Madam Fang rolled her eyes at the old man. "What? Would His Highness Prince Yu go out of his way to harm you? Or are you afraid accepting his gifts will tie your hands?"
Exposed, General Fang flushed. "This medicine looks perfectly ordinary. Prince Yu might just be trying to fool me. Do you think I'm afraid of him? Fine, I'll take it!"
If he really could recover completely, there would be no harm in taking Han Nanxing as his disciple.
General Fang swallowed the Recovery Pill in one gulp. He immediately felt refreshed, warmth spreading through his body, and exclaimed in delight, "This medicine really is good!"
Even his leg seemed to hurt less. Although he still could not stand, his condition had already improved.
Now that there was hope of healing his injured leg, General Fang's spirits soared. He said to his wife, "Han Nanxing comes from a powerful family. Who knows how much hardship he can endure? I don't want an embroidered pillow-all decoration and no substance."
Seeing her husband looking more energetic, Madam Fang smiled. "I think the boy is quite good. If you won't even give him a chance, how can you decide he's an embroidered pillow?"
The old man really was stubborn! He had clearly agreed to take a disciple in his heart, yet he still insisted on putting on airs!
General Fang grunted. "As far as I can see, he's only got a couple of tricks."
Madam Fang said, "If he has any shortcomings, you can simply teach him."
General Fang fell silent.
A few days later, Prince Yu's Residence sent an invitation to the little princess's full-month banquet, and Madam Fang readily accepted.
As Chu Siqing was Prince Yu's first child, her full-month banquet was a grand affair. Almost every dignitary and noble in the capital who could attend came.
Prince Yu's Residence bustled with activity from early that morning.
Nanny Li dressed Chu Siqing in a bright red little outfit that looked wonderfully festive.
The ladies from the various households gathered around to look at her, showering her with compliments.
"The little princess is so beautiful!"
"Such fair, tender skin! She's just like a little immortal child!"
"The princess consort is truly blessed!"
Fortunately, Chu Siqing was still a baby who could not speak, or she would have been overwhelmed by social anxiety. She also met a great many relatives that day.
Her maternal grandfather was an old man with the bearing of an immortal sage. He glanced at Chu Siqing and stroked his beard. "Siqing is a fine name."
Her step-grandmother said sourly, "Wanqing certainly has good fortune, managing to marry into Prince Yu's Residence. Don't forget your younger brothers and sisters."
Her eldest maternal uncle, Han Yucheng, held Chu Siqing and smiled gently. "What a sweet, well-behaved baby."
Looking at the graceful young man before her, tall and slender with a face as fine as polished jade, Chu Siqing cried inwardly, What a dreamboat! I hereby declare that my eldest uncle is my dreamboat from now on!
Chu Siqing could not help gazing at her eldest uncle with stars in her eyes, nearly drooling.
Han Nanxing lightly brushed a finger over Chu Siqing's little cheek. "You little rascal. You're so happy the very first time you meet my eldest brother. Don't you recognize your second uncle anymore?"
Seeing that he still walked with a slight limp, Chu Siqing gloated inwardly. Judging by the way Second Uncle looks, he must have taken quite a beating when he went home that day. That's what he gets for fighting and refusing to admit he was wrong!
Han Wanqing felt sorry for her younger brother and said to the Earl of Ningyuan, "Father, weren't you far too harsh? If Nanxing's leg is ruined, what future will he have?"
Before the Earl of Ningyuan could speak, Han Xiangru interrupted. "Father went to such trouble to send him to Ten Thousand Pines Academy, but he fought with someone and was expelled by the headmaster. Didn't he deserve a beating?"
Han Wenyuan hurriedly said, "Someone else started the trouble. That's why Second Brother struck him."
Han Xiangning added, "That's right, Second Sister."
Ignoring Han Xiangru, Han Wanqing introduced them to the daughter in her arms. "Siqing, these are your third uncle and third aunt."
Chu Siqing thought, It looks like there are some good people among Madam Wang's children after all!
The Earl of Ningyuan said, "Without a beating, this boy would climb onto the roof and tear off the tiles. Just a few days ago, he even had the gall to boast that he wanted to become the Great General's disciple. He really has skin thicker than a wall."
Han Nanxing exclaimed, "Father!" "What man in this world doesn't revere the Great General as a hero? Wanting to become his disciple is only natural!"
Han Xiangru said again, "You want to become his disciple, but does he want to take you? Isn't that being shameless?"
Han Nanxing said angrily, "Second Sister! Why are you always pulling the rug out from under me? I just want to become General Fang's disciple!"
Just then, Madam Fang arrived. Hearing this, she smiled. "Nanxing, come in a few days to formally become his disciple. Your master has already agreed!"
Everyone present was stunned. Others had tried to become disciples at the Great General's Residence before, but every single one had failed.
Everyone said General Fang lacked the energy after his old ailment flared up again. How had Han Nanxing managed to become his disciple?!
Han Xiangru felt even more embarrassed. She had just said that Han Nanxing wanted a master who did not want him, only for the master's own wife to announce his agreement a moment later. What a slap in the face!
Her face burned red, and she forced a smile. "Your sister failed to recognize your worth. Congratulations on getting your wish, little brother."
Thrilled, Han Nanxing immediately climbed the pole held out to him. "Master's wife, is Master feeling any better?"
Madam Fang smiled. "He's much better now. We have His Highness's medicine to thank."
Chu Hongle nodded. "As long as it can treat the general's old ailment."
Just then, a gatekeeper came in to announce, "Princess Yongfu has arrived!"
For a moment, everyone's expressions differed.
Everyone knew Princess Yongfu had feelings for Prince Yu, only for the Earl of Ningyuan's daughter to snatch him away. The matter had caused quite a stir at the time.
Now Princess Yongfu had come uninvited to the little princess's full-month banquet. There would be quite a show to watch.
Han Xiangru also looked at Han Wanqing with gloating anticipation.
Princess Yongfu has always loved making things difficult for others. Let's see how you handle this!
Seeing everyone's reactions, Chu Siqing grew curious too and hurriedly asked the system in private, Just who is this Princess Yongfu?
System: [Princess Yongfu is the daughter of the Late Prince Fu. After the late prince and his consort passed away, the Empress Dowager brought her into the palace to raise her. She and your father were childhood sweethearts, host!]
Chu Siqing eagerly pursued the gossip. Does that mean she likes my father?
System: [That's right, host. I've detected another juicy bit of gossip. Would you like to hear it?]
After hearing it, Chu Siqing was shocked. What? The puppy that frightened Mother into giving birth was arranged by Princess Yongfu? How could she be so vicious?!
Chu Hongle, who heard his daughter's thoughts, was equally shocked. Although he knew Princess Yongfu had feelings for him, he had long since made things clear to her!
At the thought that Princess Yongfu had dared to harm his consort, Chu Hongle's gaze turned cold. He felt that all their old affection had vanished like smoke and clouds.
It seemed he would have to speak to his imperial brother.
Princess Yongfu approached gracefully, unaware that Chu Siqing had already exposed her misdeeds. Seeing Chu Hongle, she smiled. "Today is your daughter's full-month banquet, royal brother. Why do you still look unhappy?"
Chu Hongle said coldly, "Yongfu, what have you come here for today?"
Princess Yongfu froze, then said disdainfully, "Am I not even allowed to attend this trifling full-month banquet?"
Chu Hongle demanded, "Do you think I don't know what you've done?"
Before you continue