When lunchtime came, Yang Chuxia followed the Emperorās requests, serving all the dishes he had named, and the Emperor ate with great pleasure.
That evening, Yang Chuxia changed the menu to include some special dishes from Quanya, adding bean paste and shrimp sauce, which the Emperor liked just as much. After eating, he would chat with the two little ones, making Yang Chuxia think he was truly there for a vacation.
Indeed, the following days were the same, filled with eating and drinking, and occasionally visiting the candy shop to watch Tang Tanghai cook sugar.
It was leisurely to an extreme, to the point that both Mu Shaoling and Ye Ziāan were confused.
"Mother, was my sister well-behaved today?" On this particular evening after dinner, the Emperor sent Ye Ziāan and Mu Shaoling away. Thus, Ye Ziāanās family of four went upstairs to talk.
"Sheās been good. And has Yangyang been good?" Yang Chuxia asked.
"I am very good, right, brother?" Worried that their mother wouldnāt believe it, Yangyang also asked Lele for confirmation.
But all Lele responded with was a nasal noise.
"Mother, look at your eldest son, such a tsundere," said Yangyang, seeing the reaction.
"Haha..." Ye Ziāan was amused again by the comment.
Seeing him in what seemed like a good mood, Yangyang turned and pounced over, "Handsome dad, that fourth master is very impressive, right?"
"Of course!" Ye Ziāan nodded his head.
"Brother said he is the Emperor." Yangyang whispered this into Ye Ziāanās ear so softly, but it made Ye Ziāanās brow twitch, which prompted him to gesture to Lele, "Come here."
"Dad!"
"How do you know about that?"
"What?" Lele hadnāt quite grasped the situation yet.
"About the fourth master."
"Oh, I guessed it."
Ye Ziāan was astonished, "You guessed? Youāre not lying? Tell the truth!"
"Dad, I really guessed," Lele felt helpless, "I figured it out based on your attitude and Uncle Shaolingās."
"Oh? Letās hear it," Ye Ziāan said with a hint of interest.
Lele found it strange that it was something that needed explaining, but since Dad asked, he would comply, respecting the elderly.
"Dad, didnāt you say Uncle Shaoling is the first divine physician, and also the young master of a prestigious family with a noble status? Aunt Dongyang is a Commandery Princess, also of high standing. The only people who could command such respect from them would be the Mu Family elders, or others of higher status. But the fourth master doesnāt seem like any of these. Plus, youāve told me before that the Emperor of Great Zhou is in his forties or fifties, so I boldly made a guess."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ziāan and Yang Chuxia exchanged glances and then patted Leleās head, appreciating his intelligence and attentiveness.
"Lele, do you know what āthe tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be brought down by the windā means?"
Lele shook his head, as he hadnāt learned such complex phrases yet.
"Come here, your father will tell you. This saying comes from āDiscourses on Destiny,ā and the literal meaning is that the tallest trees in the forest are the first to be blown down by strong winds, symbolizing that talented or virtuous people are prone to jealousy. Sometimes, one must know how to conceal their abilities, saving them as a last resort. Only when facing the enemy head-on can one stand on invincible ground."
Lele heard this but didnāt speak for a moment.
Yangyang didnāt quite understand; why would they have enemies?
At this moment, a knock on the door came from outside, "Lord Ye, the Old Master summons you."
Ye Ziāan knew that important matters were at hand!
"Iāll be right there!"
Ye Ziāan responded and was about to leave the two little ones, when Lele suddenly grabbed the hem of his robe, "Dad, are you saying that sometimes itās okay to pretend to be dumb?"
That wasnāt entirely the point, but considering his age, to understand that much was quite impressive.