Lu Qing Wan turned her head with a darkened expression to look at Rou Jia, who had accompanied Ru Yue, "Who told him these things?"
Ru Yue looked bewildered, while Rou Jia said sheepishly, "A few strange guests arrived at Bu Ye Zhou these past few days. They said they were your master's uncles, and they've been playing with the young prince every day. Twelve Month didn't stop them, and the mansion's people didn't react much. Your subordinate thought Princess Consort knew."
Yan Ruo Zhao was startled, "Who are they? Could they be trying to harm Yuan'er under your name?"
"Sister-in-law, please don't worry. They should be my master's uncles?"
Just as she was thinking about how to explain, Si Feng Ming, standing beside them, calmly interjected, "Are they from the Reincarnation Hall?"
Lu Qing Wan froze for a moment, then realized that Feng Xi Wu must have told Si Feng Ming about arranging for the little bun to become a disciple on their way. She nodded coldly, "They should be. It's rare to meet them here. If Imperial Brother and Sister-in-law are willing to let Yuan'er become Liu Xun Ran's disciple, I can have them pass a message to Old Man Liu to come and recognize his disciple."
Even as the Crown Prince of Da Qin, Si Feng Ming never imagined that the "Old Man Liu" Lu Qing Wan casually mentioned would be the renowned Hall Master of the Reincarnation Hall. However, he instinctively refused, "How can we let the master come to see the disciple, especially when he hasn't formally accepted him yet! Ask for his opinion first. If he's willing to take Yuan'er as a disciple, I'll immediately prepare the betrothal gifts. You can send him directly, without bothering him for another trip."
Yan Ruo Zhao nodded in agreement repeatedly, "It's all for Yuan'er's good. As long as he's safe, please bother you with the matter of apprenticeship."
Although Yan Ruo Zhao resided in the inner chambers, she was not a completely ignorant woman. The information revealed by Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Ming's earlier conversation was enough for her to judge that the master Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu had found for her son was no ordinary person. Furthermore, given the way her son interacted with Feng Xi Wu and Lu Qing Wan, she knew that this couple had never mistreated their son; in fact, they had treated him exceptionally well. As a mother, she had already been separated from her son for five years, and she didn't fear being separated for a few more years. Yan Ruo Zhao privately felt that as long as her son could avoid the turmoil of the Central Plains and grow up safely, she would be content even if she never saw her son again in this lifetime.
Seeing the couple's firm resolve, Lu Qing Wan immediately agreed, "Alright, then you can visit the mansion a few more times these days. I'll bring Yuan'er back to the mansion, and you can spend more time with the child. Once things are settled over there, I'll have someone come to pick him up directly."
Si Feng Ming nodded heavily, "In that case, thank you, sister-in-law."
Lu Qing Wan waved her hand generously, "We are family, no need for formalities. Let's fill our stomachs first." With that, she called out to Yuan Niang, "Stop dawdling. It's been so long, where are your dishes?"
Yuan Niang quickly replied, "My lady, please wait, it will be ready soon."
In a short while, the maids brought over the dishes: steaming hot pot, fragrant roasted skewers, and Da Qin's unique grape wine... Yan Ruo Zhao's eyes widened, "Are these to be eaten raw?"
The ingredients were neatly arranged in the exclusive grid-like plates for the hot pot. The rich broth emitted a tantalizing spicy aroma. Little Yuan'er picked up a chicken wing skewer and handed it to Yan Ruo Zhao, "This is a new way of eating invented by Mother Consort, called barbecue. You can eat it immediately. That's hot pot; you have to cook it in the broth before eating."
Although he was a bit of a greedy little eater himself, at this moment he patiently offered his favorite grilled chicken wings to Yan Ruo Zhao. Afterward, he took a skewer of grilled pork belly and gave it to Si Feng Ming. Feeling as if he had completed his task, he returned to his seat, and a grilled, split sausage appeared before him.
"Thank you, Mother Consort!" The little bun bounced excitedly and took a large bite of the sausage. Si Feng Ming and Yan Ruo Zhao, who had been touched by their son's understanding and filial piety, suddenly felt disheartened. Lu Qing Wan pretended not to notice their emotional shift; forcing a child to mature was, in her opinion, even more cruel. Therefore, during this period of adjustment, Si Feng Ming and Yan Ruo Zhao would have to endure some hardship. Regardless of their inner feelings, the meal appeared to be a joyous occasion for all guests.
Lu Qing Wan instructed Yuan Niang, "Prepare another set according to this, and send it to the Censorate Mansion before dinner. Let the Yan family members also try it. Say it's from the Crown Prince. These things are rare in the Central Plains, so have our people serve them until they're finished before leaving. Also, prepare some other pastries and wine..."
Yuan Niang acknowledged and left. Yan Ruo Zhao said apologetically, "I have to trouble you to worry about my maternal family."
"It's just a small matter. You've done so much for the Prince and me, no need for such words." As long as it didn't involve Feng Xi Wu and the little bun, Lu Qing Wan was quite willing to consider others' feelings.
Yan Ruo Zhao's gaze remained fixed on the little bun. Hearing Lu Qing Wan's words, she said somewhat hesitantly, "I wonder when the apprenticeship can be finalized. Can I visit Yuan'er at the mansion tomorrow?"
"Why wait until tomorrow?" Lu Qing Wan generously invited, "Why not come today directly?"
The couple was eager to spend more time with their child, but considering the child's safety, Yan Ruo Zhao anxiously asked, "If we follow so abruptly, will Yuan'er's presence be discovered?"
"That won't happen." Feng Xi Wu, happy that Lu Qing Wan and his elder siblings-in-law were getting along, immediately chimed in. "I haven't had a chance to tell Imperial Brother yet, but after Yan Ruo Lan broke into the mansion that day, I immediately replaced all the staff with my own people. Now, from the guards to the servants, everyone in the Prince Qin's mansion is an old member of the Da Gan Regent's Mansion. In the entire Central Plains, there is no place safer for us than Prince Qin's mansion."
Si Feng Ming was overjoyed and said without hesitation, "Then we'll trouble you tonight!"
As they spoke, they cheerfully departed Bu Ye Zhou. Before leaving, Lu Qing Wan instructed Yuan Niang, "Ask that guest over there to come to the mansion for a short visit tomorrow. Say I have something to discuss with him." Those who dared to call themselves her uncles were none other than the seven disciples under Liu Xun Ran. Whomever it was, they could pass a message to Liu Xun Ran. After secretly interacting with the little bun for so long, the vetting process could be skipped. She wondered if Liu Xun Ran would go mad when he heard she had given him a little bun after nearly a year of leaving the Reincarnation Hall without a word. The thought of Old Man Liu being driven up the wall by a sesame-filled little bun made Lu Qing Wan uncontrollably happy.
Having successfully exposed Lan An's poisoning of Emperor Geng Shi, subtly hinted at the alliance between the Fan and Lan families, and secured the little bun's safety, everyone was in a good mood. However, this good mood completely vanished upon seeing several unfamiliar faces at the entrance of the mansion.