novelraw Chapter 1089: Planning
Chapter 1089: Planning
As for these younger brothers.Zhao Junyao thought to himself: Weren’t they always saying they wanted to share his burdens?
Then let them share; what a great opportunity.
After assigning the ten foreign women properly.
Zhao Junyao felt completely refreshed.
Upon knowing this, Prince Jin didn’t say much either.
He was busy every day.
Either going out of the city with his daughter and son-in-law or drinking and feasting with officials, sometimes resting alone at the inn.
However, no matter what he did, someone was secretly watching.
Zhao Junyao was well aware of his every move.
Yet after so long of surveillance, nothing unusual was discovered.
It was as if Prince Jin knew someone was watching him.
In both speech and actions, there was nothing inappropriate at all.
After cursing ’old fox’ under his breath.
Zhao Junyao still instructed, ’Keep strict surveillance, report any matter.’
And then devoted himself to handling governmental affairs.
Having been delayed for so long, he couldn’t focus all his mind on Prince Jin.
...
November swiftly went by half.
In mid-month, heavy snow fell from the sky.
After a night, the snow was half a foot thick.
The entire Capital City was dressed in silver, and the air was chillingly cold.
In such weather, no one would go out for a stroll.
Both big and small households in the capital stayed behind closed doors.
Having no alternative, Prince Jin had to stay quietly at the inn.
Except for Hai Feng who occasionally came to see him.
The rest of the civil and military officials had all disappeared.
On this day.
The plum blossoms in the Fifth Prince’s Mansion proudly bloomed amidst the snow, the snowy scene was beautiful.
Hai Feng then invited Prince Jin into the mansion to enjoy the snow.
The Fifth Master was engaged elsewhere and couldn’t accompany.
Hai Feng laughed.
"No worries, Master, you go ahead, I will entertain Father King!"
The Fifth Master nodded and left with relief.
Hai Feng instructed people to set up a brazier in the pavilion of the back garden, surrounded by curtains, brewed fragrant tea, and served snacks.
Then personally invited Prince Jin over.
From the outer courtyard all the way in, Prince Jin saw most of the mansion’s scenery.
Seeing the red walls and green tiles, pavilions and towers, carved beams and painted rafters, rockeries and exotic stones, small bridges, and flowing water.
The scenery was already exceedingly beautiful, and after a night of snow, it was even more pleasing to the eye, with an extra enchanting charm.
Prince Jin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
’The Great Chu Dynasty is truly prosperous!’
’Yet even a mere Fifth Prince’s residence is this luxurious!’
He thought of his own residence in Western Xia.
Even though he was the Prince Jin, second only to one person, the mansion only had a few more rooms.
Rockeries, exotic stones, rare trees, and pavilions, and towers.
He could afford them, but he was more willing to spend that silver on military equipment and horses.
After all, it was still not affluent enough.
When there’s enough military equipment and the horses are fat enough.
He would naturally be willing to enjoy himself.
But... it seems he still shouldn’t.
In the Prince Jin’s Mansion of Western Xia, apart from his daughter Princess Hai Feng’s courtyard being more exquisitely arranged.
The other courtyards were all plain houses with no extra decoration.
He picked up a cup of fragrant tea and slowly sipped it.
The aroma immediately filled his lips and teeth, the kind of refreshing fragrance directly hitting the crown of his head.
His gaze fell on the red plum blossoms in the distance.
The plum grove was in full bloom amidst the snow, the crimson plum blossoms stood out in the ice and snow world.
From afar, they looked like fiery red clouds on the horizon, layer upon layer, set against the snow scene extraordinarily dazzling.
When viewed up close.
The twisted and rough trunks of the plum trees supported clusters of exquisite red plum blossoms.
The five delicate petals had a layer of fine white snow, interlaced, enhancing each other, appearing extraordinarily exquisite and lovely.
No matter whether from afar or up close, it was a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Prince Jin half-narrowed his eyes, slowly enjoying it.
"How wonderful!"
Still unsatisfied, he picked up his teacup again.
Hai Feng smiled.
"This tea is called Bi Luo Chun!"
"Father King, didn’t I have someone send some over for you?!"
Prince Jin’s expression remained unchanged, calmly smiling.
"Good tea paired with beautiful scenery has more taste, Fengfeng, how can you not understand such reasoning?!"
Faced with flying sand and rolling stones, a group of neighing horses, and a troop of armored soldiers.
No matter how good the tea is, there wouldn’t be much mood to drink it, right?
Hai Feng was taken aback for a while, then smiled.
"Indeed..."
Compared to the Great Chu Dynasty, Western Xia truly...
"Since Father King likes it, why don’t you stay a few more days!"
"In just a little over a month, it’s the New Year, staying here until after the New Year isn’t too late!"
Prince Jin hesitated.
"That long?"
Hai Feng quickly acted coyly, pleading to keep him.
"Father King, you finally came, stay until after the New Year!"
"The capital is bustling during the New Year!"
In front of father, daughters are always daughters, Hai Feng rarely showed such sincere smiles.
Prince Jin almost felt reluctant.
"Alright!"
"For Fengfeng’s sake, I can’t help but thick-skinnedly stay some more days!"
"That’s how it should be!"
Hai Feng hugged Prince Jin’s arm and acted coquettishly.
Prince Jin chuckled as well.
The atmosphere in the pavilion was joyful and lively.
After a while, Hai Feng suddenly felt hungry.
She then got up to instruct the maids around the pavilion.
"You two, go and instruct the Imperial Kitchen, have lunch set in the pavilion, make more of the capital’s delicacies!"
"Oh, and go to the inn and invite the Western Xia chef as well, I want to eat some hometown dishes!"
The two maids respectfully agreed and withdrew.
Hai Feng looked at the other maids, pondering for a moment.
"The pavilion is cold, you go bring some more braziers over."
"And you, go get my cloak!"
"You two, go fetch a fox fur cloak from the master in the front courtyard, my Father King is old and can’t handle the cold!"
The two maids exchanged glances, somewhat hesitant.
Hai Feng glared.
"Why aren’t you going? Can’t this Princess Consort command you?"
The two immediately bowed and withdrew.
Hai Feng glanced around, seeing no one within three zhang, she finally relaxed.
"Father King, time is running out, if you have anything to say, say it quickly!"
Prince Jin took a sip of tea.
He took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Hai Feng.
"Fengfeng, read it when you return, and destroy it after reading!"
Hai Feng took the letter, her gaze firm.
"Rest assured, Father King!"
Saying this, she tucked the letter into her sleeve.
At this time, the two maids who went to order the dishes had returned.
After reporting the menu, Hai Feng smiled and nodded.
"Hmm, not bad, exactly to my liking!"
"As long as the master likes it!"
The two maids bowed and stood by.
After a while, the other maids also returned with the items one after another.
The pavilion gradually warmed up.
Hai Feng and Prince Jin continued savoring tea and chatting and laughing.
As if the previous scene had never happened.
...
After having lunch at the Fifth Prince’s Mansion, Prince Jin, accompanied by Hai Feng, took a tour around the mansion.
Becoming more and more satisfied with the environment here.
Though she married far away, with her means and his status.
Fengfeng would certainly not be at a disadvantage.
"Fengfeng, live well, make a name for Father King!"
The implication being: Plan well! Strive to succeed in one stroke.
Hai Feng beamed.
"Don’t worry, Father King!"
"Your daughter is doing well here! Will never disgrace Father Emperor."
The implication being:
Your daughter is already making efforts, will certainly not disappoint Father King!