Accompanying a Tiger
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Ah-Yao was carried by his father. He cried out a few times, but his father didnât seem to hand him over to Han Qiao.
After his mother got up to wash her face and hands, he quieted down.
Content to just playing with his fatherâs fingers.
He pulled it and was about to put it into his mouth to bite when Heng Yi stopped him
âFatherâs hands are dirty. If you bite them, your stomach will hurt.â
Ah-Yao was stunned.
He put down Heng Yiâs hand.
Coincidentally, the egg custard was ready. His eyes were sparkling when he noticed the food and shouted for the egg custard.
Heng Yi took the soup from Pucaoâs hands, scooped it up with a spoon, and fed it to him.
âIs it good?â
Ah-Yao nodded hard, opening his mouth and showing off his little white teeth.
One bite after another, he ate happily.
âWhat a little gluttonous cat.â
Han Qiao said when she returned after she was done packing and saw how happily her son was eatingâ¦
She also laughed.
âWhen Ali-Chi conies home, ask him to come over.â
âYes.â
Han Qiao was very busy just for the betrothal gifts.
There were also invitations she needed to think about.
Most importantly, she wanted to invite the Emperor and Heng Congshan over for a meal.
She canât go to entertain Emperor Zhao Qian personally, but she can ask him to entertain His A/Iajesty.
Therefore, Master Feng next door would be a very suitable bridge between them.
Of course, it was also to let Master Feng show his dignity in front of Emperor Zhao Qian.
Just because of this matter, Madam Feng was even more nervous than Han Qiao. She came over to help prepare the dishes, take out the wine, and pay extra attention to the bowls and chopsticks.
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Han Qiao was silent for a while before finally saying, âForget about the chopsticks. People like us canât bring out anything good. Why donât we just let nature take its course?â
Madam Feng thought over Han Qiaoâs advice and thought that it made sense.
Even though Han Qiao and Heng Yi had money, some things were priceless that couldnât be bought with money.
It was better to do it simply and sincerely.
Although Han Qiaoâs bowl was not some rare treasure, it was still clean white porcelain with beautiful patterns.
It was considered good.
âWhat about the dishes?â She instructed someone to ask.
âI got someone to help me get a cow. Iâll personally cook. You can bring the children over too.â
Madam Feng was grateful.
Han Qiao had specially invited Feng Xinru over, so naturally, she had brought her children along as well.
Helping together was an excuse to show their dignity in front of Emperor Zhao Qian.
Whether it was marriage or future endeavors, everything would be very different.
To invite the Emperor, they had to first prepare an invitation, inviting him to come home for dinner on the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month.
After obtaining the Emperorâs permission, they began to prepare.
Emperor Zhao Qian also wanted to meet Han Qiao and Han Chi, the child who ranked first.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth, the Heng residence was bustling.
Han Qiao was busy in the kitchen, while Feng Xinru and Madam Feng helped out. Sun Xiu and Sun Yi led their sisters to tidy up the hall, placing vases and flowers.
The servant girls and old women were all extremely cautious of their actions. They walked very carefully and did not dare to make any sudden or big movements.
Later that afternoon, they casually ate a few mouthfuls for lunch.
Then went straight back to clean up and wait for Emperor Zhao Qian to arrive.
Emperor Zhao Qian came early.
Heng Yi and his family greeted him.
Han Qiao had been preparing this for a long time, and she wanted to kowtow to Emperor Zhao Qian.
However, Emperor Zhao Qian was younger and more generous than she had imagined.
âThere is no need to be so polite. We are not in the palace now. You can treat me like any ordinary guest.â
This was not considered polite.
However, everyone stood up and did not bow. They welcomed Emperor Zhao Qian into the courtyard.
Emperor Zhao Qian looked at the mansion and praised it.
This house had the smell of home.
There was warmth everywhere, especially from the little boy, He Cheng, who was jumping around and was especially lively and cute. His mouth was also very sharp, and he spoke in an orderly manner. He neither spoke in a hurry nor too slow.
He could answer any question very well.
âYou have taught this child well,â Emperor Zhao Qian praised.
He was a good child.
This child was chubby, and his skin was fair, and tender. He had a clever face and a clear gaze. He did not look stupid.
Emperor Zhao Qian showed the children the presents he brought.
The Emperor had come prepared. The items were all treasures among treasures.
The children kowtowed in gratitude.
Han Qiao brought Madam Feng and Feng Xinru to the kitchen.
âAiyo, my heart almost jumped out just now.â Feng Xinru patted her chest.
Madam Feng also heaved a sigh of relief, âYes, Iâm also very nervous.â
âWhat about you, All-Qiao?â
When Han Qiao heard this, she chuckled, âIâm very nervous too. My palms are sweaty.â
She had seen big shots before, but she had never seen the Emperor.
She was still nervous.
The three of them smiled in unison.
At the same time, they were not that nervous anymore.
Heng Yi, Master Feng, and Heng Congshan accompanied Emperor Zhao Qian to the courtyard.
âYou have a nice home. Itâs very big and spacious. You must have put in a lot of effort when building it.â Emperor Zhao Qian praised.
âI did spend a lot of effort, but it was all my wife and my sworn brotherâs effort. I donât understand these things, so 1 didnât help much.â Heng Yi said honestly.
He didnât have much knowledge and didnât understand the twists and turns of a scholarâs mind.
He spoke his mind like he usually does.
He wanted to talk about Bai Cha several times, but Heng Congshan always interrupted him.
â?â Heng Yi glanced at Heng Congshan.
What did he mean?
After being interrupted a few times, Heng Yi knew that this matter might not be easy to talk about.
He might as well not say anything.
While Master Feng and Heng Congshan were all eloquent people, in contrast, Heng Yi was a man of few words.
After touring a little more, they decided to sit down for a while and drink tea.
Emperor Zhao Qian, Heng Congshan, and Master Feng all sipped their tea. He picked up the cup and finished it in two sips.
He asked the servant girl to pour more for him.
âEmperor, do you want another cup?â
Emperor Zhao Qian laughed.
His elegance was revealed from his bones.
Heng Congshan and Old Master Feng were all trained to do the same.
Heng Yi hadnât been trained.
âThen letâs have another glass,â Emperor Zhao Qian imitated Heng Yi and drank the tea in two gulps.
Duan Yue immediately went forward to refill their cups.
Emperor Zhao Qian took two sips of the second cup of tea.
Then he took a few more bites of the desserts and snacks on the table.
He originally wanted to be more particular and eat one bite of the same dish, but the dishes tasted very good, so he couldnât help but eat two more bites.
He thought that snacks were good enough.
Emperor Zhao Qian took a bite.
âGood!â
It was sour, numb, and spicy. He didnât know what it was, but it tasted delicious.
He couldnât help but move his chopsticks back a few more times.
Heng Yi ate especially fast, and his appetite only grew.
He felt bloated after eating so much.
Heng Yi didnât ask Emperor Zhao Qian to stay in the mansion for a night. The guards outside were enough to make oneâs hair stand on end.
It was better for him to return to the inn.
However, Emperor Zhao Qian had come to Chenzhou City for so many days, and he hadnât visited the Gong Princeâs residence. Instead, he came to Heng Yiâs home.
Everyone knew that Heng Yi was about to attain a special promotion.
They later sent off Emperor Zhao Qian and Heng Congshan.
Once they left, Master Feng sat on the chair and took a deep breath, âItâs said that accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger. 1 thought that it was just an exaggeration. Now that Iâve experienced it myself, Iâm physically and mentally exhausted.â
During the whole visit, he didnât dare to say a word, afraid that if he said anything wrong, it could potentially destroy his family.
âAre you full tonight?â Heng Yi asked.
Master Feng glanced at Heng Yi and shook his head.
How was he full? He didnât even dare to move his chopsticks!
Wouldnât he be courting death to snatch food from the Emperor?