Chapter Fifty-Nine: Leading the Little Grandson Astray

Watching Song Ci and her party leave, Cui Changxiao tapped the long flute in his hand and curved his lips into a smile.

“Zhongchu, what are you looking at with such a grin? Could it be you’ve taken a fancy to some pretty young lady?” Someone clapped Cui Changxiao on the shoulder, calling him by his courtesy name.

Cui Changxiao turned around, saw who it was, and cupped his hands in greeting, smiling as he replied, “It’s nothing, just thinking it’s nice to get out and about for once.”

“Oh?”

“I met the matriarch of the Song Prime Minister’s residence—she’s quite an interesting character.” Cui Changxiao said with a smile, hooking his arm around the other’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go grab a meal at Yipinxiang.”

That old lady seemed to use the phrase “gan fan”—a rather curious expression, but it must mean having a meal.

…

Yipinxiang.

Song Ci reluctantly set down her chopsticks, took the handkerchief Red Peach handed her, dabbed at the corner of her mouth, then wiped her hands and set it aside.

“Yipinxiang truly lives up to its name—the food is excellent. If only my stomach were more accommodating; I can’t eat much these days.” Song Ci sighed softly. With this body, she could only manage small meals at a time; a hearty appetite was out of the question.

Granny Gong offered her a cup of tea. “If you like it, we can come again next time. Don’t force yourself, it’s hard to digest.”

“Indeed.” Song Ci pointed at a dish of vinegar fish. “This fish is lovely—tender flesh, the vinegar sauce perfectly balanced between sweet and sour. Hey, little chubby, don’t overeat.”

Song Lingzhou looked up, grinning. “Grandmother, I won’t.”

His wet nurse, Madam Du, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands, chiming in with a smile, “Madam, when the young master was in Shanxi, he could finish two big bowls of rice.”

“No wonder you’ve grown round as a ball.” Song Ci gave his sturdy little arm a squeeze. “For good health, eat small meals often. Seven-tenths full is enough.”

At her words, Song Lingzhou obediently set down his chopsticks. After all, he aspired to become tall, rich, and handsome.

Song Ci looked to her two granddaughters. When she put down her chopsticks, the two had already followed suit and were sipping tea.

“Did you eat well?” she asked them with a smile. “Shall we go for a stroll? Or perhaps I could buy you a few new outfits?”

Song Ruqi set down her tea. “Grandmother, aren’t you tired after being out so long? Shouldn’t we go back and rest?”

“It’s rare for me to come out at all. We’ve only visited one shop, Shangzhenzhai. If we go back now, it would be a shame. A little more walking won’t hurt. Besides, it doesn’t matter whether I’m tired or not—old folks don’t need much sleep. There’ll be plenty of long days for resting in the future.”

Song Ruqi caught the implication, pressing her lips together in silent disquiet.

“If Grandmother isn’t tired, then let’s visit a pastry shop,” Song Lingzhou piped up, his eyes wide. “Before coming to the capital, I heard that Yudian Pavilion’s pastries are the best, and the name was given by the Emperor himself.”

Song Ruqi said, “Fourth Brother, all you ever think about is eating. Don’t you want to do anything else?”

“Food is the people’s heaven. I’m determined to taste every delicacy the world has to offer,” Song Lingzhou declared proudly.

Song Ruqi burst out laughing. “If you eat your way across the world, you’ll never be the tall, rich, and handsome man Grandmother talks about.”

Song Lingzhou’s face fell. “That’s a problem indeed.” The food was so delicious—it was too hard to resist. But he did want to be tall, rich, and handsome. Oh, how could he choose between the two?

For the first time in his young life, Song Lingzhou was faced with a real dilemma.

Song Ci smiled. “If you want both good food and good looks, then train in martial arts. Martial arts will burn off your energy and your fat.”

Song Lingzhou’s eyes lit up. “That works!”

Song Ruwei, listening at the side, grew anxious. Her younger brother was supposed to study and take the imperial exams—how could he become a man of the sword? Was Grandmother leading him astray?