Free Web NovelChapter 682: Chapter 682: Crucian Carp
The couple was chatting when Yin Le and Si Niang came back from shopping.
"Mother! We bought a big crucian carp. Let’s have Father kill it for dinner!"
Liu Ji, who was excitedly talking, paused and turned to look outside the Moon Gate.
Si Niang, with two beautiful braids swaying, dashed in. Upon seeing Father, her big eyes lit up with surprise, and she immediately opened her arms, "Father, make crucian carp tofu tonight!"
Liu Ji reached out to catch his adorable little daughter, tousling her messy flat bangs, "Where did you go to buy groceries? It took you so long to come back."
Yin Le followed in, carrying a basket full of vegetables, "We went to the market on the East Market side. They have everything — fresh fish and shrimp, all just caught from the dock, and it’s cheaper than the county prices."
Not getting a reply from Father, Si Niang tugged at her father’s hair, "Make crucian carp tofu soup!"
Liu Ji winced in pain and raised his hand as if to smack her, but couldn’t bear to. He gently pinched his daughter’s cheek, "Okay, okay, your grip is too strong; you almost killed your father with pain."
Si Niang giggled, seeing her father in pain, and apologetically moved closer to blow on it, "Blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore, right?"
What could Liu Ji say? His heart melted by her blowing. He let go of the little girl and told her to go eat loquats while he checked the fish they bought.
The two crucian carps, each weighing over a pound, were wrapped in banana leaves in the vegetable basket, almost breathless. Liu Ji clicked his tongue and hurriedly put the fish into the water tank.
Si Niang, holding a loquat and with cheeks bulging, moved to the water tank to watch. She saw the two fish appear lifeless, floating belly-up, but then suddenly flip over and come back to life, which made her exclaim in excitement.
Keeping them alive until evening before killing would be the freshest!
"Mother, brother and the others have gone to school. When will I go to school?" Si Niang climbed onto a high stool and handed the peeled loquat to Qin Yao.
With clumsy little hands, the loquat was peeled in a patchy way. Seeing her daughter’s diligently peeled loquat, Qin Yao took it and promptly stuffed it into the passing Liu Ji’s mouth.
"Wife!" Liu Ji was beyond excited, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the favor!
Qin Yao: "If I give it to you to eat, then eat it."
Seeing her father walk around in a bounce, Si Niang tilted her head. Father likes to eat loquats, huh.
So she peeled another one to give to father.
Strangely, though, the loquat she handed over this time, while father liked it, didn’t seem to make him as happy as before.
The little girl was puzzled, couldn’t figure it out, and decided to stop thinking about it. She peeled one for herself to eat.
She continued asking Mother when she could go to school.
"In another couple of days," Qin Yao answered.
With an exact answer, Si Niang was satisfied, "I’ll go see what Uncle Ah Wang is doing."
Qin Yao smiled and nodded, "Go ahead."
After watching the child go to the backyard, Qin Yao gestured for the wandering Liu Ji to come over, "What are you wandering around for? Did you understand the enrollment process at the Women’s Academy?"
Liu Ji clearly wasn’t focused on home matters. Even after sitting down, he stretched his neck to listen outside, as if hearing the sound of a carriage moving. He jumped up, "Imperial Censor Qi seems to be back!"
Qin Yao instantly understood. He was waiting for gossip.
But Imperial Censor Qi might not be a good source for gossip.
Qin Yao pulled him back, casting a cold eye, making Liu Ji finally suppress his wandering mind and answer reluctantly, "I’m inquiring about it."
Saying this, he glances at her, "Not to say anything, my dear wife, but since coming to the Capital City, you haven’t gone out for a stroll. Why don’t you go inquire about it?"
"Then what’s the point of you?" Qin Yao asked displeased.
Liu Ji felt a bit panicked, but he did have a reason this time, pointing outside, "Imperial Censor Qi really is back. I heard his butler scolding people. Dear wife, aren’t you curious about the martial artist’s follow-up?"
Although he couldn’t attend court, he had already imagined the morning hall being as lively as a vegetable market.
Qin Yao was intrigued, "Go outside and take a look."
"What about the Women’s Academy matter?" Liu Ji chuckled sheepishly, looking at her expectantly.
Seeing her nod, he turned and ran straight to the main gate.
"Everyone’s here! What’s happening? What is everyone talking about?"
Upon arriving at the gate, Liu Ji found the neighbors all gathered around the Qi Family’s entrance, whispering to each other. He skillfully joined in.
Indeed, they were discussing the martial artist, but Imperial Censor Qi was tight-lipped, not revealing any important information.
This won’t do. If he, Liu San, can’t get the first scoop, how will he continue in the village?
Taking advantage of the crowd’s inattentiveness while complaining, Liu Ji slipped out and headed straight to the Capital Governor.
Want to know where to find this scoop?
He must mention his sworn brother, Lu Xiaofeng!
The Capital Prefect’s surname is Lu, that guy must know the ins and outs.
Qin Yao watched as Liu Ji went out, and then he disappeared.
In the evening, Ah Wang fetched Da Lang and his two brothers from the private school. They were preparing dinner, and he still hadn’t returned.
Si Niang, looking at the two lively crucian carps in the water tank, stomped her foot in frustration. Father promised to make her crucian carp tofu soup, but now he’s nowhere to be found.
In the end, Qin Yao personally took care of the fish, soothing her daughter.
However, seeing Qin Yao’s aura while killing fish, the four siblings silently prayed for their father.
As she was killing the fish, Qin Yao thought to herself, Liu Ji had better bring the first scoop back; otherwise, he’ll be in big trouble tonight!
If nothing else, Liu Ji had impeccable timing.
The dishes were ready and laid out on the table, when the person who had disappeared all afternoon returned.
As soon as he entered, Liu Ji sensed the odd atmosphere at home.
But!
He was unfazed!
Not only unfazed, but also somewhat smug. He washed his hands and sat down to start eating.
The family exchanged glances. Oh wow, how audacious~
It’s no wonder Liu Ji was cocky; he was confident no one in the whole market knew more than he did.
"Ah Wang’s culinary skills are improving, this crucian carp soup is delicious!" Liu Ji praised.
"..."
His response was the silent gaze of the seven-member family.
Liu Ji, unfazed, ate a little more to fill his almost empty stomach before putting down his chopsticks and starting his performance.
"Ahem!" Clearing his throat, he stood up, ready to make a grand speech.
Qin Yao suddenly shouted, "If you keep me in suspense, I’ll chop you up to feed the fish!"
Liu Ji quickly sat back down, speaking rapidly yet clearly, "Two memorials, one slap, Prince Feng’s done for. For the full story, listen as I tell it step by step."
Picking a piece of crucian carp tail and taking a bite, chewing with relish, "These two memorials, one is Imperial Censor Qi accusing the Eastern Palace, the other is the Capital Governor’s office drafting the martial artist’s confession. This morning, as Your Majesty ascended the throne, the two memorials were slapped at the Crown Prince’s feet..."
As the memorials’ contents were revealed, the court was astounded.
The moment the Lord State Preceptor, who had just returned from offering blessings for the nation, heard his name mentioned in the memorials, he couldn’t keep it together and knelt immediately to show respect.
