sister, would you like to be my dear second sister?"
Tears streamed down Nan Kezhi's face. "I...can I do it?"
Of course!
Only you can do it!
Nan Kezhi burst into tears, and Nan Qianyue immediately pressed her into the arms of the Prime Minister's wife, saying, "Go and cry in your mother's arms."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
