By the time he finished his tea, Leng Shuqing and Leng Mulingâs complexions also didnât look too good.
Both of them were pulling at their handkerchiefs together.
They were beaten and left with nothing to say.
As Zhuo Junli had said, they were indeed outstanding in looks but not stunning beauties who could topple empires, and though proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, they werenât unmatched. As for medicine and business⦠these two areas were completely foreign to them.
Looking at their disheartened faces, Zhuo Junli chuckled, âSo, itâs not that I underestimate you; itâs that in life, one should set realistic goals. If you canât compare to Su Yingxue, donât try. Putting aside our new emperor, there are plenty of crown princes and young masters in Jiang Du City for you to choose from!â
âUncle has taught us well, and weâve taken it to heart,â Leng Shuqing said, bowing slightly with a sincerely convinced attitude.
Leng Muling wasnât convinced, but she also couldnât refute the clear-headed words of her uncle.
The one on the Taishi Chair, Leng Yi, had even less to say in retort.
Zhuo Junliâs words were too direct, but they had the benefit of his straightforward and decisive manner.
Leng Yi quelled his ambition for competing for a higher position and waved his hand dismissively, âEnough, thereâs no need to fuss over those two any longer.â
âThe father is wise! Our two little fairies at home, why must they necessarily match the emperor? Being the mistress of a manor is far more leisurely and carefree than being the empress,â Zhuo Junli commented as he pulled out his folding fan with a graceful and leisurely air, resembling a son from a wealthy idler family.
After he left, the two little fairies stayed with Leng Yi for a while longer.
The more lively Leng Muling said, âGrandpa, with such talent, uncle is truly too good for the Imperial Academy. You are the Prime Ministerâcouldnât you promote uncle a bit, so his talents arenât wasted?â
Speaking of Leng Yi sighed, âDo you think I donât want to promote him?â
It wasnât that he didnât want to show favoritism. Since Zhuo Junli rejoined the family, he had been made to take the imperial civil service exam and flippantly landed the third-highest rank. After securing an idle post, he showed no further ambition, sitting in the Imperial Academy like a rabbit in its burrow, reluctant to venture out.
Other people of seventeen passed the initial exam and within five years rose to the rank of a fifth-ranked official through editing work. But he, after five years, was still a seventh-ranked editor.
He didnât know how many times he had been frustrated to the point of spitting blood!
Leng Shuqing was more understanding, âUncle surely has his own plans. He possesses grand talent and ambition but prefers to lead a carefree life rather than be bound by the officialdom. With such a temperament, Iâm afraid thereâs little grandpa can do to manage him.â
Isnât that the truth?
Leng Yi shook his head and sighed.
But given Zhuo Junli had suffered for many years outside and was willing to come back and address him as father, he couldnât bear to be too demanding.
Moreover, the marriage he had arranged for him with the daughter from Changxin Marquisâs Manor was also a debt he owed him.
When Su Yingxue arrived at Chu Yihanâs chamber, she hadnât expected Chu Yihan to return so soon.
The imperial carriage barely stopped before Chu Yihan immediately walked over.
He reached out both hands like he wanted to embrace her, but seeing the numerous attendants around, he restrained himself and instead helped her down.
Su Yingxue leapt into his arms and smiled sweetly, âThank you, Your Majesty.â
âYour Majesty?â
This address made Chu Yihan freeze momentarily, and the hand he held her with stiffened as well.
But he quickly composed himself, unbeknownst to Su Yingxue.
She thought maybe her lack of formality was what made Chu Yihan feel uncomfortable.
She promptly became more cautious, drew back her hand, and followed Chu Yihan into the chamber.
The imperial palace chambers were indeed much larger than those in the princeâs mansion and were guarded day and night by palace attendants.
Su Yingxue only felt uneasy, as if sitting on pins and needles.