webnovelfull Chapter 630 The Jiang Family's Great Joy
Chapter 630 The Jiang Family's Great Joy
The fifth prince bowed and took his leave. He hadn't noticed anything amiss in his father's attitude, which meant that his father didn't suspect him.
Even if you have doubts, it's useless to have someone investigate. Why would you do something like this yourself? Wouldn't it be better to use someone else to do the dirty work?
If there's any suspicion, then investigate. Zhao Hongjing isn't afraid of being investigated; after all, the investigation will only lead to other people being investigated.
And he was still that innocent person who loved his brother so dearly.
This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this. Since he'd survived the fall of the First Prince and the Third Prince, he was only going to become stronger.
He had no shortage of talented and capable people under his command, after all, his good third brother had left him quite a few useful people.
Even as the emperor looked at the fifth prince, who was leaving with an open and respectful expression, he still couldn't shake the seed of doubt in his heart.
He immediately summoned his secret guards, specifically to track down his fifth son.
Whether someone is genuinely honest or just pretending, a simple investigation will reveal the truth!
While those inside the palace harbored their own thoughts, the Jiang family outside was filled with joy and celebration.
If any family produced such a young fifth-rank lecturer, they would surely announce it to the world with fanfare, right?
The Jiang family didn't go to such an extravagant degree. Even when they held a banquet, it only lasted one day, and the guests were all acquaintances and close friends.
Such a three-day banquet is far too ostentatious and eye-catching. Under the emperor's nose, it's best to keep a low profile.
When Liu Peng learned that the Jiang family had only held a small banquet for Jiang Xiaoqi, he also advised the elders in the family to change the three-day banquet to one day.
Others celebrate only a small way when they level up three times, but if I were to be more ostentatious when I only level up two times, I would really make a fool of myself.
Besides, he doesn't care much about these formalities. If it's his own idea, then the family can just have a little fun by themselves.
He even felt that Jiang Xiaoqi probably thought the same way he did, but everyone was just going against the wishes of their elders.
Alright, I'll be filial and obedient. This time, I'll just go along with my father and grandfather's wishes.
On the day of the Jiang family banquet, guests came one after another to offer their congratulations.
Jiang Xiaoqi was dressed up as a bright red mascot by Old Madam Jiang and was responsible for greeting guests at the central gate.
Landlord Jiang, accompanied by Jiang Wenqing who had rushed back, greeted the guests at the gate.
Although Jiang Xiaoqi was smiling, she felt a little helpless inside. Fine, it's her turn to be the big tomato this time.
Whether it was due to her clothes or a feeling of embarrassment, Jiang Xiaoqi's face was indeed flushed.
The banquet at Liu Peng's house is in three days, which was at Liu Peng's own request, since he also wanted to attend his friend's banquet.
Liu Peng arrived with Xiao Ming, and both of them had carefully prepared congratulatory gifts.
"Congratulations, Brother Jiang, on your promotion!"
"You guys are here!"
Upon seeing the two, Jiang Xiaoqi personally led them to the flower hall. After the servants served tea and they chatted for a while, Jiang Xiaoqi went out to continue greeting guests.
This wasn't Xiao Ming's first time visiting the Jiang family; they were quite familiar with the place. Xiao Ming, in particular, was Jiang Xiaoqi's fifth brother-in-law, and he often came back with Miss Jiang to freeload.
The two urged Jiang Xiaoqi to attend to the other guests, saying they would take care of themselves.
The tea and snacks served at the Jiang family's home, if not top-notch, were among the best available in most officials' homes in Beijing.
After all, with a master like Jiang Xiaoqi who is so fond of food, the servants naturally put their hearts into studying the food.
After all, every time there are new innovative dishes or desserts, they receive a lot of praise, which motivates everyone to be even more innovative.
As for tea, Lin Yueniang would always pick the best tea leaves from the south and have them transported back to the capital, so the tea served at the Jiang family's residence was of the highest quality.
With fine tea and delicious snacks, guests were already experiencing the charm of the Chiang family in the flower hall.
"Ah! Fine tea! I've had it so many times, but I still think Brother Jiang's is the best. Do you think there's some secret recipe for brewing it?"
"How would I know? I'm an outsider, unlike you, who is the son-in-law of the Jiang family and has drunk tea more often than I have."
"Oh dear, you don't care about being an insider or outsider. Mingfei and I are brothers! He's never called me brother-in-law more than a few times."
Xiao Ming sounded a bit aggrieved, but Liu Peng knew he was just faking it.
If he falls for this again, he'll be the one who gets scammed!
"Oh my, you've all been promoted! I'm so happy! Even this tea tastes sweeter than before!"
At this point, Liu Peng paused, his hand holding the teacup still.
"Actually, I can ask my family to think of a way, at least to get you promoted to the sixth rank."
"Hey, hey, hey~ Our relationship can't be mixed up with those nonsense things. If I'm destined for it, I'll get promoted no matter what. If I can only get promoted by relying on my brothers, then all those years of studying have been for nothing!"
Liu Peng was helpless. In fact, given Xiao Ming's qualifications, his family wouldn't need to go through so much trouble; it might even be just a matter of his grandfather saying a word.
But Xiao Ming might not want to owe this favor, or rather, he doesn't want the friendship to be mixed with other impurities and become impure.
Liu Peng even reflected on himself, wondering if someone like him, who rose to power through family connections, was truly worthy of being friends with someone as upright as Xiao Ming.
"Okay, I respect your wishes. If you change your mind someday, just let me know."
"Alright, alright, you're my biggest backer, my biggest asset and trump card. Since you're a trump card, you can't just casually pull it out and use it, right?"
Liu Peng nodded helplessly, "Yes, whatever Xiao Tanhua says makes sense."
The two joked and played around, showing no change whatsoever due to their different official positions.
When Jiang Xiaoqi returned to the flower hall and led the two to the table, she was puzzled as to what the two were talking about so happily and what she had missed.
Liu Peng looked at Jiang Xiaoqi, who was dressed in bright red, and exchanged a glance with Xiao Ming, everything understood without a word.
Liu Peng thought that since Jiang Xiaoqi had been promoted three ranks, he must have a way to help his brother-in-law. However, judging from Xiao Ming and Jiang Xiaoqi's attitude, it was clear that they had never brought up this topic before.
Sigh, in the end, was it because he was too mercenary?
Perhaps in those two people's hearts, being promoted and receiving a higher rank was just a normal, happy thing, and they didn't value it as much as they did.
Actually, Liu Peng was overthinking things; he was really overthinking them.
What power does Jiang Xiaoqi have to elevate his good brother to such a high position?
He was completely confused at first, and even wondered if there had been a mistake.
Later, at Liuxiang Pavilion, I met Chen Lin, who was there to settle accounts at Chen's restaurant. Only then did I realize that everything was the Second Prince's scheme.
Jiang Xiaoqi has been adjusting her plans these past few days. The Second Prince's impromptu decision was bold and successful.
What could he say? He could only applaud the Second Prince's wisdom.