I thought the holidays would be more relaxed, not busier than normal,” Qu Qing Ju held a thick stack of gift lists from each fu. She rubbed at her forehead and put the lists to one side, “After we finish with these, this year’s festivities will pretty much be over.”
“Celebrating the New Year is to indulge in the celebration so naturally there will be more gifts.” Mu Jin kneaded at her shoulders as she persuaded, “It has been tiring these past days going to the other wang fu. After you go to Xiang Qing Hou Fu tomorrow, it would be relaxing.”
Qu Qing Ju was very satisfied with Mu Jing’s
At the washing ceremony, some noblewomen of significant status were fortunate enough to get close to the Eldest Imperial Son. When they left the palace, they kept on praising how well the Eldest Imperial Son looked and how auspicious his features were.
Those that didn’t have enough status to be close to the Empress Dowagers also crowded around to praise as though they would offend someone if they said it too late.
More people in Jing started to fawn over the members of the Tian Family, but to their surprise, the Tian Family became more low-key. Even the families that the shu daughters of the Tian Family married into started to be low-key. When the actions of the Tian Family passed into He Heng’s ears, it improved his impression of the Tian Family to be even better. After a short while, he would find a chance to bestow some things to the Tian Family to imply that he was very satisfied with the Tian Family’s methods.
The Jing City was always a prosperous place and there were naturally people in stalls on the sides of the street. So when one vendor saw a large stallion with a golden-yellow cloth tied around it, he knew that it was a messenger with a decree and chatted about it with his customers.
“After the Empress gave birth to the Eldest Imperial Son, our Jing City has become busier as well,” A dumpling vendor chuckled as he wrapped the dumplings in lotus leaves and handed them to the customer in front of him, “We can try to partake in the cheer as well.”
Qu Wang Zi had a difficult expression on his face as he stared at the cabbage stuffed buns in his hand. He turned to look at the distant stallion, asking in befuddlement: “That road seems to be Zhong Yi Gong Fu?”
“Yup. The Duke of Zhong Yi is a good official, and also the paternal family of the Empress. For the palace to bestow something to Zhong Yi Gong Fu, isn’t that very normal?” The owner placed the prepared buns into the steamer basket, lowering his head to look at the fire in the stove, his face proud as he said, “The empress once brought the stewed eggs that my dai jie sold. Right now, many noble personages go to taste my da jie’s stewed eggs. They all say that my da jie’s stewed eggs are full of flavor. If this guest is interested, then go buy some for a taste.” He pointed at the stewed eggs stall opposite the street, his face full of pride.
Qu Wang Zhi twisted his head to look. As expected, many people were crowded around the stall buying eggs. He had seen some of them people, they were the stewards of some noble families.
“Hey, isn’t this Young Master Qu?” A youth wearing the uniform of the Dong Shan Academy sitting on a horse looked down at Qu Wang Zhi with a scornful expression, “What lucky day is this that I’m so fortunate to see Young Master personally buying buns?”
The manservant that held the reins for the youth respectfully raised his hands, uttering: “This one greets Young Master Qu.”
Qu Wang Zi recognized that this youth was the Duke of Zhong Yi’s shumei’s son and instantly felt his face burn. He laughed dryly and raised his hands to greet: “Nice to see Young Master Chen.”
“I can’t receive Young Master Qu’s bow,” The youth sat straight on the horse, smiling coldly as he declared, “Your fu is such a noble family that it feels even the Empress is lower than them. Us poor little families cannot receive a bow.” That year at the Empress’ coming of age ceremony, that was how Liang shi had mocked his mother. When his mother had returned home, she had cried over the matter to the point she became sick. If it wasn’t that the Emperor had decreed a marriage for biao jie half a month later, his mother would have remained ill for much longer.
He had never met his yimu but heard from his mother say that his yimu had been very caring of her, and never bullied her because his mother was a shu daughter. So even though it had been a few decades, his mother still sighed when she mentioned yimu.
Thinking about the family of Chang De Gong Fu, he felt slightly disgusted. At the very least, they were a ducal family but they acted worse than any common family. And this Young Master Qu always carried himself arrogantly in the past at the Dong Shan Academy. Every time they met, his nose was pointed at the heavens. Seeing Qu Wang Zhi’s lackluster state, he felt it was karma.
“Young Master Chen is joking,” Qu Wang Zhi couldn’t even fo