Jiang Shan and Fu Qiyuan stood up and bowed to Cheng Mu, and Jiang Huai did the same, bowing as a junior.
Cheng Mu said with great relief, "My second brother's family is finally reunited. Let's have a reunion dinner at the manor today. I hope the Grand Princess will do me the honor!"
Before Grand Tutor Cheng could speak, Jiang Shan interjected, "Thank you for your kind offer, Grand Uncle. I won't bother you any longer today. Tomorrow, Grandfather will be hosting a family banquet at the Grand Tutor's residence, and I, Shan'er, will personally cook. I humbly invite you, Grand Uncle, to come to our residence for a family reunion dinner!"
After a moment of silence, Cheng Mu laughed heartily, "Good! Good! I've heard my second brother say that Shan'er's cooking skills are superb, so Grand Uncle won't stand on ceremony!"
Fu Qiyuan quickly followed up, "Grandfather, Yan'er has already booked a table at Juxian Manor, so you and Grandmother won't have to trouble yourselves tonight!"
Cheng Mu smiled and nodded, showing no displeasure whatsoever.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Cheng Mu told Grand Tutor Cheng to take Jiang Shan and his mother back to the Grand Tutor's residence as soon as possible.
Some things cannot be forced. In the end, a rift will form, so it's better to let nature take its course.
A large group of people then went to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.
The stewards and servants of the Grand Tutor's Mansion were all carefully selected and trained by Fu Ting. They were ready to welcome their masters into the mansion, and their work was carried out in an orderly manner. Everyone's accommodations were also arranged in advance.
Grand Tutor Cheng lived in the main house of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, while Jiao's mother lived in the left wing, so that she could take care of Grand Tutor Cheng's daily life at any time.
Jiang Shan and Jiang Huai naturally lived in the same courtyard. The housekeeper chose the East Courtyard for them, which was far away from the fishpond and had the best scenery. Inside, there were some bamboo-style training posts and equipment specially made for Jiang Huai, as well as swings and slides for playing.
The butler led Fu Qiyuan to a guest room in the east courtyard and said with great embarrassment, "Young Master shouldn't be living in the same courtyard as Young Miss, but Young Master is reluctant to leave Young Master, so please make do with the guest room!"
Fu Qiyuan was naturally not unhappy; he thought his mother would send him back to the Fu family mansion!
The old patriarch Fu was too embarrassed to stay in the right wing of the south courtyard, so he went to the east courtyard and stayed in a guest room with Fu Qiyuan.
Sanlang and his brothers lived in Xihuan. Each of them had a room and a study, and each also had a page.
Xiao Qi touched the smooth silk quilt cover and looked at the pageboy standing beside him, who respectfully called him Seventh Young Master. He was still completely bewildered.
If the Cheng family mansion showed him the prosperity of the capital, then the Grand Tutor's mansion taught him what status and position truly meant.
It all feels like a dream!
Xiaoqi couldn't resist running to Sanlang's room, taking over the work from the pageboy, and tidying up the scrolls in the box for Sanlang.
"Sixth Brother, are we really going to live here from now on?"
Sanlang said without looking up, "Such a big mansion, wouldn't it be too lonely if only Grandfather and Mother lived here? If we live here, we can study well with Grandfather and keep them company. Isn't that good?"
Xiao Qi nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, the Grand Tutor and Godmother like lively places, and my sister and Huai'er also live here. It couldn't be better!"
Sanlang took the painting from Xiaoqi's hand, patted his head, and said, "You are my brother, my sister's brother, my mother's adopted son, and my maternal grandfather's disciple. You must get used to your new identity! Go and see if there is anything missing in the room. Have your page tell the steward. Don't be shy!"
Xiao Qi chuckled and happily skipped back to her room.
...
Jiang Shan and Liang Chen were tidying up Jiang Huai's toys when Fu Qiyuan came in carrying Jiang Huai.
"Is the banquet for tonight really booked?" Jiang Shan asked.
Fu Qiyuan put Jiang Huai down and pointed to a pile of toys, saying, "These are your own toys, so you can tidy them up yourself."
Jiang Shan stopped working and turned to pull Fu Qiyuan aside to talk.
"I didn't book a banquet; someone else booked one at Juxianzhuang a long time ago to welcome us!"
Upon hearing the name Juxian Manor, Jiang Shan's eyes lit up. "The heir of the Marquis of Qingyang?"
Fu Qiyuan nodded with a smile, "Now he is the heir apparent of the Prince of Qingyang. The Marquis of Qingyang was recently enfeoffed as a prince. The Prince of Qingyang's mansion now has the strength to rival the princes. Li Minghe no longer hides his wealth. He is currently enjoying great influence!"
Jiang Shan's beautiful eyes flickered, and she said thoughtfully, "I'm afraid this throne wasn't easily obtained. What did he do?"
Fu Qiyuan paused for a moment, then met Jiang Shanqing's clear eyes. "He monopolized the ice supply for the palace throughout the year...!"
Jiang Shan slowly opened his eyes wide, then narrowed them. "Shouldn't it be called a welcome banquet?"
Fu Qiyuan rubbed his temples and sighed, "He didn't even dare to deliver the letter in person, only sending the steward. It's clear he's feeling guilty! We can talk about it when we meet tonight. Don't get upset!"
In fact, besides Grand Tutor Cheng, Li Yang was also the most suitable person to host a welcoming banquet for Jiang Shan and his mother.
Fu Qiyuan intercepted Li Yang's offer early on, which was a gesture of respect to Li Minghe, since Li Minghe and Jiangshan had intricate business ties and could not be taken lightly.
Just after 3 PM, several carriages sent by the Prince of Qingyang's mansion were already waiting at the gate of the Grand Tutor's mansion.
Prince Li Minghe, the heir of the Prince of Qingyang, rode a chestnut horse and peered around the gate of the Grand Tutor's mansion.
The gate opened, and a young man in blue led a beautifully sculpted little boy out.
The boy's big, dark eyes met Li Minghe's.
Li Minghe pointed at the little boy and grinned, "Jiang Huai? Hahaha, do you know who I am? Call me godfather!"
The little boy looked up at Li Minghe, shook his head, and said in a childish voice, "Huai'er's godfather is the Duke, and you are the older brother!"
Li Minghe choked on a mouthful of blood and tumbled off the horse.
"You...you...you're really Aunt Liyang's adopted son?"
Wow!
If we're really going to talk about it, he's now a generation younger than Fu Qiyuan and Jiang Shan!
What utter nonsense!
Li Minghe clutched his chest wearily, squatted down in front of the little dumpling, and said softly, "We're very close. I gave you gifts before you were born, and I gave you a little gold lock for your birthday, remember?"
Jiang Huai nodded, "Lu Ban's lock won't let me play with it, but I'm wearing the jade!"
As he spoke, Jiang Huai took out a piece of jade from his waist. It was a double-ringed jade pendant that Li Minghe had spent a lot of money to make for Jiang Huai. The front of the pendant was Jiang, and the back of the pendant was Huai.
Li Minghe patted Jiang Huai's head with a complicated expression. Just as he was about to say something, Jiang Shan and Fu Qiyuan came out from inside.
Jiang Huai glanced back at his parents and said, "Mother, this older brother is the one who gave me the little gold lock."
Li Minghe said resentfully, "Can we not call you 'brother'? Call me 'uncle'!"
Jiang Shan laughed, "Your Highness, what if one day Huai'er accidentally calls you 'Uncle' in front of the Grand Princess? Are you sure you can handle the situation?"
Li Mingzhe's lips twitched, and he resignedly reached out to hug Jiang Huai, "Come on, big brother will take you horseback riding!"
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