Chapter 67

  Give gifts

  "Get out of my house, you scoundrel."

  "Master Hou, Jin Hong is your son after all, you can't let other sons feel disheartened."

  "My son is not lacking in this regard. Moreover, if he doesn't get rid of him, it will only make other sons feel disheartened." Chen Shi's words of dissuasion instead further enraged Yin Haicheng, who was a military general known for his decisiveness and ruthlessness, especially when it came to matters of the heart - those he liked and disliked were truly worlds apart.

  Yin Jinhong was shocked, he only because of private communication with a girl being caught, had to listen to the arrangement of Lao Er and San Jie, how come Lao Er didn't get punished, but he was expelled from the house? He wanted to shout again, but his mouth was already covered by a servant, like a dead dog being dragged away, and was thrown out of the Hou Fu gate.

  Yin Haicheng warned him that if he dared to say he was his son or take a step closer to the marquis's residence, he would be beaten to death!

  Yin Jinhong was even more miserable than Yin Ruofei back then. At least Yin Ruofei had two older sisters, a younger sister and several loyal maidservants, but he had nothing.

  Rui Shu had already become one of them, she always thought herself clever and reserved, able to stand behind Chen Niang's back and point out the way, making plans in secret. Originally, after this matter was settled, at least Rui Qi would no longer be in her way, and her mother could also take the opportunity to build a good relationship with Mistress Chen. She had a bright future ahead of her, and her own mother was someone who could speak up in this household, with her guidance, she would inevitably become more and more influential, and eventually, this Marquis's household would be hers to command.

  But things took a drastic turn for the worse and ended up like this.

  Aunt Chen is done for, let alone coming back, she's probably can't even keep her life, her own brother was driven out of the house again, what can she do now?

  "Daddy, I was wrong, I dare not... Please forgive me, Daddy..." Rui Shu cried desperately.

  "Master Hou, after all, is a girl. In the mansion, there are so many girls, if what she did was spread out, it would not be good for the reputation of other girls in the mansion." Chen Shi actually considered the overall situation, mainly because Rui Qi was older, if she was dragged down by Rui Shu, it would be terrible.

  Yin Haicheng hesitated for a moment. He was truly heartbroken for Rui Qi. His good daughter, who had always been bright and cheerful, was first engaged in such an unhappy marriage, and now she had gotten herself into another disaster, and rumors were spreading, he really couldn't bear it.

  Rui Shu didn't care whether he was dead or alive. He could abandon his own son, let alone a useless illegitimate daughter. As long as it didn't drag down his precious daughter, that's all that mattered.

  "What does Madam mean?" Yin Haicheng now regarded this lady as the most intimate person, and Chen Shi did not disappoint him, smiling slightly.

  "She's just a girl, teach her some discipline and she'll make a good wife, it's all for the best."

  "This is going to be troublesome for the lady."

  "Master Hou, rest assured, this is my duty."

  The two of them had already decided Ru Shu's fate amidst their conversation, and all Ru Shu knew was that her life was spared, but she didn't know that sometimes, or actually, it would have been better if she were dead.

  Yin Haicheng's decision was soon known to Yin Ruofei. At this moment, he was humming a little tune in the kitchen, busy making soup for Rong Jingze.

  "How am I doing?"

  "Startled the snake while cutting grass...... idiot."

  Things have come to an end, and the year is over. As it was the first year of opening the government office, the emperor and empress dowager bestowed many rich rewards.

  The Imperial Academy is also on holiday, Yin Ruofei studies accounting in the mansion every day, helps to receive various rewards from the palace, and sends New Year's gifts from various marquises and high officials. Those who need to return gifts also return a share.

  Jing Ze would never do such a thing. The weather was too cold and his poison could break out at any time, so he had to stay in the warmest place.

  As soon as Yin Ruofei stepped into the house, he felt like he was wearing too much. There were several braziers on the floor, and they were burning charcoal, making him sweat all over in no time. However, despite this, Rong Jingze didn't have a single bead of sweat on his body, and his face was pale as he held onto his cup.

  "Prince, have a bowl of soup." From those days on, Yin Ruofei had asked Jin Yuan to help him collect many nourishing soup recipes and after repeated practice, the soup was now made more and more to Rong Jingze's taste.

  Jin Yuan knew that Yin Ruofei was collecting tonic soup, and thought he was in poor health, so he personally asked to see King Ze, wanting to see Yin Ruofei. Rong Jingze naturally didn't want to see him, even if he looked a bit like his Fei'er.

  However, I heard that these secret recipes were collected by Jin Yuan, and he raised an eyebrow, looking at Yin Ruofei with some pride, "It seems that Big Brother is right."

  This kind of talk was naturally not heard, mutton soup, beef soup, chicken soup and fish soup, day after day changing different soups, but let the most difficult time last year pass exceptionally smoothly.

  "Your Highness, there are several ducal mansions involved, I'm afraid I'll have to make a personal visit." Yin Ruo Fei spoke up as she watched Rong Jing Ze slowly drink down the rich beef soup that was like a thick rice porridge.

  Rong Jingze looks delicate and handsome, but is actually a pure meat-eater, almost without exception. This soup, although rich and not greasy, would be enough for others to drink two bowls, but Rong Jingze always finishes it clean, and never lets the person who spent half a day cooking it go unrewarded.

  In the past, Rong Jingze didn't have a separate palace, but today it's different. Although he is an idle king, after all, his identity is noble and many people fawn on him. If his true identity were to be exposed, I'm afraid even more people would flock to him.

  Rong Jingze's reputation is already not very good, and etiquette cannot be neglected. Although the Wangfu steward can take care of it and has already given a lot of face, some families that need to be won over cannot be taken lightly.

  Those several national government offices, Yin Ruofei was going to personally go and pay a visit, giving Zecheng Wang some face and also giving himself an opportunity to show his face.

  Zhai Wang nodded silently and listened quietly. "Leave early and come back early, wait for you to have dinner!"

  In the mansion of Lord Zhong, Yin Ruofei had never been there before, but at this time he represented the face of Ze Wang. When he arrived at a more noble place, no one treated him like a child, and everyone was exceptionally enthusiastic.

  Although Ze Wang had no power, he was a red person next to the emperor and the emperor's most beloved and spoiled younger brother. His one sentence of praise was worth more than ten streets compared to others.

  The last family to visit was the Yuanguo Gongfu. The reason it was put off until last was also to spend more time with Xiling Hao. Since the Guozijian holiday, they hadn't seen each other for some days, and Xiling had thought of going to the Wangfu to find him, but thinking of Ze Wang, he gave up on that idea.

  "Fei Di, you're here! I've missed you to death." Xiling Hao knew that Yin Ruofei had arrived as soon as he heard the words "Ze Wang Ban Du". Although Yin Ruofei was just a companion reader with an even lower official rank of ninth grade, Xiling Lao Gongye also sent his own grandson to personally welcome him. Of course, Xiling Hao himself was also very willing and couldn't wait.

  Yin Ruofei followed Xiling Hao into the house with a smile, and was thoroughly scrutinized by the old fox Xiling Shou. Anyone else would have been intimidated, but Yin Ruofei had been trained by Rong Jingze, so this level of cunning was nothing to him, and instead earned him loud praise from Xiling Shou.

  Xi Ling Shou had met countless people in his life, and many of them were seasoned officials who had been in office for years. But under his gaze, they all seemed to be hiding something. On the other hand, this young boy, who was even younger than his own grandson, was calm and composed, with a tranquil air about him that made Xi Ling Shou look at him with newfound respect.

  This child will surely be extraordinary when he grows up.

  Xi Ling Shou took a liking to Yin Ruofei, and his relationship with Yin Haicheng was also quite harmonious. On the contrary, he took on the role of an elder to test Yin Ruofei.

  Yin Ruofei was also calm and composed, answering one by one, occasionally adding his own opinions, which made Xiling Shou stroke his beard with great laughter.

  Xiling Hao was delighted to see his close friend being liked by his grandfather, but whenever he met with Yin Ruofei, they were already short on time, and now with his grandfather holding them up, they had no time to talk at all. He hastily pushed his grandfather a few times.

  Xi Ling Shou also understood, although he was a bit reluctant to part with such a beautiful and insightful child. He nodded and let them go play. However, he personally wrapped a red envelope and gave it to Yin Ruofei, telling him to buy candy with it. He also gave him some festive gold and silver ingots to play with.

  Yin Ruofei was speechless with laughter and tears, wondering why someone as old as him still bought candies. However, he gratefully accepted the kind intentions of Xiling Old Master, who almost patted his own grandson on the back to keep him there for a chat.

  Xiling Hao had long been looking forward to Yin Ruofei coming to his house to play, but Yin Ruofei was not in control of himself and had no way. Usually, if he could play with them for a while, it would be considered leisure time. He actually didn't know how many things Yin Ruofei had to learn, the whole person was almost spinning around, and it was really hard to squeeze out time.

  These days, if it weren't for the New Year's holiday, he probably wouldn't have had time to relax either. In any case, his martial arts skills still can't be put aside.

  Xiling Hao had long prepared gifts for Yin Ruofei, all sorts of novel gadgets that he thought were clever. Some things Yin Ruofei hadn't even seen before. However, Yin Ruofei came today also with preparation, the warehouse in the Wangfu was full of things, Kong Jingze handed over everything to him to manage, except for those meaningful things bestowed by the Emperor and Empress Dowager that couldn't be taken out, all others were at his disposal, as for gold, silver, and silver notes, they were all at his discretion to spend.

  Although Yin Ruofei had won Rong Jingze's trust and was allowed to use his words freely, he didn't dare to take advantage of it. The few things prepared for Xi Linghao today were tributes, but not too valuable, just for fun. However, neither Rong Jingze nor Yin Ruofei had the leisure to play with them. Yin Ruofei reported to King Ze and took them out to give to Xi Linghao.

  A small, exquisitely crafted gold clock, only the size of a palm, yet exceptionally delicate. There are also some carvings from the sea, carving animals they don't recognize, but with an endearing expression, very interesting.

  The two children exchanged gifts and chatted for a while, then Yin Ruofei said he wanted to go back. Ze Wang was still waiting for him to have dinner together, going back late would make Ze Wang hungry, and once he got hungry, his temper wasn't very good.

  Xi Ling Hao was reluctant to part with him, among his companions, he liked Yin Ruofei the most, and considered him a kindred spirit. Moreover, judging from his grandfather's attitude just now, he was also willing for him to be closer to his little Fei. That's why he only said a few words before leaving, it was really hard for him to bear.

  Yin Ruofei actually also wanted to come out and have some fun, but thinking of Rong Jingze at home, she decided to head back immediately.

  "Fei Di, there's a Lantern Festival on the 15th, are you going?" Xiling Hao quickly came up with an excuse to go out and have fun with Yin Ruofei.

  "Will you go to the Lantern Festival?" Yin Ruofei had never been, but after listening to Xi Linghao's description, it seemed quite interesting. "Okay, let's meet at the Lantern Festival on the 15th."