Chapter 695: Sour Again

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The three fathers doted on their children, so when they got tired of playing in the carriage, the three fathers would carry their children to ride horses.

The cement road from North City to the capital was repaired, and the road was much livelier.

There was a place to eat, drink, and rest at regular intervals. There were also people who specialized in selling some local fruits or gadgets.

The children would be brought down for a stroll from time to time. They were very happy along the way and did not feel that it was difficult to travel.

Twenty days later, they arrived at the capital.

Xiao Hanzheng and his family moved into King Yi’s mansion, which was strongly requested by King Yi.

Although he loved his youngest son very much, he also treated the twins as a thorn in his heart. He would feel uncomfortable if he did not see them for a day.

Xiao Hanzheng’s family did not object to it since it was not a big deal for them to live together.

After a night’s rest, Xiao Hanzheng went to the palace the next day to receive the imperial edict and thank the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at Xiao Hanzheng, who was becoming more and more reserved and cold, with a gentle smile on his face.

The situation in the northern border was beyond his expectation. Although he thought that Xiao Hanzheng could make some achievements, he did not expect him to do so well.

In the past, not only were the taxes from the northern border not sent to the capital, but the military expenses such as raising troops had to be allocated by the court.

After Xiao Hanzheng went to the northern border, he had solved the problem.

Liang Mingyu was very smart and tactful. Not only did he take the initiative to ask for the decree to withdraw the vassal, but he also asked him to take back the fief in the northern border.

He declined twice before agreeing.

As a result, the taxes in the northern border was now paid to the imperial court, and they were getting higher and higher year by year. They were almost catching up to some places in Jiangnan.

“Jin Yu, I know about your achievements in the northern border. I am very satisfied with you.”

“I transferred you to the Ministry of Revenue this time because I want you to display your talents well. Just go ahead and do it.”

The Minister of Revenue was already at the age of becoming an official. He had demoted Xiao Hanzheng to the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of

Revenue so that he could take over the position of the Minister of Revenue after he made some achievements.

Xiao Hanzheng bowed to the Emperor. “Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will not let you down!”

The Emperor and his subjects chatted for a long time before the Emperor asked Xiao Hanzheng to leave.

Therefore, everyone knew that Xiao Hanzheng was highly valued by the Emperor and that he would be put in an important position when he returned.

The Empress Dowager also let Kong Yuelan bring the three children into the palace.

The Empress Dowager was very fond of the three beautiful and cute children. Especially Shi Qingluo’s daughter, Jia Jia. Her mouth was as if it was smeared with honey.

After Grandma taught her how to bow, she looked at the Empress Dowager with her watery eyes.

“Great-Grandma, you’re really good-looking.”

The Empress Dowager was in her fifties and had maintained herself well. Now, she looked like a graceful and noble woman in her forties.

This was the first time she had heard someone praise her for being good-looking. She smiled and hugged the little one. “Aijia’s little darling has such a sweet mouth.”

Women, no matter their age, naturally liked to be praised for their good looks.

The three-year-old little girl was not shy at all. She was obediently hugged by the Empress Dowager and had a sincere look on her face. “Jia Jia thinks that Great-Grandma is very beautiful and loving. Jia Jia likes Great-Grandma.”

Mother Xiao looked at her and smiled. “This child likes good-looking people.” Her precious granddaughter was the smartest and the best at coaxing people.

As expected, the Empress Dowager liked this great-granddaughter who was not related by blood. She hugged her tightly.

Xiao Yiran had a high IQ. Although he was not as sweet as his sister, he was obedient and sensible.

Like a little adult, he bowed to the Empress Dowager and said his blessings in a serious manner. Then, he sat down in a formal manner.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh. This pair of twins was too likable.

Liang Hengyan, who was over a year old, was also very smart and liked to imitate his nephews and nieces.

He couldn’t speak clearly, but he could walk steadily.

So he got down from her mother’s arms and threw himself into the empress dowager’s arms. “I, I also like the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager held her grandson in her other arms. “Imperial Grandmother also likes Yan’er.”

This was her youngest grandson and also the child she loved the most. Naturally, he was her precious baby.

The three little ones were mischievous, but they were very good at reading people’s eyes. They definitely wouldn’t be as annoying as naughty children. They would only think that they were smart and cute.

In less than an hour, the three little ones had become the Empress Dowager’s favorite children.

When the Emperor and King Yi arrived, Xiao Yijia took the initiative to lean into the arms of the handsome uncle, the Emperor. Liang Yulin was jealous.

Liang Yulin waved his hand. ‘Jia Jia, come into Grandfather’s arms. Don’t tire your Imperial Grandfather out.”

This was the first time the Emperor was carrying a child. It was fragrant and soft, and it was a very novel feeling.

He lowered his head and saw the little girl looking at him with watery eyes. She had a cute look on her baby-fat delicate face. He liked it very much.

It was no wonder that his brother liked children so much. If they were all like

Jia Jia, he would like them too.

Unfortunately, his children, grandchildren, and granddaughters had never been so close to him.

Jia Jia was an obedient child, so she wanted to get down from the Emperor’s arms.

She even looked embarrassed at the Emperor and reached out to massage his arm. “It’s been hard on you carrying Jia Jia, Imperial Grandfather.”

The Emperor felt that this child was really too considerate and took her back into his arms. “It’s not hard. Jia Jia, sit a little longer. Grandfather is not tired.” Then, she glanced at her younger brother. “You’re really going back in time.”

He had to be jealous of this. It was really enough.

Liang Yulin rolled his eyes as he watched his royal brother take his granddaughter. “Jia Jia is my precious granddaughter.”

This little thing was too clever. As expected of his granddaughter, she was able to coax people one after another. Not only did she make his mother laugh nonstop, but even his royal brother liked her so much.

When they ate together, the little girl would even use her chubby hands to pick up food for the elders with the public chopsticks.

Most importantly, she had always been paying attention to who liked what to eat, so she picked up everyone’s favorite dishes.

The Emperor couldn’t help but say, “This girl is too smart. She’s also especially polite.”

Of course, Xiao Hanzheng’s son and his brother’s son were also smart and polite. “They are not bad.”

As expected of the three children who were raised together. They were all raised very well.

Liang Yulin looked proud. “That’s true. Why don’t you take a look at who raised him?”

The Emperor was speechless. His Imperial Younger Brother was really too much. In the past, when they met, he would show off his eldest son, eldest daughter, and second son.

Now, he was showing off his granddaughter, grandson, and youngest son.

Xiao Yijia smiled sweetly and said, “Imperial Grandfather, we are my grandfather’s pride.”

Grandpa liked to show them off wherever he went.

“Of course.” Liang Yulin chuckled.

“Jia Jia, who do you like the most?” he asked.

Xiao Yijia rolled her eyes. “I like Grandpa the most, but I also like Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Grandfather.”

However, she liked her parents the most, but she didn’t say anything. Otherwise, her grandfather would be jealous again.

Liang Yulin tapped the tip of her nose. “Smart girl, Grandpa likes you the most too.”

Xiao Yiran raised his head and looked at his grandfather. “I like Grandfather the most. ”

Liang Yulin smiled and patted his grandson’s head. “I like Ran Ran the most too.”

Liang Hengyan also put down his spoon and got down from the chair to hug his father. He said in a childish voice, “Daddy, I like Daddy the most.”

Liang Yulin carried his son and kissed his little face. “Daddy likes Yan Yan the most too.”

He felt that he was a winner in life now that the three little babies liked him so much.

Seeing the interaction between the royal brother and the children, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor felt very warm, and the smiles on their faces deepened.

The Emperor could not help but feel a little envious.

Because Xiao Yijia had a sweet mouth and knew how to coax and act

coquettishly, after the meal, the Emperor directly conferred her the position of county head.

It was not a big deal to confer the title of county head to the granddaughter of his royal brother. The key was that this little girl was too likable. After King Yi and Mother Xiao left the palace with the three little ones, the news spread.

No one had expected the Emperor to like Xiao Hanzheng’s daughter so much. They were jealous that the Emperor had given her the title of county head on their first meeting..