Chapter 811: Imperial Bestowed Dishes

Gu Dashi opened two jars of good wine, personally filling everyone’s cups.

The aroma of wine and food filled the entire room, making everyone’s appetite surge.

At that moment, a burst of noise came from outside, followed by flashes of red lanterns in the yard.

Tong Huaqiong had an inkling of what it might be and stood up.

Everyone saw Tong Huaqiong stand up and followed suit, putting down their chopsticks.

"Sui Feng Village Lady accepts the award."

Tong Huaqiong’s guess was correct; someone from the palace had arrived.

Tong Huaqiong led everyone out and knelt in the snow.

The visitors were Eunuch Pan, who was beside the emperor, and Su Chengmin, leading the Imperial Guard.

It turns out, on New Year’s Eve, the emperor traditionally bestowed dishes to key ministers and royal relatives, and this year, Tong Huaqiong, a non-traditional royal kin, was among the recipients.

Tong Huaqiong accepted the food box and expressed gratitude.

"It’s cold, why don’t you warm yourselves with a cup of wine before heading to the next place."

Gu Taohua saw Su Chengmin, and while everyone was enjoying a reunion dinner, he was braving the cold leading the Imperial Guard to deliver dishes house to house, so he ordered a pot of warm wine to be brought from inside for the Imperial Guard.

Su Chengmin accepted the wine and shared a knowing smile with Gu Taohua.

Taking advantage of Su Chengmin’s turn, Gu Taohua slipped a hand warmer to him.

After seeing off Eunuch Pan and the Imperial Guard, Tong Huaqiong carried the food box and led everyone back inside.

Gu Dashi asked, "What dishes did His Majesty bestow?"

Mrs. Zhao and others craned their necks in curiosity.

Fan Tong was shocked; Tong Family’s eldest sister-in-law had only been in Shengjing for a short time but was already in the inner circle of the Royal Family, receiving dishes personally bestowed by the emperor.

In his mind, he resolved to cling tightly to Tong Huaqiong’s support.

Having no hope of passing his autumn examination again, he placed all his expectations on Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe.

The food box from the palace was exquisite; Tong Huaqiong opened it.

Inside were four dishes and two desserts.

Palace food was not necessarily tastier than outside food, and Tong Huaqiong, having attended several palace banquets, concluded that the Imperial Kitchen played it safe but didn’t innovate much.

"Palace food isn’t anything special," Mrs. Zhao glanced and said to her husband.

She mainly wanted to show off that she had enjoyed palace banquets thanks to Tong Huaqiong.

Liu Yueer’s father, her elder brother, and others who hadn’t attended palace banquets were visibly excited.

"Even if it’s nothing special, it was bestowed by the emperor," Liu Yueer’s father, Liu Tiechui, smacked his lips.

Tong Huaqiong placed a dish of cherry pork in front of Man Er, personally instructed by the emperor to grant it to her.

The remaining crab roe lion head, stewed deer tendon, pearl jade soup, and two desserts were placed on the table. Tong Huaqiong invited Liu Tiechui and Gu Xiaoxue, "Try it; it’s palace cuisine, after all."

Liu Tiechui grabbed a piece of deer tendon and said, "We can eat bestowed dishes, and after the New Year, I’ll boast about it back in the village."

One remark made everyone laugh.

Fan Tong, unnoticed at the table, quietly took a crab roe lion head.

He was already planning how to write to his classmates in Yan Guan Town to boast about the royal dish’s taste.

He originally wanted to savor it, but being ravenous from not eating all day, he couldn’t wait and devoured it.

As he reached for a second one, Tong Pandi teased, "There are only four lion heads; if you take them all, how will others eat?"

All eyes were on Fan Tong.

Fan Tong’s face flushed.

He silently vowed to rise to prominence.

If even Mr. Su, an ordinary teacher, could become the tutor of the Crown Prince, why couldn’t he?

Nobody paid attention to Fan Tong’s thoughts, and everyone soon engaged in lively conversation.

"Taohua, I heard you’re already engaged? To the Imperial Guard Commander who delivered royal dishes today?" Gu Honglian asked about Gu Taohua’s engagement after eating half a plate of beef and two big buns.

She overheard some household gossip about how Gu Taohua would marry the Commander after the New Year and was curious how Taohua, already a spinster, managed such a favorable match.

Not knowing the rank of the Commander, anyone delivering to royal kin must be one of the emperor’s most trusted.

During the dish bestowal, she dared not look up, but only glimpsed that the Commander was young and impressive.

She hadn’t realized that was Su Chengmin.

Gu Taohua confidently replied, "Yes."

Gu Honglian said, "You’re truly fortunate."

Those words were genuine praise.

Previously, when Gu Taohua was just a common rural girl, Gu Honglian harbored inexplicable animosity towards her. Now that Taohua is the young master of the Tong Family’s Store, holding wealth and resources, Gu Honglian dared not compete.

Fan Tong stealthily glanced at Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua carried herself confidently and gracefully.

He suddenly found the feast’s rich flavors bland.

Regret surged within him.

Years ago, when Gu Taohua was still a chubby girl from Qinghe Bay and brought him food and ink, he found her weight disgraceful.

Yet unwilling to forfeit her kindness, he kept her hanging.

He couldn’t pinpoint when Taohua threw herself into business and ceased to glance his way.

Had he foreseen Tong Huaqiong’s fortune from moving from Qinghe Bay to Shengjing, Taohua holding wealth and assets, he would have married her despite ridicule, leaving no chance for the Imperial Guard Commander.

Fan Tong frequently glanced at Gu Taohua, akin to winking at a blind person, yet Taohua never acknowledged him.

In Taohua’s eyes, Fan Tong was just a poor relative seeking favors.

"Jingzhe, only a few months until your spring examination; how’s your preparation going?"

As the table buzzed with conversation, Fan Tong, feeling left out, casually engaged Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Jingzhe answered, "The preparation is going well. Uncle Fang, how did your autumn examination go?"

Fan Tong paused, regretting broaching this topic.

Gu Jingzhe never fails to mention sensitive topics.

He failed the autumn exam again.

Gu Honglian remarked, "Your uncle was unlucky, failing again."

In Gu Honglian’s mind, having a Scholar rank in Yan Guan Town, if Fan Tong continuously failed the next stage three times wasn’t due to lack of skill, it was bad luck.

Fan Tong awkwardly said, "Before the exam, I ate beans and stewed pig’s feet that upset my stomach, hindering my performance."

Everyone chuckled at this remark.

Despite only Gu Jingzhe and Fan Tong having seen exams, everyone knew Fan Tong’s excuse was nonsense.

Gu Honglian, gnawing on a rib, said, "Ning City’s feng shui was unfavorable; that’s why we came to Shengjing for a chance. Maybe next year in Shengjing, you’ll pass the exam. Jingzhe, you must do well in your spring exam, and when you become an official, support your uncle."

Gu Honglian didn’t understand officialdom.

Fan Tong frequently explained that officials needed mutual support to advance, similar to how Lu Chaoyang bet on Gu Jingzhe by marrying Lu Zhaoyang to him, foreseeing his potential for future gain. Once Gu Jingzhe enters officialdom, he and Lu Chaoyang will mutually benefit.

Gu Jingzhe investing in him meant they’d mutually assist each other.

Gu Jingzhe replied, "Uncle is exceptionally talented, being Yan Guan Town’s first Scholar; his future is limitless. I might depend on him."

His words pleased both Gu Honglian and Fan Tong.

Tong Huaqiong looked at Fan Tong’s wine-reddened face and fell into contemplation.