Chapter 58 He almost forgot the words "grandson-in-law"...
"Governor Zhu, I apologize for keeping you waiting. It just so happens that today is the Beginning of Summer, so I specially invited you to have a meal together. Please sit for a while longer, it will be ready soon!"
Jiang Zongnan smiled and said to Shen Jizhao that Shen Jizhao had been visiting their Jiang residence every few days these past few days. For Su Yang now, the Jiang residence was a highly sought-after place, and he could be said to be enjoying a smooth career and rising steadily in rank.
Therefore, the Jiang family was very grateful to Shen Jizhao. They had invited him to dine before, but he was always busy and never had the time. He would come and go in a hurry each time.
Now that they've finally gotten this opportunity, Grandpa Jiang certainly won't let it slip by. If Shen Jizhao hadn't said it was just a regular meal, a family banquet, this feast for the Start of Summer would have been incredibly lively.
At this moment, everyone in the Jiang family had been summoned by Old Master Jiang early on, and they were all waiting for the banquet to begin.
Shen Jizhao smiled faintly, nodded to Old Master Jiang and said there was no rush, but did not look at him.
Because his gaze remained fixed on the woman not far away, whose beautiful face, adorned with a light and airy hibiscus-patterned tassel dress and minimal makeup, made her appear like a goddess descended from heaven, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.
He had almost forgotten what she used to look like when she was in the Eastern Palace. He only remembered that she was inconspicuous, not glamorous, and followed the rules.
Perhaps it was because his days were unchanging that he had no memory.
At this moment, she was truly herself, bright and radiant, dazzling like a flower. Thinking of this, his heart felt heavy, as if a handful of mud had suddenly been poured into it, making it hard to breathe. He knew it was his fault.
Jiang Shuifu felt his burning gaze, but it was tinged with sadness. She didn't know why he was looking at her like that, but she didn't like it. She turned around and glared at him.
At the same time, Meibao tugged at her hand, swaying her body and acting coquettishly:
"Sister, I really love peach blossom pastries, hibiscus cakes, crispy mountain pastries, iced peach gum, lychee syrup..."
These are all unique summer foods. Mei Bao, a glutton, has been pestering her for a long time. Jiang Shuifu tapped her nose, gazing at her with doting affection.
"Okay, then how about you eat your older sister's portion later? Little sister, you've had enough to eat, grow up quickly!"
Mei Bao giggled happily. There were many children in the Jiang family, so they paid special attention to their diet, especially sweets, with each child receiving only a small portion.
Mei Bao smiled like a little flower, and specially picked the most beautiful wildflower for Jiang Shui Fu to put in her hair. For a moment, the atmosphere was very warm.
Suddenly, a soft footstep sounded, each step taken in a low voice, as if unwilling to disturb the scene.
Mei Bao was clapping her hands and saying that the wildflowers looked like candies, and Jiang Shuifu laughed and scolded her for being a glutton.
The next moment, a hand was stretched out in front of Mei Bao, holding a large, beautifully packaged candied hawthorn. Shen Ji Zhao bent down and handed it to her.
"Here are some real candies, would you like some?"
Mei Bao's eyes lit up when she saw the candied hawthorn that suddenly appeared on her forehead. She was about to take it when she looked up and saw the terrifying "Master". She was so frightened that she immediately bumped into Jiang Shui Fu's arms and buried her face in her body.
Jiang Shuifu was somewhat surprised that her younger sister was so afraid of him that she even refused to take the candy.
"Waaaaah!"
Meibao's cries rang out again, a sound like a death warrant, declaring his failure once more. His first time trying to soothe a child had ended in such a crushing defeat!
It's like he died before he even got started; he only managed to say one sentence!
Is he really that scary?
Shen Jizhao was a little annoyed. This child kept pestering Jiang Shuifu to eat candied hawthorns. He bought them for her, but she didn't want them!
This child is so hard to soothe; no grown man could handle him!
Thinking about it this way, he felt a little better, but the person he had finally seen was gone again with the child, far away from him.
However, she was so favored by Jiang Shuifu, while he had to go to great lengths to even see her. It has to be said that he felt a little jealous.
At this moment, Jiang Wanwan seized the opportunity to observe the situation. Seeing that Jiang Shuifu had spoiled his mood, she immediately grabbed Jige'er and came to his side.
Jigo was also afraid of him, timid and unwilling, so when he stood beside him, he kept his head down.
Jiang Wanwan blinked her bright eyes eagerly:
“Jige’er eats it, Jige’er likes it! He’s not picky! We like anything given to us by adults!”
Shen Jizhao looked down at Jige'er, his brows furrowing again, afraid of him!
After receiving the candied hawthorn, Jige'er was overjoyed and ran to his mother's side to eat it sweetly.
Li couldn't laugh; she had witnessed the entire scene just now and sighed silently.
"The banquet is about to begin, sir!"
The octagonal table was full of people. Tiger and Bean were still eating the candied hawthorns they hadn't finished. After what had just happened, Shen Jizhao simply had the servants distribute them to them, and now they were eating with gusto.
He couldn't help but sigh, even giving away a candied hawthorn is so difficult.
All the dishes were served, a very sumptuous spread of home-style cooking, unpretentious and simple. Shen Jizhao nodded and praised:
“Indeed, the chef at Grandpa Jiang’s residence is truly skilled. Grandpa Jiang has really fulfilled my wish for the family banquet I mentioned. It’s just like a meal prepared by family. You are the elder in the family, and my seniority is the same as your granddaughter’s. Therefore, Grandpa Jiang, please start eating first!”
So this was the family banquet he was planning, trying to take advantage of everyone!
When Shen Jizhao mentioned the word "granddaughter," he specifically glanced at Jiang Shuifu. The implication was obvious. As a family member and a member of the granddaughter's generation, he practically had the words "grandson-in-law" written all over his face!
He openly and subtly claimed they were family; he's utterly shameless. Jiang Shuifu scoffed.
"Lord Zhu is now approaching thirty and holds a high position of power. If we're talking about which generation you belong to, you'd probably be from the same generation as my father and uncles! How about this, out of respect, I'll call you Uncle Zhu?"
Shen Jizhao was slightly choked. The Lord Zhu he was playing now was naturally quite old to have reached the position of governor.
He spent a long time choosing before deciding to play Zhu Hao, who was the closest in age to him. Having been the crown prince for so many years, his mature demeanor and imposing presence made him seem natural.
However, he really couldn't accept her calling him "uncle." They had been husband and wife, yet now she was being addressed as an elder.
Why is she so unwilling to get involved with him?
Jiang Zongnan and the elders remained silent, but Li Shi was displeased, fearing that she might offend someone and ruin her husband's official career.
"Shuifu, eat your food. Didn't your mother teach you not to talk while eating?"
The atmosphere at the table froze instantly upon hearing this. Everyone knew that Jiang Shuifu's mother had passed away not long after giving birth to her.
Jiang Shuifu was stunned when she heard this. Her mother really hadn't taught her any of these things. If her mother were still alive, she would have taught her daughter music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and manners, just like Li Shi and her eldest aunt.
Something flickered in her eyes, and she forgot to refute it.
The elders at the table, mindful of Shen Jizhao's presence, couldn't immediately reprimand Li Shi, so they had to hold back and settle the score later.
Their anger was compounded by sadness; the early death of Jiang Shuifu's mother was a thorn in their side.
The atmosphere suddenly became even more somber.
Only Mei Bao and the others were completely unaware, their hands covered in rice stains as they ate.
Jiang Shuifu lowered her head, and then lowered it even further, until finally she noticed a piece of fish suddenly appearing on her plate:
"Give it a try. You'll love this lotus seed bun. The fish and lotus seeds symbolize many children and blessings, hope and expectation, and a prosperous life. You'll surely have everything you desire in the future, and your family will be at ease."
Shen Jizhao was reminding her that only when she was happy would her mother be at ease.
Jiang Shuifu suddenly came to her senses. Yes, her mother would never want to see her so sad. She had to be alright.
She picked up a lotus seedpod fish dumpling from the plate, took a small sip, and found the fish meat to be incredibly delicious, melting in her mouth.
Jiang Zongnan and his wife breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but feel grateful to Shen Jizhao. However, this gratitude was not pure; it was mixed with a lot of probing and doubt, as well as a bit of hostility.
Shen Jizhao's action clearly indicated that he was on Jiang Shuifu's side. Jiang Junyu glared angrily at Li Shi. How could an elder speak like that, especially since she had offended a noble person?
Li realized she had said the wrong thing, so she had no choice but to offer Jiang Shuifu a piece of spicy, fatty pork knuckle as an apology.
"Shuifu, eat this. You're so thin, you need to eat more!"
Jiang Shuifu felt uncomfortable looking at the fatty, oily, and spicy pork knuckle on the plate, which made her nose sting. Before she could refuse, a dignified and cold voice echoed throughout the main hall before she could say anything:
"She can't eat spicy food!"
Shen Jizhao handed Jiang Shuifu another plate, while the plate filled with spicy fatty pork knuckle was pushed away.
Jiang Shuifu was shocked. She was shocked that he remembered she didn't eat spicy food, and even more shocked that he said that in front of so many people!
Perhaps it's more accurate to say that it wasn't shock, but rather anger that left him unsure how to explain himself!
After he pulled this stunt, how will the people present perceive their relationship?
As expected, Grandmother asked, "How did Lord Zhu know?"
Shen Jizhao secretly glanced at Jiang Shuifu; her face was pale, so he had no choice but to rack his brains to smooth things over.
"Miss Shuifu's nose turned red from the smell, so she obviously can't handle spicy food."
This explanation is plausible, but once suspicion is established, it will only grow infinitely, causing the grandparents to become anxious.
Even Jiang Wanwan was jealous, so she quickly took the initiative and moved a lot of meat and vegetables in front of him:
"Young master, please try these dishes. The shrimp and crabs were just caught, they're incredibly fresh. And this mutton is roasted until it's sizzling with oil; one bite and you'll be completely satisfied!"
These dishes suited Shen Jizhao's taste perfectly; he loved spicy food, not to mention mutton, which was his absolute favorite.
He once scolded Jiang Shuifu because the mutton and shrimp dishes she cooked for him were just to his liking.
So he pushed away all the plates that Jiang Wanwan offered him:
“Zhu didn’t like to eat, but now his appetite has changed. He only likes to eat light, sweet and sour food, just like Miss Shuifu.”
She once asked him if he would be willing to change his taste, change his opinion of her, and try to like her.
His current answer is that he is willing, he has changed, and it's his turn to ask her if she's willing to accept him back.
Shen Jizhao moved the light dishes in front of him to hers, so now everything in front of her was her favorite. He gazed at her and tentatively began to speak:
"Miss Shuifu, these are suitable for you. Take a closer look and see if all these dishes in front of you suit your taste. Why don't you give them a try? Give me a chance?"
Jiang Shuifu watched his actions without any reaction and rejected his probing:
"But I'm full! I can't eat anymore!"
She meant that she had lost all interest in him and that it was impossible for them to get back together.
Shen Jizhao lowered his eyes. He didn't believe that one day she would be able to eat it.
Jiang Wanwan, standing to the side, was absolutely consumed with jealousy. If Young Master Zhu treated her like this, she would have eaten all the food. So she pretended to care about Jiang Shuifu:
"Eat more chicken, duck, and goose. You've been divorced, so you need to take good care of yourself. That way, when you get married next time, people won't be able to tell!"
Jiang Shuifu gave her a light, dismissive glance. Jiang Erwan's open and covert attacks were all directed at her. She liked Shen Jizhao, but she shouldn't have stepped on her.
She said this to remind Shen Jizhao that she was divorced and had been "abandoned" by others.
But isn't the person who "abandoned" her right in front of her?
Shen Jizhao frowned. Abandoned? It was clearly she who abandoned him!
Thinking of this, he gave her a somewhat aggrieved and resentful look, which Jiang Wanwan interpreted as disdain, and she became happy again.
Jiang Shuifu didn't notice his gaze; she just kept snatching the pastry from Meibao's hand and pretended to sternly warn her:
"You can't eat anymore! I wasn't looking and you ate Tiger's portion too. You ate too much tonight, be careful your teeth don't get cavities! Aren't you scared?"
Mei Bao touched her teeth with a hint of lingering fear, then stared longingly at the remaining crispy mountain, her mouth watering.
"No way, how could there be worms in my mouth? If there are worms, just kill them for me, sister!"
In a fit of anger, Jiang Shuifu scooped up a large mouthful of crispy mountain pastry, and the rest of the pastry went into her mouth. Meibao could only watch helplessly, feeling extremely wronged.
Her little hands were covered in white, sticky cheese. She used them to wipe away her tears, and instantly, she looked like a pitiful little cat.
Jiang Shuifu softened a bit, but still didn't give it to her. After she finished eating, she stopped thinking about it.
Just then, a pair of large hands suddenly stopped him, "You can't eat this!"
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Author's Note: The next milestone is fast approaching, and Shen Gouzi's sense of crisis is rising.
Judging from this, my daughter will definitely be a very doting mother in the future, a truly loving mom. I think it's so cute! My daughter is so cute, my little sister is so cute, and my daughter spoiling her little sister is so adorable!
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