The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 302 - 299: Away from Home, Your Identity Is Yours to Choose
The Empress Dowager arrived, and after everyone stood to greet her, they dared not be as carefree as before, each returning to their seats.
Yu Tingwan also pushed Wei Zhao over to the Duke Shun Mansion’s area.
Although today’s banquet is for Wei Zhao, the Empress Dowager’s gaze just casually swept over him, without even a greeting.
She admired Wei Zhao as a talented leader, yet he truly does not know his place!
What part of Ah Wu is unworthy of him?
He went and found a countryside girl, isn’t that just an insult to Ah Wu?
There is indeed some sense of resentment.
Her Highness wasn’t in a high mood, straightaway taking a seat with Gu Wu, showing no attempt to hide her affection.
"No need for too much formality, this palace is cold and quiet, I just came to make it more lively."
The crowd respectfully responded, "Yes."
Although she said so, everyone sat upright with the decorum of aristocrats.
Just as Yu Tingwan sat down, Wei Zhao stuffed a piece of dessert into her hand.
She looked around and saw no one else eating.
Yu Tingwan said, "This doesn’t seem right."
She also wanted to act reserved!
Wei Zhao merely said, "The ingredients are expensive, one piece is estimated to cost ten taels."
Yu Tingwan: ??
How much?
Something that’s gone in one bite, how much does it cost?
However...
Other things she didn’t know, but the dessert was indeed exquisite.
Yu Tingwan lowered her head to examine it closely.
The Jade Lotus Cake was entirely jade green, with the fresh scent of lotus flowers, but added with the sweetness of candied fruit.
She took a bite, the texture was delicate, unfolding in layers on her tongue.
Delicious, and not greasy. But there were only three pieces on the plate, gone in three bites.
So stingy!
Ning Suxuan sat properly, quietly listening to the couple’s conversation.
Yu Tingwan said, "If the desserts are like this, are the dishes even better?"
Wei Zhao: "Looks good."
"But not practical."
Yu Tingwan: ...
Like you in Ze County back then?
Wei Zhao: "The Imperial Kitchen is far from here, and there are many guests, the meals are prioritized for the Holy Emperor and the palace ladies. Some have already gone cold, palace banquets value delicacy over taste."
Wei Zhao didn’t mention that soon everyone would be too occupied to eat.
He gently reminded, "Eat more, don’t end up with a grumbling stomach later."
Palace maids continued to serve desserts. Due to limited space on the table, they served one and took away another.
Except the plate in front of Yu Tingwan would be touched, the other ladies’ plates were removed exactly as they were brought up.
The seat opposite the Duke Shun Mansion was the Grand Tutor Mansion.
Jiasan occasionally gazed at the girl across who was eating the dessert in small bites.
She was worried, "Is the Wei Family keeping her hungry, not letting her eat to fullness?"
Gu Fuju regained his usual calm, eyes downcast, "Madam is overthinking."
"Wei Zhao is just not being a decent person, he treats Yaoyao quite well."
Otherwise, today’s situation wouldn’t have happened.
Jiasan said, "She smiles so beautifully."
It’s a shame that the smile is directed at Wei Zhao.
"Which one is Yu Family?"
The Empress Dowager suddenly spoke.
She said indifferently, "Step forward, let me have a look."
Upon hearing this, one could tell it wasn’t a friendly encounter.
Everyone’s thoughts raced around.
Jiasan knitted her brows, about to rise, but was held down by Gu Fuju beside her.
"You should know well what kind of temperament the Empress has."
Gu Fuju poured her more tea, "Please hold your peace."
At this moment, Yu Tingwan stood up, rising from her seat, her steps light as she walked to the center of the hall, eyes lowered, performing a curtsy.
The Empress Dowager let out a cold laugh.
Yu Tingwan was prepared to be taunted sarcastically by her.
Older people tend to have a fiery temper.
Then...
The sarcastic remark from the Empress Dowager swallowed back down, leaving her speechless.
Jiasan, whom she had raised just like her daughter, therefore, she was extraordinarily cherished to Ah Wu.
The Empress Dowager, upon seeing such a similar face, had most of her hostility dissipate, unable to speak harsh words. Not to mention her, even Gu Wu’s gaze at Yu Tingwan was full of curious appraisal.
Empress Dowager: "Have you studied?"
Yu Tingwan: "Yes."
But not very well.
Empress Dowager: "What books have you read?"
Yu Tingwan: ...
Where could she remember that?
Enlightenment books from childhood, she had torn them up to fold paper in her indulgently reckless youth.
But when out and about, your identity is self-created!
She’s quite good at glorifying herself.
Yu Tingwan thought for a moment.
Recalled the few that Wei Zhao usually read.
Yu Tingwan recited the book names.
Her mind was sharp. Along with Wei Zhao forcing her into his arms, hand-in-hand leading her to write insights, she memorized them.
Wei Zhao chuckled lightly.
Not surprised.
After all, he never had the habit of writing insights.
It was prepared for Yu Tingwan.
As if knowing that Yu Tingwan had a good memory and would use what she learned.
Jiasan sat up straighter.
"This child is truly knowledgeable!"
Gu Fuju immediately recognized Wei Zhao’s literary style.
A peculiar look crossed his eyes.
As far as he knew, Yu Tingwan wasn’t fond of reading.
How much does she like him to recite Wei Zhao’s writings?
The Empress Dowager’s body straightened as she listened, exclaiming with admiration, "These books, you as a young lady are willing to read? Quite rare. It’s even more uncommon for a remote place to permit a girl to learn to read."
She asked, "Do you have brothers or sisters?"
Yu Tingwan: "I am the only one."
The Empress Dowager’s tone softened while speaking with Yu Tingwan.
"Since you have come to Shangjing, you’ve married far from home. You cannot be by your parents’ side. Why didn’t you let Wei Zhao buy them a house in Shangjing?"
Yu Tingwan responded softly, "They have passed away."
The Empress Dowager being old has poor hearing.
"What?"
"They have passed away."
"Louder, don’t be so timid."
Yu Tingwan clenched her fists, this time speaking very loudly, "My parents are resting in peace."
Empress Dowager: ...
She really wanted to die right there!
Her imposing manner fell.
The Empress Dowager couldn’t bear hearing this, as her own parents passed early, leaving her an orphan with such experiences!
"I was unaware beforehand, it was not intentional to distress you."
Yu Tingwan: "Many years have passed, the hardest times are long gone."
Though she knew.
The Empress Dowager indeed hurt someone.
Just not her.
Jiasan turned her head, "Boundaries?"
Gu Fuju: ...
After this ordeal, the Empress Dowager no longer made things difficult for her, directly sending Yu Tingwan back to her seat.
Yu Tingwan had just sat down when she heard a sharp voice from a distance.
"The Holy Emperor and Empress arrive."
Emperor Ying accompanied by the Empress came forth.
Everyone was about to rise, only to see Gu Fuju beating them to it.
Gu Fuju seemed to have been waiting for Emperor Ying for a long time, his posture straight, eyes stern, stepping forward boldly.
Having immersed himself for many years in officialdom, rarely was it necessary for him to perform the grand kneeling ceremony, but he lifted his robes and knelt before Emperor Ying.
This scene happened so quickly, everyone was caught off guard.
Emperor Ying paused in surprise.
"Beloved official, what is this?"
Gu Fuju closed his eyes for a moment: "In those days, Brother Jing Yuan was severely wounded, the borderlands were ablaze with war, civilians lived in misery. I promised Your Majesty that I would go to the front lines and negotiate with the enemy."
"Though accomplished, it was a near-death experience, leaving me gravely injured."
"Your Majesty once promised me a favor, I wonder if it still holds?"
