Along the long palace gate passage, Minister Qin walked side by side with Fu Qiyuan, their hands clasped together, while Jiang Shan and Jiang Huai walked behind, hand in hand.
Minister Qin turned around and glanced at the mother and son behind him, saying without any hesitation, "His Majesty has returned the salary he withheld from me for several months. I owe this all to you!"
Fu Qiyuan asked with a smile, "That's it? No other indication?"
Minister Qin rolled his eyes. "What do you think? His Majesty has only just tasted the sweetness of success. It's already a miracle that he's returning my salary! The other officials don't have that kind of luck!"
Jiang Shan chimed in from behind, "Lord Qin, I've been paying A Yao's salary on time. You can be a little more generous with her in the manor from now on!"
Without turning his head, Minister Qin said, "Don't even mention it! That unfilial daughter, she hid all the money, and her mother searched for her all day but couldn't find it! She's spending far more lavishly than I, her father, do now. The servants in the manor only know how to listen to their mistress, but they don't want to listen to me, their master! It's simply outrageous!"
Jiang Shan laughed heartily.
After leaving the palace gates, Minister Qin watched the family of three get into their carriage before strolling back to his own.
As soon as Jiang Shan got into the carriage, he collapsed completely.
Fu Qiyuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's my fault for not reminding you beforehand. Our Emperor also has the common problem of emperors: he is very suspicious. Fortunately, the Crown Prince's position has always been very stable. You don't need to worry about anything else. I'll take care of everything."
Jiang Shan sighed, "From the day I returned to the capital with you, I was already prepared. I've already waded into this muddy water, and there's no turning back. Don't worry, this is just the beginning. Just watch, once the emperor knows my methods, he'll treat me with respect!"
Fu Qiyuan believed it without a doubt.
Not only her, the mother, but even Jiang Huai became the king of the kids.
The Crown Prince's youngest son was two years older than Jiang Huai. He was undoubtedly clever and quick-witted, but he was also incredibly mischievous. He was a master at causing trouble in class, and the teachers had no way to deal with that little devil.
But ever since Jiang Huai arrived, that little devil has become Jiang Huai's follower. He does whatever Jiang Huai says, and he never goes against Jiang Huai's wishes. Just like the Eighth Princess, the two of them, aunt and niece, have a lot of support for Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai was exceptionally generous and fair. He did not give special treatment to the Eighth Princess and the Little Demon King because of their high status. He had his own scale in his heart to judge right and wrong.
Jianghuai has already become the big winner in the imperial examinations, while the turmoil in Jiangshan has only just begun.
Fu Qiyuan's marriage proposal to Jiang Shan at Huangshan Garden became the hottest controversy in Beijing.
No one knows which servant's mouth spread the word, but the sensitive words Huangshan Garden, diamond ring, roses, and marriage proposal drove the unmarried noble ladies in the capital to the brink of despair.
"What right does she have to live in Huangshan Garden! Is Young Master Fu blind? She's just a peasant girl, what makes her so special!"
"She's already had a child, why is she still proposing? She just wants to show off in front of others. What an ignorant country bumpkin! Look at her!"
"So what if it's a marriage decree? All she did was contribute the secret recipe for brewing soy sauce! His Majesty has already bestowed upon her the title of County Princess, yet she's still not satisfied and dares to dream of living in Huangshan Garden. This is outrageous!"
"I heard he donated a lot of money to the Ministry of Revenue... hundreds of thousands of taels! Who can compare to that nouveau riche!"
"Stop talking, or she'll bury you in money, hehe...!"
Such conversations played out daily in the backyards of the nobles in the capital.
Some high-ranking officials who are in the know might scold their ignorant children with a stern face, but they can't stop the rumors from spreading everywhere.
Jiangshan didn't even sneeze, busy preparing for the emperor's birthday.
The Empress was originally in charge of the Emperor's birthday celebration, but when she heard that the Emperor was going to personally go to the palace to prepare the banquet, she decided after a moment's thought to give this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess is the future ruler of the harem, and she is only a few years older than the Emperor. They should be easier to get along with.
Furthermore, even if the Crown Princess or the Emperor had any shortcomings, it's inevitable that the two young people would make mistakes as it's their first time hosting such a grand banquet. But if they succeed, the Crown Princess's position in court will be secure!
The Crown Princess wants to take advantage of the Emperor's rise to power, and the Emperor wants to gain favor with the next Emperor. Therefore, the two of them must work together wholeheartedly!
The Crown Princess was very grateful for the Empress's elaborate arrangements and summoned Jiangshan to the palace on a chosen day.
When Jiang Shan arrived at the East Palace, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were already waiting at the gate with their two sons and Jiang Huai.
When Jiang Shan bowed to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the Crown Prince's youngest son, Li Yu, watched curiously from the side and whispered something to Jiang Huai.
"She's your mother? She's prettier than my mother, no wonder you're prettier than me!"
Jiang Huai smiled and whispered, "Yes, my mother is very beautiful, but my grandfather says I look more like my father, who is also very handsome!"
Li Yu thought of Fu Qiyuan and said with a pout, "I still prefer your mother to your father."
Crown Prince Li Huan tugged at his younger brother and whispered, "Yu'er, don't be rude!"
As she spoke, her face flushed as she watched Jiang Shan walk towards them.
Jiang Shan smiled sweetly and said, "Your Highnesses, I am Jiang Huai's mother. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take good care of me!"
As she spoke, she extended her hand with a smile.
They're very familiar with this move!
Li Huan stiffly stretched out her small hand, which Jiang Shan grasped, making her face turn even redder.
Li Yu, with bright eyes, reached out her hand to Jiang Shan and said, "Aunt Jiang, hello, I'm Li Yu, Jiang Huai's best friend!"
Jiang Huai nodded, "Yes, Mother, Brother Yu is my very best friend!"
Jiang Shan smiled and waved to Liang Chen.
Liangchen was holding a box containing two exquisitely crafted backpacks, the same style as Jianghuai's, only slightly larger.
"This is a gift from Aunt Jiang to you as we meet. I hope you like it!"
Li Yu excitedly took the backpack and exclaimed happily, "Huai'er, I have the same bag as you now! Brother has one too, we all have the same bag now!"
Li Huan was also very happy, but he was a bit more reserved and didn't carry it on his back like Li Yu did.
"Thank you, Aunt Jiang." He thanked her shyly and handed the bag to the Crown Princess with both hands.
The Crown Princess took the bag and looked at it, then sighed sincerely, "No wonder Yu'er always talks about Huai'er's mother. I'm truly impressed now! Look how happy Huan'er and Yu'er are. Take this bag to show your royal grandfather!"
The two brothers were overjoyed. They asked the palace maids serving them to carry their bags, and the three boys held hands and ran away.
The Crown Prince joked, "So this little devil has a nemesis too, and it's not just Jiang Huai, there's also his mother!"
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