After court adjourned.
He Chen had arranged to visit the Meng residence.
He even brought gifts.
His old friend was now married with two children.
He had been focused on preparing for the imperial exams, and finally passed. He even had a fiancée.
But then his fiancée's family listened to Immortal Liu's words, saying they weren't a good match, and broke off the engagement.
He Chen, the Third-ranked Scholar, was utterly confused.
It was strange enough that his uncle had inexplicably beaten him upon returning to the capital.
And this Immortal Liu, whom he later met, turned out to be Miss Jiang Wan.
Why did she ruin his marriage prospects?
But what's done is done.
If people would believe such things so easily, it's better not to marry them. The broken engagement was a blessing in disguise.
He used to have so many female admirers, thinking he'd marry and have children early.
Yet unexpectedly, Meng had beaten him to it.
He'd heard rumors in the capital that Shaoxia had been bewitched by a woman as beautiful as Daji, and wouldn't even return home.
He found it amusing, but couldn't refute the rumors, as it wouldn't be right to comment on his friend's wife's appearance behind their backs.
Arriving at the Meng residence.
He Chen sat in the reception hall drinking tea, waiting for Shaoxia.
The thought of reuniting with an old friend made him a bit excited.
Even the tea seemed especially fragrant.
No, it actually was quite fragrant.
The Meng family's tea quality had improved.
In the past, when he visited Meng's home, he felt their tea standards were quite ordinary.
He couldn't taste anything special.
But now, just waiting as a guest, he could appreciate the tea's aroma.
When a plump, broad man walked out, He Chen thought it was one of the Meng family's guards.
Only when he came closer did He Chen realize.
Damn!
"Shaoxia?" he called out hesitantly.
Meng Shaoxia had a face full of good fortune.
The once handsome, square-faced youth had transformed into a very prosperous-looking man.
He Chen didn't recognize him at first glance.
"Brother He, congratulations on achieving your goal of becoming the Third-ranked Scholar."
"Shaoxia, congratulations on your marriage and fatherhood, achieving your wishes."
They congratulated each other, then embraced.
They patted each other's shoulders and backs firmly.
Both of their appearances had changed somewhat.
In Meng Shaoxia's eyes, he also found it surprising.
Brother He had aged a lot; once a dashing young man, now his hairline had receded quite a bit, and there were wrinkles around his eyes. Reading too many books really does age a person.
But when they embraced, he felt that his friend hadn't changed.
Indeed, it was still like when they traveled the world together to study.
Their feelings hadn't changed.
The two hadn't seen each other for so long, they had endless things to talk about.
They chatted for an hour straight.
Meng Shaoxia invited him to stay for dinner, then introduced him to his two children.
The two chubby kids stared at him with clear, innocent eyes.
He Chen was incredulous.
He really couldn't have imagined.
The twins didn't look alike at all.
One had a square face, the other round.
But seeing them together was truly heartwarming.
He wanted to hold them, but didn't dare.
He remembered years ago when he held Meng's little sister-in-law, she kept drooling.
Encouraged by Meng, He Chen also held the two little ones.
Their nicknames were Big Goose and Little Goose.
He held each of them in turn; they were well-nourished, solid and heavy.
They smiled when picked up, and quietly watched him when put down.
He Chen was overjoyed.
In that moment, he even wanted to get married and have children.
No wonder Meng looked so content.
When dinner time came, he tasted the Meng family's evening meal.
Now under Aunt Yin's guidance.
Jiang Yu was in charge of the Meng family's cuisine.
She had the whole family wrapped around her finger.
Mrs. Meng and Old Mrs. Meng had both gained a pound or two in the past few days.
It was too delicious.
Meng Qingshe had also gained weight.
The whole family showed signs of becoming plump together.
Faced with such delicious food, it was irresistible.
He Chen ate the Meng family's food with tears in his eyes.
It was so delicious he almost bit his tongue.
Meng was truly blessed.
He saw the girl who had been kidnapped years ago, now even more poised and graceful. Though not the bewitching beauty rumored outside, she was very dignified and approachable.
After dinner, He Chen chatted with Meng Shaoxia for a long time, until Meng said he had to go take care of the children, then He Chen took his leave.
The capital's streets were wide, with carriages rolling by. He Chen felt emotional, somewhat satisfied yet also wistful. Looking at the dark night outside the window, satisfaction still prevailed.
After all, being able to reunite with an old friend, with both doing well, was a wonderful thing.
...
Winter days grow dark early.
After court, Jiang Changtian didn't go out to socialize.
He stayed home with his wife and children.
Now that his eldest daughter and son-in-law weren't home, the house felt a bit emptier.
But with little Congheng added, it somewhat made up for the lack of people.
Gong Qichi and Jiang Feng had returned to their hometown in Jiangzhou.
They couldn't bring too many people into the capital, so the current plan was to settle them in Jiangzhou.
Gong Qichi and Jiang Feng went to arrange the resettlement.
At home were just Jiang Changtian and Qin Luoxia, Mianmian and Zi Congheng.
Mianmian was very interested in the Emperor's appearance.
After all, he was the current number one big boss. It would be amazing if she could see him.
She thought about how impressive her family was, already reaching the level where they could meet the highest leader. Awesome.
Zi Congheng wasn't curious; he didn't care about the outside world at all.
But Mianmian was very curious.
Mianmian grabbed Bug Brother to participate in family life together.
"The Emperor looks very kind. Next time there's a chance, I'll take you to see him," said Jiang Changtian.
Jiang Mianmian felt her father was just placating her.
But placating was better than quizzing her on her studies.
Just as she was thinking this, in the afternoon her father started testing her on her studies.
Fortunately, Bug Brother was with her.
For an entire afternoon, Jiang Mianmian just watched her father praise Bug Brother.
Studying with a super genius felt awful.
He understood everything, while she was still confused about what the first question meant.
Mianmian became drowsy.
In the quiet study.
Leaning back in a large armchair, Mianmian still held a book, pretending to be serious.
The advantage of having two students was not being called on constantly, making it easy to doze off.
She was really sleepy.
The study was actually very quiet in the afternoon.
Jiang Changtian and Zi Congheng were engaged in a question and answer session.
Jiang Changtian was clearly testing his knowledge, when he suddenly asked, "Was Zi Lu's original name Chu Heng?"
Zi Congheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
Such an important and secret matter, in Jiang the Second's hands, seemed like opening a book and reading out the answer.
He just read it out.
The former Crown Prince died suddenly, and Zi Lu also died suddenly, around the same time.
Normally, no one would be so crazy as to connect the two.
Just like how normal people seeing similar faces would only feel a sense of familiarity, not think they were switched at birth or something.
Zi Congheng's eyes turned pitch black again, staring at Jiang the Second.
Jiang the Second looked back at him.
Mianmian was dazed for a moment, suddenly becoming alert.
She saw Bug Brother actually nod.
As if they were discussing how much vegetables cost per pound.
Suddenly they were talking about how the notorious bully of this street supposedly had a huge background.
Even though she lacked common sense, she knew that Chu Heng was the former Crown Prince.
He had died recently, and a period of national mourning was held.
Thinking about it now, Zi Lu's death happened around the same time as the former Crown Prince's.
And Zi Lu's identity was strange, appearing out of nowhere.
He had strong foundations, but no clear origins.
Even Gong Qichi, a top scholar, was willing to serve him.
And Zi Congheng was actually the Crown Prince's son, a legitimate Imperial Grandson?
Jiang Mianmian's eyes widened as she looked at Bug Brother.
She never imagined that the supposedly confined former Crown Prince had actually been rebelling outside with a full beard, rebelling against his own father.
Her Bug Brother was actually a legitimate Imperial Grandson. If not for all those messy accidents, he might have even been the next Imperial Crown Grandson.
But thinking of Bug Brother's personality, being Emperor would be too difficult for him.
It would be too hard on the officials too.
If the Emperor didn't want to speak, the officials would have to play charades every day. Too difficult, too difficult.
Suddenly she felt her brother's identity was noble and his behavior elegant.
Mianmian quickly moved her head closer and nuzzled against him.
Zi Congheng: ...
Jiang Changtian: "Mianmian, what are you doing?"
"Rubbing off some of his nobility," said Jiang Mianmian.
"Don't be naughty."
"I've had a head ailment since childhood, feared not to live long. My father, pitying my short lifespan, kept me confined at home, so I escaped. He wanted to cure my illness, so he rebelled. When I stayed at your home as a child, I felt my head ailment seemed to improve after I returned. But I didn't know my father also had a head ailment; he never told me. Later his condition flared up, and he suddenly passed away, very abruptly." Zi Congheng calmly recounted this story.
His cold temperament was also partly due to the head ailment. He didn't dare to be too happy or too unhappy.
He also didn't dare to accept others or like others.
Worried that one day, like his father, his condition would flare up and he would suddenly die.
He wasn't depressed.
He was simply panicking, closing himself off, and trying to escape.
"Don't overthink it," Jiang Changtian said. "The past is like clouds passing before your eyes. Focus on living well in the present, making each day count. When you string together many good days, that adds up to a good life."
...
