Chapter 062 The Invitation

Chapter 062 The Invitation

The snow on the day of Winter Solstice continued for seven days. When the sky finally cleared, Lin Yingxue received an invitation to admire the snowy landscape.

Lin Yingxue took the invitation and looked up at the maid who had delivered it. The maid had a round face and a simple, endearing smile, with lively almond-shaped eyes.

"My lady invites you to come and admire the snowy scenery. It's quite lively there. It's a plum blossom forest, with red and winter plums, all in bud. The snow of Winter Solstice should hasten their blooming, with a touch of snow in the heart of each flower, making them look exceptionally beautiful."

"Not only that, but there will also be venison to eat. It will be slaughtered tonight, marinated, and then roasted over charcoal with some honey brushed on top, creating a unique flavor that is incredibly fragrant."

The vivid description from the maid made Lin Yingxue somewhat tempted, but...

She hesitantly took the invitation, opened it, and was immediately stunned. After a moment, she said, "Thank your lady for her kindness, but I have never met her before. Or perhaps I am familiar with one of the ladies attending the banquet?"

The round-faced maid smiled and said, "Madam can show the invitation to your lord husband. You'll understand then."

After Fu Jiaze returned, Lin Yingxue, while hanging his fur coat, mentioned the invitation to him.

"The wife of Minister Wei Zhuang of the Ministry of Revenue sent this invitation, and the note was written by Minister Wei himself," Lin Yingxue found the weight of the invitation overwhelming.

The Ministry of Revenue oversees the nation's finances, and the Minister of Revenue is like the god of wealth in Great Qi.

Back when she lived in the Lin household, even Lady Wang might not have been eligible to attend such a snow-viewing banquet. Yet now, such an invitation had arrived for Lin Yingxue.

"Is it because of Uncle?" Lin Yingxue could only think of Fu Bin.

While washing his hands, Fu Jiaze said, "It's due to my mentor. His father was once Minister Wei's teacher."

Lin Yingxue nodded. "Do I need to do or say anything specific?"

Having dried his hands, Fu Jiaze gently caressed Lin Yingxue's cheek. "No need to do anything. This snow-viewing banquet is more interesting than Princess Mingrui's flower-viewing banquet. It's a gathering of my mentor's connections. Since it's your first time attending, just relax."

Lin Yingxue's eyes widened. Pei Jin has only Fu Jiaze as a disciple, which means she would likely be the center of attention at this banquet.

Fu Jiaze nodded. "Exactly what you're thinking. You don't need to bring Wanan either. Last time, Vice Minister Xue told me that his wife found it interesting during her first attendance at such a banquet. There won't be any petty competitions among young girls; they simply exchange information."

"Wanan isn't going either?"

"No," Fu Jiaze replied. "She doesn't need to attend these flower banquets."

Lin Yingxue became increasingly nervous. At the last flower-viewing banquet, although she didn't get along with Lin Baozhen, at least she knew someone there. This time, it would be wives of ministers, who are all very astute individuals. How could it be the same?

Lin Yingxue rarely went out. She worried about being looked down upon, which would reflect poorly on her husband too.

Noticing her concern, Fu Jiaze lifted her gently onto his lap.

Lin Yingxue felt embarrassed, having only sat like this on her brother Lin Yi's lap when she was very young.

After the age of seven, she hadn't even sat like this on her mother's lap.

"Don't move," Fu Jiaze pinched her hand. "I want to talk to you like this."

Lin Yingxue tried to find another excuse. "I'm heavy. Let me down."

Fu Jiaze held her tighter instead. "You're not heavy." He chuckled and lifted her slightly. "Light as snow."

His actions caused her earrings to sway, brushing against her cheeks.

The tourmaline earrings were not as vivid as other gemstones, but rather a light purple, complementing her apricot-colored dress with light purple embroidery.

Fu Jiaze played with her earring, his fingertips, slightly calloused, grazing her cheek.

Lin Yingxue quickly said, "Okay, I won't move. Just stop lifting me."

Fu Jiaze smiled. "Your name contains the character for snow. You must enjoy winter landscapes."

Lin Yingxue nodded.

Fu Jiaze placed his hand back on her waist and held her hand with the other. He began to speak softly:

"The snow-viewing banquet has stunning scenery. Last time, Vice Minister Xue mentioned that Minister Wei's residence has exceptional plum blossoms. There's a large, transparent glass pavilion where you can admire the snow and eat roasted meat without feeling cold."

"At the banquet, you don't need to compose poems or showcase talents. It's purely social, discussing where to find good food and entertainment, and sharing news from the capital. I've already told you bits and pieces about the capital, so you might know more than others."

Fu Jiaze held her hand, which was slender and delicate but often cold in winter. He warmed her hand with his own while recounting details from Vice Minister Xue.

"Minister Wei's wife is plump and loves food. She has a good temperament. If you need anything, you can seek out a round-faced maid serving her. She's young but reliable."

"The wife of the Rector of the Imperial Academy, Lady Zou, is skilled in painting. You mentioned having trouble with color matching in a painting. You can ask her for advice."

As Lin Yingxue listened, she realized something was off. Fu Jiaze seemed to know everything about the ladies at the banquet. Turning her head, she asked suspiciously, "Have you been there before?"

Fu Jiaze shook his head. "I guessed you might be nervous, so I asked Vice Minister Xue for more details."

At the time, Fu Jiaze was teased by Vice Minister Xue for being overly concerned about his wife.

Lin Yingxue, initially stiff, relaxed and leaned into him.

Fu Jiaze pushed her away gently. "Can't handle this."

As Lin Yingxue relaxed, her eyes sparkled, causing Fu Jiaze to react. He found it difficult to continue holding her.

Feeling his change, Lin Yingxue blushed and lightly hit his chest. "Let's go eat."

When they arrived at the main hall, Fu Bin was serving Fu Wanan a piece of pastry. "Look at you, eating so much. Your brother and sister-in-law are here, and it's almost time for dinner. Can you still eat more?"

Fu Wanan took a big bite of the pastry, patted her belly, and confidently said, "Uncle, An'an can still eat more."

Fu Heng was calculating nearby and put down the abacus to jot something in a ledger before saying, "Luckily, you only have ten days off. Otherwise, An'an would gain a whole circle around her waist."

Fu Bin had been granted ten days of leave, and Fu Heng had poured all her efforts into her younger brother, making the once-skinny Nine Thousand Years visibly plumper. Thinking about how the Fu family always showed care through food, she smiled.

Fu Bin chuckled, "I've gained weight too. When His Majesty sees me, he might not recognize me."

A faint worry clouded his eyes. In the past, he had little connection with his sister, but now that he was at the height of his power, he could protect his sister and others. But what if one day he fell from grace? How would his family fare?

Fu Jiaze noticed his uncle's concern and silently noted it in his heart.

With everyone present, the meal began. Fu Wanan, having eaten the pastry, was limited in her appetite, which made Fu Heng glare at her brother.

The Nine Thousand Years laughed nervously and dodged his sister's gaze, turning to Fu Jiaze instead. "Jinyuan, let's go to the study."

/

Fu Bin entered the study first, followed by Fu Jiaze, who closed the door behind him.

In the study, Fu Bin sat on a couch by the window and gestured for Fu Jiaze to sit beside him. "Tomorrow, His Majesty will issue an edict to bestow the title of Concubine Chen upon Lady He."

Ever since the fire at Yongning Marquis Manor, Fu Jiaze knew that He Lanting would be kept in the palace. The title of Concubine Chen was unexpected yet reasonable. "His Majesty truly cares for the deceased young master."

Fu Bin did not respond to his nephew's comment, though Fu Jiaze understood that the former Yongning Marquis Lady was indeed Emperor Chengde's concubine. However, this could not be spoken aloud.

Fu Bin said, "His Majesty pities Lady He, hence this arrangement."

Fu Bin continued, "Bestowing the title of Concubine Chen may cause dissent among the court officials. Since I am not in the palace, I avoid this situation."

Keeping a widowed lady with children in the palace and giving her the title of Concubine would certainly be recorded in history if Fu Bin were still in the palace. Instead, his injury allowed him to miss this event.

Fu Bin smiled faintly, recalling why he personally delivered the news to His Majesty. That injury had unexpectedly brought benefits.

Fu Bin told Fu Jiaze, "The palace eunuchs conveyed that Lady He mentioned you to His Majesty. After she is named Concubine, she might summon you for questioning."

Fu Jiaze was taken aback but then remembered the incident at Baifeng Temple. "I heard that I bear some resemblance to the young master. Lady He must be using this to remember him."

Worry flashed in Fu Bin's eyes. Being favored by the future Concubine Chen might not be a good thing, especially since Fu Jiaze already had him as an uncle.

Fu Jiaze reassured his uncle, "Lady He has the emperor's favor and must be clever. She merely wants to mention the deceased young master through me and won't really summon me."

Without any children and being a married lady from outside the palace, Fu Bin realized that mentioning Fu Jiaze was likely He Lanting's way of gaining favor.

"Tell Master Pei about this. Let him know that His Majesty is determined to name Lady He as Concubine Chen."

Fu Jiaze looked at Fu Bin, surprised that he was sharing such information and asking him to inform his mentor.

Fu Bin explained, "You are my nephew, and he is your teacher. If there's anything I can share ahead of time, I'll tell you."

Fu Bin himself had little education and was rootless, valuing blood ties above all else.

Fu Jiaze said, "Jinyuan will always remember Uncle's kindness. As for the future, Uncle need not worry too much. Jinyuan will strive hard."

He would work diligently to build connections so that when the new emperor ascended, he could protect his family.

Fu Bin smiled, content with his life. All he needed was for Fu Jiaze to protect Fu Heng and Fu Wanan. As for himself, a eunuch, he expected to be purged when the new emperor took the throne, given the many unsavory tasks he had done for the emperor.

Fu Bin never imagined that when the new emperor ascended, he would not only escape punishment but also be given a chance to leave the palace openly, with the new emperor showing him respect and calling him "Nurturing Uncle."