Chapter 153 A Father Acquainted Halfway Through the Journey
Sure enough, a gleam appeared in Prefect Leng's eyes!
"When I returned to the capital to report on my duties a few years ago, it happened to be the Empress Dowager's birthday. I was fortunate enough to see some wine, which was said to be a tribute wine sent all the way to the capital by the Gallic royal family. Unfortunately, I only got one cup and didn't get to taste much of the flavor!"
Jiang Shan quickly stopped Prefect Leng from his wild imagination, "Your Excellency is overthinking it. It's not some kind of treasure. Wine is readily available in the Western Regions. Any large-scale grape grower will produce wine... It's nothing special..."
The last three words were squeezed out through clenched teeth.
Jiang Shan realized she had misspoke. Although the history of this dynasty had similarities to that of the Tang and Song dynasties, it was different from the dynasties she knew. The term "Western Regions" was not something an ordinary woman like her could casually utter.
Prefect Leng gave Fu Qiyuan a deep look and smiled, "I never knew that Boss Jiang was so knowledgeable about the history of our dynasty. I suppose Lord Fu deserves much credit for this."
Jiang Shan stepped forward and quickly replied, "I enjoy reading miscellaneous books and unofficial histories, but he doesn't like to talk much, so my daughter is just guessing... Prefect, please come in, I'll go prepare the wine and dishes now."
As Prefect Leng watched Jiang Shan descend the stairs, the smile in his eyes deepened. The way these two interacted didn't seem like that of sworn brothers and sworn sisters!
"I've heard that Miss Jiang has a child?" Prefect Leng asked abruptly.
Fu Qiyuan's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze lightly fell on Prefect Leng's face, as if to say, "What exactly do you want? Draw a line in the sand."
Prefect Leng laughed heartily and waved his hands, "I misspoke. Pretend I said nothing, hahaha!"
No, you said it! Your face says it all!
Fu Qiyuan looked away; the two of them understood each other perfectly.
While Jiang Shan was ordering food in the kitchen, he was pondering Fu Qiyuan's purpose.
It must be said that this is a great opportunity.
If this prefect is not a member of Pei's faction.
Once the highest-ranking official in Chongqing has witnessed the strength and influence of Jiang's Private Kitchen and recognized their contributions to Chongqing, Jiang's Private Kitchen will have established a firm foothold in Chongqing.
Moreover, Jiangshan has backup!
"Chengbang Logistics" is the foundation of Jiangshan's development in Chongqing. If she can gain the recognition and support of the government, she is confident that she can expand her logistics business to all parts of the country!
However, she cannot let others know that she is the major shareholder behind "City Logistics" yet. Right now, An Er, this nobody, is the real owner.
Therefore, this high-ranking official is very important, and he must be linked to Jiang's private kitchen!
Downstairs, Jiang Huai looked as if he had been pulled out of the water, and he held Fu Li's hand as they ran upstairs.
The little one climbed the steps incredibly fast, one step at a time, with his short legs.
"Shushu, where's Daddy?" Jiang Huai climbed up to the third floor, saw Fu Shu in the distance, and ran over excitedly.
Fu Shu took Jiang Huai from him, pinched his nose and said, "Young Master, please take a bath and change your clothes. Your master has guests visiting, and it is not appropriate for you to see them in this state."
Fu Li also thought Jiang Huai smelled bad, so he held up two fingers and lifted him up, saying, "Young Master, you should go wash up first, otherwise Miss will scold you again!"
Jiang Huai has been getting scolded by Jiang Shan every day lately. He has to change his clothes countless times a day. His new clothes are worn out in just two days. He smells terrible from morning till night, and it's unbearable to look at.
Jiang Huai thought for a moment and decided to take a bath first, otherwise he wouldn't be able to smell the fragrance with his mother.
While he was taking a shower, Fu Shu went downstairs to the bathroom.
Jiang Huai's bath consisted of just rolling around in the water. By the time Fu Li changed him into clean clothes, he hadn't even combed his hair before running off.
He ran up to the third floor in one breath and headed straight for the private room that Fu Shu had been guarding.
He pushed the door open forcefully.
"Daddy, I'm hungry!" Jiang Huai cheered and rushed towards Fu Qiyuan.
The loud noise of the door opening startled Magistrate Leng, causing him to spill the tea he was holding.
Fu Qiyuan caught Jiang Huai, who was rushing towards him like a small cannonball, and was almost knocked down by him.
"Slow down! Your strength is too weak, and you don't know how to stop. You'll hurt your mother sooner or later!" Fu Qiyuan caught his breath, picked up Jiang Huai and put him on his lap, gently smoothing the messy hair on his head with his hands.
Prefect Leng stared dumbfounded at the two figures, one large and one small, his hand trembling. "You...your son?"
Fu Qiyuan was silent for a moment, then said, "It's a long story. Just think of him as a father I recognized halfway through life!"
"Halfway there...it's clearly your own child, this...!"
Fu Qiyuan neither denied nor explained, saying, "I hope you will keep this a secret, sir. Shan'er is unaware of it."
“…Phew!” Prefect Leng let out a long breath. The amount of information was too much, and he felt a little suffocated.
Fu Shu had already heard the commotion inside and said through the door, "Young Master, there's your favorite donkey roll in the kitchen..."
Jiang Huai's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly got off Fu Qiyuan's lap and ran outside.
He ran to the door and stopped, then turned around and bowed ninety degrees to Prefect Leng, clasping his hands in a childish voice, "Uncle, congratulations on your fortune!"
Without even waiting to see if there would be a red envelope, they ran out.
Prefect Leng was a little stunned, muttering to himself, "Congratulations on your fortune?"
Fu Qiyuan said calmly, "There's another half to the sentence. Give me the red envelope."
Wishing you prosperity and good fortune! Give me a red envelope!
Prefect Leng subconsciously touched his purse, which seemed to contain only a few taels of loose silver, which was rather embarrassing.
When Jiangshan brand wine came into view, a feeling of "goodwill" appeared in his eyes.
Lord Fu is such a kind person!
Such precious stuff, they brought out two whole bottles!
She's much more generous than the one in the palace!
The color of the wine reddened the eyes of the cold prefect. He drank one cup after another, speaking from the bottom of his heart to Fu Qiyuan, praising the country again and again.
"Brother, I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I will definitely help you achieve your wish!"
"Thank you for your kindness, sir. Please remember to take good care of Jiang's private kitchen. I will have Shan'er prepare some exquisite snacks and send them to your residence for the young masters and ladies to try." Fu Qiyuan considerately poured a cup of wine for Prefect Leng.
"Hehe, then thank you very much, Brother Fu! You don't know, the tigress in my house is a glutton, always thinking about all sorts of food, and I've suffered quite a bit! I'll have the steward get her some kind of... Pikachu, so the manor can finally have some peace and quiet!" Prefect Leng said cheerfully, holding his wine cup.
Fu Qiyuan continued, "That's wonderful. I would be honored if Madam were pleased!"
Prefect Leng approached with a smile: "Brother, I really like your wine too..."
Fu Qiyuan remained calm and said, "My lord, you can drink your fill today. I don't know when you'll be able to drink again."
Prefect Leng: "...!"
The conversation was going nowhere, so let's just keep drinking!
Drink more!
Drink to your heart's content!
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