The Empire will continue to win

That night.

The chefs at Qingyunlou were sweating profusely in the kitchen, frying, stir-frying, and boiling with all their might.

Three-no-stick (a type of stir-fry), braised sea cucumber with scallions, braised fish slices, crispy chicken, braised pork intestines, chicken slices with egg white filling, braised prawns, fried prawns, braised winter bamboo shoots, deep-fried meatballs, braised pork intestines, stir-fried chicken cubes with soy sauce, braised cuttlefish egg soup, clear soup with bird's nest, braised fish maw, and flounder box.

All of them are their signature dishes.

Dishes flowed like water, beautiful women bloomed like flowers, and lanterns twinkled like stars.

A group of androgynous actors were singing and chanting on stage, while children ran around under the stage.

An elderly resident lamented: "The Yunqiwei Mansion hasn't been this lively in at least 50 years. The male members of the mansion have bleak career prospects, and no one holds an official position outside. As a result, the mansion has no income, only expenses."

Life became increasingly difficult.

Each family is living off their parents' savings.

"Why spend so much money?" Shen Moqing remarked, gazing at the exquisite dishes spread across the table.

"Brother Qing, our grandmother has emptied the family coffers for tonight's lavish feast. Starting tomorrow, the whole family will have to drink cornmeal porridge together." The carefree playboy Shen Lian said with a grin, but was immediately criticized by the elders.

Shen Lian couldn't resist any longer, so he drank three cups in a row to apologize.

"What's there to be afraid of? My grandson is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Once he becomes an official, won't the money just flow in like a tidal wave?" Old Madam Shen's face was beaming.

Is this considered a triumphant return home?

Even his uncle, who used to dislike him but inherited the hereditary title of Yunqiwei, frequently raised his cup to him and treated him with great kindness.

.........

Suddenly~

The old gatekeeper rushed in like the wind, reaching the main table in one breath, not even having time to catch his breath.

"Sir! People from the palace have arrived!"

The elderly Madam Shen, over sixty years old, sprang to her feet from her chair, her voice booming with energy: "Don't panic! Everyone in the Shen household, listen to my command and prepare to receive the imperial decree!!"

Then she turned her head and whispered, "Pearl, quickly go back to your room and get some silver."

"Why."

The personal maid, Pearl, gave a low reply and quickly slipped away amidst the chaos. She took the silver to reward the imperial eunuch who came from the palace to deliver the imperial decree.

Noble families are the most knowledgeable about etiquette.

As they were talking.

The plump and round-faced An Dehai led four beautiful women in palace attire into the room, followed by two rows of tall and imposing imperial guards.

Seeing this spectacle, Old Madam Shen was overjoyed.

As the parents of the parties involved, Shen Zheng and Madam Wang were all smiles, their mouths practically reaching their ears. "We're going to be rich! Our second branch of the family is really going to be rich now!"

"By imperial decree!"

Suddenly, everyone present knelt down.

"Naval cadet Shen Moqing is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is loyal to the country. He is hereby specially rewarded with a royal banquet, two boxes of brocade, three boxes of precious objects, and four beautiful women."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Shen Moqing took a deep breath, thanked the emperor, and stood up.

It's one thing to reward people with gold and silver jewelry, but what's the point of rewarding them with four beautiful women?

Eyeliner?

Or is it a teaching aid?

Having received the benefits, An Dehai was in a good mood and decided to reveal some information in advance: "Young Master Shen, the two empress dowagers, the emperor, and Prince Gong have reached an agreement to reward you with the title of second-class advisor to the Forbidden City, and then send you to inspect Yanshan Heavy Industry."

He didn't try to hide his conversation from Old Madam Shen.

"Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law."

"No need for that. My servants are with the Empress Dowager every day, so I just listen in on what's going on."

"I hope you will give Mo Qing a helping hand in the future." In order to get promoted as soon as possible, the associate professor, who had been aloof for half his life, also bowed down.

"Of course, of course. Well, the Empress Dowager can't be without someone, so I must hurry back to the palace. Brother Moqing, please don't see me off, please don't see me off."

Shen Moqing insisted on seeing the carriage off to the gate of the mansion, watching it disappear into the darkness.

in the carriage.

An Dehai sighed inwardly, "Dealing with smart people is so easy. They understand everything at a glance. It's good to have some advantages in advance, and you'll have more friends in the future."

Having more friends means having more options.

Shen Moqing stood still for a long time without moving, and no one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

Clang~

The Dragon-Slaying Saber is subtly being drawn!

Return to the mansion.

Everyone was watching her, some with admiration, some with envy, and some with awe. Some of the young maids, in particular, had eyes full of spring and burning desire, wishing they could offer themselves to her.

However, Aunt Yun, why are you looking at me so ambiguously? You are my uncle's concubine.

.........

"Let's go back and continue eating!"

With a shout from Shen Moqing, as if a general had given a military order, everyone rushed back to their seats, eating, drinking, and playing drinking games, their noise reaching the heavens.

Grandma Shen had a kind face and a wide smile.

"Good grandson, do your job well. From now on, the task of revitalizing the family's reputation is in your hands."

"Don't worry, Grandma."

"Good grandson, it is a great favor that the Empress Dowager bestowed upon you such a beautiful woman, but..."

"I understand, let's set it up for now."

"Yes, yes!"

Shen She joined in, forcing a smile: "Good nephew, your uncle has always thought you were clever. Come, let's have a toast. Father-in-law said you're going to be on a mission to inspect the realm, I wonder..."

"Imperial secrets must not be spoken of lightly."

"Yes, yes. My dear nephew, you may not know this, but when you went to jail this time, our Lian'er ran around everywhere, pulling strings and spending money like water, he was so anxious he had blisters all over his mouth. Thank goodness, God has eyes, Amitabha, Amitabha."

Old Madam Shen nodded and said, "This time, your cousin has indeed worked hard."

Shen Moqing stood up.

"Brother, I'll toast you three times."

"Small wine cups aren't enough, bring a big bowl, let's brothers drink to our hearts' content." Shen Lian said in a strange voice. His neighbor was Zhang Zongcang, who had just learned the Shandong accent.

The maids covered their mouths and laughed.

Before they knew it, all the young maids in the mansion had gathered around the main table. Ostensibly to serve, they were actually flirting with the young master. They were busy pouring wine for him, wiping his mouth, serving him food, and fanning him.

The second young master's father, Shen Zheng, wandered around with a wine jug in his hand. At each table he approached, he was immediately surrounded by people who flattered and fawned over him. He was so intoxicated by it that he couldn't control himself.

Shen Zheng, who has been marginalized for a long time, desperately needs this feeling of being the center of attention.

Feeling like an angel~

The second son's mother, Wang, was among the women, wildly praising her son.

She had made up her mind: once her son's official position was secured, she would immediately return to her parents' home to vent her anger. Not returning would be like wearing fine clothes in the dark; all her achievements would be meaningless.

A father's status rises with his son's, a mother's status rises with her son's, and a wife's status rises with her husband's.

At this moment, Du Yulan was surrounded by a group of young women and wives of similar age, who listened to her recount her experiences of being imprisoned and entering the palace, and then let out bursts of exclamations.

However, she was distracted the whole time, her eyes constantly glancing towards the main table, as if afraid that her husband was drunk.

In the entire mansion, only the children under the age of 5 are relatively innocent.

.........

The main table.

The dissolute playboy Shen Lian and the burly Shandong man Zhang Zongcang were still drinking, one bowl after another, as if they were drinking water.

Thump~

Shen Lian, unable to hold his liquor, slid under the table first.

Shen Moqing staggered to his feet, pushed aside the maids, and walked to Du Yulan.

"Lan'er, I'll send someone to take you home later. You're right, marriage is a major life event and shouldn't be rushed. We'll wait until both sets of parents have agreed on an auspicious date before we formally welcome you into the family."

"Um."

Du Yulan blushed and rose to greet him.