At the entrance of the palace
The emperor summoned him suddenly, and it was on New Year's Eve when he was supposed to be hosting a banquet for court officials. So when Xiao Huaiting changed into court clothes and arrived at the gate of the palace, he met many ministers.
The Prime Minister came in a hurry and was still adjusting his hair when he got off the carriage.
King Hui, the representative of the royal family, forgot to bring his scarf and was shivering with cold.
After they met each other and bowed to each other, they walked quickly towards the inner palace.
When they arrived at the door, they were welcomed in by the eunuchs who had been waiting there for a long time. The old emperor, with his increasingly fat body, sat in the middle of the imperial study. A strong smell of medicine wafted from the side room. An imperial physician came out, saluted a few people, and then left quickly with a solemn expression.
But no one noticed that Xiao Huaiting's expression relaxed a lot after seeing the imperial physician.
"Your Majesty!" Several people saluted.
The old emperor raised his hand and said in a weak voice: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone stood up.
The old emperor looked at them, sighed in embarrassment, and said, "I asked you to come here so suddenly because I have something to discuss. I just received news that Alang has been poisoned!"
The last five words made their faces change, especially King Hui: "How... could he be poisoned?!"
"Yes, how could he be poisoned? How are the Crown Prince and the Second Prince now?"
"Your Majesty, is this discovery timely?"
The ministers were extremely anxious, and each of them had varying degrees of worry on their faces. After all, the Alang the emperor was talking about was none other than the deposed crown prince!
The former crown prince!
On New Year's Eve, the whole family should have been happy, but at this critical moment, the deposed prince was poisoned and discovered. It was really shocking.
The old emperor's face was extremely grim, but he was hiding an unspeakable frustration. He didn't answer how he got poisoned, but instead said, "Alang was poisoned and desperately tried to break out to ask me for help. However, he took only a few steps before he was locked up by the guards, who took the opportunity to injure his legs and feet. If one guard hadn't been so distraught that he went to ask for help from Eunuch Fu's adopted son, this news would not have reached my ears..."
He covered his eyes sadly, his voice hoarse: "I didn't know Alang was living like this. I am no longer angry about what happened back then. I called you here now to ask you, what do you think of my plan to make Alang the King of Chang?"
The young man lowered his brows and eyes, a sarcastic smile on his face, and knelt frankly: "I think it is possible."
The Prime Minister and the others looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and then knelt down as well: "Your Majesty, I think it is possible."
The old emperor froze in his action of covering his eyes, then slowly lowered them and looked deeply at Xiao Huaiting: "Why are you so sure, my dear Xiao?"
Xiao Huaiting said seriously, "Because His Majesty wants it, then it's fine!"
The coldness in the old emperor's eyes faded slightly, and he smiled and said, "I thought that Xiao Aiqing was thinking of the friendship between your second brother and Alang when they were study together."
"Public is public and private is private." Xiao Huaiting said firmly.
The old emperor smiled and said, "Alright, tonight is the New Year. My son has suffered so much over the years, I never expected that. I just wanted him to be more sensible, but I didn't expect so many years to pass in the blink of an eye. I also didn't expect that some people would secretly disobey and bully my son. Even if this is compensation, it is what he deserves. Li Fu! Please prepare the pen and ink."
Eunuch Fu smiled and said, "Yes!"
Soon an imperial edict was drafted, deposing the crown prince and turning him into King Chang. However, the deposed crown prince's health was severely damaged during his confinement, so he temporarily lived in the prince's residence for recuperation.
Instead, the poisoning incident was turned from a big matter to a small one.
The imperial edict was written and sent to the Secretariat by Eunuch Fu for public announcement. It would take until the dinner banquet for everyone to know about it. At this moment, the emperor said, "Thank you for your hard work. Rest here for the time being and come to the dinner banquet directly in the evening."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
Amidst the shouts, the old emperor waved his hand and walked to the side hall. Looking at his son lying there, he revealed a hint of guilt: "Alang..."
The man lying on the bed opened his eyes weakly, his eyes full of dependence seemed to have a watery color: "Father!"
Mid-afternoon
Yan Qiushu was invited to the main courtyard.
When she arrived, all three children were already there. It had snowed again in the afternoon. The children were playing in the snow while the adults were talking in the house.
As soon as Yan Qiushu entered, she heard Xiao Huaiwu's expression change. "She's amazing! The Shen family knew to send Pingyu over for the New Year, but she's the only one who's so arrogant. We sent someone to pick her up, but she refused to come back, and she won't even let the child come back!"
"Alright!" Xie Qingyun interrupted her anger in a deep voice, "It's a good day, so let's not talk about this."
Xiao Huaiwu then curled her lips in dissatisfaction. Her eldest sister-in-law spoke, and she was unhappy but couldn't refute her.
Madam Xiao's face didn't look too good either. It had been a long time since she had seen her lips pursed so tightly. She was holding a piece of paper in her hand. When she glanced at it, she could only see the back, but could vaguely see at most a line of words on it.
She was in a bad mood and used so much force with her hands that she crumpled the paper.
After her daughter-in-law interrupted her daughter's complaints, she lowered her eyes and said, "Let her go. This one of ours..."
She was halfway through her words when Yan Qiushu's movement startled her.
Madam Xiao raised her eyes and saw that her expression had subconsciously softened. There seemed to be some sadness in her eyes. She folded the papers in her hand generously and cheered up: "Ashu is here, come and sit down."
Yan Qiushu stepped forward obediently: "Auntie."
"Well, there's news just now that something happened to the Second Prince. His Majesty has summoned important ministers to discuss the matter. Don't worry about the Sixth Prince. He's very smart." Madam Xiao took her hand and patted it, fearing that she would worry.
Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled, not wanting to say anything.
My heart sank at the news.
The Second Prince is the deposed Crown Prince. The eldest prince died young, so the Second Prince was directly made Crown Prince because he was born to the late Queen. He was deposed five years ago, so he should have died next year.
How come it’s a year early!
Xie Qingyun noticed her mood, leaned over, and put his hand on her shoulder: "Ashu is finally here, the four of us can get together and play cards!"
Xiao Huaiwu, who was casually eating spicy noodles, became interested: "Huh? Leaf cards? Come on! I haven't played in a long time!"
Madam Xiao nodded.
Only Yan Qiushu, who was not a native, shook her head blankly: "I don't know how..."
"It's okay, it's okay. I'll teach you. If you win, it's yours. If you lose, Lao Liu will pay!" Xiao Huaiwu excitedly pulled him over: "Let's practice first, and then officially start after dinner."
Yan Qiushu was pulled over.
This was the first time I sat at the poker table in my previous life and this was the situation.
She was embarrassed, but fortunately Xiao Huaiwu's teaching was very detailed and Yan Qiushu had a good memory, so she quickly memorized the rules, and the four of them started playing.
This gameplay is not difficult, it's even a little too simple.
Yan Qiushu lost the first three games, but she also found a pattern in these three games, and when the fourth game started, the situation changed.
“I win!”
"Hey, I think I won again..."
Her rival Xiao Huaiwu: "..."
So Xiao Huaiwu, who had agreed to eat before playing, couldn't wait to say goodbye after the first stage was over: "Let's eat first, I'm hungry."
Xie Qingyun covered her lips and smiled: "Dongdong, your mother lost the wife you married!"
Dongdong said calmly: "It doesn't matter, I won't get married. I want to marry Sister A Shu so that I can eat delicious food every day!"
Xiao Huaiwu covered her face with shame, feeling really sorry for her husband for raising her son to be such a foodie.
Mrs. Xiao also smiled, rubbed her grandson's little head, and told someone to serve the meal.
New Year’s Eve dinner has fixed specifications, especially for families like the Xiao family.
Although we don’t pay much attention to it on ordinary days, we still observe it very strictly on such important festivals.
Yan Qiushu didn't interfere and just joined in the eating.
The chefs in the Xiao Mansion are also very skilled. After she has been learning from them for the past few months, their cooking methods have become more modern. Many dishes have more seasonings added, and the taste is still excellent.
Everyone was very satisfied with the meal. After the meal, they cleared the table and went out to set off fireworks. In the city, fireworks can be set off at will only during the New Year holidays. The dim sky was lit up by the fireworks again and again, which was a beautiful sight.
I just watched too much and it didn't make much sense.
When they were tired of playing, they returned to the house and ate melon seeds and chatted surrounded by the charcoal fire.
Yan Qiushu ate one melon seed at a time, and soon she had finished half of the plate. She looked at the others, and they fell silent while talking. It seemed like they were a little bored?
There are no Spring Festival Galas or programs at this time.
Moreover, there is a sufficient charcoal stove in the room, and the temperature is warm. Cover yourself with a blanket and you can fall asleep at any time.
Suddenly, Yan Qiushu's eyes turned and her gaze fell on the charcoal stove that was trying hard to release heat.
It seems... I have an idea?
She stood up.
Dongdong, Wan'er, and Shen Pingyu's three children, who were cuddling up to their mother sleepily, suddenly became alert. Dongdong was the first to jump off the couch and asked a little sleepily, "Sister Shu, where are you going?!"
Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "Let's go find something delicious!"
"Dongdong is following too!"
Yan Qiushu nodded and looked at Wan'er and Shen Pingyu, who were eager but hesitant. "Why don't you come too? I need help!"
Wan'er got out of bed immediately.
Shen Pingyu's movements were neither hurried nor slow, but he also came down: "Aunt Yan, just let me know if you have anything to say."
Yan Qiushu waved her hand and took the three children out. When they came back, everyone was holding something. The sleepy Xiao family members finally perked up a little because of this action.
Xie Qingyun asked, "Ah Shu, what are you going to do?"
"Make something delicious!" Dongdong affirmed.
Everyone laughed, and Yan Qiushu also laughed and said, "Yes, make something delicious, Wan'er, give me the pot."
"Here!" Wan'er handed over a small iron milk pan with both hands. Yan Qiushu placed it on the charcoal stove and asked Chen Pingyu to pour oil into it. She then grabbed a handful of corn kernels that Dongdong was holding and put them in, stirring them with chopsticks.
At this time, the lid of the small milk pot had not been put on yet. The three children were gathered here, stretching their heads to look. Even Shen Pingyu, who always paid attention to his manners, was hunching over.
After a while, there was a sudden "bang" sound in the pot, and a grain of corn expanded several times and became a round popcorn!
"Ah!" Wan'er was frightened, screamed and quickly stepped back.
Dongdong and Shen Pingyu also shuddered, but moved closer, amazed: "Wow, why did it suddenly explode!"
However, Yan Qiushu put the lid on it.
The two men straightened up in disappointment. The lid was made of wood and was opaque, so they couldn't see anything.
Fortunately, as Yan Qiushu shook the handle, the sounds of explosions in the pot became more and more frequent. The initial "bang-bang" soon turned into "bang-bang-bang..."
The sounds became more and more frequent and dull, until they were too faint to be heard.
Yan Qiushu took the pot away and put it on the ground aside. When she opened it, she saw that the pot was full of popped corns, almost overflowing.
Dongdong and Wan'er exclaimed: "Wow——"
Then Yan Qiushu heard a bunch of exclamations: "Wow——"
When she raised her eyes, she suddenly found many figures beside her. Those who were lying lazily and almost falling asleep now all gathered around her. Mrs. Xiao was supported by Xiao Huaiyu and was watching beside Yan Qiushu.
Seeing that the pot had originally only contained a handful of corn, but now it had become a whole pot, Madam Xiao couldn't help but be curious: "What happened?"
Yan Qiushu explained, "This is popcorn. It will pop when overheated. It can be eaten as a snack. I thought it was too boring, so I made some. But it doesn't taste good now. I'll stir it with sugar later and it will taste better."
She picked one up with chopsticks and handed it to Mrs. Xiao.
Mrs. Xiao took it and tasted it. There was indeed nothing special about it. It was a round piece that looked big, but it tasted like bubbles and there was not much in it.
She nodded with satisfaction.
Xiao Huaiqi also tasted it and praised: "Ashu is so clever, she can do this."
"I didn't invent this." Yan Qiushu said with a smile, "Many people should know how to make it. It's just that it doesn't taste good when eaten this way, so it's not widely known."
Although not all corns can be cooked this way, as long as they are plump and have thinner skins, they can be cooked this way.
In many rural areas, dried corn will burst on its own if placed on a dying fire, but farmers at that time would not be willing to use sugar to make these things, and the rich and powerful rarely do this when they have nothing to do, so naturally it would not be discovered.
After Mrs. Xiao tasted it, Dongdong and others couldn't wait to stretch out their hands to welcome it.
Yan Qiushu gave them one each, and also gave some to Xie Qingyun and others.
They were quite surprised. It was the first time they were treated like children. Xiao Huaiwu couldn't wait to put it in his mouth, chewed it twice, and said, "It really doesn't taste like anything."
Xiao Huaiyu took a small bite like Wan'er, his eyes curved: "But it's quite interesting."
Yan Qiushu changed to a small milk pot and said confidently, "The flavor will come out soon. Dongdong, bring the sugar over."
"Here I am!" Dongdong was already used to being ordered around, so he went to get it with his short legs. Yan Qiushu took it and poured it into the pot, then put it on the charcoal stove to heat it again.
Soon the sugar melted, and she continued stirring with chopsticks until the color began to darken. When it got darker and darker, she said, "Pingyu, help me pour the popcorn in."
Shen Pingyu quickly and carefully poured in all the popcorn.
Yan Qiushu closed the lid and shook it quickly, trying her best to ensure that every grain of popcorn was stained with a little caramel color.
A "splashing..." sound was heard in the pot. Wan'er sniffed and whispered, "It tastes sweet!"
"Yes! Sweet!" Yan Qiushu said. When the lid was opened, a sweet and hot steam blew in her face. Everyone standing nearby could smell it. This sweetness was different from the ordinary taste of sugar, and it seemed sweeter.
"Can we eat it now?" Xie Qingyun asked curiously.
"Well, that's enough." Yan Qiushu handed them over one by one: "Do you like it if you try it first?"
Everyone took one to taste, and after just one bite, the eyes of Xie Qingyun and other women lit up. Sweet food can make people happy, and things like popcorn don't have much sugar. The unique sweetness of caramel only needs a little bit to make people like it. Coupled with the puffy texture of popcorn, it tastes great.
Madam Xiao nodded: "It tastes good, the sweetness is just right."
"Give me some more, give me some more." Xiao Huaiwu stretched out his hand and grabbed a handful without fear of the heat.
Seeing that they were enjoying their meal, Yan Qiushu was very satisfied. She asked the children to bring their plates over, filled each plate with part of the food, and sent it to their seats.
So everyone around the charcoal stove moved aside and returned to their couches.
Then the sound of "crunch, crunch..." popcorn being eaten was heard. Dongdong grabbed a handful in one hand and stuffed it into his mouth very quickly. Wan'er ate it one by one gracefully, while Chen Pingyu ate slowly and politely.
Mrs. Xiao and others were surprised and happy with the meal.
Even Xiao Huaiqi, who shouldn't be eating such sweets, was eating with relish from the plate. The big, round popcorn revealed its true shape as soon as he bit it, yet he didn't feel full at all. He exclaimed, "Not bad, sweet, it's really delicious!"
Yan Qiushu also held a plate of popcorn and threw it into her mouth one by one, looking at the man who had become much more energetic, squinting her eyes happily.
I just don’t know…
What's going on in the palace?
Just as she was thinking about it, a burst of hurried footsteps came over, and Yan Qiushu was shocked.
Not only her, Xiao Huaiqi and Xiao Huaiwu had already looked towards the door. They had better hearing and noticed it earlier. When Yan Qiushu heard it, Mrs. Xiao and others also looked over.
The door to the living room was ajar.
The hurried footsteps were extremely fast, but as they got closer, the movements slowed down, as if they were afraid of disturbing them.
"Creaky--" After the slight sound of the door opening, the young man came in cautiously, bending over.
However, he stopped after taking half a step in, sniffed the sweet smell in the air, felt strange, and then looked up and forward.
A group of people sat on the couch, holding food in their hands. Some people even hadn't finished their food yet, and they just stared at him.
Xiao Huaiting: "..."
He walked so fast that he didn't notice that no one in the room was actually asleep!
After a brief moment of confusion, the young man straightened up, coughed lightly, and strode over, his eyes filled with joy. "The Second Prince is seriously ill, and His Majesty has relented. He summoned us to discuss how to treat the Second Prince. Now the Second Prince has been named Prince Chang, and the Second Prince's wife has also moved out with him. However, he doesn't have any fiefdom yet."
"However, the situation in the palace is a bit chaotic right now, and the Second Prince still needs to recuperate, so he asked me to bring the eldest grandson back and take care of him for two days."
Xiao Huaiting finished speaking everything in one breath, then waved behind him: "Ah Heng, come here!"
A familiar thin little boy walked in.
Yan Qiushu, who was digesting the sudden change in the deposed prince's situation, looked up and saw the familiar little boy. She was stunned for a moment, and then recalled the last words Xiao Huaiting said.
Grandson of the Great Emperor...
So, this child Ah Heng is the son of the deposed crown prince???
Yan Qiushu felt a tingling sensation on her back, and she always felt that what happened tonight had something to do with her!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
