Now, Emperor Chengping finally understood why so many people were beating their chests and stomping their feet when Guilin Restaurant closed its doors. When the restaurant reopened after the new year, the taste was no longer the same as before. Many officials and nobles wrote letters to scold Count Jing 'an's residence.

After eating such dishes, he finally realized that the food he had eaten for the past few decades wasn't even considered dishes.

Emperor Chengping was a little jealous of his own younger brother.

Wenqing had already been led out by Mother Lan after introducing the five dishes.

Emperor Chengping, who had always controlled his diet, couldn't overcome his desire for good food today. He actually ate three bowls of rice in one go.

This was something he hadn't done in many years.

In less than half an hour, the five dishes were all in the stomachs of the two oldest brothers of the imperial family.

Eunuch Wei, who was dressed as a regular attendant, was so shocked that his small eyes widened into saucers.

Although he wanted to comfort the emperor that it wasn't good to overeat like this, he himself was salivating …

"I didn't expect that lass Jinyi's cooking to be so good."

Emperor Chengping rubbed his protruding stomach, feeling extremely satisfied. It had been a long time since he had eaten to his heart's content.

This wasn't the first time Prince Wei had eaten Chu Lian's cooking. He was deeply touched when he first ate roast duck.

Thinking of roast duck, Prince Wei beamed with joy. "Elder Brother, you haven't tried the roast duck that lass makes. It's the best.

There isn't enough time today. Otherwise, I would definitely ask that lass to make an extra portion of roast duck. "

"Oh?

Roast duck?

How does it compare to what Imperial Father used to eat? "

The two brothers had also inherited the late emperor's love for roast duck. When the late emperor was still alive, he would eat roast duck every few days. Later, when his health deteriorated, the imperial physician told him to avoid greasy food, and he would often eat it secretly …

Prince Wei smiled mysteriously. "Elder Brother, please allow me to keep you in suspense. Once Jinyi opens her shop, Elder Brother can go and taste the food personally." Prince Wei smiled mysteriously.

"Oh?

That lass is going to open a restaurant again?

What was going on with Guilin Restaurant? "

When Wei Wang heard the Emperor's question, he simply explained the matter.

Emperor Chengping frowned. "This matter was indeed the fault of the Old Matriarch of the Earl's Manor."

Wei Wang smiled. Both of them had extraordinary statuses. Although they had heard of such a matter, they would not really care about it. If they were to even interfere in such a small matter, then people would think that the royal family was meddling in other people's business.

The plates on the table had been removed, and freshly brewed tea was placed in front of them.

It was rare to have such a leisurely afternoon.

Emperor Chengping suddenly asked, "Why is Jinyi in the ninth brother's residence today?"

Chu Lian's purpose in coming to King Wei's manor had already been told to him by King Wei's inner attendant.

Now that Emperor Chengping asked him directly, he answered him directly.

Emperor Chengping frowned. "There's such a thing?

This was too ridiculous.

Duke Jing 'an's estate is in such a mess. I really should have asked Duke Jing' an to come back earlier. "

Prince Wei shook his head. "This is Count Jing 'an's backyard matter. Elder Brother, you don't have to worry about it. My wife will help Jinyi take care of it."

Emperor Chengping chatted with Prince Wei for a while longer. Eunuch Wei, who was by his side, tactfully urged him to return to the palace.

When Prince Wei saw Emperor Chengping off at the second gate, he happened to see Chu Lian leaving with her servant girl.

Emperor Chengping was startled, but he quickly regained his composure. He turned to Prince Wei and said, "I'll leave the Emperor's birthday to Ninth Brother. Don't be extravagant."

"Elder Brother, don't worry. I'll do as you say and not waste money."

After receiving Prince Wei's promise, Emperor Chengping left the manor with his people.

The Emperor's birthday was on the 23rd of the third month. This year was Emperor Chengping's fiftieth birthday. After Emperor Chengping ascended to the throne, he worked hard and this year was the twentieth year of Chengping's reign.

In the past, the Emperor's birthday was passed in a simple manner. The high-ranking officials and nobles imitated Emperor Chengping's style and kept a low profile unless it was a ten-day birthday.

However, this year's fiftieth birthday couldn't be casually handled. The Empress Dowager, who usually didn't care about the affairs of the harem and the court, also said that this year's Emperor Chengping's birthday was to be well organized.

Prince Wei didn't participate in court politics and was the most trusted by Emperor Chengping. It was most appropriate to leave the birthday to him. That was why Emperor Chengping told him before he left.

After leaving the manor, Emperor Chengping boarded an inconspicuous green carriage under the protection of his bodyguards.

Before boarding the carriage, Emperor Chengping gave the commander of the royal guards, He Lin, a look. He Lin looked to both sides and quickly followed into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, He Lin knelt on one knee in front of Emperor Chengping. "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

Emperor Chengping leaned against the wall of the carriage, his gaze distant.

His voice was calm and one couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry. However, He Lin, who had been by Emperor Chengping's side for many years, had a feeling that Emperor Chengping was in danger.

"Send the secret guards to investigate the second master of the Duke of Ying's manor. I want to know everything about him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

He Lin didn't dare to tarry. He turned and got off the carriage, mounted a fast horse, and disappeared at the end of the alley.

Chu Lian exited the manor and boarded the carriage with a sigh of relief. Before she left, Madam Wei promised to help her stop the Matriarch from sending the jade token to the palace.

As long as the Matriarch couldn't enter the palace and see the Empress Dowager before her father-in-law, Count Jing 'an, returned.

Chu Lian returned to Count Jing 'an's manor in the evening. As soon as she got back, she was summoned by the Matriarch.

Chu Lian didn't even have time to return to Songtao Court to change.

In the reception pavilion of Qingyuan Hall, the Matriarch sat with her head propped on her hand. Eldest Grandaunt He Ying glared at her. Chu Lian had just bowed to the Matriarch when He Ying asked loudly, "Third Husband's wife, where did you go?!"

Chu Lian knew that she couldn't hide the fact that she went to the Wei manor. There were so many people in Count Jing 'an's manor, and they all had eyes.

The Matriarch didn't let her sit, so she didn't either. She stood straight in the hall.

Although her voice was soft, her tone was light. "Aunt, I went to visit Madam Wei today."

"Why did you go to the Wei manor for no reason at all?!

These past few days, the Wei manor hasn't sent you any invitations at all!

Third Husband's wife, are you trying to ruin Sister Zhen and Dalang's marriage?! "He Ying's expression was sinister and her face was bright red. It was obvious that she had lost all rationality.

Chu Lian frowned and pursed her lips slightly. She didn't want to answer He Ying's question.

Could it be that the Matriarch summoned her here in such a hurry just for this?

How preposterous!

He Ying stood above and glared at Chu Lian's young and beautiful face. She was already hopping mad, but Chu Lian didn't move at all. She looked like she was watching a monkey performing tricks, and her eyes were filled with disdain.

The Matriarch was also displeased, but she could still suppress her anger. He Ying, on the other hand, wasn't able to keep her composure.

When she saw that Chu Lian wasn't replying, she angrily strode forward and raised her hand to slap Chu Lian's fair face.

Wenqing, who was behind Chu Lian, jumped in fright when she saw this. Unfortunately, she was two to three meters away from Chu Lian, so she couldn't block the slap for Chu Lian.

He Ying's slap was filled with anger, and she used almost all of her strength.

She thought that the petite Chu Lian would be slapped to the ground, bleeding from the corner of her mouth, but she didn't expect that Chu Lian would grab her wrist and block the slap.

Her wrist was obviously slender, but she didn't expect it to be so strong.

"I advise aunt to save your strength!"

Chu Lian's clear eyes suddenly became fierce. Her imposing gaze stunned He Ying for a moment.

She said "you" a few times, but couldn't say a complete sentence.

She couldn't believe that the usually gentle and gentle Third Husband's wife would have such a domineering side.

Chu Lian flung away He Ying's wrist, causing her to take a few steps back.

She bowed towards the Matriarch, "Grandmother, it's getting late. I won't disturb you any longer. You should rest well."

After she finished speaking, she turned around to leave.

The Matriarch slammed her cane against the ground, making a few dull thuds. The Matriarch shouted angrily, "Stop right there!"

Chu Lian retracted her foot and turned around to look at Matriarch He, who was sitting at the head of the table. Her face was red with anger.

She glanced at He Ying from the corner of her eyes, and a trace of success flashed through He Ying's eyes.

Chu Lian's voice was calm. "Grandmother, do you have any other orders?"

"You still know that I'm your grandmother?

Hmph, I thought that in your eyes, I was just an old woman who was about to die! "

This was the first time Matriarch He had said such harsh words.

The corners of Chu Lian's mouth curved slightly, and she laughed self-deprecatingly. "I don't dare to accept grandmother's words!"

"Ha!

What do you not dare to accept? If you don't dare, would you have gone to the Wei manor today?

It must feel good to have Princess Wei's support! "

The servants left in the reception hall all kept quiet out of fear. This was the first time the Matriarch and Third Madam had a direct confrontation.

One was the oldest person in the count's manor, and the other was the young mistress of the count's manor with power and influence. It was hard to say who would have the upper hand in a confrontation between two generations.

Mu Xiang stood in the corner with her head lowered, but there was a smile on her lips.

She was obviously very satisfied with Chu Lian's current situation.

If anything happened to the Matriarch now, regardless of whether Chu Lian was right or wrong, her reputation would be ruined.

Once Chu Lian was criticized and had no children, even with Princess Wei's protection, she would still have ways to make her leave He Changdi!

Chu Lian breathed in the cold air of early spring and slightly calmed her emotions. Then, her clear eyes fell on the Matriarch, and her gaze gradually became more and more determined.

She opened her red lips slightly. "Grandmother, how much longer are you going to be confused!"

No one in the reception hall expected Chu Lian's first words to be like this. Even the Matriarch herself didn't expect it. She momentarily forgot the anger in her chest and stared at Chu Lian in a daze.

Chu Lian didn't wait for anyone to react and continued, "Grandmother, your heart is really biased to the ends of the earth!

Aunt is your daughter, and Pan Nianzhen is your granddaughter, so Father isn't your son, Mother isn't your daughter-in-law, and Eldest Brother isn't your grandson?

Can't you think more about them? "

"Count Jing 'an's manor has only had one son for many generations. In order to give birth to Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and my husband and brothers, Mother's body was very weak. She fell ill and was bedridden for more than ten years. In order to take medicine, she spent all of her dowry. Has she ever touched a single copper coin in the count's accounts?

"Shouldn't she be the biggest contributor to the prosperity of the count's manor?

How did you treat her?

As soon as his health recovered, he handed over the messy accounts to her and forced her to fill them up with money!

If Father knew that while he was guarding the borders for the count's manor and protecting the country, Mother was being harassed by Grandmother at home, do you think he would be disappointed? "

(Third update!

I still wish everyone a Happy New Year ~ Isn't Ah Lan awesome? Quick, praise me ~)