Chapter 137 Reunion of Old Friends
After spending three days at home with her elderly father, Jiang Zhan, Jiang Mianmian finally received an official invitation from the palace.
It wasn't an imperial edict, but a private banquet invitation written on gold-flecked red paper.
The letter was signed: "My nephew wants fried chicken and my niece-in-law wants hot pot."
"These two children..."
Jiang Mianmian looked at the invitation and couldn't stop smiling. "You've been emperor and empress for five years now, how come you're still the same? You haven't improved at all!"
Shen Jin was straightening Tuan Tuan's collar when he heard this and said calmly:
"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. Just like you, after being a princess for so many years, aren't you still... obsessed with money?"
Jiang Mianmian rolled her eyes at him:
"That's called being a good homemaker! Do you understand?"
...
Night falls in the Imperial Garden of the Royal Palace.
Tonight there are no officials, no formalities, only a huge round table set up in the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Shen Xingchen and Su Xiaoxiao had been waiting for a long time.
Five years have passed, and Shen Xingchen's imperial aura has become even stronger, with his every move showing traces of his former composure. Su Xiaoxiao, though still with her round face, now wears a phoenix robe and exudes an air of dignified grace befitting an empress.
Of course, this decorum only applies when no food is in sight.
"Royal Uncle! Royal Aunt!"
Upon seeing Shen Jin and his family of three, Shen Xingchen immediately lost her composure, stood up, and waved, "Come quickly! I've summoned the best chefs from the Imperial Kitchen! Tonight we're having a buffet!"
"Self-service?"
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up. "Not bad, young man, you're quite quick on your feet! You've even learned this?"
After taking their seats, Jiang Mianmian saw several familiar faces besides the Emperor and Empress.
Seated on the left is Zhao Hongying, a female general in full military uniform, looking heroic and valiant.
The granddaughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, who once forced Jiang Mianmian to play the zither in the main hall and was subsequently brainwashed by the song "Phoenix Legend," is now a capable heroine guarding the capital's military camp.
"This humble general pays his respects to the Regent and the Queen!"
Zhao Hongying rose and bowed, her movements swift and decisive. Looking at Jiang Mianmian, her eyes no longer held the jealousy and provocation of yesteryear, but instead held a hint of…admiration?
"Your Highness," Zhao Hongying raised her wine glass and said heartily, "I played that song 'Phoenix Legend' quite a few times in the military camp back then (although I played it terribly), it really boosted morale! This glass is for you!"
Jiang Mianmian: [...]
Good heavens, did I unintentionally raise a rock 'n' roll female general?
"General Zhao, you're too kind." Jiang Mianmian raised her glass in return. "I've heard that you've kept the capital so well-guarded these past few years that not even a fly could get in. That's impressive!"
Zhao Hongying chuckled and scratched her head somewhat sheepishly:
"I learned that from the princess. If I don't like someone, I just... use a little force."
Sitting opposite Zhao Hongying was a refined-looking young official with a troubled expression.
He is the grandson of the Grand Tutor who was tormented to the point of near death by Jiang Mianmian's "fooling techniques" back then, and is now the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue—Qian Duoduo.
"princess……"
Qian Duoduo looked at Jiang Mianmian, on the verge of tears, "All those money-saving tips you taught His Majesty back then... His Majesty used them all in the Ministry of Revenue! Now, it's harder than climbing to heaven for me to apply for some funds to repair the government offices!"
His Majesty said, "What's the point of repairing? As long as it's habitable, that's enough! Save the money and buy me a family bucket meal!"
"Your Highness, you really have to do something about this!"
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Looking at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces, Jiang Mianmian was filled with mixed emotions.
The spoiled young man of yesteryear has become a majestic emperor. The willful noblewoman of yesteryear has become a general protecting the country. The bookworm of yesteryear has become a thrifty vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Everyone is changing and growing.
That's wonderful.
Although I led everyone a little astray, they've all become pillars of the company.
"Come!"
Jiang Mianmian stood up, raised her glass, and said, "To our reunion, to today's great achievements, cheers!"
"cheers!"
The crowd cheered in unison.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
Little Tuantuan couldn't sit still any longer and dragged Shen Xingchen to "explore" the Imperial Garden.
"Brother! I heard there's a rockery in the Imperial Garden with some good stuff hidden inside?" Tuantuan blinked her big eyes.
Shen Xingchen smiled mysteriously: "That's right! The cricket jar I hid when I was a child is still there! Come on, I'll take you to dig it up!"
The two mischievous kids, one big and one small, ran off hand in hand. Su Xiaoxiao, worried they'd go hungry, grabbed two chicken legs and chased after them.
Only Shen Jin, Jiang Mianmian, and a few old friends remained in the pavilion.
“Your Highness,” Zhao Hongying suddenly stopped smiling and said seriously, “Actually, besides catching up, I also have a request for you tonight.”
Shen Jin put down his wine glass, his gaze slightly narrowed: "What is it?"
"There's been some unusual activity in the North again."
Zhao Hongying said in a deep voice, "That Xiao Yi has been preparing for war in Northern Yan for the past few years. Although he hasn't launched a major offensive, he's been making constant small moves. Recently, our spies reported that he seems to be looking for... a legendary 'divine weapon'."
"A divine weapon?" Jiang Mianmian asked curiously.
"Yes. It is said that it is a blueprint left by the previous dynasty, which can be used to create... 'world-destroying' weapons."
Zhao Hongying glanced at Jiang Mianmian, "This humble general suspects that what he's looking for... might be the same kind of 'explosive pack' that the Princess used back then."
Jiang Mianmian's heart skipped a beat.
[A bomb?]
"That's my patent! Xiao Yi wants to copy it?"
His calm and collected demeanor was cold and sharp.
"He dares."
Two simple words, yet they exude endless killing intent.
Don't worry.
Jiang Mianmian patted the pastry crumbs off her hands, looking confident. "No one in the world can make that kind of thing except me. If he could, he'd be a dud!"
"but……"
She turned to look at Shen Jin, "Looks like this kid still hasn't given up. Should we... prepare a 'big gift' for him?"
As Shen Jin looked at her eager expression, the icy coldness in his eyes melted away.
No rush.
He took her hand and said, "Today is a good day, let's not talk about politics."
"After these few days, I will personally go to... 'pay my respects' to him."
Zhao Hongying and Qian Duoduo looked at the couple with a mixture of awe and envy.
Even after retiring from the martial arts world for five years, this "legendary couple" remains a pillar of strength for Da Gan.
As long as they are there, the sky won't fall down even if we work hard.
"Oh, right," Qian Duoduo suddenly remembered something and took out an invitation from his pocket, "Your Highness, Your Highness, the eighth day of next month is my wedding. I wonder if you two... would do me the honor of attending?"
"Oh? You've finally blossomed like an iron tree?"
Jiang Mianmian took the invitation. "Who is the bride?"
"It's...it's the youngest daughter of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy." Qian Duoduo blushed.
"puff--"
Jiang Mianmian laughed, "Great! One of you manages the money, and the other manages the medicine. You two will definitely make a fortune opening a pharmacy!"
"I'll go! I definitely will!"
Night was falling.
The banquet, a reunion of old friends, ended amidst laughter and joy.
As she walked out of the palace, Jiang Mianmian looked back at the majestic palace walls.
Although this place reeks of power, with these lovely people around, it doesn't seem so bad after all?
【Shen Jin, what do you think?】
Shen Jin held Tuan Tuan's hand, and Tuan Tuan held Jiang Mianmian's hand.
"Um."
He whispered, "As long as you're here, everywhere... is a beautiful sight."
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