A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 340 Incense Like

Punishment too light damages the prestige of the Royal Family, making it seem as if its Offspring are easy to bully. Punishment too heavy chills the hearts of subjects. So, Zhao Junyao’s penalty was neither too light nor too heavy. His examination results were deducted, and he was barred from participating for two years. This punishment was just right.Young Master Yang hadn’t come of age yet. Although he participated in the martial examination this year, no one really expected him to achieve academic honors; the aim was for experience. Besides, the Yang Family had been a family of meritorious officials for generations and wouldn’t miss one Martial Champion title.

As expected, Minister Yang feigned reluctance for a while before kneeling to express his gratitude. Young Master Yang also went from initial reluctance to ultimate satisfaction. Academic honors? They weren’t a big deal; he could always try again in two years. As long as he wasn’t disgraced, everything else was negotiable.

Upon exiting the palace gates, Young Master Yang was like a wild horse freed from its reins. Ignoring his wounds, he mounted his horse in one swift move, squeezed its belly with his legs, and the horse galloped away, kicking up dust.

Minister Yang followed behind, shaking his head, "This son of mine... is too reckless!"

「Yang Mansion」

Yang Chenyi galloped back to the mansion, and the doorman reported his arrival to the inner court. Madam Yang, upon receiving the news, was so anxious that she immediately sent for him.

"Quick, fetch him here, Yi’er is still injured...!"

It was a Thunderbolt Grenade, after all. Having married into a family of military generals and being influenced by Minister Yang, she vaguely knew it was something that could take a person’s life! Ever since her son was injured, she had been having nightmares every day. She was terrified. She only had this one son; if something truly happened to him, wouldn’t it be the death of her?

Yang Chenyi walked briskly into the main courtyard.

"Mother!"

Madam Yang felt instantly at ease.

"Come here and let Mother have a look. The Emperor didn’t blame you, did he? Did your father scold you?"

Yang Chenyi pulled up his collar to cover his wound, then reassured her with a smile.

"Mother, they are just minor injuries; I’ve already healed!"

"The Emperor punished me by forbidding me from taking the martial examination for two years!"

"It seems like... he also punished Father with one month of solitary reflection and half a year’s salary!"

Madam Yang thought about it and then smiled.

"The Emperor is truly wise!"

"You are not yet of age, and Mother didn’t agree to let you participate either!"

"As for your father... he deserves the punishment!"

Her own son was the victim, so why should he have been the one dragged in to plead guilty? Now that the punishment had been meted out, they could accept it with peace of mind.

Madam Yang was very satisfied. Patting her chest, she laughed, "This matter is finally behind us!"

Yang Chenyi comforted his mother, "Mother, there was really no issue. The Emperor sees everything clearly; he wouldn’t unjustly attribute this mess to me!"

When he said this, there was a hint of disdain in his eyes. A Little Prince of the Royal Family, lacking in capability is one thing, but resorting to such despicable means.

Madam Yang patted her son’s shoulder.

"Alright, go rest now. Don’t run around with your injury. Have the girls apply more medicine to it!"

Madam Yang was referring to the maids she had personally selected for her son. Her son was growing up; next year he would come of age. Upon reaching adulthood, he should have maids to attend to him. Thinking of this, Madam Yang became even more pleased.

By evening, the sky suddenly grew overcast. Old Master Yang, in a rare departure from his usual habits, hadn’t gone out and was at the mansion. In the main courtyard, dinner was being served. When Old Master Yang entered from outside, he found Madam Yang embroidering.

Old Master Yang seemed a bit helpless at the sight.

"Are you making another bellyband for Yi’er?"

Madam Yang looked up, somewhat displeased with him. "What occasion is it today that Old Master hasn’t gone out?"

Old Master Yang thought for a moment and then just spread his hands.

"The Emperor punished me with a month of solitary reflection, Madam. Have you forgotten?"

Madam Yang furrowed her brows and indeed recalled.

"Oh!"

Old Master Yang was speechless. Madam, I am your husband, and all I get is an ’oh’?

Over there, Madam Yang remembered and became dissatisfied again. She prattled on for a while, the gist of which was: Yi’er clearly wasn’t in the wrong, so why did he have to apologize?

Old Master Yang sat beside her, coaxing her with a gentle voice.

"Madam, that was the Little Prince. Empress Dowager Zhen isn’t to be trifled with; even the Emperor can’t do much about her. If our Yi’er were to offend her, his future..."

Madam Yang pursed her lips and said petulantly, "I don’t care!"

Under the candlelight, Madam Yang, though in her thirties, looked just like an eighteen-year-old girl, pouting and acting coquettishly with her husband. Old Master Yang gazed at the beauty under the candlelight; she looked just as she had when she married him. And then... he was stupefied.

Madam Yang pouted her lips and pinched him. "What are you gazing at me for?"

Old Master Yang snapped back to his senses and hurriedly pretended to be oblivious.

"Hm? Madam, was I looking at you?"

He surreptitiously swallowed and then shifted his gaze elsewhere.

After the evening meal, Madam Yang continued her embroidery under the lamp. Old Master Yang watched, growing restless.

"Why is it so hot today? Madam, are you feeling warm?"

Madam Yang glanced at him calmly and bluntly said, "It’s raining; it’s not hot!"

Then, she ignored her husband again, continuing to embroider a bellyband for her son.

Old Master Yang was speechless again.

After a while, Old Master Yang asked again, "Madam, they say doing embroidery by lamplight isn’t good; it hurts the eyes!"

Without even lifting her eyelids, Madam Yang replied, "You’re right, Husband! You didn’t say that when you were reading military strategies in the study all night long!"

If it weren’t for the Emperor ordering him to reflect, he would definitely still be at the barracks by now. All these years, this was how she had managed their home, guarding their son. Did he really think that just because he returned, she had to revolve around him? Hmph! No way!

Old Master Yang was speechless.

Finally... after some time, the rain outside stopped, and Madam Yang finished her embroidery. She held the bellyband she had made herself, looking it over for quite a while, before stating with satisfaction, "Hmm! I’ll send it to Yi’er later! It’s cooler now, and that child doesn’t stay put when he sleeps!"

Madam Yang smiled.

Old Master Yang was a bit speechless. "He’s going to be of age next year. Does he still need this?"

Madam Yang frowned and thought for a moment, "That’s true... How quickly our son is coming of age!"

After saying that, she quickly sat down in front of the vanity and delicately caressed her face.

"If Yi’er comes of age and marries, then I’ll be a grandmother soon! I... I..."

Suddenly, Madam Yang didn’t feel happy anymore.

Well, any woman who finds out she is about to be a grandmother probably wouldn’t be too thrilled.

Old Master Yang embraced her tightly. "Grandmother?" he said. "That rascal had better not think about getting married so soon!"

Having said that, Old Master Yang could no longer restrain himself. He lifted his wife in his arms and pressed her down on the bed.

"Xiangru... you said you would bear another daughter for me!"

Madam Yang was shocked. "Old Master, this is so embarrassing! Yi’er is almost of age!"

Old Master Yang cared little for that, rolling on top straight away. "I’m not old yet; how dare he come of age!"

And with that, he kissed her deeply. Madam Yang cried out in surprise, but it was already too late to resist.