Chapter 1419
Jin Yue 20
Chapter 1419 Jin Yue 20
Cheng Sui didn't understand: "But everyone loves elegance..."
"Can elegance put food on the table?" Tan You said sarcastically. "I admire those literati who uphold their integrity even in poverty, but if someone is well-off and has no worries about food and drink, and then talks about elegance, I would find him ridiculous."
"There's a condescending attitude here, like 'Why don't they eat meat porridge?'"
"What is elegance? True elegance is allowing the existence of things different from oneself in the world. That is true elegance."
"For ordinary people, just surviving is already difficult enough. If you ask someone who can't even afford to eat to appreciate the beauty of an orchid, in their eyes, it's far less worthwhile than two steamed buns."
"No matter what, survival is the first priority. Only after you've survived can you talk about elegance."
Cheng Sui nodded blankly, but Cheng Qian couldn't stand it anymore: "Don't corrupt my son."
Before Tan You could speak, Cheng Sui had already defended her, saying, "Everything my mother says is right."
Tan You smiled slightly as she took Cheng Sui's hand and said, "He truly is my good son."
Cheng Sui now understood what "good son" meant. He looked down at his toes and smiled innocently.
Wei Shi rode in a carriage by herself, Tan You, Cheng Qian, and Cheng Sui rode in another carriage, and Gu Yu and other maids who served her closely rode in the last carriage. Compared to others, the Duke's mansion's procession was already quite grand.
After getting into the car, Cheng Sui snuggled into Tan You's arms. Tan You flicked her wrist, and a handful of roasted chestnuts landed in Cheng Sui's palm. Cheng Sui's eyes lit up, and he immediately offered them to Tan You.
Tan You shook her head: "You eat, I've already eaten."
Cheng Sui put it into his small cloth bag as instructed, while Cheng Qian naturally received nothing.
The little guy holds a grudge.
Cheng Sui peeled chestnuts with her feet up. All the food Tan You prepared had one thing in common: it was big.
For example, chestnuts—one chestnut was as big as Cheng Sui's palm. By the time they arrived at the palace gates, Cheng Sui had only eaten two. Patting his little belly, Cheng Sui squinted his eyes and said, "Mother, please keep the rest for me."
Tan You chuckled: "Okay, just let me know when you need it."
The little guy knew that with so many people around, he wouldn't keep something as valuable as the mutated chestnut to himself. What if someone saw it?
Cheng Qian looked at his impeccably well-behaved eldest son, feeling a mix of emotions. At this moment, he couldn't help but think of his deceased son, Lin Ge'er, who was undoubtedly far too naive compared to Cheng Suilai.
As for Cheng Sui, he already knew how to protect himself and blend into the crowd.
As a favorite of the new emperor, Cheng Qian was stopped by the eunuchs as soon as he entered the palace.
A eunuch in red robes stood in front of the carriage, his voice high-pitched: "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you for an urgent audience."
He saw Cheng Sui sitting upright through the carriage window, and the eunuch couldn't help but smile: "This must be Sui-ge'er. His Majesty wishes to meet Sui-ge'er."
Cheng Sui pouted, not correcting the eunuch's statement.
Cheng Qian looked at Eunuch Wang outside the carriage and subconsciously smiled: "Eunuch Wang, it's been a long time. Are you well?"
Eunuch Wang's smile deepened: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master. I am doing well. However, Young Master, your complexion is much rosier than before."
Cheng Qian thought of the pills in the mansion, and a trace of apprehension flashed in his eyes: "He is indeed much better, but he cannot use force yet and can only rest. I will take my son to pay my respects to the Emperor now."
Cheng Sui stood up with her small bag on her back: "Mother, Yun-ge'er has gone."
Tan You patted his head: "Go ahead."
Cheng Sui nodded, glanced at Eunuch Wang outside the carriage, and stepped out first. As he alighted, Eunuch Wang instinctively offered him a hand. After Cheng Sui steadied himself, he bowed to him and said, "Brother Yun thanks you, Eunuch Wang."
Eunuch Wang paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Cheng Sui. He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for Cheng Qian to get out of the carriage. Cheng Qian clutched his chest, still slightly out of breath.
He was clearly a military general, but now he looks like a frail scholar.
Tan You also got off the carriage. She looked up at Cheng Qian and said, "I'll wait for you and Yun Ge'er to come back at the palace banquet."
Cheng Qian's legs trembled slightly. The gentler Tan You's smile, the more uncertain he felt. He gritted his teeth and forced a straight face: "Fine, Yun-ge'er is my son, and I will definitely protect him."
It's interesting that he said "want" instead of "can".
Tan You nodded slightly: "Go ahead."
The two sides parted ways at the palace gates, as Lady Wei had attended the palace banquet. Soon, she led Tan You and a group of maids to the Empress's palace, which was the usual procedure.
Upon entering the main hall, one finds many noblewomen and young girls already there.
Those who could attend the palace banquet were all the most favored daughters of their families. Tan You glanced around and spotted the original owner's stepmother, Madam Qi, and her legitimate daughter, Lin Jinzhu, sitting at the end of the table.
Lin Jinzhu had long been married, and Lin Yuan, who considered himself a man of integrity, chose a marriage for her that reflected that same integrity. Of course, compared to the Lin family's poverty, Lin Jinzhu's husband's family was quite wealthy.
The Pei family of Jiangnan is a truly prestigious and powerful family.
Lin Jinzhu's husband, Pei Yun, is now an editor at the Hanlin Academy, which shows that the Pei family has grand ambitions.
Tan You's gaze swept over Qi Shi and Lin Jinzhu, then she lowered her eyes indifferently.
Wei was not popular among the women of the household. Firstly, her mother came from a merchant family. Secondly, Wei had a fondness for gold and silver, which did not conform to the refined tastes of high society.
Finally, there's Cheng Kun's dislike for the Wei family.
So, how men treat you is how others will treat you.
Consequently, when Tan You attended the palace banquet, few people paid her any attention. Tan You was happy to have some peace and quiet, and found a corner to quietly drink her tea.
As for the usual nitpicking and backstabbing, Tan You didn't encounter any of that. It just goes to show that nobody's a fool.
Especially since Cheng Qian had twice petitioned to appoint a crown prince, even though Tan You, the crown prince's wife, was not favored, no one dared to cause trouble for her because of the petition to appoint a crown prince.
Tan You was taking advantage of the situation among the women, and Cheng Sui also faced his challenge.
He followed Cheng Qian to the Imperial Study, where many civil and military officials, all from the Xinhuang faction, were already present. Upon seeing Cheng Sui enter with Cheng Qian, Cheng Kun couldn't help but smile smugly: "This is my good-for-nothing grandson, Cheng Sui."
Cheng Sui knelt down with a thud: "Yun-ge'er greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Xiao Zhaomin looked at Cheng Sui kneeling below, his eyes conveying a stern authority without anger: "Raise your head."
Cheng Sui obediently raised his head, his phoenix eyes, just like Cheng Qian's, looking at Xiao Zhaomin without any fear.
Xiao Zhaomin stared at Cheng Sui for a long time, and Cheng Sui returned the gaze, refusing to back down.
Xiao Zhaomin laughed heartily: "The Duke's mansion has a worthy successor. None of my princes and princesses dare to meet my gaze."
"Get up, Yun-ge'er, right?"