"It's said that the Pei family will mediate, but actually, it's up to everyone's opinion." Pei Jian waved his hand. "These things are not something the Pei family can decide."
Hearing Pei Jian say this, the others gradually relaxed and their wariness of him lessened.
“Alright, then please lead the way, Brother Pei, and let us see this method of nourishing the body.” The head of the Sun family said with a smile, “We’ll pack a bag for Brother Qin to take back with us later.”
Amidst bursts of laughter, Pei Jian's cunning schemes slowly surfaced.
This is just the first step for the Pei family to become the leading family among the powerful clans.
The movements of the aristocratic families naturally did not escape the eyes of Da Yu. In Gai County, Gu Lin pondered for a moment before finally embarking on his journey home. It seemed that the aristocratic families would not be willing to make a move again in the short term.
Along the way, Gu Lin walked more slowly than before, carefully observing the situation of the people in various regions.
When they returned to the capital, Gu Lin looked at his son rushing towards him and reached out to press down on Gu Qingyan's forehead.
"Father!"
Gu Qingyan stomped his feet in anger, but then, remembering that this was happening in front of everyone, he quickly composed himself to maintain his "majesty" as an emperor.
"Congratulations on the Emperor Emeritus's triumphant return."
"It's just a matter of attacking the Sun and Gong families. Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss to welcome me? Everyone, go back now."
Gu Lin's words made everyone's lips twitch. Emperor Emeritus, could your disdain for aristocratic families be any more obvious?
"Alright, everyone, you may all go back now."
Gu Qingyan also spoke up, and then followed Gu Lin to Zhaoning Palace.
On the way, Gu Qingyan pursed his lips. He knew it! His father would definitely rush to Zhaoning Palace in a hurry.
"Is your mother feeling alright lately?"
"It's alright. Mother no longer suffers from morning sickness. She has a great appetite every day, and her face has even gained some weight."
Gu Lin's expression softened considerably upon hearing this, and his gaze towards Gu Qingyan became warmer. "Bring Yao Yao in too. We'll have hot pot tonight."
"Father and Mother are indeed thinking the same thing. Mother has been saying that she's waiting for you to come back so we can have hot pot together!"
Upon hearing about hot pot, Gu Qingyan was eager to try it and quickly instructed Yingzhi to bring Jiang Yao in.
After Gu Lin returned, Gu Qingyan's eyes were always filled with smiles.
"Mother, Father is back!"
Gu Qingyan arrived like a harbinger of good news, his voice preceding his arrival. Immediately, movement could be heard from inside the house: "Ayu, I'm back."
Gu Lin was stunned the moment he saw Jiang Yu.
"What's wrong? I have gained some weight, but you shouldn't not recognize me."
Jiang Yu said coquettishly, then pretended to be embarrassed and annoyed as she walked into the house. Gu Lin grabbed Jiang Yu's hand, "No, Yu, you're not fat at all, I just think you look much prettier..."
"Don't say anything nonsense in front of Ayan."
Jiang Yu's face turned red instantly, and even Gu Qingyan behind her couldn't help but blush.
Father and Mother are really...
"It's good to be a little chubby, I think I can get even chubbier." Gu Lin smiled as he changed his clothes. "I rushed back as soon as I received the news from the aristocratic families. It had already started snowing in some places on the way back."
"I'm afraid it'll start snowing in the capital too."
Gu Lin smiled, fine wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes. "Fortunately, it hasn't snowed in the capital yet."
......
"Auntie, hot pot is so comforting, Yao Yao loves it."
The group set up a pot under the eaves and ate something hot in the dead of winter, their backs sweating as they ate.
"Yaoyao, why didn't your father come?" Jiang Yu put a piece of food on Yaoyao's plate. "Aren't you afraid he'll cry if he eats alone in the Marquis's mansion?"
Jiang Yao smiled, revealing her small teeth, and said, "Daddy is drinking with Uncle Changqing."
Jiang Yao has a milky scent that Jiang Yu loves.
"I see." Jiang Yu reached out and gently pinched Jiang Yao's nose. "Then, Yao Yao, how about you sleep with your aunt tonight?"
The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart, and Gu Lin's face darkened almost instantly.
"Okay! Yaoyao wants to sleep with her aunt."
"Ayu, what about me?" Gu Lin looked at Jiang Yu with pleading eyes, like a neglected wife.
Jiang Yu cleared her throat. "Ahem, you're going to sleep with Ayan in the Taihe Hall tonight. Ayan talked about you every day before you came back. Now that you're back, have a good talk with Ayan."
Thud—
Gu Qingyan dropped the chopsticks from his hand onto the ground.
Good heavens, he hasn't said a word the whole time, so how did this fire end up on him?
That evening, Gu Qingyan left Zhaoning Palace reluctantly, followed by Gu Lin, who was even more reluctant.
This was the first time in so many years that the father and son were going to sleep in the same bed. Yingzhi behind them and Linghai in the shadows both trembled with fear. They hoped that nothing would happen tonight.
Do you sleep inside or outside?
“Outside, so you don’t fall out of bed in the middle of the night.” Gu Lin said somewhat stiffly. Gu Qingyan was furious when he heard this. “I’m sixteen years old. How could I possibly fall out of bed while sleeping?”
"You were a restless sleeper when you were little."
Gu Lin's words made Gu Qingyan pause in his actions of getting into bed. "I don't remember anything from when I was a child."
"It's fine if you don't remember. In a few years you'll be getting married, you brat. If you're going to marry, marry the woman you love." Gu Lin leaned against the bed, looking at Gu Qingyan who was pretending to have his eyes closed, and curled the corners of his mouth.
"Did you like your mother from the first moment you saw her?"
"nature."
"Then why don't I have a girl I like yet?"
"Because you're useless."
"you!"
"What's wrong with me? I'm your father."
The father and son had a somewhat stiff conversation. Yingzhi, who was keeping watch outside, tried his best to suppress his laughter, but even so, his trembling body still betrayed his current state.
"Father, do you think Mother will have a boy or a girl in her belly?"
Gu Qingyan couldn't fall asleep, so he simply opened his eyes.
"Either is fine, but I would prefer a little princess."
"Why? Father, do you not like boys?" Gu Qingyan pouted, eagerly awaiting Gu Lin's answer.
"Yes, I like it, but I feel like I already have a wonderful son, so I want a little princess."
Gu Qingyan snorted coldly, but he couldn't stop smiling.
"Father, tell me about the events in Gaixian County, how we dealt with those powerful families."
At the same time, at Zhaoning Palace.
Granny Ling was helping Jiang Yu get up in the middle of the night when she asked, "I wonder how the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor are doing at the Taihe Palace?"
"Those two, father and son, may seem to be at odds, but in reality, they value each other very much, so don't worry, Granny."
Jiang Yu smiled, perhaps the father and son were still having a long talk all night!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com