Chapter 337: Chapter 214: Liking the Mo Family Has a Promising Future
As soon as the afternoon study session ended, Zhao Yao planned to go to Lanyuan Pavilion for lunch, but was stopped by Tong Xi. It turned out that Xiao Fengzi had completed the characters Zhao Yao previously requested.
Xiao Fengzi had burned quite a few clay engraved characters before he finally succeeded, all thanks to the help of Zheng Cheng.
In the morning, Zheng Cheng saw that Xiao Fengzi was persistently firing the clay engraved characters but was unsuccessful. He didn’t initially want to interfere, but upon learning that it was the Tenth Prince’s request, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn’t resist getting involved.
Zheng Cheng and Xiao Fengzi worked together and finally succeeded in firing the characters.
Zhao Yao took the characters fired by Xiao Fengzi and examined them carefully.
"Whether they can be used or not, I’ll only know after I test them," he said, looking at Xiao Fengzi. "I will have Tong Xi notify you this afternoon whether they can be used. If they can’t, you’ll have to remake them. If they can, continue making them to this standard."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You’ve worked hard these past few days." Zhao Yao gave a look to Tong Xi, "Escort him back to the Shangfang Commandant."
Tong Xi acknowledged, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Your Highness, there’s no need..." Xiao Fengzi hadn’t finished speaking when he was ushered away by Tong Xi.
Zhao Yao tucked the fired characters from Xiao Fengzi into his bosom, planning to discuss them after returning to Kunde Hall post-lunch. He was now off to Lanyuan Pavilion for lunch.
The Fourth Prince, knowing that Zhao Yao was to lunch with Prime Minister He and others today, instructed Wei Mian to send Zhao Yao’s meal to Prime Minister He’s place, while he himself headed to Changding Palace for lunch.
Zhao Yao arrived at Lanyuan Pavilion and went straight to the room where Prime Minister He and the others were working.
Zheng Cheng arrived at Lanyuan Pavilion slightly before Zhao Yao. Seeing Zhao Yao, he was a little taken aback; he hadn’t expected the Tenth Prince to be such a fair, delicate child.
Zhao Yao broke into a broad smile and greeted Prime Minister He and the others.
Prime Minister He and the others bowed to Zhao Yao one after another.
After the formalities, Zheng Rang quickly introduced Zheng Cheng to Zhao Yao.
Zhao Yao looked at Zheng Cheng with curiosity: "You are the son of Grand Commandant Zheng, and yet you like the Mo family."
This was something Zheng Cheng had heard all his life. As a child, it angered him, but now he had gotten used to it. It was as though being the son of Grand Commandant Zheng and liking the Mo family, and crafting was a crime.
Zheng Cheng could only respond with a wry smile.
Zhao Yao gave Zheng Cheng a thumbs up and sincerely praised him, "Your interest in the Mo family and crafting is very promising!"
"Ah?" Zheng Cheng was stunned; he hadn’t expected the Tenth Prince to praise him. Hearing the Tenth Prince’s initial remarks, he assumed he was like everyone else, but unexpectedly, the Tenth Prince saw potential in him.
Prime Minister He and the others were also surprised by Zhao Yao’s commendation.
"Liking the Mo family and crafting is great," Zhao Yao said with a grin, "I also like the Mo family and making things."
Zheng Cheng could tell that Zhao Yao genuinely valued the passion for the Mo family, "Your Highness, you..."
"Liking the Mo family and being a craftsman is nothing to be ashamed of," Zhao Yao said with folded arms and a serious expression. "Craftsmen can make many things that are useful in our lives. Without craftsmen, everything would fall apart. So, you shouldn’t feel that being the son of Grand Commandant Zheng and being a craftsman is disgraceful."
Zhao Yao’s words hit home for Zheng Cheng. Excitedly, he said, "Your Highness, I never felt ashamed of being a craftsman."
"That’s right. The Shangfang Commandant is filled with skilled craftsmen. You can learn from them and eventually surpass them."
Zheng Cheng felt encouraged by Zhao Yao’s words and replied sincerely, "Yes, Your Highness!"
"Zheng Zhengshi, you didn’t forget to bring the good food from your hometown, right?" Zhao Yao looked eagerly at Zheng Rang. If Zheng Rang said he hadn’t brought it, he might start crying on the spot.
Zheng Rang, seeing Zhao Yao’s earnest expression, held back his laughter and said, "I brought it; I wouldn’t dare forget." If he had really forgotten, the Tenth Prince might have burst into tears.
"I’m hungry," Zhao Yao said, patting his little stomach. "Prime Minister He, Grandmaster Liu, let’s have lunch."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zheng Rang brought a few meat dishes, which were regular delicacies from their home. Prime Minister He also sent someone to take these dishes to the Imperial Kitchen for heating.
The Fourth Prince had prepared Zhao Yao’s lunch with dishes he usually liked. Knowing that Zhao Yao would be exchanging delicacies with Zheng Rang today, he had the Imperial Kitchen make smoked meat, crystal duck, chive sour bamboo shoot Harry soup, among others.
Worried that Zheng Rang and others might feel shy about serving themselves, Zhao Yao personally served some dishes to Zheng Rang and encouraged them to feel at home.
During the meal, Zhao Yao enjoyed the delicacies brought by Zheng Rang while inquiring about their recipes.