The commotion in front of Qingyun Academy gradually subsided.
Wen Tingwan desperately suppressed the surging joy in her heart, maintaining a perfectly measured expression of delight on her face.
He exchanged congratulations or offered comfort to women he knew, going through the motions of polite formality.
She finally managed to wait until the crowd started to disperse, and she almost couldn't wait to walk out with the flow of people.
As soon as I squeezed out of the crowd, I spotted my father, who was eagerly waiting for me.
"Tingwan!" Wen Mingke couldn't hide his excitement and quickly stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. His daughter had indeed done it.
"Father!" Wen Tingwan could no longer contain herself and rushed forward.
He gripped his father's arm tightly, his voice low but filled with indescribable excitement, "It works, it really works."
Wen Mingke immediately understood: Pei Xueqiao's predictions had actually come true.
"Good! Good! Good!" he exclaimed three times, his eyes gleaming.
“Let’s go home right away. This is such a joyous occasion, we must tell your grandmother.”
The good news is true, but more importantly, the die is cast.
Given Qin Zhaoyue's insatiable greed, if she were to try to predict exam questions again, she would undoubtedly demand an exorbitant reward.
How could their second wife's meager assets possibly cover this? The Wen family's public funds must be used to pay for it!
"Let's go, let's go home!"
Wen Mingke grabbed his daughter's wrist and hurriedly turned around to plunge into the crowd.
...
Pei Xueyan returned to the Prime Minister's residence first.
The elder brother also needs to assist in completing the tedious finishing work such as sealing and archiving the exam papers.
He, however, was different. He only served as an invigilator. After completing his duties, he could go home after asking the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy for leave.
With the provincial examination approaching, the Imperial College students were burdened with heavy workloads.
He needs to develop targeted review strategies based on the different situations of many candidates, and has not set foot at home for more than a month.
He was even unable to be there to welcome his elder brother back from disaster relief efforts.
The old butler was already waiting at the door, his smile kind.
"How have you been lately?" Pei Xueyan asked gently, her tone filled with the concern of a junior.
"Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master. This old servant is still very strong."
Madam misses you and talks about you all the time.
Hearing that you were going home today, your wife personally went to the kitchen this afternoon to make soup.
After a whole afternoon of work, it's still simmering gently over a low fire in the clay stove.
Pei Xueyan: ...
His steps faltered slightly, and a complex expression flashed across his face.
"If I said I'd already used it outside..."
The old butler's smile grew even brighter, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out. "Then just having soup will be just fine too."
Upon hearing this, Pei Xueyan sighed almost inaudibly.
Well, I'm going to drink it anyway, so it's safer to just swallow it with rice and dishes.
My mother is wonderful in every way, except that she's just not cut out for cooking.
Even the best ingredients can be transformed into something rotten in her hands.
Alas, every coin has two sides.
On second thought, it was already an incredible feat for my mother to be able to subdue my father, who was a powerful figure in the imperial court.
The minor flaw of not being a good cook seems insignificant.
He glared at the old housekeeper, annoyed. "You didn't even try to stop her, making Mother worry all the time."
The old steward grinned from ear to ear, "If this old servant had stopped you, I'm afraid the answer to your question just now wouldn't have been very good!"
Pei Xueyan chuckled and shook her head.
Upon entering the bright dining room, his mother immediately came to greet him, took his hand, and looked him up and down, her eyes filled with heartache:
"Let me see! Oh dear, you've lost weight, and your cheeks look sunken in!"
“Mother, what are you saying?” Pei Xueyan said with a smile, “It’s only been a month or so since I last came home, it’s not that exaggerated.”
"Stop trying to bluff your way out of this. Who in the entire capital city doesn't know the reputation of the food at the Imperial Academy?"
“Mother, your son is a teacher, not a student, so he doesn’t have to eat in the canteen every meal.”
"Give me a break! I'm your mother, who are you trying to fool?" Madam Pei bluntly exposed her.
"When you're busy with scholarship and teaching, how can you care about the time? If you're starving, you can eat steamed buns in your study. I know you too well."
As she spoke, she pulled him inside without giving him a chance to explain.
Pei Xueyan composed herself, stepped forward a few paces, and respectfully bowed to Pei Xuanyun, who was seated at the head of the table: "Father."
The Prime Minister, with a stern face, forced out a muffled "Hmm" from his nose.
He waited for ages after his shift, hungry, and his wife insisted on waiting for the whole family to arrive before having dinner together. No wonder he was in a bad mood.
"Oh, right," the mother looked behind her, "where's Xueqiao?"
Pei Xueyan explained that her brother still needed to handle the aftermath.
Upon hearing this, the mother waved her hand and said, "Alright, then we won't wait for him."
She immediately ordered the maid to serve the dishes, but specifically instructed the kitchen to set aside a separate portion and keep it warm on the stove.
Pei Xuanyun: !!
So you don't need the whole family to come? Just one son needs to come back, right?
Is there no justice left? Is there no law left? Is this still his residence?
This is utterly upside down!
A surge of frustration welled up in his chest, and the Prime Minister's dangerous gaze shot towards Hao Er'er, who had just sat down.
Pei Xueyan sat upright, pretending not to have seen anything.
Soon, the table was filled with exquisite dishes.
Madam Pei personally served the soup.
The soup being simmered is a warming soup of yam and mutton, perfect for nourishing the stomach in early autumn.
"I simmered this soup over a low flame all afternoon. The mutton was tender and the yam was completely melted. It's absolutely delicious."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
