Zhou Yu.
This is his only legitimate son now.
Once the book requesting the title of Crown Prince is submitted, Zhou Yu will take over everything of Zhou An. Along with the rights of the Crown Prince of Jin Palace, comes a huge responsibility.
If the Jin Palace encounters a major change, he will have to endure the pain of a white-haired man sending a black-haired man away when he abandons his car to save his commander.
"Your Majesty, the carriage has arrived in front of the courtyard."
Jiachu reminded softly.
Prince Jin no longer hesitated, closed the book, and strode towards the carriage parked at the entrance of the yard.
Shoukang Palace, in the kitchen.
A woman in a blue dress, even though she was in her late sixties, came from a family of military commanders and was active all year round. She had a well-proportioned figure, a rosy face, and black hair, so she looked like she was only in her forties.
She rolled up her sleeves, opened the lid of the earthen pot, glanced at the boiled snowflake pear, dabbed some sugar into it, and then looked at Zhou Qian, who was standing by the door with his hands behind his hands.
Zhou Qianzheng was staring thoughtfully at Concubine Jing who was washing her hands and making soup for him, feeling filled with emotion in his heart.
Concubine Jing had been in the palace for more than 40 years, and he had come to Shoukang Palace countless times. Unexpectedly, he did not know that Concubine Jing could not only wield knives and guns, but also cook.
"Your Majesty, a pot of pear soup, five pieces of finger belly rock sugar, and half a spoonful of granulated sugar. Do you want to add more?"
Concubine Jing turned her head and smiled.
Although it is not beautiful, it has a unique charm.
Zhou Qian knew that Concubine Jing asked this question because he liked sugar. In fact, his taste has been a bit bland recently, but when he saw that Concubine Jing did not put down the sugar spoon in her hand, he was not disappointed.
"Add half a spoonful more."
"Your Majesty, please go and wash your hands. The last dish of braised beef will be ready soon."
Concubine Jing's mother's family was a down-and-out general, and had almost no other way to make a living except joining the military camp to find work, so her life had always been very simple.
If Zhou Qian hadn't promoted her to her position, King Kang had obtained an official position, and if the saltpeter mine hadn't been sold, and King Kang had sent a lot of subsidies, she wouldn't have been able to eat the braised beef.
Even though Zhou Qian was here, Concubine Jing only cooked two hard dishes and three side dishes, and cooked a small pot of pear soup.
Compared with Concubine An Huang’s table full of sumptuous delicacies, it was definitely not enough to see. But Zhou Qian felt inexplicably warm when he saw Concubine Jing busying in the small kitchen.
"I missed a lot of beautiful scenery before."
Zhou Qian couldn't help but sigh to Su Peiyuan, and the heroic and youthful appearance of Concubine Jing when she first entered the palace flashed in his mind.
Because Concubine Jing's mother's family couldn't use the strength, and she was stubborn and unwilling to join others, she was not favored even after giving birth to a prince. I don't know how she survived for more than forty years.
Seeing the guilty look on Zhou Qian's face, Su Peiyuan was afraid that he would avoid Shoukang Palace and dare not come in because of this again, so he persuaded him in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, this sunrise is as beautiful as the sunrise, and the sunset is as beautiful as the sunset. Besides, no one in the palace knows that Concubine Jing has an open-minded heart and a kind and benevolent personality. This old slave thinks that Concubine Jing is not wasting the title Jing given by His Majesty in vain. Words, quiet and far-reaching, can withstand the bitter cold and welcome the fragrance, just like the proud plum blossoms in the snow."
"Haha, you old boy, you are so savvy when it comes to flattering me."
Zhou Qian was amused.
Looking at Concubine Jing who was serving pear soup with her own hands, she didn't agree with what she just said.
"Su Peiyuan, wait until you take Concubine Jing with you during the Mid-Autumn Festival hunting and let her show you her extraordinary equestrian skills. Then you will know that the word Jing is not suitable for her."
But the plum blossoms blooming in the bitter cold are indeed admirable and eye-catching.
Although Concubine Jing is old, her ears and eyes have always been outstanding due to years of training.
In addition, the master and servant did not avoid talking to others. When she heard Zhou Qian's compliments and jokes, she just laughed it off and didn't take it seriously at all.
Royal ruthlessness.
As early as when she almost died of hemorrhage during childbirth, the servants reported to Zhou Qian, but Zhou Qian was stumbling upon the queen. It was not until King Kang was in confinement that he thought of holding a full-moon banquet, and she understood.
In this palace, she could not get the emperor's favor and could not rely on it, so she could only push herself hard, cut off love, and seal her heart away.
In this way, although her subsequent life was a little more miserable, her mood was very comfortable. Compared with the concubines in other palaces who were not favored and died in depression, or who died in conspiracy because of fighting over each other, she I feel that I am quite lucky and happy.
"Your Majesty, please take your seat."
Concubine Jing held a cup of pear soup and placed it on the seat facing north and south.
He personally served Zhou Qian a bowl of rice.
"This rice is new rice from the south of the Yangtze River. God has blessed Daxing. The rice from the south of the Yangtze River has a high yield this year. I have tasted it and it is sweeter than in previous years."
"Really? Then I want to taste it."
Zhou Qian politely took the bowl of rice, picked up his chopsticks and took a mouthful of white rice. After chewing it carefully, he kept nodding.
"It's indeed sweeter and more delicious than in previous years. It's as good as Gongmi."
Since the death of the late Queen, he often ate and drank at Imperial Concubine An's place.
In order to provide him with food and because of Concubine An's pickiness, a kitchen was specially opened in her palace. The skills of the cooks there were among the best in the entire capital.
But for some reason, this bowl of rice made him feel that the rice in Shoukang Palace was even better.
This made Zhou Qian couldn't help but eat half a bowl of rice more than usual.
Concubine Jing rarely ate with Zhou Qian. While serving her generously, she did not grudge her belly and feasted on the fruits of her labor.
Su Peiyuan, on the other hand, noticed that His Majesty's appetite was higher than usual, and he smiled knowingly.
I was about to remind Concubine Jing that I would take the opportunity to let Your Majesty stay overnight so that His Majesty could take a break from the busy schedule and have an early rest for the day.
Before he could speak, heavy footsteps sounded behind him.
Su Peiyuan looked towards the gate.
Zhou Qian and Concubine Jing also turned their heads.
I saw a guard with a sword striding in. He cupped his fists and paid homage to the queen, then said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the King of Jin wants to see you."
"It's so late, what's the matter with Lao Shi?"
Zhou Qian did not put down his chopsticks.
The meaning was obvious. If there was nothing important, he would be ready to find any reason to send King Jin away.
Anyway, today's political affairs have been dealt with. It is rare for him to feel so relaxed here in Shoukang Palace. He no longer has to think about the disasters in various places, the lack of money for disaster relief, and the harassment of the Western Region countries on the border, whether it is a military counterattack or peaceful negotiation, and what the ministers want to do. The intrigue of taking sides.
Zhou Qian glanced at Concubine Jing who was still calmly eating her meal after hearing that King Jin was coming. He also wanted to be lazy and take a rest for the day.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, King Jin said that he came to the palace this time to invite the crown prince."
The reply from the guard with the knife surprised Zhou Qian.
Concubine Jing paused while drinking the pear soup from her spoon, feeling a little puzzled as to why King Jin suddenly named him the heir apparent.
You must know that among the legitimate sons of Prince Jin's Mansion, Zhou An has been specially named the Little Marquis, and it is also Zhou An who helps Prince Jin travel around and recruit people.
In terms of level, the young marquis is one level higher than the prince.
The King of Jin appointed Zhou An as his heir apparent, which could highlight the relationship between father and son, but doing so was obviously detrimental to the King's palace.
But if the King of Jin appoints another son as the crown prince, for the Jin Palace that is currently competing for the crown prince, the crown prince may be the future crown prince. If someone else is appointed, Zhou An, who has worked hard and made great achievements, will naturally not be convinced.
"This kid Lao Shi really thinks about it. I want to hear who he wants to appoint as the heir apparent. Let him come in!"
Could it be that Zhou An came back, knew that his behavior in Jinling was wrong, and wanted to downgrade himself to atone for his sins?
If this is the case, Zhou An, the grandson, can continue to train and train him.
