And he did truly smile... when he bowed before the Emperor of Xiyun just now.
And he thought no one had noticed...
When the outer layer of the bamboo tube began to char, the rice inside was ready, and An Jing had already sliced the mutton and placed it on the two tables.
Worried that the four children would struggle to eat the mutton, An Jing cut theirs into especially small pieces, but the children only sniffed the aroma and did not care for it.
The four children preferred to eat the bamboo tube rice, which was not only fragrant but also especially delicious, and they ate it with relish.
The bamboo tube rice, soft and flavorful with the freshness of bamboo and the aroma of rice, was liked not only by the children but also by the Emperor of Xiyun and the others.
However, because the Emperor of Xiyun couldn’t eat too much as his stomach couldn’t take it, An Jing and Xiao Changyi both controlled the amount of bamboo tube rice they gave him, and gave him only a little mutton as well.
But seeing everyone else eating a lot made the Emperor of Xiyun a bit unhappy. He truly did want to eat more.
Seeing this, An Jing smiled and said, "If Father-in-law likes it, we will make it for Father-in-law again next time."
Only then did the Emperor of Xiyun’s mood improve.
Gong Juechen, at another table tearing into the mutton, darkened slightly in his peach blossom eyes upon seeing the Emperor of Xiyun and An Jing’s familial intimacy. Then, he began to eat with even more vigor.
In the eyes of others, he simply enjoyed the mutton and bamboo tube rice a lot; but only he knew he was venting.
In the end, naturally, it was Gong Juechen who ate the most. He even burped contentedly.
The four children burst into giggles when they heard Gong Juechen’s unabashed burp, finding it immensely amusing.
Even An Yiyun reached out to grab Gong Juechen’s wide sleeve, urging him to burp again.
And Gong Juechen indeed complied with another.
At once, the four little ones were even more delighted, laughing even harder, and both An Yiyun and An Yiqing almost choked on their laughter.
The Emperor of Xiyun, Su Chengyu, and the others could only feel that Gong Juechen’s behavior was particularly coarse, something they found very difficult to accept.
After they had finished eating, An Jing led the Emperor of Xiyun and the others on a walk nearby until the Emperor of Xiyun said he was tired and wished to return to the palace, at which point they started back.
However, they had only taken a few steps on their return journey when they saw three people hurrying over to them.
As the three approached, they became clearer. Leading them was the Fifth Prince Su Chengjin, and the other two appeared to be Su Chengjin’s attendants.
Gong Juechen was also strolling along with An Jing and the others, and upon seeing Su Chengjin, he laughed inwardly: You’re in such a rush that you might meet your death even sooner, brother~
As Su Chengjin approached, he bowed to the Emperor of Xiyun, "This son pays his respects to Father Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live, long live."
Seeing Su Chengjin, who was looking healthier and healthier, a look of hatred flashed across the Emperor of Xiyun’s aged eyes, though his face remained quite calm, as he asked, "What are you doing here?"
Su Chengjin immediately replied respectfully, "Thanks to the palace doctor, this son’s health is improving day by day. I’m now able to get out of bed and walk, so I came out for a stroll and did not expect to see Father Emperor here, thus I came to pay my respects."
The Emperor of Xiyun said, "Your health has only just begun to improve. You should rest more; once you are better, there will be plenty of time to stroll."
Even though the words expressed concern, they were delivered in a cool tone. Listening to this, An Jing inwardly sighed: Her adopted father truly does not fifth son of his.
Su Chengjin then said, "Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor. This son will now return home."