Having spent ten days in Suzhou, Princess Jinyi had a blast touring the gardens and exploring the delicacies. Jiangnan, with its favorable climate and abundant resources, was a land of plenty. She felt that Jiangnan was more to her liking than the capital, and she thought it would be wonderful if she could live there permanently.
That day, Princess Jinyi was sailing on Lake Taihu, enjoying the famous Taihu boat cuisine. The lake's famous specialties include water shield, whitebait, and bighead carp. The dishes made with these specialties were truly delicacies, and even Princess Jinyi, accustomed to delicacies from land and sea, was impressed.
After enjoying the boat food, they sailed back. Standing at the bow, they saw the vast lotus flowers on the lakeside, which were already beginning to show their new leaves. Ah Er talked about the sweet-scented osmanthus candied lotus root they had just eaten. As Princess Jinyi listened to Ah Er's words, she suddenly remembered Madam Sheng, whom she occasionally saw.
Mrs. Sheng was born in the Yongyi Marquis Mansion in Jinling. Princess Jinyi occasionally heard her talking about Jinling snacks with her mother. At that time, she thought that she must go and see them one day.
Princess Jinyi, who was ready to act immediately upon her thought, asked, "A'er, how many days have we been in Suzhou?"
Hearing the question, Ah Er raised his fingers and counted, saying, "Master, I have been here for ten days."
Have you been in Suzhou for ten days? Princess Jinyi thought that since it wasn't far away, why not go to Jinling and take a look? She opened her mouth and ordered, "Let's go to Jinling."
Ah Er quickly bowed and withdrew upon hearing the order, while Ah Da continued to stand by Princess Jinyi's side to protect her. Afterwards, without leaving the boat, they turned around and headed straight for Jinling.
After sailing for a day, Princess Jinyi saw the city of Jinling right before her and suddenly felt at ease, as if she had found her home.
The ship quickly docked, and when Princess Jinyi got off the ship, there was another ship parked not far behind her, waiting to dock.
While Princess Jinyi was traveling, Sheng Shu in the capital passed the Tongsheng exam and was now eligible for the imperial examination. Sheng Huairen encouraged Sheng Shu: "Don't be impatient on the road to learning. If you want to sail long in the vast ocean of literature, you must study diligently every day. Don't slack off in your riding and archery. It will surely help you in the future imperial examinations."
Sheng Shu, sitting upright, nodded repeatedly and bowed his hands in thanks: "Thank you very much for your teachings, father. I will definitely keep it in mind."
Over here, Xu Wen, the eldest lady of the Sheng family's second house, was summoned into the palace by Empress Jing'an. Upon hearing Empress Jing'an's question, Xu Wen gratefully replied, "How could I not agree? It is a great blessing for Shu'er to be the eighth prince's study companion."
Empress Jing'an, smiling and clasping her hands together, asked, "Does Shu-ge'er have any playmates? If so, let's go to the palace together. A boy's childhood friends stay with him for a lifetime. Although the Eighth Prince has many brothers, he's not very close to any of them."
Xu Wen, who was sitting in the lower seat, knew that Empress Jing'an was only saying this because she treated her as her own. Xu Wen smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, are you still interested in the daughter of Minister Lin? She and I are good friends, and her eldest son, Xing'er, is quite compatible with my child."
Empress Jing'an thought for a moment and then asked, "But is it the beautiful lady who married Scholar Yu?"
Seeing Xu Wen nod, Queen Jing'an smiled and said, "Of course I don't remember. It's just that everyone has called her Madam Yu over the years. She found a good husband who treats her wholeheartedly."
Xu Wen wondered if it was just Minister Lin's sharp judgment. But in Xu Wen's opinion, the two of them getting along was a match made in heaven. Some people, no matter how beautiful they were, how good their temperament was, or how well-born they were, men just wouldn't be attracted to them.
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