Chapter 226: The Long Banquet at the Gate of the Imperial City

Chapter 226

An Jun entered the Golden Sacred Hall.

The Minister of Rites had not yet returned.

Qi Huai sat restlessly at the Qi residence, and simply squatted at the imperial city gate to wait.

Xu Mo generously kept him company without eating a single dumpling at home.

In the small courtyard.

Jiang Sheng held the dumplings, feeling uncomfortable for some reason, "It's the first day of the new year, how can the Emperor still work when even the brothers are not here, even the meat dumplings are not fragrant anymore."

Chang Yan put down his bowl and glanced in the direction of the imperial city.

According to the laws of the Dayu Dynasty, the Emperor could take seven days off every year, four days before the new year and three days after, he would only need to hold the morning court to process memorials starting the fourth day of the new year.

But since Eldest Brother and Qi Huai revealed the fraud in the imperial examinations before the new year, with his diligence, he certainly would not put it off until the fourth day of the new year to deal with it.

It was a pity that Eldest Brother had worked hard to roll so many dumpling skins, yet he wouldn't get to eat a single one.

"Or we could deliver some to Eldest Brother," Wen Zhiyun tentatively suggested.

Jiang Sheng and Chang Yan looked over at the same time.

Deliver dumplings to the imperial city gate?

This sudden suggestion left Jiang Sheng open-mouthed, and also made Chang Yan's face change dramatically.

They were willing to come to Fengjing for Eldest Brother's imperial examinations.

They were willing to stay in Fengjing to accompany their elder brother and younger sister.

But to get close to the imperial city, that was absolutely forbidden, totally unacceptable.

"I...I won't go," Chang Yan squeezed out the three words with difficulty.

The hesitant Wen Zhiyun and the shocked Jiang Sheng both turned their heads to look over, four big eyes full of puzzlement.

"Little Five, do you not like this proposal?" Wen Zhiyun asked timidly.

He was the most timid boy in the family. Even though he was a doctor, he was still gentle and shy in front of his family. Even when making suggestions, it was softly and lightly, for fear of being rejected.

Chang Yan's lips moved, and he seemed to vaguely see the reddened rims of Fourth Brother's eyes. He quickly swallowed back his words.

"Fifth Brother is probably afraid the meat dumplings would get cold and give Eldest Brother diarrhea," Jiang Sheng scratched her head. "There wouldn't be any toilets at the imperial city gate."

Indeed there were none.

Seeing his little sister lead Fourth Brother astray into discussing toilet issues, Chang Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Oh well, it was just the imperial city.

From eight to twelve years old, a full four years had long since carved him into an unrecognizable form. Even if his former loved ones examined him closely, they probably wouldn't be able to recognize him.

After saying so, he picked one up and put it in his mouth. The rich meaty fragrance filled his mouth.

"Tasty, Eldest Brother?" Jiang Sheng looked up and asked.

Xu Mo swallowed it down, the corners of his lips curving up slightly. "Delicious, extremely delicious."

The fragrance of the dumplings was secondary. Most important was the company of family, giving one a sense of comfort and warmth. Even in the cold windy weather of January, one could stand tall and fearless.

Qi Huai ate half a bowl by association, and was still reluctant to put down his chopsticks. "Brother Xu must have cultivated blessings in his past life."

"What makes you say that?" Xu Mo asked in surprise.

The undisguised envy in Qi Huai's eyes, "One must have cultivated blessings in past lives to encounter such brothers and sisters."

Xu Mo was stunned at first, then smiled brightly. He looked back at the three little ones behind him.

The dumplings were already finished, yet the younger siblings still did not leave, clearly intent on accompanying him here to wait.

Family was just like this, sharing weal and woe, joy and sorrow together.

"It is indeed blessings cultivated in past lives." Xu Mo raised the corners of his lips and murmured softly.

But the January winds were still cold after all. He planned to persuade his siblings to wait in the carriage soon, at least to avoid catching a cold or falling ill.

Yet before he could turn around, the west gate of the imperial city opened.

Countless people walked out.

There were the current Prime Minister, Minister of Rites, members of the Jiang, Zhu, Tao families and other prominent families of Fengjing. They wore first, second, third rank official uniforms, crane wing shaped formal hats, with either solemn or chatting expressions in groups of three or five.

Xu Mo knitted his brows. He didn't see An Jun among them.

Chang Yan also frowned. He saw many familiar yet unfamiliar people.

The twelve-year-old boy turned around, wanting to hide in the carriage.

Just then Qi Huai saw the Minister of Rites and cried out brightly, "Father!"

Most of the officials in the Golden Sacred Hall turned to look.

The Minister of Rites had a grave expression, yet his eyes also held faint smiles. He rebuked, "You brat, why did you come over, hurry back home to celebrate new year!"

Qi Huai bowed with clasped hands, "Your son is here to bring father home."

A touching display of fatherly love and filial piety.

Xu Mo suddenly felt he was also envious of Qi Huai in this aspect.

He bowed in greeting, and was about to withdraw after seeing off the Minister of Rites.

Suddenly, an angry snort rang in his ears.

"Little Xu, what did this old man instruct you clearly back then? And how did you promise this old man?"