Chapter 1144: Pleasure

Fan Zijin came over from the Fan Residence. Regarding his relationship with Fan Siwen these years, it had been not terrible but not that great either.

When he was not in the capital, he would make sure gifts were sent to the Fan Residence in a timely manner, only following the necessary etiquette but not a single step more.

When he was in the capital, he would go back to the Fan Residence for a meal during the holidays. When he wasn’t in the mood to see Fan Siwen, he would simply go to the palace to spend the holidays with Qi Xiuyuan and the others. As Qi Xiuyuan was willing to cover for him, Fan Siwen could not do anything to him.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of using his status to suppress him. Putting everything else aside, as long as he claimed to be sick and used filial piety to suppress Fan Zijin, he would have to return to the Fan Residence to serve him in the morning and evening. However, what was the use?

His original intention was to enhance the father-son relationship. But by doing so, it would only push his son further away.

Also, Fan Siwen was aware that this son of his was extremely shrewd. He could face Fan Siwen with a smile, but the minute he turned around, he would secretly use all kinds of means to deal with Zixiao. In the end, he would be the one to suffer.

Fan Siwen watched as his second son soared from a jinshi to a Duke, then from a Duke to a Prince, Military Advisor, magistrate, and Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He could almost foresee that Fan Zijin’s next official position would be the Minister of Revenue, after which he would become the prime minister and leave his name in history.

Meanwhile, Fan Siwen’s eldest son was still just a student of the Imperial College, and could neither rely on Fan Siwen nor Fan Zijin’s power to become an official. With the entire Fan family under Fan Zijin’s feet, Fan Siwen felt as if his heart was on fire.

No matter what he did, Madam Xia would stop him. These days, in the Fan family, Madam Xia’s words were more effective than his. Focused on helping Fan Zijin, Madam Xia would even ask Fan Siwen to explain where he was going whenever he took a carriage to head out.

Fan Siwen was filled with anger to begin with. When he saw the exquisitely good-looking Little An, and then saw his eldest grandson who appeared evasive in front of Little An and Little Fu, he couldn’t help but blame Fan Zijin for disregarding his brotherly ties. He was already a Prince, but his biological brother was still a mere student of the Imperial College yet to find a path to officialdom.

Although Fan Zijin refuted his words, his mood was still affected. After breakfast, he went to the study and sulked for a while before leaving the house with his two sons.

Fan Zijin and his two sons were very much at ease in King Rong’s Residence. If not for the fact that it wasn’t a good idea for one to spend the night outside on the first day of the Lunar New Year, he would really want to stay here tonight.

Poor Little Madam Xia had to stay behind to serve her in-laws and was still struggling in the Fan Residence. But with Madam Xia around, she wouldn’t suffer.

Fan Zijin saw that there were quite a lot of dishes on the table and that Qi Haoran had even taken out two jars of his most precious wine. He instantly said happily, “Not bad, it looks good.”

He called out to Mu Yangling, “See if there’s any fresh mutton or beef left. Cut it into thin slices as well as some gourds and vegetables. We’ll eat the hotpot. That way, we’ll be nice and warm.”

Tiger Head came in with his head bowed. Upon hearing this, he was immediately revived. The negative emotions that arose after being dealt a blow by Uncle Fan and his father immediately disappeared. He raised his hand and shouted, “I know, I know. The kitchen killed two sheep yesterday and left them under the eaves to freeze. Also, a few days ago, Big Brother and Daddy went to the mountains to hunt wild deer. The farm also sends fresh vegetables to our house every day. I’m sure today’s no exception…”

With a pair of chopsticks in his hand, Fan Zijin was stunned. Looking at the drooling Tiger Head, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Qi Haoran also scolded jokingly, “Are you keeping an eye on the kitchen every day? You know better than your mother.”

Little Lion immediately expressed that he also knew and said proudly, “We planned to eat hotpot outside while admiring the snow after it starts snowing. Naturally, we had to find out what delicious food there was in the kitchen in advance.”

Little An nodded to show that he had a deep understanding of his Fourth Uncle’s kitchen as well.

Qi Haoran looked at the snow outside before lowering his head to look at the dishes on the table. He immediately said, “Then set up two tables. One table will be placed at the Rain Sound Pavilion, and the other at the Proud Plum Garden. We’ll eat at the Rain Sound Pavilion while you guys can eat at the Proud Plum Garden.”

The clear stream flowed through the King’s Residence and into the lake. As the water came from the mountain, it was clear and pristine. In the past, it did not have a name. Even when Qin Fang built his minister’s residence in the previous dynasty, he did not name this stream.

Compared to this stream, the lake within the residence was more eye-catching.

However, Mu Yangling preferred this stream to the lake, as did Baozhu. The latter often went there when the weather was hot.

Thus, Qi Haoran built a pavilion by the stream in the northwest of Proud Plum Garden.

The Rain Sound Pavilion had a total of two floors. There were four large windows on the second floor, and the first floor was open on all sides, making it an excellent place to view the scenery.

Since the weather was chilly, the Rain Sound Pavilion was not a good choice this time of the year. However, if they hung transparent curtains on the four windows on the second floor, they would not feel cold eating hotpot with a fire by the side.

Moreover, not only could one see the clear stream downstairs from the second floor, but they could also peer into the distant lake. Should they grow tired of viewing the waters, they could turn around to admire the plums in the Proud Plum Garden on the other side, and watch the brats eat hotpot amid snowflakes.

Qi Haoran immediately ordered the servants to see to it.

Knowing that Qi Haoran wanted to mess with the children, Fan Zijin looked at him with a faint smile but did not stop him.

It was indeed different to have servants at home. After just one order, half an hour later, Qi Haoran slowly walked towards the Rain Sound Pavilion. When he arrived, Spring and Rain had already prepared everything.

The servants had even thoughtfully placed some cooked food on the table. There was a charcoal basin each in the four corners of the second floor. When the curtains were lowered, the room, while not as warm as spring, was more than ten degrees warmer than outside.

Meanwhile, Little Bear and the others went to the Proud Plum Garden and watched the water boil in the pot while snowflakes floated down from the sky.

Qi Haoran didn’t let the boy-girl twins join in the fun. He got someone to put two couches together, spread a thick blanket, and poured the toys on them for them to play with.

When Fan Zijin saw this, he carried Little Fu over and let him play with Little Leopard and Baozhu.

Little Fu was most fond of hanging out with children younger than him. When he saw Little Leopard and Baozhu, he immediately forgot about his big brothers and happily sat on the blanket with them to play.

Qi Haoran stood at the window and looked down at them. He saw that the children, who had been drooling around the pot, had all run away to play. They were either chasing after each other around the plum trees or simply snapping off the plum blossoms to insert into bottles. Only Little Bear and Tiger Head were still drooling at the smoking pot in the distance.

Seeing that Qi Haoran was slightly disappointed, Mu Yangling said with a smile, “Do you really think they’re just craving hotpot? Other than Tiger Head who really wants to eat hotpot, the others are probably just looking for an excuse to play.”

“That’s right. Do you think everyone is as single-minded as you?” Fan Zijin sighed in satisfaction as he placed food into the pot. “It’s more comfortable at your place. My appetite was nearly spoilt at breakfast this morning.”

Mu Yangling frowned. “Do you want me to get someone to bring Cousin-in-law over too?” They couldn’t leave her alone in the Fan Residence to suffer, right?

Fan Zijin pursed his lips and said, “With my mother around, my father won’t demand his daughter-in-law to wait on him hand and foot. Don’t worry. However, you can come to my house on the third day of Lunar New Year. This way, I’ll have an excuse to return to my Duke’s Residence as soon as possible.”

As Fan Zijin’s Prince’s Residence was still under construction and he would only be able to move in in the autumn, he was still living in the original Duke’s Residence.

“I’ll only stay in the Fan Residence until the third day of the Lunar New Year.” Fan Zijin said, “I don’t want to be impeached by the imperial censor after the Lunar New Year, so I’d better move out as soon as possible.” Otherwise, if he really quarreled with Fan Siwen and rumors of this spread outside, the imperial censors would definitely impeach him for being unfilial after the Lunar New Year.

Qi Haoran nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, I’ll visit Aunt and Uncle on the third day of the Lunar New Year.”

Fan Zijin was satisfied.

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