The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 940 - 934 It’s Time to Settle Down

"In the year of the princes’ rebellion, she was no fool, how could she be unaware of the trickery within? That Madam Ru who offered up the last will and testament to demonstrate her loyalty, how clean was she really? Or was she harboring a malicious heart, without a shred of cleanliness?"

"That year, it was rumored that the third Prince and his son had both disappeared; the fact that Madam Ru personally went to welcome them back meant it was surely one of those two."

"If she could know of such matters, how could the Emperor, intelligent as he is, not be aware?"

"Yet the imperial will is unfathomable, and she was no longer inclined to guess at his intentions."

"Now her greatest enemy had arrived."

...

"Family banquets in the Imperial Palace are rare occasions where everyone is able to sit together."

"They did not follow the common practice where men and women dine at separate tables; instead, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress sat at the head table, each at their own table, with the princes, princesses, and concubines seated below according to rank."

"With musical instruments and dancing to liven up the atmosphere, the banquet was much more festive and extravagant than those of ordinary households."

"It’s rare for our family to sit together like this; this time it feels like a true reunion." The Empress Dowager had aged, her legs not as steady, her eyesight not as clear, and she was particularly prone to being moved, her words soon accompanied by a stream of tears.

"The Emperor, seated beside her, consoled her, ’Mother, today is a day for happiness.’"

"Yes, yes, a happy day. Let’s all relax, there are no outsiders here, the dishes have been served, let’s eat and chat about family matters!" The Empress Dowager hurriedly wiped away her tears.

"As the music played and the dances went on, seeing the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress all start to eat and drink with smiles on their faces, everyone else also let go of their reservations. Between toasting and passing cups, they paid their respects to the three esteemed elders seated above them, and also began to talk and laugh with those next to them."

"Jin Zijin, too, had to attend. He sat alone at the edge of a table, not drinking alcohol, but requesting a pot of tea instead."

"Since childhood, he had lived on Qi Mountain and was not fond of alcohol."

"Across from Lin Qianqing sat not Prince Qin’s official wife but his consort, Xie Qinyun. At the moment, Xie Qinyun was making faces at Lin Qianqing, impossible to ignore."

"Lin Qianqing looked at her in slight surprise, wondering why the official wife was not present at this family banquet which required her to be there, yet Xie Qinyun, the consort, had come instead."

"Above them, the Empress soon took note of this issue as well."

"She put down her wine cup, raising her voice slightly above the music, ’Why has Prince Qin’s wife not come today, instead Consort Xie is here?’"

"Though the Empress’s voice was not loud, everyone seated had heard it. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both looked over in this direction!"

"Since the Empress had brought it up, Prince Qin naturally could not overlook it. He stood up, pulling Xie Qinyun with him, and replied with respect, ’Answering Mother, my wife is unwell and resting at home. Ayun likes liveliness, so I brought her to see.’"

"The Empress Dowager was in good spirits today and quickly replied with a smile, ’It’s nice to have a consort here, better than being alone.’ Her gaze inadvertently swept toward Jin Zijin, who sat drinking by himself without uttering a word, and she felt another wave of sadness. She said, ’Xiaoran and Tingyu are both married now. Zijin, as the eldest, is already past thirty, yet he remains alone. Emperor, this is not good for the heir.’"

"The Emperor whispered back to her, ’The methods of the Dao Family have the power to prolong life. Mother, look at the State Preceptor and the Heavenly Master, one over eighty and the other over a hundred, yet they are healthier than most young men. Zijin has been with the Heavenly Master of Qi Mountain since he was young, learning the natural ways of the Dao; we cannot judge him by the age of normal men!’"

"And yet... after all, he is past thirty, he used to cultivate the Dao, but now he does not. He is of an age when he should marry."