Chapter 812: The Crown Grandson Leaves the Palace for New Year’s

Jingzhe was about to begin the spring examination.

According to the events of the previous lifetime, barring any surprises, Jingzhe was sure to attain a high rank.

At the very least, he would be third place.

This would mark the beginning of Jingzhe’s illustrious official career.

Fan Tong, being Jingzhe’s uncle by marriage, in a place where clan relationships were crucial, would also rise in status in the eyes of outsiders.

No matter how much one emphasizes that the two are unrelated, it’s all empty words to those who are uninformed.

In a place like Yan Guan Town, it’s possible that Fan Tong would exploit the information gap to rack up wealth in Jingzhe’s name. In such remote areas, everyone gives some face to the uncle of an influential figure.

Furthermore, with Taohua being naive, the couple might collude to exploit Jingzhe’s name to manipulate the townspeople.

If someone were to exploit this, it would be a disaster for Jingzhe’s career.

Do not underestimate Fan Tong’s influence; as they say, a thousand-mile dyke can be destroyed by an ant’s nest.

Originally, Tong Huaqiong was displeased with Fan Tong and Taohua’s arrival, planning to send them back after the New Year.

Now she thought differently.

She decided to let Fan Tong and Taohua stay in Shengjing, keeping them under her watchful eye.

She would let Fan Tong hold onto illusions about Jingzhe, hanging the prospect of relying on Jingzhe like a carrot he could see but never grasp.

If ever he attempted to exploit Jingzhe, she would immediately suppress him.

Thinking this, Tong Huaqiong said to Fan Tong, "Since you’ve come to Shengjing, who doesn’t want to earn a distinction to return home in glory? You’re a man of ambitions, surely of this intent; as the saying goes, a hero does not ask about origins. Our Mighty General from Pingchuan is just like this. I think my brother-in-law might also have similar fortune in the future."

Fan Tong, upon hearing this, his eyes lit up and he stammered, "Sister-in-law, do you have high hopes for me?"

This was Fan Tong’s first time dining at the same table with Tong Huaqiong, being named by someone who had always been cold to him left him feeling flattered.

Tong Huaqiong smiled, "Of course, I have high hopes for you. Perhaps you might make the acquaintance of some distinguished figure and skyrocket."

Fan Tong’s eyes flickered as he relished the thought.

Recalling how he learned in casual conversation that Mr. Su had been retained in the palace by the heir apparent, he thought that if Mr. Su could have such an encounter to become teacher to the heir apparent, surely he might find similar fortune.

Indeed, it was the right decision to come to Shengjing.

Taohua felt honored hearing Tong Huaqiong’s recognition of Fan Tong.

Taohua said, "Not many people get recognized by Sister-in-law; you must plan well in Shengjing after the New Year, whether it be copying texts or teaching. Who knows, as Sister-in-law said, you might achieve great success."

Fan Tong thought to himself, copying and teaching are nothing. With so many dignitaries in Shengjing, he planned to get a position as an advisor or strategist with a noble.

Tong Huaqiong watched Fan Tong’s expression, smiling secretly, knowing the fish had indeed taken the bait.

Fan Tong was ambitious but lacked talent; he should remain in Shengjing to live in unrealistic dreams and face constant setbacks, yet over time, he would lose his ambition, becoming an embattled scholar never to rise again.

The wine had gone around three times.

Everyone had eaten enough, putting down their chopsticks, leaving room for dumplings.

Dumplings were tastiest when everyone wrapped and ate them together.

The maids and old servants cleared the leftover dishes from the table.

Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Hong rose to head to the kitchen to bring the dumpling fillings and rolling pins, while Pandie and Chen Sufen began kneading the dough, Taohua and Xiaoxue rolled the skins, and Tong Huaqiong and Dashi, among others, wrapped the dumplings.

Lu Zhaozhao couldn’t wrap dumplings and asked Jingzhe to teach her. Jingzhe couldn’t bear to let Lu Zhaozhao do any tasks; in his heart, his wife’s jade-like hands should only manage finances and write, never needing to cook or do household chores.

"Husband, please teach me," Lu Zhaozhao coaxed, tugging at Jingzhe’s hand.

The dumplings she wrapped were unsightly and leaked filling.

Jingzhe, unable to resist Lu Zhaozhao’s coaxing, affectionately taught her how to wrap dumplings.

Tong Huaqiong watching the sweet couple felt envious.

Fan Tong felt bitter.

Both being scholars from Yan Guan Town, yet Jingzhe could attract a wealthy and beautiful woman, while he could only marry Taohua.

Crucially, this heiress was not only beautiful but also very virtuous, unlike Taohua, who became a shrew after marriage.

"Second Uncle, help Yaozu and me set off the fireworks," Man Er tugged at Dashi’s sleeve.

The fireworks were sent from the palace by the heir apparent, featuring various floral and animal designs.

Man Er had been impatiently waiting to set them off.

Dashi agreed, leading Yaozu and Man Er out, bringing the fireworks to the open space facing the window.

This way, when the fireworks shot into the sky, Tong Huaqiong and others could see them through the window.

Wrapping dumplings while enjoying the fireworks, indeed was quite delightful.

Tong Huaqiong and others raised their heads to look outside.

Noticing that Dashi had yet to set them off.

Then Man Er ran in excitedly, "Xiao Long and Mr. Su have returned."

Tong Huaqiong and others were taken aback.

In previous years, a palace banquet was held on this day, but not this year.

The emperor, startled by the wolf from the Imperial Beast Garden in the twelfth month, had been anxious and feverish, haunted by nightmares, dreaming of the late Crown Prince during these days.

Lacking strength, the emperor expressed that to mourn the Crown Prince, the palace banquet would not be held this year.

On New Year’s Eve, the emperor only sent dishes to the courtiers and royal family, then held a family banquet with the concubines and two Princes, along with the heir apparent.

Tong Huaqiong went to greet them.

Seeing the heir apparent, wrapped in a Great Cloak, supported by Mr. Su and escorted by Su Chengmin, she felt relieved.

Since there was an escort from the Imperial Guard, it must have been approved by the emperor.

She feared the heir apparent had sneaked out of the palace; if anything were to happen, even nine generations wouldn’t suffice for execution.

"Grandmother."

The heir apparent rushed over to Tong Huaqiong.

Aside from Tong Huaqiong, Man Er, and Yaozu, everyone else respectfully saluted the heir apparent.

Fan Tong and Taohua were witnessing the heir apparent in his true status for the first time.

When the heir apparent had been identified and taken away, Fan Tong learned the news too late. By the time he reached Qinghe Bay, the heir apparent’s carriage was long gone.

Every time he thought about this, Fan Tong stomped his feet in regret.

Who could have guessed that Tong Huaqiong would find a child on the road who turned out to be the heir apparent?

Taohua also regretted, never having given Dahuan, this illegitimate child, a proper look.

The heir apparent, lifting his head from Tong Huaqiong’s embrace, saw Dahuan and walked towards him, calling out ’father.’

Dahuan, taken aback, knelt down with a thud.

The heir apparent calling him ’father’ wasn’t just nerve-wracking.

Even though he had been the heir apparent’s foster father for a time, he couldn’t handle the heir apparent calling him ’father’ in public.

The heir apparent helped Dahuan up, and Dahuan, upon rising, couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the heir apparent’s head, then pulling back, remembering the heir apparent’s identity.

"Is father becoming distant from me?" the heir apparent asked, looking up.

Seeing the heir apparent’s disappointed look, Dahuan couldn’t help but pat his head, awkwardly saying, "How could that be, how could that be..."

"It’s cold outside, let’s go inside."

Tong Huaqiong said, pulling the heir apparent into the house.

The heir apparent should not make things difficult for Dahuan, for to Dahuan, a simple and pure ancient soul, a member of the Royal Family was like the heavens. It’s something he’s not yet accustomed to — the heir apparent calling him father in public.