Chapter 686: Don’t Forget Your Original Intention

Yan Shifan and Xiang Xiaodong have very similar auras of elder brothers, and they really hit it off right away. Although they don't talk much, they do get along quite well.

Wang Ronggui has a very high emotional intelligence and can chat with anyone. With him and Hao Huashi around, everyone enjoyed the meal very much.

After dinner, Xinbao returned to the palace and practiced calligraphy and martial arts.

Then Lu Sanchi came over and asked her, "Your Highness, when will the flower-shaped meat we prepared be used?"

Xinbao then remembered that she had made an appointment with Yeye to appreciate the plum blossoms.

But it was so cold, and eating barbecue outdoors would have to be done in the morning or at noon. It would be too cold in the afternoon, so Xinbao said to him, "Why not do it tomorrow? Also, you can string the meat together so it's easier to eat."

Lu Sanchi responded respectfully.

So at noon the next day, Emperor Mingpei gave an order, and Yan Qingshan and Yan Shirong both had some free time to come and eat barbecue.

When Yan Shisheng asked people to build it, he originally thought that his parents might be interested and come over occasionally, so they built a very small house, similar to a half-pavilion. It was a bit crowded to put two big stoves in it, but it was quite lively with the whole family squeezed together.

Although Emperor Mingpei did not actually order the meat to be cut into flowers when he gave the order, Lu Sanchi heard about it and decided to follow suit. Several kinds of meat were cut into flower shapes, leaf shapes, lotus pod shapes, etc., with alternating fat and lean parts. They were roasted until they sizzled and smelled delicious.

But the meat roasted by the imperial chef was very clean and delicate, with even the strands of meat clearly distinguishable. It was not like the meat roasted in later generations, with a layer of seasoning such as cumin on the skin, which always looked a little unsatisfying.

This time with a stove, Xinbao sprinkled the seasoning on it spoonful by spoonful.

The seasoning was evenly coated on the surface of the meat, which was slightly charred and crispy when bitten. The tip of the tongue could feel the salty and tingling taste, and the meat inside was fragrant and smooth. Even Emperor Mingpei smiled and nodded: "It tastes different when eaten this way."

Tuanzi rested one elbow on Yeye's knee, holding a string of noodles, blowing on it while eating it. It was so hot that his eyes were filled with tears, and he couldn't speak.

Emperor Mingpei asked someone to pour wine for Yan Qingshan and Yan Shifan, and said with a smile: "Have some wine to warm yourself up."

The three of them drank a sip, and Yan Shifan said, "Yeah, are you going to Zhuangzi again this year?"

Emperor Mingpei looked at his granddaughter and asked, "Xinbao, do you want to go?"

Tuanzi nodded vigorously while eating, and Emperor Mingpei said, "Go if you want to. On the 21st, go on the 22nd, and have fun for a few days."

"Yeah, grandson won't go, right?" Yan Shirong said, "I want to take advantage of these few days of free time to read a book."

Emperor Mingpei raised his eyebrows and glanced at him.

Yan Shirong lowered his eyes and turned over the barbecue on the cover.

Now, it can’t be said that Yan Shirong has one foot in the court, but he can be said to be completely in the court.

Compared to Yan Shifan joining the army, Yan Shisheng serving in the imperial palace, and Xinbao being a figurehead... his path is completely different from others.

To the court officials, the situation was even clearer.

Having come this far and dealt with so many things, it is unlikely that his thoughts have changed at all.

So his taking a step back at this time should actually be a form of self-restraint.

He hopes that he will never forget his original intention because of power. He hopes that his family and brothers will always be the top priority in his heart.

But obviously, Yan Shifan didn't think much about it at all.

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Yeah, yeah, Wulang and Liulang mentioned yesterday that they wanted to take Wei Gui and the others with them, I wonder if it's possible."

"Sure," Mingpeidi said, "Their families can also be brought along... Do you have anyone you want to bring along?"

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "In fact, my grandson wants to invite Duke Weiguo to go with us. If you are willing, I will invite you to go with us. My grandson wants to have a chat with them."

Emperor Mingpei nodded, "Are you still planning to return to the border?"

"Yes," Yan Shifan said with a smile, "My grandson likes the border. I think... I am born to be that place."

Emperor Mingpei smiled and asked again, "Where is Xinbao? Who do you want to take with you?"

Tuanzi snorted, looked at his eldest brother, and then said, "Xinbao won't take anyone with him!"

"Oh?" Emperor Mingpei asked, "You won't bring your real friends or your idle friends? Why?"

Xinbao said, "They finally have a holiday, but you call them back to work overtime. How pitiful! Xinbao is not the kind of unreasonable boss."

Everyone got used to the strange words that Tuanzi occasionally said. Yan Shirong smiled and said, "Have you ever thought that they might be looking forward to working overtime? If you ask all the civil and military officials in the court, whether they would rest at home or go to the imperial farm, I'm afraid that ten out of ten would cry and shout that they want to go to the imperial farm."

Is that so? Xinbao thought for a moment and said, "Then take it with you."

Emperor Mingpei smiled and said, "You can only take one of Xiang Xiaodong and Wei Fengting. Who do you want to take?"

Xinbao said: "Let's choose Wei Fengting!"

There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!

Emperor Mingpei nodded.

Yuan Shenjue asked: "Your Majesty, when will you stop practicing medicine?"

Emperor Mingpei thought for a moment and said, "We can hold the lottery on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month as usual, and then post a notice and hold the lottery on the 20th day of the first lunar month after the New Year? Or we can hold the lottery directly in February?"

Xinbao said, "The twentieth day of the first lunar month! By that time, Yeye will have started working, and Xinbao will stand by Yeye's side!"

Emperor Mingpei smiled and said, "Okay."

Hao Huashi said: "Speaking of which, can I directly use the people from Rangshan Guard when I practice medicine in the future?"

"No," Emperor Mingpei said, "Practicing medicine is not the business of the Medical Department, so there is no need for Rangshan Guardian."

Tuanzi asked, "Can Rangshanwei have special clothes?"

Emperor Mingpei asked, "Do you want special clothes?"

"Of course!" Tuanzi said, "They are Xinbao's people, so of course they have to be different from others!!"

Emperor Mingpei smiled and said, "Then after the New Year, you can ask your second brother to handle this matter."

The family chatted about this and that while eating slowly.

Hao Huashi also poured some wine, toasted this and that, and said: "This year's New Year's Day, the capital is really more lively than ever. When I go out, I see people everywhere on the street. There are scholars coming to the hanging pot every day, watching the scenery and reciting poems."

"Yes," Yuan Shenjue answered him, and explained to Tuanzi, "Next year, the special examination for martial arts and the imperial examination will be held at the same time. Now, many scholars and warriors will gather in the capital. It must be very lively when the pot is hung on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month."

Tuanzi thought for a moment and said, "What should Xinbao wear on that day? Wife?"

Yuan Shenjue said, "Wear court robes. The apricot yellow court robes, paired with official boots, must be very majestic."

Apricot yellow is actually the prince's robe, but Yan Qingshan seldom wears it, mainly because Madam Lin thinks this color does not look good on him.

But Xinbao looks good in anything, so as soon as the order was issued, more than ten sets were made. Xinbao has hardly worn them yet. Since his wife said so, Tuanzi made the decision: "Okay, then wear court dress!!"

(End of this chapter)