Chapter 49: Ginger Honey Water

The gate of the Marquis’s residence was quiet and desolate, and the neighbors couldn’t help but gossip.

Especially after learning that the Marquis Chengming had gone back to his wife’s family for the New Year and had taken all the household servants with him, people let their imaginations run wild.

When the eunuch sent by the palace to deliver the reward left the palace, he went straight to the Wei residence. After all, there were no secrets within the palace or without. From the very night Marquis Chengming moved out of the marquisate and into the Wei residence, the emperor had learned the whole story.

But since this was a private matter of a subject’s household, the emperor didn’t bother to interfere.

No one expected that a mere internal household affair of the marquisate would somehow end up entangled with the long-unresolved issue of human trafficking in the capital.

Seeing the boxes of jade and jewelry being carried into the house, Marquis Chengming and Lady Wei were surprised and flattered.

However, the eunuch delivering the rewards said, “Marquis Chengming, the blessings for your family have only just begun.”

After saying that, the eunuch took out an invitation from his sleeve. “This is from Her Majesty the Empress, for the young heir.”

Lady Wei took it and glanced at it, seeing that it was an invitation to the Empress’s Midwinter Banquet for the children of officials. The event was scheduled for the third day of the new year.

Clearly written on the invitation was the name Xie Yixing.

Lady Wei immediately grew nervous.

Although Xie Yixing’s condition had improved somewhat compared to before, that didn’t mean he could get along well with everyone.

Marquis Chengming had the same concern. Fearing it would be inconvenient for his wife to decline, he stepped forward and offered respectfully, “Eunuch, I’m afraid my young son may have to disappoint Her Majesty’s kindness. The child is frail and not well enough to leave the residence, so entering the palace…”

The eunuch smiled obsequiously. “The Marquis needn’t worry. Her Majesty has already taken everything into account.”

Marquis Chengming was startled.

The eunuch continued, “Her Majesty said this year’s Midwinter Banquet isn’t just to bring good fortune to the sons and daughters of officials, but also to give them a chance to meet and be evaluated in advance, so that each family might gain a joyful marriage alliance.”

“Knowing the young heir is weak in health, Her Majesty specially arranged for Imperial Physician Jiang to be on duty that day, so he can personally examine the young heir.”

With such thoughtful and meticulous arrangements from the Empress, the Marquis and his wife could no longer find a reason to refuse.

When Yao Yao awoke, washed, and had two pieces of pastry, Nanny Wu brought her to greet Lady Wei. At that moment, Lady Wei was suffering from a splitting headache.

For her, entering the palace was no different from hanging her head on the chopping block.

Only after exiting the palace would she dare to breathe a sigh of relief.

But this time, the Empress had specifically chosen the Midwinter Banquet for Xing’er to enter the palace, clearly putting their entire marquisate on the fire to roast.

Although the Marquis tried to reassure her, saying that Xing’er was blessed and would have Heaven’s protection…

They, as his parents, knew better than anyone whether he truly was blessed.

The thought of having to worry about these things even during the New Year completely ruined Lady Wei’s mood.

Meanwhile, Xie Yixing was called to the study by the Marquis. Though only six years old, his mental maturity had always been far beyond his peers.

This was precisely what worried Marquis Chengming the most.

Ordinary children, even after doing something wrong or being punished, could be coaxed with a scolding and a sweet treat.

But Xie Yixing was different. If you dared to lay a hand on him, even just raise your voice, he would remember it for a very long time.

Only when he had vented the anger in his heart would he be willing to let go.

The servants in the household secretly said he was a demon reborn, and it wasn’t entirely unjustified.

Even Marquis Chengming sometimes felt afraid of his every word and action.

The Marquis placed the palace invitation on the table and spoke in a gentle tone, “Have you heard of the palace’s Midwinter Banquet?”

Xie Yixing shook his head.

The Marquis inhaled deeply. “The Empress wants you to attend.”

Xie Yixing made no reaction, his eyes still cold as ever.

The Marquis sighed and continued, “Your mother and I discussed it. We think the best way is for you to pretend to be ill when you enter the palace.”

Even if it meant deceiving the royal family, it was better than offending them.

Looking at Xie Yixing’s cold, indifferent little face, the Marquis tried to negotiate with him.

At the same time, inside Lady Wei’s room…

Yao Yao, hearing Lady Wei sigh twice, immediately put down the glutinous rice cake in her hand and lifted her round little face. “Auntie Wei, what’s wrong?”

Lady Wei held Yao Yao in her arms. Though her mood had slightly improved, the moment she thought of Xie Yixing having to handle things alone in the palace, her worries returned.

But she didn’t want her emotions to affect Yao Yao, so she forced a smile. “Auntie Wei is fine. Yao Yao, go ahead and eat.”

But when the rice cake reached her mouth, Yao Yao refused to eat.

“If Auntie Wei won’t tell Yao Yao what happened, Yao Yao won’t eat Auntie Wei’s cake.”

Yao Yao blinked her clear, crystal-like almond-shaped eyes. Her long, curled lashes fluttered, and two rosy patches appeared on her fair and beautiful cheeks. She looked like a delicate flower bud cupped in someone’s palm, evoking a strong urge to protect her.

Lady Wei immediately gave in.

She couldn’t do anything about her own son, and so she spoiled him.

But with Yao Yao, she simply couldn’t bear to.

“Auntie Wei will tell Yao Yao, but you mustn’t go hungry.”

She pinched Yao Yao’s soft, fair little face and continued to bring the pastry to her mouth.

Seeing Lady Wei relent, Yao Yao obediently sat upright. Her tiny, pale pink fingers clutched the white glutinous rice cake, revealing just a hint of nervousness.

What kind of matter could make Auntie Wei this upset?

Right now, she looked like a newborn kitten—eyes wide with curiosity.

When Xie Yixing came out of the study and turned into the neighboring courtyard to fetch Yao Yao, he heard a crisp laugh just as he stepped through the gate.

He stopped in his tracks, holding his breath to listen.

A moment later, Lady Wei’s gentle voice came from inside the house:
“Yao Yao, if you drink that much ginger honey water all at once, you’ll wet the bed!”

Yao Yao widened her eyes, staring down at the cup in her hands—still half-full of ginger honey water—and fell into deep thought.

Although she didn’t like eating raw ginger, ginger honey water was different.

The ginger in it wasn’t in chunks—it was mashed into a paste. Mixed with warm water and stirred with two spoonfuls of honey, it made for a soothing drink.

Yao Yao loved honey the most. It was sweet and once she started drinking, she couldn’t stop.

Though Lady Wei verbally urged her to have some restraint, in her heart she felt that ginger honey water wasn’t a bad thing. It could warm the body and help digestion. At most, it just meant a few more trips to the toilet.

But just as she finished speaking, Xie Yixing entered the room.

Seeing the ginger honey water on the table, he frowned slightly.

Noticing his displeased expression, Lady Wei suddenly remembered her son hated ginger. Whenever she cooked for him, she either didn’t use ginger at all or carefully picked it out with clean chopsticks afterward.

She was about to instruct someone to remove the tea and replace it with his favorite clear tea, when he unexpectedly stepped forward, waved his hand, and gestured to try it.

Granny Zhao reacted immediately, sending someone to fetch the young heir’s special soup cup.

Xie Yixing took a sip and his brow twitched slightly.

How could anyone drink something this awful?

He looked confused.

Seeing him put down the cup without saying a word, Lady Wei wisely had it quietly taken away.

It was obvious he had tried his best—but he couldn’t bring himself to like it.

Even so, Lady Wei was genuinely pleased. At least he had been willing to try something he used to dislike.

Could this be a sign he might also try to get along with other children someday?