“Jade Branch, what do you mean? Everyone is very welcome to have you here!”

Wen Tinglan gently tugged at Miao Yuzhi, who was holding a child, and then said to everyone, “I just said everyone here are good friends, we’re just sitting down for a meal. Nobody thinks it’s strange, Jade Branch is just still very shy~”

As the daughter of Chao Yi Dafu Wen Yanyu, she came from a scholarly family spanning generations. She was the typical young lady from an esteemed household, a gentlewoman skilled in the zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, and she handled people and affairs with great decorum. At this moment, her smile was radiant, but she didn’t immediately pull Miao Yuzhi to sit down. Instead, she looked towards Jiang Wang, who was seated at the head of the table.

This banquet, although paid for by Yan Fu, was organized by Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang, of course, couldn’t ignore Wen Tinglan’s request, so he also smiled warmly and said, “What Bohou said is also my intention. Sit down together. I haven’t seen Xiao Xuanjing in a long time either— is he asleep?”

Wen Tinglan said that Miao Yuzhi brought her child with her every day, which was indeed true.

For prominent families like the Baos, surrounding a child, there were countless people to take care of them. But Miao Yuzhi didn’t trust anyone, she had to bring the child everywhere and personally coax him to sleep every night.

Bao Xuanjing, born on the twenty-ninth day of the ninth month in the fifty-seventh year of Yuanfeng in Qi, was now just under two years old.

He was a premature baby but very healthy. The conditions in Shuofang Bo Fu were good after all, and he had grown up fair and chubby, very cute.

At this moment, he was in Miao Yuzhi’s arms, eyes closed, breathing evenly, with a very relaxed expression on his face.

Miao Yuzhi looked at the child in her arms, her eyes gentle. “He was still making noise on the way here…”

She smiled at Jiang Wang. “He’s probably tired.”

She held the sleeping Xiao Xuanjing for Jiang Wang to see and then conveniently sat down beside him.

The meal that followed was a bit bland.

Although Wen Tinglan constantly tried to liven up the atmosphere and was good at finding topics, having the widow of an old friend whom everyone wasn’t very familiar with present made everyone feel uncomfortable.

Yi Shisi had always been introverted. She improved slightly after marriage, but she could only chat with familiar people. When encountering strangers, she didn’t know what to do.

Yi Huaimin was used to rambling, but with the widow of Shuofang Bo present, he also had to pay attention to propriety.

Chong Xuansheng, who was skilled in social maneuvering, only responded indifferently, not letting Wen Tinglan’s words fall flat, but not attempting to stir up the atmosphere either.

Zheng Shangming read the room and gradually just drank alcohol.

Yan Fu cooperated a few times in the middle but slowly spoke less and less.

Only Miao Yuzhi herself seemed completely unaware of the atmosphere and paid no attention to the others. From time to time, she would ask Jiang Wang a few questions, and Jiang Wang would politely respond to each one.

It continued like this awkwardly for a while. Li Longchuan’s mouth felt like a bird had flown out of it. He only felt that Sanfen Xiangqi Lou was still more interesting. He stood up and opened the door of the private room, planning to go out for some fresh air, when he happened to see a familiar person.

“Xie Xiaobao!”

Xie Baoshu had just walked over with a group of friends from outside. He originally didn’t want to come to Yan Fu’s restaurant. But one, the dishes here were indeed authentic and his friends all liked them very much. Two… it was like spending money to buy Yan Shao’s service, which felt quite refreshing. Normally, where could you possibly use money to provoke Yan Fu?!

As for Ting Lan… hum!

Suddenly hearing such a rude sound, he frowned and looked in the direction of the voice, and his eyes met Jiang Wang, who was sitting directly opposite the door.

Their gazes met briefly, and Jiang Wang was the first to speak. “Oh, it’s Baoshu.”

Xie Xiaobao had matured a lot after all, unlike in the past. His frown relaxed, and he even cupped his hands, saying in a low voice, “Jiang Zhenren! When did you return to Linzi?”

“Just got back not long ago,” Jiang Wang said, looking at him. “Want to sit down and have a drink together?”

Xie Baoshu deliberately avoided looking at Wen Tinglan and only said to Jiang Wang, “I appreciate Jiang Zhenren’s kind offer, but I’ve truly just finished drinking… my uncle is still waiting for me at home.”

Jiang Wang didn’t press him either, just waved his hand. “Okay, give my regards to Xie Dafu.”

Xie Baoshu was very polite. “I will certainly convey Jiang Zhenren’s greetings.”

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and then said, “Forget it, I’ll go myself. I just happen to have an urgent matter to discuss with Xie Dafu.”

Saying that, he stood up and cupped his hands in a circle to everyone in the room. “Sorry, I have some things to take care of. It’s fate that I ran into Baoshu, so I’ll take care of this matter first. I’ll take my leave for today. Let’s gather again another day!”

Zheng Shangming stood up to see him off. “We are all good friends, we can gather anytime. It’s important that you take care of your proper matters.”

The others just waved their hands. Chong Xuan was too lazy to even lift his fat eyelids.

Only Miao Yuzhi seemed unsatisfied and said reluctantly, “Then, Jiang brother, be careful on the road.”

“Alright. You also take care of yourself and take good care of Xiao Xuanjing.” Jiang Wang left that sentence and then slipped away as if escaping.

Xie Baoshu hadn’t quite reacted yet, but Jiang Wang had already walked up to him and was waving at him, saying very warmly, “Let’s go, Baoshu, what are you standing around for?”

Xie Baoshu really wanted to say that his uncle wasn’t at home, but he was worried that Jiang Zhenren really had something important to discuss with his uncle.

After all, they were both contemporary Zhenren, at the same level…

“Jiang Zhenren, how do you plan to go?” Xie Baoshu politely asked as they walked out of the main entrance of An Zhi Lou.

“Oh, I’ll take your carriage,” Jiang Wang said distractedly.

He actually didn’t have any intention of finding Xie Huai’an at all. He just found a reason to take the opportunity to leave.

Miao Yuzhi was too strange. Every time he met her, that strange feeling became stronger.

It wasn’t that he had never been pursued before. In recent years, he had more or less refused some goodwill.

The previous few times they met by chance, Miao Yuzhi had only given vague glances, and her words were all within the bounds of propriety, so there was no problem.

But today, it was really too much.

What kind of mother in the world would be like this, holding her own child in her arms, yet her eyes were full of another man?

That child wasn’t his!

Jiang Wang neither wanted to provoke any unwanted attention nor was he willing to be caught in Shuofang Bo’s complicated situation. But he was also afraid that he was overthinking and misunderstanding the weakness of a woman who had just given birth and whose husband had died.

Hence, he could only avoid her as much as possible.

“Jiang Zhenren wants to see my uncle, I wonder what the matter is?” In the steadily moving carriage, Xie Baoshu deliberately opened the conversation.

“Oh,” Jiang Wang came back to his senses and said warmly, “This is a matter between Zhenren. If I tell you now, you won’t understand.”

Xie Baoshu didn’t speak anymore.

The gathering at An Zhi Lou dispersed very quickly after Jiang Wang left.

Everyone returned to their own homes.

Li Longchuan hooked up with Yi Huaimin at this time and left with bright smiles… they two didn’t go home.

Leaving the elegant room where the gathering had taken place, the usually gentle Yan Fu, who didn’t talk much, silently returned to the top floor. The entire floor here was his living space, and sometimes he would stay here when he was idle.

His face showed no emotion. He held a book in his hand and read slowly.

He wasn’t a person without temper, but he rarely lost control. His grandfather, Yan Ping, believed that the two most important words in life were “self-control”.

Yan Ping, as Prime Minister, rarely showed anger.

Inheriting his political philosophy, Jiang Rumo, the former Prime Minister who had immense power and then voluntarily relinquished it, was even more so. He always presented the image of a good old man and didn’t need to “control his anger.” He seemed to never get angry.

It was only after the former Prime Minister successfully relinquished his power that Jiang Rumo began to promote his own political views based on the former Prime Minister’s philosophy.

If one had to simply summarize the two terms of Prime Ministers in Da Qi with one sentence:

The former Prime Minister’s political stance was actively aggressive, his methods were both rigid and flexible. There was the spring breeze and rain that extinguished Yang Guo, and also the winter frost and thunder that brought bloody battles to Xia Guo.

The current Prime Minister’s political stance is gentle and defensive, keeping a low profile, advocating for win-win situations, and always pushing his ideas forward slowly and quietly.

Since the current Prime Minister has not yet resigned, it’s impossible to say who has the advantage. But their political stances are, to some extent, linked to the national strength of Qi Guo. During the former Prime Minister’s time, Qi Guo was striving for hegemony throughout the country. During the current Prime Minister’s time, Qi Guo needed to consolidate its hegemonic position.

The Prime Minister naturally has his own political views, but to some extent, they are also a continuation of the monarch’s will.

Understanding the monarch’s heart from above and calming the ministers from below is the true essence of a Prime Minister.

This is why Yan Dapubao’s name contains the character “Fu”. It is hoped that he can soothe people’s hearts and forge a straight path forward.

Jiang Wang had known him for so long, and the only time he had ever seen him angry was when he couldn’t stand Xuan Huaibo and Liu Yingqi guiding public opinion and fiercely said that he would draw his sword and cut off their long tongues.

Wen Tinglan first helped Miao Yuzhi and her child into the carriage, and after an intimate farewell, she returned to find Yan Fu.

She brewed tea as usual and sat beside him, leaning towards him. “Husband, please have some tea.”

They were engaged early on but never married.

Wen Yanyu hoped that Yan Fu would achieve something of his own before holding a formal grand wedding.

Yan Fu was also not in a hurry.

But privately, they had long been calling each other husband and wife affectionately, and even attended the wedding banquet in Mu Guo together.

This time Yan Fu said, “I don’t feel like drinking much, just leave it there for now.”

Wen Tinglan then said, “Then I’ll cut some fruit for you.”

Yan Fu sighed. “Tinglan, let me rest for a while.”

Wen Tinglan was knowledgeable and well-mannered, beautiful and intelligent, but beneath her gentle exterior, she was actually quite strong-willed.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to Yan Fu’s door to question him when she heard someone spreading rumors that she had destroyed his relationship with Liu Xiuzhang, forcing Yan Fu to personally go to Fufeng County to clarify the situation and end their last thread of affection.

At this moment, she looked at Yan Fu and was unwilling to just be quiet. “Are you unhappy? Because you met Xie Baoshu today?”

Yan Fu put down his book. “He only liked you unilaterally. Do you think I, Yan Fu, would have any emotions because of him?”

“Then what is it?” Wen Tinglan asked.

Yan Fu looked at her quietly for a while and finally said, “Chong Xuansheng paid the bill when he left.”

Wen Tinglan said, “You treat every day. It’s okay for him to pay the bill occasionally, it’s not like Bohou Fu is short of money.”

“Can’t you see that everyone was unhappy?” Yan Fu asked.

Wen Tinglan blinked her eyes pitifully. “Is it because of Yuzhi?”

Yan Fu took a deep breath. “She is a widowed woman. If she had left Bao Fu, then fine, but she is still the young madam of the Bao family. She is also holding her child…”

“But wasn’t this a home banquet? Wasn’t everyone here our own people?” Wen Tinglan asked.

Yan Fu looked at her, his tone becoming serious. “Tinglan, you are very wrong. This was a private banquet between friends. You had no reason to invite someone everyone is unfamiliar with. This is not something you would do.”

“Oh, don’t be so stingy,” Wen Tinglan said. “Jiang Wang is also my friend. I’ve invited him to poetry gatherings several times before, and he gladly attended. Yuzhi is also my friend, Jiang Wang is also my friend. I introduce friends to friends, what’s the problem? Besides, they were originally familiar, right? Jiang Wang even remembered Xuanjing!”

Yan Fu didn’t speak.

Wen Tinglan then said, “Alas, it’s all my fault, I admit I was wrong. When you sent someone to call me to attend the banquet, I happened to be with Yuzhi. She then asked if she could come with me. She hasn’t been out in a long time… She’s young, and her husband died just after she gave birth to the child. How could I refuse? Okay, don’t be unhappy. Since you’re unhappy, there won’t be a next time.”

Yan Fu only said, “Then so be it.”

Wen Tinglan seemed unaware that she could enter the circle centered around Jiang Wang because of Yan Fu, and it had nothing to do with her being the daughter of the Wen family or her father being Wen Yanyu. She was different from Yi Shisi. Yi Shisi was originally friends with Jiang Wang and only became closer because of Chong Xuansheng.

But… how could Wen Tinglan not know?

The carriage business was one of the Bao family’s main sources of income. The carriage of Shuofang Bo Fu was naturally first-class in Qi Guo.

Just on the way back to the residence, Miao Yuzhi leaned on the seat, slowly closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

She had been sleepy in recent years.

But in her hazy state, things became clear in her mind…

This was the only different color in infinite darkness.

Yet it was also a blank space.

It was about a hundred zhang square, not considered huge.

In the center of this place was a bone god seat.

In front of the bone god seat lay a corner of a torn piece of clothing.

On the corner of the clothing was half of an orchid flower.

And on the god seat sat a child with innocent eyes and a cute smile—the two-year-old Bao Xuanjing.

Miao Yuzhi had long been accustomed to this place.

As soon as she came in, she said, “Why did you have to go see Jiang Wang? I think he seems to be already suspicious.”

Bao Xuanjing giggled, his voice a cute child’s sound. “Mother, don’t you want to go see him?”

In the depths of her mind, Miao Yuzhi’s face was actually very good, not as haggard as outside, and she was much more alert. “I don’t need to be this urgent.”

Bao Xuanjing said, “I need to collect a gift and also need to see him personally. I must personally see his current strength, see what level he has grown to. Otherwise, I can’t feel at ease.”

“Besides talent, what special qualities does he have?” Miao Yuzhi didn’t ask what the gift was; she knew there would be no answer. She only said, “He has never shown hostility towards you, and he was also very tolerant of your father, that dead ghost Bao Zhongqing. Why are you so wary of him?”

“Wary?” Bao Xuanjing laughed happily. “I’m not wary, I like him. There was a person who was more difficult to deal with than him, and he replaced him.”

Miao Yuzhi asked, “If that person was more difficult to deal with than him, how could he have been replaced?”

“Uh…” Bao Xuanjing touched his chin with his chubby little hand and said very cutely, “This question is indeed worth thinking about.”

Miao Yuzhi asked again, “Since you came to see him, why were you sleeping the whole time?”

Bao Xuanjing said, “That fatty in the room is too smart… I don’t want him to see any clues.”

Miao Yuzhi didn’t quite understand. “You’re so small, no one will be wary of you. What could he see?”

Bao Xuanjing simply lay down on the bone god seat for a while, then stood up again, turned his head to look at Miao Yuzhi, and smiled brightly. “My dear mother… don’t underestimate the wisdom of mortals~”

(Seeking votes at the end of July)