Xiao Jin Yu wore a faint smile, enjoying the sight of the face opposite him shifting between shades of green and pale. "One hundred thousand."
"Seventy thousand."
"One hundred thousand."
"Ninety thousand... that's the absolute limit!"
"This concerns my sixth sister-in-law... one hundred thousand."
Xiao Jin Li took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "Fine, one hundred thousand it is... consider it a gift for my nephew."
Xiao Jin Yu continued smiling calmly. "The ceremonial gift is ten thousand taels of silver, calculated separately."
"......!"
"If it's too much, forget it... there are plenty of pending cases in the capital."
Xiao Jin Li gritted his teeth, forcing out the words through clenched jaws, "It's not too much..."
"Good... I want cash. I'll start investigating when the full amount is ready."
"Seventh Brother..."
"I have official duties to attend to. Sixth Brother, take care on your way out. I won't see you off."
"......"
☆ ☆ 110 Manhan Banquet (Part 2) ☆ ☆
Early the next morning, just as the breakfast cooks were waking up and before the courtyard had been swept, the steward from Xiao Jin Li's residence arrived at Prince An Manor with carriage after carriage of gift money boxes wrapped in red cloth. Ten carriages entered in grand procession, filling Prince An Manor's spacious rear courtyard to capacity.
By the time the servants roused the soundly sleeping Steward Zhao, all the boxes had been unloaded. Xiao Jin Li's steward merely stated they were for Prince An, leaving without even a gift list before returning with his crew to where they came from.
When the drowsy Steward Zhao opened a box to check, he was instantly jolted awake by the sight of gold bricks filling the container.
Faced with so much gold - and from the notoriously stingy Sixth Prince no less - Steward Zhao feared some trickery and insisted on waking Xiao Jin Yu from bed.
Xiao Jin Yu carefully disentangled himself from Chu Chu who was sleeping soundly in his embrace, slowly got out of bed, and deliberately glanced into the cradle. Seeing he hadn't disturbed the little one who had finally managed some peaceful sleep, he unhurriedly wheeled his chair outside, gently closed the door, and asked in a hushed voice, "What is it?"
The usually unflappable Steward Zhao looked as if he'd seen a ghost. "Your Highness, the Sixth Prince's residence sent... sent ten carriage loads of gold and silver..."
Xiao Jin Yu glanced at the still-early sky outside the window, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "Has it been counted?"
Steward Zhao's voice trembled slightly. "One hundred thousand taels of gold, and ten thousand taels of silver..."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded faintly. "Count it clearly and record it as Rui Wang Fu's ceremonial gift, then store it directly in the treasury."
"Your Highness... is all this from the Sixth Prince for the little prince's ceremonial gift?"
Xiao Jin Yu's lips curved slightly. "Mm... don't record it in the open accounts, to avoid attracting rats in the residence."
"Yes..."
Qing Ping's first birthday banquet was scheduled to last from noon until late night. Since Steward Zhao and Wu Jiang had decided to invite only Prince An Manor's own people, Xiao Jin Yu merely made an appearance at the banquet's start, drank three cups of wine, then returned to One Heart Garden, leaving them to revel in the front courtyard.
Having become largely hands-off over the past two years, he had truly worked these people hard. Properly treating them to a good meal and letting them gather for unrestrained celebration was Xiao Jin Yu's small gesture of appreciation.
As for the star of the first birthday banquet, Gu He Nian had said Qing Ping's physical condition couldn't withstand noise and excitement, so Xiao Jin Yu didn't allow Chu Chu to bring him out.
When Xiao Jin Yu returned to One Heart Garden, Chu Chu was holding Qing Ping while basking in the courtyard sunshine. Spotting Xiao Jin Yu's approach, the little one immediately stretched out his hands toward him. "Daddy, hold me!"Xiao Jin Yu smiled faintly, taking their son from Chu Chu's arms and carefully cradling him.
Qing Ping had been frail since birth, sometimes too weak even to suckle milk, making him noticeably thinner than other children his age. At one year old, he still couldn't walk and had trouble grasping objects firmly. Fortunately, these various ailments hadn't affected the little one's intelligence - he began speaking early and learned extremely quickly, which brought Xiao Jin Yu some comfort.
Xiao Jin Yu touched Qing Ping's forehead, finding its temperature normal, then looked up at Chu Chu standing beside him with a warm smile. "Have you eaten?"
Chu Chu's face brimmed with unconcealed joy. "Yes, I just fed him before bringing him out. He ate so much today!"
"I was asking about you..."
"Ah?" Chu Chu blinked, then giggled and stuck out her tongue. "I forgot when I got too excited..."
Xiao Jin Yu gave a slight bitter smile, shaking his head with a soft sigh. "Have the kitchen bring food. I'll eat with you."
"Okay!"
After settling father and son in the room, Chu Chu went to have food brought from the kitchen. When she returned, Qing Ping had already been lulled to sleep by Xiao Jin Yu. The little one nestled in his father's embrace, still loosely clutching a strand of Xiao Jin Yu's hair that fell across his chest in his sleep.
Though Xiao Jin Yu usually slept poorly, Chu Chu had discovered his embrace worked better than any calming tea or soothing tonic. Whether it was her or their son, being gently held and tenderly comforted by him would quickly lull them to sleep.
Moving quietly, Chu Chu took Qing Ping from Xiao Jin Yu's arms and placed him in the cradle, then turned to wrap her arms around Xiao Jin Yu's neck, leaning down to kiss his cheek.
Over the past two years, Xiao Jin Yu had temporarily set aside his heavy official duties to accompany Chu Chu in keeping regular meal and sleep schedules. His previously gaunt frame had noticeably filled out, and his complexion had improved to resemble the most delicate rose petals of early summer. Especially when he smiled gently like this, Chu Chu always found herself wanting to kiss him.
"Chu Chu..." Xiao Jin Yu gently caressed her smiling face. Most women would gain weight after childbirth, yet she had noticeably thinned. "Starting tomorrow, let's have the wet nurse care for Ping'er..."
Chu Chu immediately shook her head. "He's still unwell."
"Mr. Gu and Master Ye are both here to take good care of him."
Chu Chu continued shaking her head. "Doctors are doctors, but a mother is a mother... He likes when I hold him."
Xiao Jin Yu frowned slightly, taking Chu Chu's hand. "Chu Chu... There's currently a case involving royal relatives' family backgrounds that I must investigate personally... I may need your help."
Chu Chu paused, lightly pressing her lips together.
"This case cannot involve outsiders. If you won't help me, I'll have to investigate alone."
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