Just at this moment, Minister Li personally came over. Normally at this time, the elder statesman would be at the Imperial College.
Usually, he would stay at the Imperial College and rarely return to the Li Mansion. Today, upon learning that Zhao Yao was visiting the Li Mansion, he specially returned home.
Besides Minister Li, other members of the Li Family, like those few brothers of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, were also at the Imperial College because their brothers were teaching there.
Several of their nephews were also studying at the Imperial College. In other words, most of the Li Family’s men were staying at the Imperial College.
"This old minister..." Minister Li was stopped by Zhao Yao just as he was about to salute; Zhao Yao quickly saluted Minister Li, "Greetings, Grandfather."
"How can this be appropriate?"
"You are Fourth Brother’s grandfather, so I’ll shamelessly follow suit and call you grandfather too. I hope you won’t mind," Zhao Yao said with a grin, "Also, please don’t be so formal with me."
The Fourth Prince looked at Minister Li and said, "Grandfather, this is the Li Mansion, not the palace, no need for so many formalities."
Zhao Yao nodded repeatedly and said, "Exactly, exactly, I’m just a kid."
Minister Li listened to what the Fourth Prince and Zhao Yao said and went along with it willingly.
"Your Highness, welcome to the Li Mansion."
"I’m here to mooch some food and drink, as long as you don’t mind, Grandfather." Zhao Yao said, his eyes shining as he looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the others, shamelessly asking, "Cousin, have you prepared any good food for me?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites laughed and said, "Yes, yes, we’ve prepared a table full of good food for you."
"Grandfather, I’ll take the Tenth Brother to meet Grandmother and the others now."
"Let’s all go together."
The Fourth Prince extended his right hand to Zhao Yao, who immediately reached out and held it.
As they just walked out of the house, they saw the father of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the others outside.
Before they could salute, Zhao Yao quickly stopped them and said, "No need for a salute." After finishing, he hurriedly saluted them, "Greetings, Uncles."
The uncles were just about to return the salute but were stopped by the Fourth Prince.
"Uncles, no need for so many formalities. You might scare the Tenth Brother."
Zhao Yao pretended to be scared, nodded quickly, and said, "Exactly, it would scare me. If you’re so formal and courteous, I won’t dare to come next time."
The uncles chuckled slightly and did not salute Zhao Yao anymore.
The Fourth Prince led Zhao Yao towards the backyard. Madam Li, along with her daughters-in-law and daughters, had been waiting for quite some time.
After Zhao Yao greeted Mrs. Li and the others, the Fourth Prince took him to the dining hall for dinner.
The Fourth Prince did not let Minister Li and the uncles dine with them, instead having the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister accompany Zhao Yao for dinner.
If Minister Li and the uncles were present, it would make Zhao Yao uncomfortable, or so thought the Fourth Prince. As for Zhao Yao, he didn’t feel uncomfortable; rather, without the elders, Zhao Yao enjoyed his meal more happily.
The Li Family had moved from Gusu to the capital. The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the others had specifically instructed the family cook to prepare a variety of dishes unique to Gusu.
"Your Highness, these are authentic Gusu dishes." The Li Family cook is a genuine Gusu native and only knows how to make Gusu dishes. If you want to eat authentic Gusu cuisine in the capital, you can’t find it in restaurants, but you can have it in the Li Mansion.
The Li Family has an eccentric habit, stubbornly eating Gusu dishes. Even though they’ve moved to the capital for over a hundred years, their taste has never changed; at home, they only eat Gusu dishes.
The Junior Minister said, "Gusu dishes are a bit light; I wonder if it suits Your Highness’s taste?"
"It suits, it suits very much," Zhao Yao said with a smile, "It’s so delicious! Had I known Gusu dishes were this good, I should have come to your house with Fourth Brother earlier!"
Seeing that Zhao Yao genuinely liked Gusu dishes, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the others were very happy.
The Fourth Prince looked at Zhao Yao’s gluttonous appearance and said amusingly, "My cousins and I were worried that Gusu dishes might not suit your taste, but now it seems we were overthinking."
"Although the flavor of Gusu dishes is mild, they’re also very tasty," Zhao Yao said with eyes curved in a smile, licking his lips, "Whether the flavor is mild or strong, as long as it’s delicious, that’s all that matters."
Seeing Zhao Yao’s mouth covered in oil, the Fourth Prince took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of his mouth.
"If you like it, I can often bring you here to eat."
"Really?" Zhao Yao’s eyes immediately brightened, and he asked excitedly, "Can I really come and eat often?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites said, "Of course you can."
The Junior Minister said, "If Uncle Qing knew how much you enjoy his cooking, he’d be very happy and would welcome you to come eat every day."
"Cousin, if you say that, I really might come every day."