Wen Feng handed over the bamboo basket and smiled, "It's chrysanthemum cake."
Wen Rusheng’s eyes lit up, and he removed the fine cloth covering the basket: "I was just feeling like my mouth was bland and wanted something sweet. Oh, these pastries are made so delicately. Which pastry shop are they from?"
As he spoke, Wen Rusheng picked up a piece of chrysanthemum cake and popped it into his mouth.
"Ah Hao sent them."
*Plop.* The half-bitten pastry fell to the floor.
"Who sent them?" Wen Rusheng asked, his eyes fixed and vacant with the pastry still in his mouth.
Wen Feng fell silent, remembering his father’s wariness toward Ah Hao.
Wen Rusheng spat out the piece he hadn't swallowed yet and stared nervously at the pastries in the basket: "Why did Ah Hao send you chrysanthemum cakes?"
"Father, Ah Hao is my cousin. She doesn't need a special reason to send me pastries."
"No, no, no." Wen Rusheng waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes glued to the chrysanthemum cakes.
"Do you think there’s something wrong with the pastries?"
"Shh—" Wen Rusheng held up a finger to hush him, looking at the exquisite pastries with a wary expression.
"What are you looking at?" Wen Feng asked helplessly.
Could the chrysanthemum cakes jump up and bite someone?
Wen Rusheng lowered his voice: "I’m afraid these chrysanthemum cakes might suddenly turn into little mice."
Monsters can use illusions!
Wen Feng: "..."
After a long while, Wen Feng composed himself: "If you’re afraid, I’ll take the pastries to the study."
"Why take them to the study? Throw them in the slop bucket immediately."
"Father, stop letting your imagination run wild." Wen Feng carried the bamboo basket toward the study.
Wen Rusheng stomped his feet behind him: "If you don't listen to your elders, you're going to suffer a great loss!"
Since his son wouldn't listen, Wen Rusheng went to Wen Ping to vent his grievances.
Because of Lin Hao, he and Wen Ping still had things to talk about.
Wen Ping’s eyes flickered as he came up with a devious idea: "If Master doesn't want the Second Young Lady pestering the Young Master, why not find something for the Second Young Lady to do?"
"What kind of thing?"
Wen Ping smiled: "Although the Tenth Master and Madam Lin have severed their ties, the blood bond between father and daughter cannot be cut. Now that the Tenth Master’s family is squeezed into a small house living a miserable life, if the father is living poorly, shouldn't the daughter care at least a little?"
For over twenty years, Wen Ping had called his former master "Master" at every turn; now, calling him "Tenth Master" came just as naturally.
"You mean—"
"Master, you could go visit the Tenth Master when you have time and remind him that he still has two daughters he can rely on."
"No, no." Wen Rusheng refused without hesitation.
Wen Ping looked puzzled.
Wen Rusheng whispered his explanation: "What if Ah Hao finds out it was me who suggested it?"
Wen Ping’s expression twisted for a moment, and he nearly vomited blood.
So this fool didn't hate the Second Young Lady; he was afraid of her.
Heaven is unfair—how could such a useless fool produce such a fine son?
Wen Ping’s attempt at a bad idea failed, and he swallowed a mouthful of bitter blood.
Lin Hao told Lin Chan what she had learned from Wen Feng, and Lin Chan shyly expressed to Madam Lin her intention to find an opportunity to meet Han Baocheng.
Madam Lin entrusted someone to send a message to the Shangshu Mansion.
"The General’s Mansion is willing to meet me?" Hearing his mother relay the General’s Mansion’s response, Han Baocheng’s face beamed with joy.
Being willing to meet meant a step forward.
He knew his two friends had also taken action, and he had been nervous for the past few days.
Seeing his son’s silly grin, Mother Han felt a bit annoyed: "You are the grandson of a Shangshu, at least act like it; don't look like you’ve never seen a woman before."
If she hadn't been unable to bear her son’s disappointment, she wouldn't have even considered the eldest Miss Lin.
"Mother, you know there are two other families seeking to marry the eldest Miss Lin. The fact that the General’s Mansion wants to see me first shows that your son is the most outstanding one."
Hearing her son say this, Mother Han laughed: "You certainly have a way with words."
Mother Han immediately arranged for someone to send word to the General’s Mansion, saying she would bring her son to Tianyuan Temple to pray for blessings in seven days.
Tianyuan Temple was right in the city, making it convenient to go and return, and a dharma assembly for disaster relief and blessings was being held there in seven days. Taking this opportunity to meet wouldn't attract attention, and if it didn't work out, it wouldn't be awkward in the future.
The General’s Mansion replied quickly, saying they would also bring their two young ladies to Tianyuan Temple in seven days.
With the two families in agreement, Han Baocheng felt jubilant at the thought of soon meeting the girl who had sent him the sweet apple, and he couldn't resist inviting his two friends (and rivals) out for a drink.
"Brother Han, don't get too cocky. The first one is often the one who gets eliminated." The youngest son of the Shaoqing of the Taipu Temple, Zhang Liangyu, took a sour sip of wine after hearing Han Baocheng’s boasting.
The other, Li Lan, silently gripped his wine cup, his interest in Lin Chan fading.
It wasn't as if he absolutely had to marry her; he had only been moved to seek the marriage because he thought the eldest Miss Lin was beautiful and gentle.
Had he known that his friends Wen and Zhang were also seeking her hand, he never would have gotten involved. However, by the time he found out, he had already sent a matchmaker, and it wasn't easy to back out. Now that he knew he wasn't the Lin family’s preferred candidate, he naturally wouldn't continue to make a fool of himself.
After the drinking session, Han Baocheng hummed a tune on his way home and ran into Yang Zhe.
Seeing Yang Zhe holding a book, Han Baocheng was surprised: "Brother Yang, you haven't just finished working, have you?"
Yang Zhe had entered the Hanlin Academy, and because of his outstanding performance, he was sometimes borrowed by the Cabinet to handle miscellaneous tasks.
Yang Zhe observed Han Baocheng’s expression and couldn't help but smile: "Is there wedding wine to be had soon?"
"There will definitely be wedding wine." Han Baocheng was in high spirits and showed concern for his friend, "Brother Yang, you should hurry up too; don't let work delay your lifelong affairs."
Yang Zhe curled his lips: "I will hurry, and I hope to catch some of Brother Han’s good fortune."
Han Baocheng caught the implication: "So, Brother Yang, you have someone in mind?"
"Brother Han, you’ve had too much to drink. Go home and get some rest." Yang Zhe smiled, patted Han Baocheng on the shoulder, and walked toward his rented house.
For the meeting in seven days, Madam Lin specially bought two sets of jewelry—one set of bright red rubies for her eldest daughter, and one set of elegant jade for her second daughter.
Unexpectedly, an invitation sent from the palace meant the new jewelry was used ahead of schedule.
Consort Zhuang was hosting a chrysanthemum viewing banquet in three days and had invited the wives and young ladies of various mansions.
Madam Lin held the invitation, feeling a bit curious: "The palace hasn't held such a banquet in a long time. Why did Consort Zhuang suddenly take an interest?"
The Old Madam asked specifically: "Is it only hosted by Consort Zhuang?"
"That’s what the invitation says."
"Then perhaps she has been stifled in the palace for too long and wants to see people." The Old Madam guessed.
If Consort Jing were involved, she might have guessed it was to select a consort for Prince Wei. Since only Consort Zhuang was hosting, it shouldn't be that—after all, what mother wouldn't participate in selecting a consort for her own son?
Many mansions were misled by the invitation and guessed wrong, taking their beautifully dressed daughters or granddaughters into the palace three days later.
The chrysanthemum banquet was set in the Cuijin Pavilion in the garden, surrounded by long corridors and open halls, making it very convenient to view the garden scenery from within.
The invited ladies from various mansions arrived one after another. As Consort Zhuang and Consort Jing appeared together, the wives finally realized that today’s chrysanthemum banquet was likely held to select a consort for Prince Wei.
Realizing this, some were instantly delighted, while others were worried.
(End of chapter)