The Blessed

503. The Palace Banquet (1)

Translator: Guy Gone Bad

In the afternoon the next day, Chunxiang left with Yan Xiaoming. Since they left while the little buns were having a noon nap. After they woke up and found their Brother Xiaoming had left, they kept their cheeks puffy the whole afternoon, and whoever they saw, they only wore that bitter face, which really amused Ling Jingxuan. And Yan Shengrui who had always put his kids on the tip of his heart almost asked Yan Yi to go to the palace and secretly bring Yan Xiaoming back.

Until at night when Ling Jingxuan tried to coax them to sleep and told them that they’d meet again at the palace banquet tomorrow did the little buns close their eyes, even when sleeping, their little sword-shape eyebrows were knitted.

The palace banquet was said to be held for the triumphant armies, actually a big get-together for those big families in the capital, also a day for the imperial family to show off. During the day, the officials still had to attend the morning court meeting or go to the yamen. At about four or five in the afternoon, those officials of the fifth rank or above would take their wives and kids and head to the palace. Usually, the ranks of the wives were set according to the ranks of their husbands or sons. On all big days, wives of the officials above the fifth rank should go to the palace to pay respect to Her Empress Dowager and Her Empress first. And as for the banquet, only those women above the second rank were allowed to attend.

Palace banquet started at about six, so all wives had to go into the palace together to pay respect to Her Empress Dowager and Her Empress, they had to arrive at the palace at four the latest. Rarely, Ling Jingxuan took off his plain cotton-padded clothes. After the bath, Yan Shengrui personally put on the first rank dress for him, the dazzling red dress looked so fit on him, like customized for him, and one already couldn’t find any trace of a farmer on him, like a born prince, so noble and magnificent and radiant!

“Daddy, you look gorgeous!”

When two of them went out, as Ling Wen and Ling Wu, who had already gotten changed and waited outside, saw their well-dressed daddy, both of them got stunned. And Ling Wu used all good words he could think of on his daddy. Although Ling Jingxuan said nothing, his little face got slowly dyed with the color red. Even Tiewa who couldn’t go attend the palace banquet with them only smiled like a little fool there.

“You have such a sweet mouth!”

Pinching his little face pamperingly, Ling Jingxuan then passed them and came before Tiewa, touching his head while saying gently, “Tiewa, we’ll leave everything at home to you today. We’ll be back soon.”

It was not that he didn’t want to take him, according to his title, he had the qualification to go, but the situation there was still too complicated. One more kid, one more danger. If possible, he even didn’t want the little buns to go. In case the kid had some other thought, he had explained to him earlier.

“I know, adoptive daddy, come back early. I’ll take good care of the little Dumpling. You can count on me.”

Tiewa nodded sensibly. Being entrusted with such an important task, he felt that he was important, and he really wanted to do something for his adoptive daddy.

“Hehe…Then I will leave the whole mansion and little Dumpling to you.”

Leaning over to kiss on his little face, Ling Jingxuan smiled as he stood up. Then Ling Wen came over holding Tiewa’s hand, “Little Dumpling needs to eat the goat’s milk at about six. Don’t forget about that. And, you’d feel alone if you eat alone. Remember to call Brother Shan to eat with you. If there’s anything fun in the palace, we’ll take it back for you and little Dumpling.”

“I’ll bring you delicious food, too.”

Ling Wu also reached over to pull his other hand, three little buns acted like they were going to part for a long time. Yan Shengrui walked over and said as he held Ling Jingxuan, “We should go.”

“Hmm, Tiewa, we’re going.”

“OK. See you later.”

The two little buns nodded obediently, and only went over to holding Ling Jingxuan’s hand on both sides after saying goodbye to Tiewa. Tiewa also waved at them, “Adoptive father, adoptive daddy, Wen, Wei, watch your steps!”

“Got it. Go inside. No need to see us out. Little Dumpling may cry.”

“I know.”

Like the whole family was going to a far far place. When they got in the carriage waiting outside the gate, it was already nearly half an hour later. Because their mansion was next to the East Palace, one of the mansions that were nearest to the east gate of the imperial palace. At this moment, luxurious carriages kept passing by on the road. And each carriage had the card of which mansion they were from. Except the master’s carriage, it also had the carriages of the maids and servants, linking in a line.

“My lord, my crown princess, little dukes.”

Ling Yun, Song Shuiling, Song Xiaohu and Zhou Changsheng had long waited there. Seeing them, the four of them made a solute respectfully. Then Ling Yun and Song Shuiling turned to brush open the curtain on both sides. And then, Yan Shengrui and Ling Jiungxuan who were wearing the official court dress and the grand costume were like a newly married couple, one domineering, while the other graceful and elegant. And the little buns who also wore court dresses looked so cute. The two of them who looked so much alike were like two cute porcelain dolls.

“Daddy, is it possible everyone who we’ll see later doesn’t like us?”

Sitting in the carriage, Ling Wen suddenly asked. Looking at him, Ling Jingxuan faintly nodded as a reply, “Maybe. You know, because our appearance blocks some people’s way. As a farmer, daddy suddenly becomes the noblest Crown Princess Sheng and wear the first rank costume, I don’t even need to kneel when seeing Her Empress Dowager and His Empress, only need to bend my knees to bow. So, some people feel unbalanced. But don’t worry, you are the first son of Highness Sheng and little duke. Whoever shows no respect to you, you can directly fight back, even the other side is His Majesty! If something happens, you have your father and me on your back.”