Li Gou saw his son come home empty-handed, not bringing back a single drop of water, he was furious and berated him at home."Damn Zongyu! He must be deliberately getting revenge!""I don't believe it,...The next morning, before Zong Bai could even get out the door to bring back the matchmaker, someone arrived at the palace.

The eunuch read the emperor's imperial decree and was surprisingly polite to Zong Yu.

"Thank you, father-in-law," Zong Yu didn't understand the intricacies of palace politics. He received the imperial edict and instinctively bowed in thanks.

In normal circumstances, Zongyu's current attitude would have the eunuch delivering the message rolling his eyes to the heavens.

Those eunuchs who could serve by the emperor's side and carry out his commands were all relatively influential.

Although they had no official rank, their status was essentially that of servants. But as the saying goes, it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with a persistent little ghost.

Offending these eunuchs is truly a troublesome affair, as they constantly surround the emperor and could silently slip you some eye medicine at any moment, leaving you defenseless.

Therefore, most officials in the court generally treated these eunuchs very politely and would not easily offend them.

Eunuuchs in the palace were also the best at reading people's intentions. They would only stoop to flattering and smiling obsequiously before those of high status like Prince Jing and Yuan Buyu.

Now, to address someone like Zongyu who has just returned from battle and hasn't even officially received his title yet, acting so politely... is this normal

Fang Jinxiu mustn't think too much.

"Oh, General Zong, there's no need to thank a servant. It's just my duty."

"Please, General Zong, prepare yourself and accompany me to the palace to see His Majesty. Do not keep the Emperor waiting."

Zhong Yu nodded.

He didn't know what the emperor meant by summoning him to the palace at this time. Logically speaking, he should wait until all the troops arrived before going to court together.

The imperial decree is absolute. Zong Yu subconsciously glanced back at Fang Jinshu, her expression seemed to have something to say, but she ultimately held it in.

He turned his head and walked to Mu's side.

"Mother, my son is going to the palace for a while. Don't worry, I will be back soon."

Mu Shi was just a girl who grew up in the countryside. Hearing words related to the palace and the emperor, she instinctively felt uneasy. To associate with the ruler is like walking with a tiger. Her knowledge couldn't keep up with the younger generation anymore, the only thing she could do was use her smile to reassure them.

"Alright, when you enter the palace to serve the Empress, remember to be respectful and follow all rules. Speak less and make fewer mistakes."

Zong Yu nodded and immediately ordered Zong Bai to find someone to go home, then he got into the imperial carriage with the eunuch who delivered the message.

Only after Zongyu left did Yulian run to Fang Jinshi's side.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think the Emperor means by summoning my older brother to the palace at this time"

"Could it be that you're asking about my brother's crime of returning to the capital without permission"

Fang Jinxiu shook her head. "It shouldn't be."

"It's been so many days since Dong'er's birthday banquet, Your Majesty. If you really wanted to punish him for leaving the capital early to uphold his family honor, you would have sent someone to arrest him long ago. Why wait until now"

"Besides, asking for atonement doesn't necessarily require a special imperial decree. The eunuch who delivered the earlier message didn't even receive any reward silver, yet he was so polite." She paused here, her brows furrowed with an inexplicable expression.

"All in all, your elder brother should be fine entering the palace."

Hearing Fang Jinshu's analysis, several people in the house felt a lot more at ease.

"It's fine as long as there's no danger."

"Then let's just wait patiently, you'll know everything when your big brother comes back."

The others had all gone back inside one by one, but Fang Jinxiu remained at the door, her mind seemingly elsewhere.

Little Yue stepped forward and asked.

"Madam, what's wrong with you"

Didn't you say that there was no danger for the master entering the palace Why does the mistress still have a worried expression

Fang Jinshu shook her head.

"I don't know, there's always a strange feeling in my heart."

To be precise, it's a bad feeling.

This feeling seemed to have appeared before, but it's been so long that Fang Jinshi is unsure if she's overthinking things.

Zong Yu had just returned from a victorious battle. Logically, even if the Emperor wanted to get rid of him after using him, it wouldn't be this quick. She couldn't figure out what danger Zong Yu might be in.

But what on earth was this strange feeling in my heart

"A strange feeling"

Little Yue Mian showed concern, "Madam, you haven't been sleeping well these past few nights. Is it because you haven't had a good rest"

Though the manor had been much quieter lately and Madam seemed relaxed, those close to her knew she hadn't truly rested since Master came back.

He often had his brows furrowed and a worried expression on his face.

Maybe so.

These past few days at the villa, I've been feeling a bit restless. I think I'd like to go for a stroll in the city.

Xiaoyue nodded and said, "That's good. Changhe said that the Kyoto Castle will be hosting a food festival recently, with all the major restaurants in the city participating. It'll be quite lively."

It is said that the restaurant that wins first place not only gets the qualification to host the palace banquet, but also receives a precious treasure related to the ingredients from the palace.

Food festival

Fang Jinshi just smiled, she didn't seem very interested. Her cooking skills were only average. Zong Bai and the others always said their skills were good only because the snacks she made were based on modern recipes.

The Great Xi Dynasty's food didn't have this flavor at all. Even if Yu Lian made it, with top-grade ingredients and spring water, it would still be delicious.

If they were to say who in their family is the best at making food, then truly none of them would be qualified.

Zongyu was quick on his feet, but he couldn't remember the steps for so many dishes.

Despite one speaking and the other doing all the work, the food they created together was surprisingly delicious; it could even be called a gourmet meal!

But that was in the past, now Ayou has long forgotten he ever had such skills.

Thinking back on the dreadful meals she had eaten these past few days, all cooked by Zong Yu's hand, Fang Jinxiu couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle.

Although we missed out on the precious ingredients in the palace, we can still go and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

At present, the main business of Jinshu Mountain Villa is the fruit and vegetable market. Because it is blessed by spring water, it has no rivals, with abundant resources and thriving business.

Every day, Changhe and his team of six or seven people spend half a day sorting orders. In just over a month, Jinxiu Mountain Villa has developed a group of loyal old customers.

Not only did they sign long-term supply and demand contracts with them, but they also frequently proactively bought out the newly released products from the manor, regardless of whether the new product was a donkey or a horse, these old customers were very welcome.

So Fang Jinshu is not short of money now.

She had long since made back the money she spent on Zong Bai's shopping list, and as for the gold that Zong Yu gave her, it was currently lying in someone's space, not even a single gold flake dropped, kept safe and sound.

"Tell Yunni and the others that we won't need them to prepare our meal today."

"Little Moon, today let's take a day off and go out to have some fun before coming back."

Xiaoyue smiled and nodded. She wouldn't spoil the mistress's mood, in fact, she wasn't really interested in going out to play.

As long as the mistress is happy, she will be happy.

"Alright, I shall accompany you."

As the two were about to depart in a carriage, Jade Lotus heard that her sister-in-law was going to the city for pleasure and hurriedly caught up to them, climbing into the carriage before they left.

Three women laughed and chatted their way into the city. There were still ten days until the food festival, but the atmosphere in the city's major restaurants was already buzzing with excitement. They were all vying for attention, shouting out about their chefs and signature dishes.

I hope to increase the popularity of the restaurant before the food festival arrives, which will also be beneficial for the competition results.

It is said that there is also a segment in this food festival where passersby can taste and rate the dishes, and the ratings from the public will greatly influence the final outcome.

Therefore, the popularity of each restaurant becomes crucial.ow to dig a water channel. That way you won't be bothering me all day looking for something to do."The Zhao family is infuriating, how can they even support that little fox demon over their own patria...