Chapter 425: Chapter 412: The Emperor Arrives

Concubine Hui, upon hearing such a response, had a face beaming with smiles, showing no wrinkles on her well-maintained face.

“You always know how to make your aunt happy, unlike that brat who only knows how to complain about the food here,” Concubine Hui said, glancing at Chu Yunzhao.

Chu Yunzhao let out a sigh, feeling as if it were not late autumn, but a scorching summer day, yet a summer day with a blizzard!

He was, indeed, more wronged than Dou E!

When had he ever complained about the food here?

It was just that one time when he was invited to join Concubine Hui for lunch after being taken to lunch by several princes. He simply couldn’t eat anymore, and only took a bite of muskmelon.

As a result, Concubine Hui has been utterly displeased with him since, constantly complaining about him being high-maintenance, and accusing him of not even caring about preserving her dignity as his mother.

He felt so wronged!

With an exasperated sigh, Chu Yunzhao stopped trying to explain. Instead, he continuously picked up various dishes with his chopsticks to prove how much he enjoyed the food here.

“Are you this starved because you haven’t eaten all day?” Concubine Hui started again. “You should at least leave some for Jinnian.”

Now neither eating too much nor eating took little was acceptable.

He should have known not to insist on bringing Chu Jinnian, because, whenever he was there, Concubine Hui always found ways to criticize her son Chu Yunzhao.

Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Chu Yunzhao sighed internally again. To avoid attracting any more of Concubine Hui’s displeasure, he began to eat more slowly.

As for Concubine Hui, knowing that Chu Jinnian had long been away from the palace, she started to chat with him, “How is Jinzhou in Qingzhuyuan? Is everything all right over there?”

“Don’t worry aunt, Jinzhou is doing well. He’s been closely mentored by his teacher, and we’ve recently found him a suitable study-buddy,” Chu Jinnian replied reassuringly, without mentioning that the teacher was Fan Wenxuan.

“That’s good,” Concubine Hui replied with a smile, “As the weather is getting colder, it’s inconvenient to travel back and forth. When the spring comes next year, could you bring Jinzhou back to see me?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the child.”

Despite being the child of her sister, regardless of whether or not he was the son of the King of Qi, all that mattered was that she acknowledged her nephew.

With her as his aunt, no one would dare to bully him.

“Aunt, I understand your kindness and I thank you on behalf of Jinzhou,” Chu Jinnian replied, “yet with the place being full of rumors, I don’t want Jinzhou to come back here where he’ll have to listen to those offensive words.”

“I know that you, Aunt, would stand up for Jinzhou, and he cannot avoid the rumors because of who he is. But my intention in putting him there is to give him a peaceful life. The more peaceful years he can have, the better.”

“If possible, being an ordinary person would be ideal.”

“As for this capital city, I’ll be here, that’s enough.”

Concubine Hui pursed her lips at this, looked at Chu Jinnian, and finally sighed, “I understand what you mean. Since I cannot leave the palace, I will have to wait until when Yunzhao can find the time to leave the palace and visit Jinzhou for me.”

“Recently, I was rewarded with a jade Ruyi by the Emperor. I will send it to Jinzhou as a pillow gift. Consider it a token of my affection as his aunt.”

Ever since she learned about Chu Jinzhou, whether he was in the Qiao family or at Qingzhuyuan, Concubine Hui has regularly sent gifts as frequently as running water, without a single year missed.

Chu Jinnian could feel the intense love Concubine Hui held for him and Jinzhou.

“On behalf of Jinzhou, I thank you, Aunt,” Chu Jinnian replied with a smile.

“You little rascal, why are you being so formal with your aunt?” Concubine Hui chuckled, “Speaking of which, you came to my palace asking for the jade Bi before the Mid-Autumn Festival, promising to bring good news soon.”

“Can you now share what this good news is?”

Concubine Hui looked eagerly at Chu Jinnian.

The language of the jade Bi was clear – it was part of a bridal dowry, and Chu Jinnian had wanted it, so the reason was obvious.

Concubine Hui felt that if she could help Chu Jinnian settle his lifelong affair sooner, her sister resting in the nether world would feel relieved.

“This…” Chu Jinnian hesitated.

“What do you mean by ‘this’? Hurry up and speak!” Chu Yunzhao urged from the side.

This shocking piece of news was a grand spectacle to Chu Yunzhao. He was determined not to miss it.

But just as Chu Jinnian was about to open his mouth, a shout came from outside, “The Emperor has arrived.”

What is the Emperor doing here at this time?

The trio in the room were all somewhat taken aback, but they quickly put down their chopsticks and went out to meet him.

A moment later, a large procession of people arrived at the gate of the palace, in all their splendor.

“Your servant greets the Emperor.”

“Your son greets the Emperor.”

“Your servant greets the Emperor.”

The trio each paid their respects in turn.

“You may rise,” Chu Shengrui waved his hand.

“Thank you, Emperor.” The trio rose, each stepping back to make way for the Emperor.

“So you’ve come to the palace today, Jinnian.” Chu Shengrui looked at Chu Jinnian with a smile, “I haven’t seen you pay your respects to Concubine Hui for a while.”

“Yes, your servant’s daily affairs have kept me occupied and unfortunately left no time to pay respects to Concubine Hui,” Chu Jinnian replied truthfully. “Today, being on leave, I brought some local produce from my recent visit to Qingzhuyuan, and decided to come and present it to Concubine Hui.”

Chu Shengrui had a lingering antipathy toward Chu Jinzhou due to the King of Qi’s affairs, and was somewhat sick of the events at Qingzhuyuan. But since Chu Jinnian addressed it directly without evasiveness, Chu Shengrui found himself unable to summon any anger.

More precisely, whether it was about this matter, or the close relationship between Chu Jinnian, Concubine Hui, and Chu Yunzhao, or even Chu Jinnian’s hatred towards the King of Qi, all were made plainly clear.

Such transparency was rare. Chu Shengrui occasionally found himself frustrated with his nephew and son’s rebelliousness, but admired his straightforward character.

Certainly, he was far more likable than those who were guarded and plotted in secret.

The usual state affairs were troublesome enough, and he really didn’t want to ponder his blood relatives’ motivations.

Chu Jinnian’s free-spirited yet stable demeanor really relieved him

“Your filial piety is commendable,” Chu Shengrui said with a slight smile.

“Father, you’re really playing favorites. Ever since you came in, you’ve had eyes only for Jinnian, as if I don’t even exist,” Chu Yunzhao pouted from one side.

Seeing his childlike and coquettish behavior, Chu Shengrui laughed heartily.

Among his sons, although he cherished each one of them, he found that due to their upbringing and their respect for him as an emperor, they many times lacked closeness.