12dz Chapter 440 The Empress's Intentions Are Exposed
Chapter 440 The Empress's Intentions Are Exposed
It squeaked, "Jin-jie, many unfamiliar faces have come to the capital these days."
They're all from other countries, and I heard they'll be competing against people from the neighboring country during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet!
Cang Linchuan and Cang Qichuan stared wide-eyed, their little mouths agape.
His face was full of curiosity as he stared intently at Dongfang Jin and the suddenly appearing giant rat.
I had long forgotten what I was about to say.
Dongfang Jin habitually took out a handful of corn kernels from his spatial storage and handed them to Taxue.
He asked, "A lot of people have come?"
Ta Xue took the corn kernels, nodded her triangular head slightly, and responded with a "chirp, squeak" sound: "There are quite a few people here this time."
Among them were many young men, whom the people said were all princes.
Cang Qichuan blinked his big, watery eyes and said expectantly, "Auntie, I also want to talk to Taxue."
Dongfang Jin reached out a finger and gently tapped the tip of his nose, saying softly, "I'm afraid that won't work! By the way, where's your little squirrel?"
Hearing this, Helian Jingyun smiled helplessly: "He was annoyed that the little squirrel wouldn't talk to him, so he put it in the back mountain of the palace."
This naughty child is giving me a real headache right now.
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jin instinctively shivered and quickly stood up.
She quickly grabbed the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, saying urgently, "Let's go find Xiao Chuan and Xiao Bei."
Helian Jingyun watched Dongfang Jin's hurried departure, his appearance suggesting a hasty escape.
Her body froze instantly, then she turned to look at Jun Qixian.
Their eyes met, and after a moment, they both burst into laughter.
"Qi Xian, do you think I'm that scary to her?" Helian Jingyun teased half-jokingly.
Jun Qixian raised her hand and gently covered her mouth, smiling as she said, "She's afraid you'll force the Second Prince on her, isn't she?"
Helian Jingyun...
Believe it or not, she really did have that idea.
My husband said that he was shocked when he spoke with the Crown Prince last night.
The Crown Prince's side was well taught by Dongfang Jin and learned a lot from her.
They were naturally aware of the Imperial Tutor's knowledge, but what the Crown Prince learned from Dongfang Jin was far beyond what the Imperial Tutor could compare to.
The Crown Prince was taught exceptionally well by Dongfang Jin, and learned a great deal of valuable knowledge from her.
It also gave the Crown Prince unique insights into certain matters.
That kind of knowledge is not something the Imperial Tutor can teach.
Therefore, after discussing it this morning, the couple did indeed intend to have the Second Prince study under Dongfang Jin.
Jun Qixian saw the Empress staring at the door, seemingly lost in thought, and realized that she had guessed the Empress's thoughts correctly.
However, she wasn't in a hurry, since her husband had said that her cousin, the emperor, also hoped that the second prince could stay with Xiao Jin.
Not only that, they also wanted Xiao Chuan and Xiao Bei to go with them, which is why the father-in-law and mother-in-law left Dongfang Jin to live in the capital.
Speaking of the hot pot restaurant opened by the Empress and Lu Yunyan, it is now located in Donglin Kingdom and Nanqiang Kingdom.
There are already more than 120 branches, and they are quite famous in various places.
Jixiang Breakfast Shop has also developed very rapidly, with its number reaching more than seventy.
Duan Jing'an and Gu Yunxi's spicy hot pot restaurant has successfully opened fourteen stores in Beijing and the surrounding areas.
And I've heard that they're also planning to expand their business to other states.
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Today, both the "Donglin Shopping Mall" on Baihu Street and the "Donglin Supermarket" on Xuanwu Street have been successfully completed.
That imposing five-story building stands out prominently in the capital city.
It stands out among the buildings and has become a landmark commercial venue in Beijing.
That was built with Xiao Jin's money, and quite a few of the shops inside were left for their relatives.
I heard that most of the items in Donglin Supermarket are exclusively supplied by Xiao Jin.
The rest are all specialties from various parts of the neighboring country to the east.
My brother told me about the specialty products from various regions, and that locals personally introduced the products.
Helian Jingyun wasn't embarrassed by being exposed and laughed, "Don't say that, I actually had that idea."
As you know, your cousin and I are getting old, and we'd like to have another child.
Upon hearing this, Jun Qixian immediately understood her meaning: she was the only one in the harem.
It's not easy to have children, so you should have as many as possible while you're still young.
Moreover, the empress could not give birth to twins.
She had specifically asked her husband about this matter, and he said that the empress could not have twins.
Otherwise, another storm will break out in the imperial court.
The reason his family was able to have twins was because his father's generation had been taking a royal secret medicine.
Taking this secret medicine means losing one's eligibility for that position, including that of one's descendants.
And these twins only had two pregnancies.
In his generation, his older brother married a man, which put his cousin at ease.
When her husband told her these secrets, she was terrified.
"Isn't Xiao Jin going to stay in Beijing for a long time this time? I just gave birth, so I don't have the energy to take care of Xiao Chuan and Xiao Bei anymore."
The in-laws wanted Xiao Chuan and Xiao Bei to live with Xiao Jin from now on.
Helian Jingyun smiled and said, "Didn't your older brother say he was going to take Xiao Bei away? You can't bear to part with her?"
That child was practically a miniature version of Cang Lingchen, and was also the heir chosen by the Imperial Uncle.
Jun Qixian sat up straight and shook her head: "No, Father-in-law said that Xiao Bei is too young and going to Suzhou is too far away."
The reason I took Xiao Chuan and Xiao Bei to Lingwu Village this time was because I wanted the two brothers to follow Xiao Jin.
The eldest brother also agreed to let the two children stay with Xiao Jin, saying that the young prince had learned a lot from Xiao Jin over the past few years.
Every move he makes exudes the air of a crown prince. You wouldn't believe it, even Grandpa admires Xiao Jin to the point of complete utter admiration.
He Lian Jingyun felt incredibly proud when she heard her praise her son like that.
However, he didn't show it on his face: "You have no idea what happened when the Imperial Uncle went to Lingwu Village."
Your cousin doesn't know. If he did, he would definitely let Xiaodouzi come along.
……
The living room of Prince Dun's Mansion is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an antique charm.
The Duke of Zhenguo held his teacup steadily, his gaze lingering on Cang Nanxi.
A faint smile played at the corners of her lips as she spoke, "You must be a little disappointed that you couldn't hold your granddaughter, right?"
Upon hearing this, Cang Nanxi casually grabbed a handful of spiced melon seeds and began to eat them slowly.
With a casual and open-minded look on his face, he replied with a smile, "I didn't get to have a granddaughter, but having a grandson is not bad either."
In truth, he did miss his granddaughter dearly, but his grandson also had his own plans.
The eldest son had no children of his own, so it was a good opportunity to adopt two grandsons, thus ensuring that the eldest son would have a successor.
Thinking of this, Cang Nanxi turned his head, his eyes filled with disappointment, and looked at Gu Chenglin.
Five years have passed since then.
He still hadn't managed to win over his daughter, which made him both fond of the boy and frustrated by his lack of progress.
At this moment, Duke Su took a sip of tea and couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Highness, your tea has a mellow flavor and a long-lasting aftertaste. It is much better than the tea from Xianmingju."
The implication behind those words was crystal clear.
Upon hearing this, everyone's gazes were drawn to Gu Chenglin as if by a magnet.
After all, everyone knows that this tea comes from his family.
Who wouldn't want to own such fine tea?
The moment the tea touches your tongue, its rich aroma spreads across your palate, and after swallowing, a warm sensation rises in your stomach.
It makes you feel refreshed and eliminates all fatigue.
The Duke of Zhenguo glanced at the Duke of Suguo and said with a half-smile, "Isn't your grandson in Ling'an County? What good tea doesn't he have there?"
It's worth noting that Ling'an County's tea market is a bustling hub for tea merchants from all over southern China.
The main tea suppliers are the Yao family, the Xie family, and the tea gardens of Prince Chen and the Emperor.
Speaking of Ling'an County, one cannot help but mention Changsun Lan.