As for these younger brothers.
Zhao Junyao thought to himself: Weren’t they always saying they wanted to share his burdens?
Then let them share; what a great opportunity.
After assigning the ten foreign women properly.
Zhao Junyao felt completely refreshed.
Upon knowing this, Prince Jin didn’t say much either.
He was busy every day.
Either going out of the city with his daughter and son-in-law or drinking and feasting with officials, sometimes resting alone at the inn.
However, no matter what he did, someone was secretly watching.
Zhao Junyao was well aware of his every move.
Yet after so long of surveillance, nothing unusual was discovered.
It was as if Prince Jin knew someone was watching him.
In both speech and actions, there was nothing inappropriate at all.
After cursing ’old fox’ under his breath.
Zhao Junyao still instructed, ’Keep strict surveillance, report any matter.’
And then devoted himself to handling governmental affairs.
Having been delayed for so long, he couldn’t focus all his mind on Prince Jin.
...
November swiftly went by half.
In mid-month, heavy snow fell from the sky.
After a night, the snow was half a foot thick.
The entire Capital City was dressed in silver, and the air was chillingly cold.
In such weather, no one would go out for a stroll.
Both big and small households in the capital stayed behind closed doors.
Having no alternative, Prince Jin had to stay quietly at the inn.
Except for Hai Feng who occasionally came to see him.
The rest of the civil and military officials had all disappeared.
On this day.
The plum blossoms in the Fifth Prince’s Mansion proudly bloomed amidst the snow, the snowy scene was beautiful.
Hai Feng then invited Prince Jin into the mansion to enjoy the snow.
The Fifth Master was engaged elsewhere and couldn’t accompany.
Hai Feng laughed.
"No worries, Master, you go ahead, I will entertain Father King!"
The Fifth Master nodded and left with relief.
Hai Feng instructed people to set up a brazier in the pavilion of the back garden, surrounded by curtains, brewed fragrant tea, and served snacks.
Then personally invited Prince Jin over.
From the outer courtyard all the way in, Prince Jin saw most of the mansion’s scenery.
Seeing the red walls and green tiles, pavilions and towers, carved beams and painted rafters, rockeries and exotic stones, small bridges, and flowing water.
The scenery was already exceedingly beautiful, and after a night of snow, it was even more pleasing to the eye, with an extra enchanting charm.
Prince Jin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
’The Great Chu Dynasty is truly prosperous!’
’Yet even a mere Fifth Prince’s residence is this luxurious!’
He thought of his own residence in Western Xia.
Even though he was the Prince Jin, second only to one person, the mansion only had a few more rooms.
Rockeries, exotic stones, rare trees, and pavilions, and towers.
He could afford them, but he was more willing to spend that silver on military equipment and horses.
After all, it was still not affluent enough.
When there’s enough military equipment and the horses are fat enough.
He would naturally be willing to enjoy himself.
But... it seems he still shouldn’t.
In the Prince Jin’s Mansion of Western Xia, apart from his daughter Princess Hai Feng’s courtyard being more exquisitely arranged.
The other courtyards were all plain houses with no extra decoration.
He picked up a cup of fragrant tea and slowly sipped it.
The aroma immediately filled his lips and teeth, the kind of refreshing fragrance directly hitting the crown of his head.
His gaze fell on the red plum blossoms in the distance.
The plum grove was in full bloom amidst the snow, the crimson plum blossoms stood out in the ice and snow world.
From afar, they looked like fiery red clouds on the horizon, layer upon layer, set against the snow scene extraordinarily dazzling.
When viewed up close.
The twisted and rough trunks of the plum trees supported clusters of exquisite red plum blossoms.
The five delicate petals had a layer of fine white snow, interlaced, enhancing each other, appearing extraordinarily exquisite and lovely.
No matter whether from afar or up close, it was a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Prince Jin half-narrowed his eyes, slowly enjoying it.
"How wonderful!"
Still unsatisfied, he picked up his teacup again.
Hai Feng smiled.
"This tea is called Bi Luo Chun!"
"Father King, didn’t I have someone send some over for you?!"
Prince Jin’s expression remained unchanged, calmly smiling.
"Good tea paired with beautiful scenery has more taste, Fengfeng, how can you not understand such reasoning?!"
Faced with flying sand and rolling stones, a group of neighing horses, and a troop of armored soldiers.
No matter how good the tea is, there wouldn’t be much mood to drink it, right?
Hai Feng was taken aback for a while, then smiled.
"Indeed..."
Compared to the Great Chu Dynasty, Western Xia truly...
"Since Father King likes it, why don’t you stay a few more days!"
"In just a little over a month, it’s the New Year, staying here until after the New Year isn’t too late!"
Prince Jin hesitated.
"That long?"
Hai Feng quickly acted coyly, pleading to keep him.
"Father King, you finally came, stay until after the New Year!"
"The capital is bustling during the New Year!"
In front of father, daughters are always daughters, Hai Feng rarely showed such sincere smiles.
Prince Jin almost felt reluctant.