Chapter 862: The Mysterious Gift

Editor: Henyee Translations

At the age of fifteen, the Emperor was essentially a scholar raised within the palace walls, delicate and frail. The Empress disliked this about him, so she subjected him to a series of “inhuman” transformations.

Under the “torture” of the Empress, the Emperor found himself attracted to her, despite her being disguised as a man at the time. During this period, he even thought he might be homosexual, leading to many humorous situations.

The Emperor placed a grilled mushroom into the Empress’s bowl, “It smells good, should be edible.”

Back on the frontier, they often ate grilled meat like this, which reminded them of those good old days.

The Empress picked up a mushroom with her chopsticks and fed it to the Emperor.

Accepting the Empress’s feeding, the Emperor contentedly remarked, “Not bad, my cooking skills are quite decent.”

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao looked up at the Emperor, now devoid of his imperial aura and looking more like a nobleman. They mused that even the Emperor and Empress, like them, enjoyed good food, barbecuing, and laughter…

The Empress returned to her seat and clinked beer mugs with Chu Qingzhi before downing her drink boldly.

Chu Qingzhi drank her beer with a smile, finding the Empress rather cute at the moment.

Through the flickering firelight, the Emperor gazed at his Empress, thinking to himself that no matter when, he always felt captivated by Yuni.

The young prince, holding Chu Qingzhi’s bowl, approached Tang Jinghong, “Minister Tang, could you give this meat to Sister Chu?”

“Sure.” Tang Jinghong placed a grilled chicken filet into the bowl, “Be careful, don’t drop it.”

“Don’t worry, I walk steadily.” The young prince carefully walked back, “Sister Chu, the meat is delicious. It’s all for you.”

The Empress pointed to the meager mushrooms in her bowl and asked, “What about mom?”

The young prince glanced at the Emperor, noticing only vegetables on the grill, and spread his little hands, “Daddy didn’t grill any meat.”

The Emperor and Empress, “…”

The Emperor quickly said, “I’ll learn to grill meat right away, Yuni, just wait a bit.”

The Empress pointed at Tang Jinghong, “Make sure to grill it as well as Brother Tang does.”

The Emperor glanced at Tang Jinghong, who seemed adept at everything, “I’ll do my best.”

Chu Qingzhi asked the Empress, “Are you attending the year-end banquet at Yunfei School tomorrow?”

The Empress looked towards the Emperor, seeking his opinion.

After a moment of thought, the Emperor, having come all this way, decided it would be good to attend, “We’d like to go, shall we join you?”

Tang Jinghong asked the Emperor, “Aren’t you afraid of being recognized by the students in the School?”

The Emperor looked at Chu Qingzhi and smiled, “Perhaps Miss Chu could help us change our appearance?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Sure.”

The party continued late into the night before everyone dispersed. That night, the Emperor’s family of three moved into the second floor of Tang Jinghong’s house, beginning a half-month countryside life.

…

By the next evening, the weather was pleasant, with the sunset casting golden sunlight everywhere.

Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingshuang, in their purple sister dresses, stepped out from the house.

Today, there were no classes. Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao, dressed as scholars, stood by the carriage, waiting.

Their clean scholar attire gave the two children a scholarly air, though they practiced martial arts daily and were far from frail.

On the other side, Tang Jinghong and the others were also ready.

Tang Jinghong took one path, while the Emperor and Empress, holding the young prince by each hand, took another to meet Chu Qingzhi.

They had changed their appearances to look more ordinary, though their noble aura remained unmistakable.

With a large group, they split into two carriages, driven by Chu Xuhua and Chu Xujin.

Once everyone was aboard, the carriages set off for Yunfei School.

…

Yunfei School had undergone a fresh arrangement, with some areas repaved and walls repainted. The garden was replanted in parts, giving the School a new look.

The younger students had all been sent on holiday, leaving only the older ones to help with preparations for the banquet.

At the School’s main gate, groups of students arrived, along with the occasional distinguished guest.

These guests included retired ministers, renowned individuals, officials from neighboring counties, clan leaders, and heads of prominent families…

The dean personally welcomed them at the gate.

The county magistrate of Shuiyun arrived early, smiling as he greeted, “Dean, happy new year!”

The dean returned the greeting with a smile, “Happy new year, my lord, please come inside.”

A student responsible for reception approached, “This way, my lord.”

Following the student, the magistrate entered the banquet hall and took a seat.

Suddenly, the dean walked down the steps, “Miss Chu, General Tang, welcome.” He did not overlook their companions, greeting them all warmly.

The Emperor and Empress, seeing the dean personally welcome Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong, realized the influence these two had here might surpass theirs.

Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong returned the greeting, “Dean, happy new year.”

“Please, this way.” The dean, all smiles, personally led them into the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was specially prepared for the year-end banquet. With over five thousand students and teachers at Yunfei School, plus today’s guests, the event was planned for six thousand people, just enough to fit everyone.

The distinguished guests all sat at the front, with Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong’s seats in the first row, along with their accompanying family members.

The tables were long and wide, accommodating ten people each.

The dean politely said, “Please take your seats. Some guests have yet to arrive; I’ll go check on them.”

Tang Jinghong replied, “Please, Dean.”

Fruits, snacks, and tea were laid out on the tables for guests to enjoy at their leisure.

The young prince approached Chu Qingzhi, holding her hand affectionately, “Sister Chu, I want to sit with you.”

Chu Qingzhi lifted the young prince onto a chair, “Sit here; I’ll sit next to you.”

The Emperor and Empress, feeling left out, “…”

After they were seated, early-arriving distinguished guests came to greet Chu Qingzhi, including the county magistrate.

After these guests left, familiar students from the School, such as Xu Guannan, Fang Mingyi, and Song Qingyuan, came over to greet her, followed by those less acquainted.

If one didn’t know better, they might assume Chu Qingzhi was the guest of honor today.

A group of students surrounded Chu Qingzhi…

Xu Guannan, with a smile, said, “Miss Chu, there’s a talent show at today’s banquet. Everyone might expect you to perform.”

Chu Qingzhi asked the crowd, “Have you all performed before?”

Fang Mingyi laughed, “We’ve all performed, and it led to many amusing incidents.”

Song Qingyuan added, “But the one who wins first place gets a mysterious gift.”

Fang Mingyi patted Xu Guannan on the shoulder, “Last year’s mysterious gift was won by Brother Guannan. We asked him what it was, but he hasn’t told us to this day.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “That’s great, maybe I can win another one today.”

Xu Guannan shook his head with a smile, “I’m afraid this year’s might have to be yours.”