Chapter 051 Winter Solstice Prayers

Chapter 051 Winter Solstice Prayers

Yesterday, Manager Pei called him "Jinyuan," and he bowed to Manager Pei as a disciple, making it clear that everyone at the Imperial Academy now viewed Fu Jiaze differently.

Initially, they had seen Fu Jiaze merely as a temporary visitor to the Imperial Academy, but now they knew he was more than just a passerby.

Backed by Fu Bin and Pei Jin, in the coming decade or so, there would surely be a place for Fu Jiaze in the imperial court.

However, no one present could have imagined that years later, instead of being a mere scholar in the court, this person would sit on the lofty dragon throne, with all of them bowing before him as subjects.

At this moment, those in the Imperial Academy with ambitions and aspirations for a long-term career in officialdom began to seek his favor.

Scholars are always reserved; even if they wanted to befriend Fu Jiaze, they did not rush. They simply greeted him during meals.

Apart from reading books at the Imperial Academy, Fu Jiaze now also had social engagements.

Whenever he returned, Lin Yingxue would cover her nose due to the faint scent of alcohol on him.

However, there was hardly any alcohol smell on his breath. His skill at avoiding drinks was like magic, with most of the alcohol ending up on his sleeves, leaving only a few drops actually consumed.

Lin Yingxue disliked Fu Jiaze drinking, but seeing him avoid it so cleverly, she couldn't help but worry, "Won't someone notice? What if they do?"

"Relax," Fu Jiaze said with a sly smile. "I've practiced for a long time. Only once did someone catch me, but even if they did, they wouldn't expose me. We're the same kind of people."

Fu Jiaze hugged Lin Yingxue. "Enough about me. How is your mother doing?"

Lin Yingxue nodded. "Miss Pei trusts my mother greatly."

"Are you bored at the Pei residence?"

Lin Yingxue shook her head. "Playing chess is quite interesting. The styles of Old Lady Song and Manager Pei are completely different, yet I gain something from playing with both of them."

Lin Yingxue learned chess from Old Lady Song, and her talent delighted the old lady. From knowing almost nothing about Go, Lin Yingxue progressed to winning a few points against Old Lady Song when she was tired.

Initially, she played more with Old Lady Song, but later, she played more with Pei Jin.

Old Lady Song's style was bold and expansive, while Pei Jin's was defensive and meticulous. Although Lin Yingxue occasionally won against Old Lady Song, she always lost badly against Pei Jin. Even a small win would make her return home to tell Fu Jiaze.

When not playing chess, Old Lady Song visited Pei Qinghe's room. Wen Hui, who had saved Pei Qinghe, spent daily time with her, gradually breaking down her defenses. With Wen Hui's company, Old Lady Song joined them as well.

"Tomorrow, my mother says I don't need to accompany her. I plan to take Wanan out for a stroll. Winter Solstice is approaching, and I want to buy some things for the occasion."

Wen Hui planned to visit Pei Qinghe's room with Pei Jin and Old Lady Song.

Fu Jiaze asked, "Do you have enough money?"

Lin Yingxue laughed. "More than enough. Don't forget, Wei Wuhou gave us extra silver last time."

Thinking of that sum, the couple shared a smile.

/

The chilly autumn winds had already stripped the branches clean of their yellow leaves. Early in the morning, Lin Yingxue took Fu Wanan out.

Fu Wanan chattered along the way, feeling bored lately because her mother and Lin Yingxue left early every day.

Lin Yingxue thought it rare to take her out and decided to treat her to a special breakfast outside.

They ended up at a wonton stall near the city gate.

This stall was famous for its paper-thin wonton wrappers, filled with air, making them float like bubbles in boiling water, hence the name "bubble wontons."

The soup base was simple, made from bone broth, with lard, pepper, and scallions at the bottom of the bowl. When the hot broth was poured over, the aroma wafted up, and the floating bubble wontons were added.

On a cold Winter Solstice, eating these wontons made their noses sweat, and they felt refreshed.

Fu Wanan finished her meal faster than Lin Yingxue. While Lin Yingxue was still eating, Fu Wanan went to watch the passing carriages at the city gate.

When she returned, Fu Wanan pleaded, "Sister-in-law, let's not go shopping for clothes. Let's go pray!"

It turned out that today was Winter Solstice, and some families had the custom of praying at temples. Fu Wanan liked the festive atmosphere and heard that there was a market at the foot of the mountain, so she wanted to see it.

Lin Yingxue, who was there to entertain Fu Wanan, agreed.

/

Meanwhile, at Yongning Marquis Manor, He Lanting lay in bed, weakly saying, "Mother, are you really taking Bao'er to pray?"

He Lanting was frail, often falling ill in winter, requiring early heating.

Yesterday, she went to the old lady's place, who took her to distribute porridge at the city gate, saying it was to pray for Yan Ji. He Lanting reluctantly agreed, but by evening, she had a fever. This morning, she was too weak to get out of bed, yet the old lady insisted on taking Yan Ji to pray.

"Of course," the old lady said. "I prayed with Lord Marquis for a male heir. We didn't fulfill our vow earlier because we thought the child's eyes were too innocent. Now, we can't delay it any longer. Otherwise, the gods won't bless our Jier."

He Lanting coughed. "But I'm not feeling well and can't go. Can we wait until next year?"

The old lady held her daughter-in-law's hand gently. "If you're not feeling well, stay here. I'll take Jier to pray. And Jier agrees. Madam Li."

The old lady called Madam Li, and soon someone brought Yan Ji in.

He Lanting was alarmed. She had caught a cold, and children easily fell ill, so she shouted, "Bao'er, don't come in!"

She complained, "Mother, how can you bring Bao'er in?"

The old lady said, "Jier, stay here. Jier, tell your mother, do you want to go pray with me on the mountain?"

The screen was removed, and Yan Ji stood far from his mother. He bowed formally, saying, "Mother, I want to pray with Grandmother. I want to pray for your health."

The child's voice was soft but serious, touching the old lady's heart. For a moment, she considered changing her mind, but then remembered that this child was not truly hers and hardened her heart.

"You're sick, and Jier is worried. I'll fulfill our vow, and Jier will pray for you. Isn't that perfect? I know you care deeply for Jier, but he's also my grandson. Would I neglect him? Rest assured."

Yan Ji nodded. "Grandmother is right. Mother, please rest assured. I will stay close to Grandmother."

Hearing the words "never leave your side," Old Madam Zeng's eyes revealed a hint of coldness. She stroked Yan Ji's head, "Yes, you should stay close to this old woman. That's how it should be."

Yan Ji had only met Emperor Chengde and regarded him as an uncle who was kind to him. He was still unaware of his own origins and smiled brightly at his grandmother.

He Lanting could only comply and let the two leave. After the old madam took the child away, her eyelids kept twitching.

The maid comforted her, "Madam, there's no need to worry. To the old madam, Young Master is her beloved grandson. How could she neglect him?"

He Lanting pinched her brow, feeling that the conversation had once again drained her energy. She felt a fever coming on.

"Enough, you're right. I should relax more."

Yan Ji was her child, and also the child of that emperor. Growing up outside the palace, he didn't face much of the open competition and hidden struggles, but he still needed to grow.

He Lanting took some medicine and soon felt drowsy. Just before falling asleep, she suddenly thought of something: if they hadn't given out porridge yesterday, she wouldn't have a fever and could have gone to repay their vows together. But they did give out porridge yesterday.

Enough, it was all her mother-in-law's good intentions, wanting to pray for her beloved grandson. She just didn't consider too much.