Chapter 291: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Eight
It is said that Zhao Yao left He Lianfang’s residence at the end of the Shen hour.
He had made plans with the Fourth Prince to dine at the Li Mansion tonight, so he did not stay long at He Lianfang’s place.
After leaving He Lianfang’s residence, Zhao Yao did not rush to the Li Mansion but went to buy some things first. He didn’t buy anything too extravagant, opting instead to get some tasty pastries from a bakery.
Buying pastries was something suitable for a child like him. If he bought jewelry, it would not only seem too formal but also give an impression of ulterior motives.
"Yao Yao, isn’t it inappropriate to just buy some pastries for the Li Mansion?" Liang Run felt that since it was Zhao Yao’s first visit to the Li Mansion, he should bring some presentable gifts, not just a few boxes of pastries. Bringing only a few boxes of pastries to visit would seem a bit disrespectful. "Yao Yao, if you think jewelry isn’t appropriate, you should buy some good tonic medicines instead."
"No need." Zhao Yao waved his hand and said, "Although this is my first visit to the Li Mansion, I am not visiting as a scholar, so I don’t need to be that formal."
"But as a junior, you should bring some good gifts when visiting."
"That’s the norm, but I am not an ordinary junior," Zhao Yao said to Liang Run as they walked, "If I bring overly expensive gifts to the Li Mansion, it might lead to misunderstandings."
Liang Run understood what Zhao Yao meant and nodded, saying, "Indeed."
Zhao Yao pointed to the pastries Liang Run was carrying and smiled with an innocent look, saying, "Bringing some pastries for a visit is just right for me." He should say, bringing pastries to the Li Mansion fits his persona.
"You have a point, but won’t the Li Family feel it’s impolite?"
"No, they won’t." Zhao Yao said confidently, "If I truly brought expensive gifts, the Li Family wouldn’t accept them."
Hearing Zhao Yao say this, Liang Run was completely reassured.
Liang Run personally drove the carriage to drop Zhao Yao off near the Li Mansion but did not take him to the door. Technically, as Zhao Yao’s uncle, Liang Run should accompany him on his visit to the Li Mansion, but Zhao Yao felt it wasn’t necessary.
The Fourth Prince, along with the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister, had been waiting for Zhao Yao.
It was almost the You hour, but Zhao Yao had yet to arrive.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites couldn’t help but worry, "Your Highness, might the Tenth Prince have forgotten?"
The Junior Minister thought it was very possible, "The Tenth Prince could be having so much fun that he might have really forgotten."
"I don’t think so," the Fourth Prince said, not very confidently.
"By the way, does the Tenth Prince have any guards with him when he goes out?" the Minister of the Ministry of Rites asked with concern, "Is it really okay?"
"Don’t worry, nothing will happen to the Tenth Brother," the Fourth Prince said, "Tong Xi, who is by the Tenth Brother’s side, is quite skilled. He will protect the Tenth Brother and ensure nothing happens to him."
After hearing this from the Fourth Prince, both the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister were reassured.
As they spoke, Zhao Yao’s energetic voice could be heard.
"Fourth Brother, I’m here."
The Fourth Prince slightly curled his lips into a smile, then stood up and said, "Here he comes."
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister followed behind the Fourth Prince to welcome Zhao Yao’s arrival.
Wei Mian led Zhao Yao inside. When Zhao Yao saw the Fourth Prince and the others, he waved and smiled, saying, "Fourth Brother, Cousin Brothers, I’m here."
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister quickly bowed to Zhao Yao, "Greetings, Tenth Prince."
Zhao Yao ran over to them, reached out to help them up, and said, "I’ve already said that I’m not the Tenth Prince today, so there’s no need for formalities, Cousin Brothers."
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister smiled lightly.
The Fourth Prince looked at Zhao Yao and asked, "Why did you come so late? Were you having so much fun that you forgot?"
"Fourth Brother, you’re wrongly accusing me; I didn’t forget to come to you," Zhao Yao said, "I went to buy pastries."
He pointed to the boxes of pastries Tong Xi was carrying and said very earnestly, "These are pastries I bought from the best bakery in the capital." He patted his small chest and assured the Fourth Prince, "These are pastries I’ve tasted myself, and they’re extremely delicious."
The Fourth Prince had Wei Mian take the pastries from Tong Xi.
"Fourth Brother, I’ve already sorted them," Zhao Yao pointed to the boxes of pastries in Wei Mian’s left hand, "These pastries are very soft, suitable for Grandfather and Grandmother, and they’re not too sweet."
The Fourth Prince laughed, "What you recommend must be delicious. I’m sure Grandfather and Grandmother will like them."
Zhao Yao slightly raised his chin, looking proud, and said, "Of course, if I say they’re delicious, they must be delicious."