Chapter 330 Acting Skills
On his first day on duty at the palace, instead of recording the words and actions of the emperor, he was asked if he had feelings for Mu Yuanzhen.
Even Xu Jinnian, with his calm and collected nature, was momentarily stunned, but then replied without the slightest hesitation:
"Your Majesty, my heart belongs only to my wife, and I will never break the vow I made years ago to be with her for life!"
After saying this, Xu Jinnian recounted how she met Mu Yuanzhen at the spring banquet at the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion last year, with only one implication in her words:
He wasn't familiar with Mu Yuanzhen and didn't want to get involved with her.
Seeing Xu Jinnian's terrified expression, as if he were about to issue an imperial decree to grant her marriage, Emperor Jinghe couldn't help but laugh heartily: "I was just asking casually, Minister Xu, there's no need to panic."
Xu Jinnian's tense expression relaxed, and he bowed to Emperor Jinghe with gratitude, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Jinghe chuckled again, looking quite pleased.
He was too young after all. Such a small matter almost made Xu Aiqing lose his composure, which shows that he really had no interest in Yuan Zhen and would not choose to take the shortcut of joining the Pingyuan faction.
Emperor Jinghe thought to himself, and his gaze toward Xu Jinnian softened even more: "As expected of your teacher's most favored disciple, you are just as loyal and righteous as your teacher."
Xu Jinnian wore an expression of surprise and excitement, seemingly not expecting that even after his teacher had been away from the capital for so many years, this busy emperor still remembered him.
"Your Majesty, so you were..."
He had barely begun to speak when his voice trembled slightly: "If the Master knew that His Majesty still remembered him, he would probably be tossing and turning for several nights without being able to sleep."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jinghe couldn't help but reminisce about the days when he and Master Jiang enjoyed a harmonious relationship.
"Your teacher is a man of great talent, and should have become a pillar of the Great Wei, but alas..."
At this point, Emperor Jinghe paused, looking at Xu Jinnian with satisfaction: "Fortunately, he has cultivated Xu Aiqing for me. From now on, you will follow me closely and learn from me. I have high hopes for you!"
Xu Jinnian bowed and thanked the emperor: "Your Majesty does not despise my dullness, I will do my best to fulfill my duties."
Emperor Jinghe was overjoyed: "Good, good!"
The eunuchs and palace maids serving in the palace were all perceptive. Seeing how close Emperor Jinghe was to Xu Jinnian, they secretly reminded themselves to serve this court attendant carefully and remember all his preferences.
Xu Jinnian was on high alert on his first day on duty.
He accompanied Emperor Jinghe to court, sitting at a corner desk, meticulously recording Emperor Jinghe's every word and action, while also paying close attention to the ministers' memorials.
Even after sitting all day, Xu Jinnian felt tired, a feeling completely different from when he was on duty at the Hanlin Academy.
Fortunately, the food in the palace was good; the dishes sent to him by the imperial kitchen were the same ones that Emperor Jinghe could find on his dining table.
After tasting each dish, Xu Jinnian gave a fair assessment: the ingredients were fresh and precious, but not as delicious as An'an's.
In the evening, he left the palace and returned home. As soon as he got off the carriage and walked through the gate, he heard the cheerful laughter of his wife and daughters coming from the courtyard. His tense mood, which had been tense all day, suddenly relaxed.
He walked into the yard with a smile and saw the two most important people in his life, one big and one small, with identical smiles on their faces, watching with great interest as two puppies wrestled and played over a meaty bone.
The whole scene was hilarious.
Sheng An spotted Xu Jinnian under the opposite corridor and quickly came over, holding the little dumpling in her arms: "How are you feeling today? Are you tired? Are you hungry?"
Xu Jinnian took his daughter in one hand and led her inside with the other: "Everything is fine. His Majesty is not a harsh person."
By the light of the corridor lamp, Sheng An observed the man's face and was relieved to see that there was nothing wrong: "That's good. Grandpa, Grandma and Dad were worried all day today. They were even worried that you wouldn't have a hot meal in the palace at lunchtime."
Xu Jinnian smiled and said, "The food in the palace is very plentiful, and there are also two desserts served. There is one dish that is very good, and I secretly brought it back for you."
After saying that, he raised his sleeve.
Seeing that the man had even packed some palace pastries for her, Sheng An was both amused and touched: "Is this really okay? Won't people laugh at you?"
Xu Jinnian nodded: "It's just a few pastries, nothing wrong with that."
Sheng An took out the pastries wrapped in a clean handkerchief from his large sleeve. Before even opening them, he could smell the fragrant aroma of pastries mixed with the scent of flowers. He couldn't help but exclaim, "These pastries must be delicious!"
The little dumpling in Xu Jinnian's arms smelled it too, and drool dripped down its lips: "Ah—"
"What do you mean 'oh'? You can only look, you can't eat."
Sheng An smiled and picked up a pastry, taking a small bite. Seeing her daughter drooling even more, she not only didn't hide it from her, but also showed a look of enjoyment.
"Oh my, these snacks are so delicious. It's a pity that a certain little brat can't have any. He's going to cry from drooling."
Milk Dumpling: "..."
Intentionally tempting her daughter—is that something a mother would do?
Sheng An not only finished it, but also held the half-eaten pastry to Xu Jinnian's mouth: "As expected of the Imperial Kitchen, the taste is indeed very good. I'll try making it when I have some free time, and see if I can make it."
Xu Jinnian also took a small bite. Seeing his daughter drooling and staring at him longingly, he felt a little guilty: "When you grow up and can eat snacks, Dad will bring you some more, okay?"
The little dumpling couldn't understand. She only saw her parents eating heartily, completely ignoring her own daughter who was practically drooling like a little puppy.
Xu Jinnian brought back four pieces of pastry. Sheng An divided the remaining three pieces among the three elders, so that they could also taste what the pastries eaten by the emperor of a country tasted like.
The three elders were overjoyed and savored the food with reverence.
Whether it was psychological or the snacks were just too delicious, the three elders praised them to the skies, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
At night, the couple put their baby to sleep and lay down close together.
Xu Jinnian did not hide the fact that Mu Yuanzhen had gone to the palace to ask Emperor Jinghe for a marriage decree, and recounted his conversation with Emperor Jinghe to Sheng An in its entirety.
Worried that she might be anxious about this, Xu Jinnian pulled her into his arms to comfort her:
"His Majesty is unlikely to issue an edict, and Princess Pingyuan will not allow Mu Yuanzhen to act recklessly. An'an can rest assured."
Sheng An shook his head: "I'm not worried about that. I'm just afraid that Mu Yuanzhen will go crazy if he can't have what he wants and will do something bad to me and Zhuozhuo."
Mu Yuanzhen is a vicious and crazy woman. Who knows what reckless things she might do out of jealousy?
Xu Jinnian also had this concern: "I'll have Li Tian and the others take turns on duty. When you and Zhuozhuo go out, there will be at least four guards accompanying and protecting you."
After hearing this, Sheng An comforted him in return: "Don't worry, I won't take Zhuozhuo out unless there's something going on. At most, we'll just take a stroll around the front and back of the house to avoid giving that madman a chance to do something underhanded."
Xu Jinnian felt very guilty: "It's all my fault."
Sheng An scolded, "What's it to you? Is it because you're too good-looking? You're not allowed to blame other people's mistakes on yourself."
Xu Jinnian tightened his arms around her and placed a kiss on her forehead: "Okay."
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