The sound of lively break of noise rang near his ear.
Heir Apparent Han woke up.
Opening his eyes, the bodyguard was right in front of him.
Slightly startled.
Each time when there was an emergency, the guard was nowhere to be found, always a moment too late.
And when everything was quiet, right after waking up, seeing a stern face could startle anyone to death.
"Get out."
Heir Apparent Han called out grumpily as he woke.
The guard vanished in an instant.
Lying in bed, he felt a little uncomfortable.
Initially not planning to stay for the night, he didn't bring along a maid or servant, there was no one to attend to him.
His face wasn't hurting when he was first hit. However, after a night's sleep and waking up, the burning pain was simply unbearable.
Heir Apparent Han got up, pushed the window aside and saw the girl with a round face, the one Little Square-faced liked, she was romping about with her brother.
She seemed to be beaming with joy.
Little Square-faced was struggling and scratching his head.
Jiang Er's little daughter sat on the cushion, giggling while eating snacks.
Even Eunuch Duan was serving her snacks.
Soon, Heir Apparent Han turned his attention to the old woman being served by the little girl.
A sense of familiarity surfaced, as if he had met her before.
Lying in bed, looking at the unfamiliar bed and place, yet filled with familiar faces.
Heir Apparent Han got off the bed.
Stepping on the evening glow, in the midst of the evening breeze.
The sky had turned dark when he woke up.
The spread for the night was on the lighter side.
It was hot noodle soup.
There were no cooks at Jiang Er's house.
Unbelievably, it was Qin herself who was cooking at night.
Heir Apparent Han accidentally caught a glimpse of her tall figure standing before the cooking hearth.
The noodles that evening came across unusually appetizing.
Jiang Er held his youngest daughter in his arms. The son dutifully passed the condiments, daughter handed the chopsticks, wife dished out the noodles, and little square-face helped with moving the chairs.
Surrounded by his children, the picture of bliss.
Looking at this, Heir Apparent Han felt a tight knot in his chest.
He has children of his own too, but none of them were his.
This was one of the reasons he had lived such a wild and reckless life.
Most of the women he has had relations with were married and already had children. It was unlikely for them to have issues with fertility.
He had only two children in his residence - one son and one daughter. But he knew neither of them had his bloodline. The timing just doesn't add up.
The woman he took for his second wife is not the type he usually favorited. Of course, her willingness to become Heir Apparent Han's wife had to do with her own considerations too. It was nothing more than a transaction, a partnership. Some unwilling, others eager.
Heir Apparent Han's face was swollen, it hurt to open his mouth. Slurping noodles was just the right food as it didn't require any chewing and could be easily swallowed.
The banquet this evening was extremely simple.
But to be honest, it was very delicious.
It was even better than the grand feast he had with his Uncle at the palace.
Everyone was sweating while eating.
There was no one to fan them from behind.
Yet, it was really good.
A tad spicy.
Meng Shaoxia liked sweet food, yet this hint of spiciness was a good new challenge for the palate.
They had never ever had something like this before. Their tongues tingled and numbed slightly. Throats still tingling from the spiciness, yet they yearned for more, simply couldn't stop.
Jiang Mianmian didn't eat it, all she requested for was the Szechuan peppers and chili peppers that little tree had found. The chili wasn't authentic enough, but the Szechuan peppers were fine.
Adding to the food, was too much for her to bear. She could only eat clear soup with noodles.
Maximum of a spoon of sesame sauce.
She ate elegantly, her small mouth nibbling away neatly. While eating, she would turn her head once in a while letting Grandma wipe her mouth.
Sometimes it was the Dad instead.
The guards too were sweating all over from eating.
Eunuch Duan added noodles three times.
First they had clear soup. Second, they had sesame Sauce. And third, they had Hot & Sour.
He definitely knew how to eat.
Meng Shaoxia channeled his grief and fury into his food, eating more than what was typical.
He had a new goal now.
He was definitely not dedicated enough before, his mind too scattered. He aspired to emulate his brother Feng.
In the future, he would practice the sword every day.
He would also rehearse those three moves.
In a year, not that, three years later, he would certainly cleanse his past disgrace.
He would definitely win over his brother, Feng.
He believed in himself.
Watching the teary-eyed Shaoxia Meng from eating too much spicy food, Jiang Yu kindly handed over a bowl of noodle soup.
"The original soup balances the original stuff, eating too much will cause indigestion."
Moved, Meng Shaoxia took the bowl. Jiang Yu treated him very well.
Then, Jiang Yu also handed Little Cotton, her little sister, a bowl.
None was given to anyone else.
This made Meng Shaoxia even more moved.
Jiang Yu treated him with sincere kindness, like family.
At home, aside from his youngest sister, only he received this treatment.
He was wondering when his mother would have prepared his bride price and when it could be delivered.
.....
Night fell.
It was dark.
There were always those who had brewing thoughts.
Young Master Han demanded to drink wine.
He specifically asked about Jiang Er's experience of being drunk too easily.
There was definitely nothing going on between Jiang Er and him, but he wished that weren't so.
Young Master Han rubbed his nose.
He could hold his alcohol well.
"Your Highness, you got injured on your face, shouldn't drink wine, should have soup instead." Qin Luoxia spoke.
And she brought a bowl of soup in front of him.
Young Master Han noticed her long fingers, but also observed the calluses on her palms.
Somewhat sympathizing, he thought Jiang Er's neglect was such a shame.
A woman with long legs, slim waist, and large chest should be cherished, yet she had callused hands.
What a waste for being with Jiang Er.
Well, there was no need to drink if he didn't want to.
He would still have the soup that the beauty brought over.
Although Young Master Han was occupied by appeasing his beauty, he still looked around cautiously.
He noticed that Jiang Er's eldest daughter also had this soup, enjoying her food thoroughly.
Then, he took a sip leisurely.
Indeed, it was very aromatic, with a unique sweetness.
It was a taste he had never experienced before.
The delicious soup made his tongue curl with pleasure.
Originally, he just wanted to taste it to appease the beauty, but before he knew it, he had finished the whole bowl.
Jiang Mianmian silently watched Young Master Han and her sister savoring their mushroom soup.
Whatever her sister ate would mean several trips to the restroom later.
But wild pigeons, after eating from her sister's mixed feed bowl, would faint.
What would happen to Young Master Han?
Grandma was an unfathomable observer, remaining silent.
Eunuch Duan initially wanted some soup too but, catching sight of Grandma's expression, he decided against it and put down the bowl.
They hadn't finished dinner yet, but Young Master Han was already behaving improperly.
He got up, swaying, and started walking towards Commander Jiang and his wife.
The palace guards were torn between averting their eyes and drawing their swords.
Or maybe do both simultaneously.
Their master was courting danger again.
Usually, it was after getting drunk.
This time, he started swaying even without the liquor.
Not even bothering with pretense.
The guards felt a lot of pressure too.
In the afternoon, they had watched the sparring match between Commander Jiang's eldest son and Junior General Meng.
Commander Jiang's son had defeated Junior General Meng without even drawing his sword.
Among the young generation in the capital, Junior General Meng was one of the best, with few able to best him.
He was unmatched and excelled among the young capital boys.
The prodigal sons and daughters always tread carefully around Meng Shaoxia.
However, upon arriving at Commander Jiang's home, Meng Shaoxia was so severely beaten by Commander Jiang's eldest son that he could not even wield a sword. As if that wasn't bad enough, Meng Shaoxia's fiancée, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, chased Commander Jiang's eldest son all over the place.
In all fairness, by observing the intensity of their fights, the guards deduced that they wouldn’t be able to win.
Not to mention Mrs. Jiang, who could flatten the Young Master's face like a pig's head with one slap.
The entire Jiang household was incredibly cautious and respectful around Mrs. Jiang.
The youngest daughter of the Jiang family, who, at first glance, seemed spoiled and pampered, more so than even the princesses in the palace, was obedient and incredibly well-behaved in front of Mrs. Jiang. The constant smiles on Commander Jiang's face when he addressed Mrs. Jiang were hint enough of her capabilities.
Despite this, the Young Master insisted on staying and fanning the flames.
This clearly wasn't the wisest choice.
The guards felt frustrated. However, they dared not voice their concerns or oppose their master.
Heir Apparent Han lunged at the Jiangs.
He stood hesitating before them and then approached Jiang Er, grabbing his hair passionately, "Beautiful, come with me to my mansion. I will buy you jewelry, provide you with an abundance of servants, and let you do whatever you wish."
Jiang Changtian calmly replied, "But I have a family, I cannot go with you."
Heir Apparent Han chuckled, "If you're worried, you can leave them lots of money, bury them with wealth. If you're okay with it, I can help you bury them in the earth."
Everyone was speechless...
The guards felt a sudden relief.
At least there's that...
Suddenly, Jiang Changtian laughed and said, "Open your eyes and see who I truly am."
Heir Apparent Han's eyes widened, and he suddenly hugged Jiang Er, hysterically crying,
"Mother, don't leave, stay with me, I'm scared."
Under the stare of all these gazes, Jiang Changtian delivered a heavy slap across the unswelled side of the young master's face.
"Smack!"
"Beast, I've never given birth to a child like you."
