Chapter 579*. Second Parent, Times Three
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
■Previously, I did not explain my identity to you because I had my own concerns, Miss Bai Shuang. It was also my fault for making you think too
much.”
Si Chen knew that the place he was at now was safe. Since Bai Shuang could come to this place, it meant that she was absolutely safe for him. Otherwise, why would the Imperial Guards inside and outside the courtyard let her in?
‘■Who exactly are you? What exactly is going on? Tell me quickly.”
“My name is indeed Si Chen. I did not lie to you about this. However, I am not someone who is fleeing the disaster. I wanted to go to the capital city to file a complaint. I am the county magistrate of Yangjiao County in Kun City. Because I discovered something that should not be done, I wanted to go to the capital city to report it, but I was framed. Fortunately, I was saved by you, Miss. You are truly my second parent, times three.
Si Chen did not explain the details, and Bai Shuang did not ask in-depth either.
It was better not to know certain things.
“What do you mean by second parent, times three?
Si Chen said with a smile, “You saved me three times, didn’t you? Miss, you
have given me three lives.”
Bai Shuang tilted her head and thought for a moment before laughing out loud.
“You sure know how to talk.”
Si Chen’s thanks were sincere. During that last time, he had practically put his life on the line to shove the key to the storage pavilion into Bai Shuang’s hands.
If Bai Shuang hadn’t handed the key to Su Ying after obtaining it, he would have been dead by now.
“Then again, you were indeed lucky to have met me.
“Yes, it was my great fortune to have met you, Miss.”
Perhaps Si Chen’s gaze was too direct. His gaze made Bai Shuang’s heart skip a
beat.
She looked a little flustered as she averted her eyes and said, “Hmph! I am your savior. Then why did the Empress still send me out of the palace to serve you?” “Miss, are you a staff serving by the Empress’s side?
“Yes. That’s why I said you were lucky.” If it had been anyone else, Si Chen would not have survived either.
Si Chen couldn’t help but sigh. He should have listened to the medicine boy’s words back then and went directly to beg the Empress. Perhaps things wouldn’t have become so complicated.
Si Chen held onto the edge of the bed and struggled to get up. When he moved, Bai Shuang could see the very visible strangulation marks on his neck. Now that she saw them again, she couldn’t help feeling fearful.
A county magistrate, whom the Empress and the Emperor wanted to protect, was definitely fine. What matter was it that caused him to be in danger time and again?
“Previously, I have said that I hope to have the opportunity to thank you properly in the future, Miss. Today, my hands are still empty, but I still want to kowtow and thank you first, Miss.
As Si Chen spoke, he knelt down in front of Bai Shuang.
Only then did Bai Shuang come back to her senses and she quickly went forward to stop him. “The injuries on your body haven’t healed yet. Don’t move around needlessly. The Empress told me to take care of you. If your body doesn’t heal, won’t the Empress blame me?”
‘■No, she won’t. Miss, you are my savior. Why would the Empress blame you?” Bai Shuang pulled his arm to make him get up. Si Chen was indeed weak. As he straightened up, his legs went weak and he fell backward onto the bed.
Bai Shuang instinctively tried to pull him, but to her shock, she was also dragged onto the bed by him.
“Argh!”
Bai Shuang’s forehead hit his nose hard.
Si Chen gave a muffled grunt and felt something warm on his nose.
Bai Shuang raised her head and saw that she was almost sticking to him. She got up quickly in fright. “I… I told you before. Don’t… don’t kneel to me. I don’t need your thanks! I’m a little hungry. I’ll go and look for something to eat first!” Before she finished speaking, she ran off like the wind.
Si Chen slowly sat up on the bed and reached out to rub his sore nose. When he thought of Bai Shuang’s embarrassed look, he could not help smiling faintly, in the imperial Palace, Aunt Zhao handed Su Ying a list of dishes to be served at the Winter Solstice Banquet in a few days’ time, as well as the procedures to organize the banquet.
-Must we hold this banquet?” Su Ying had expressed before that she hated handling such matters the most. If she could avoid holding the event, she would.
It was fine if they didn’t want to hold a birthday banquet, but the Winter Solstice Banquet was different. In the Chu State, the Winter Solstice was a big festival. Every year, the Imperial Family would invite all the civil and military officials into the palace to attend the banquet. After that, they would pray to the heavens on the stargazing platform and make offerings to the gods. They would pray for the heavens to bless the Chu State with good weather for the crops and peace and prosperity for the people and kingdom.
“Your Imperial Highness need not do anything. On the day of the banquet, you can just sit on a chair. When your mood is good, you can talk to those noble women and young ladies of the aristocratic families. If you are not willing to entertain them, your old servant will help you deal with them.”
“Don’t worry, Aunt Zhao. I know what to do.”
Aunt Zhao beamed happily. The Empress was getting more and more friendly.
She couldn’t even remember how long it had been since the Empress had come to blows with someone. This was truly a big leap in improvement!
“Your Imperial Highness, now that Bai Shuang has also left the palace, there is only Zhou Qing left by your side. I am worried that she can’t cope by herself. Why don’t I choose a few more clever ones for Your Imperial Highness to choose?”
Su Ying didn’t like to have too many people around her, but the palace was huge, and communication was entirely dependent on passing messages by mouth. It was indeed more convenient to have two more people by her side. “Alright, you can shortlist first. After that, 1’11 choose two that I like.”
“Yes, your old servant will pass down the instructions later.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Due to the incident in Kun City, Xiao Jin said earlier that he had to cut down on expenses Therefore, even if the Imperial Family were to hold a palace banquet, the banquet could not be too extravagant. All those rare and precious delicacies that were served in the past banquets could not be served this time.
On the day of the banquet, Su Ying woke up to a strong sour smell.
In her half-awake state, her mouth subconsciously began to water.
“Zhou Qing.”
Zhou Qing had been waiting outside the door for a long time. When she heard the sound, she quickly pushed the door open and entered.
“Your Imperial Highness, you are awake.”
Su Ying sat up on the bed. “Mm-hmm. I’m up.
“Have the guests arrived outside the palace?
Zhou Qing nodded. The banquet was held at noon, and the Emperor would also pray to the heavens at noon sharp. All the previous generations of Empresses would wake up early on this day to take care of the banquet. Su Ying, who had been sleeping until this hour, was an exception.
“Why do I smell a sour smell? What is it?”
“Your Imperial Highness’s nose is really sharp. That is the sour vinegar radish made by the Imperial chef. He said that there weren’t many fresh fruits and vegetables in this season. Even if there were, they wouldn’t taste good when they turned cold after they were cooked and served on the table. So he turned some cabbage and radish into a sour and spicy dish. I have brought some over to let Your Imperial Highness taste it first.”
“Mm-hmm. I’ll try it first.”
The palace banquet was today, so Su Ying had to dress up formally to attend it. By the time the palace maids put on the phoenix robe to the eighth layer, her patience was running out.
“Isn’t it more or less enough?” Even if she was wrapped in so many layers, these layers wouldn’t keep her warm. She didn’t understand the meaning of wearing these things in this way.
“Your imperial Highness, please endure a little longer. Your servant will be done soon.”
Su Ying wanted to push her away, but when she saw that the young palace maid’s hand holding onto her belt was trembling, she pulled her hand back. Forget it. Well, she was the beautiful and kind Empress after all.
After they finished putting the robe on her, Su Ying proceeded with somewhat clumsy steps to eat her breakfast.
Due to the restrictions imposed by her robe, she ate a lot less than usual.
“Your Imperial Highness, it’s almost time..