Chapter 401: Chapter 236 Monster
Zhang Gong and his two sons had just returned to the mansion when they heard that the Tenth Prince was visiting their home, and they were slightly surprised. Then, he hurriedly took his two sons to greet Zhao Yao.
"This official has met Your Highness."
Zhao Yao invited Zhang Gong and his family to rise, "Uncle Zhang, there’s no need for so much formality in your own home."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhang Gong quickly introduced, "Your Highness, this is my eldest son, Zhang Jiang."
Zhang Jiang gave a bow to Zhao Yao, "I have met Your Highness."
Zhao Yao sweetly called, "Brother Zhang."
Zhang Jiang, looking both honored and nervous, said, "Your Highness, that would be inappropriate."
"Brother Zhang, this is your home, not the palace. Just treat me like a family younger brother, no need for such formality, or else I won’t dare to come next time," Zhao Yao laughed, "Besides, Uncle Zhang is a good friend of my father, the Emperor."
Zhang Gong couldn’t help but smile at Zhao Yao’s last words, "As Your Highness commands."
Zhang Jiang had no choice but to agree, "Yes."
Zhang Gong continued to introduce, "Your Highness, this is my second son, Zhang Tao."
Zhang Tao quickly bowed to Zhao Yao, "I have met Your Highness."
Zhao Yao continued sweetly, "Brother Zhang."
Zhang Tao, feeling a bit embarrassed by the address, shyly smiled.
The four members of Zhang Gong’s family looked very alike; anyone could tell they were family at a glance.
Mrs. Zhang urged Zhang Gong and his family to quickly bathe and change clothes, as dinner would soon be served.
Zhang Gong and his sons returned to their courtyard to bathe. Before leaving, he glanced at his youngest son, causing Zhang He to feel a chill run up his spine.
Oh no, will Dad beat him again tonight?
Mrs. Zhang invited Zhao Yao to the dining hall.
Tonight’s dinner was prepared by Mrs. Zhang herself, cooking dishes from her hometown.
Zhang He said that thanks to Zhao Yao’s visit, he finally got to eat his mother’s cooking.
Mrs. Zhang looked like someone who couldn’t cook, but she was actually very skilled. In the past, she often cooked for her husband and children, but now she seldom did so.
Zhang He said his mother was getting lazy, but in fact, it was because the affairs in the mansion had become more numerous, leaving her little time to cook.
Zhang Gong and Mrs. Zhang had four children, which seemed uneventful on the surface, but in reality, there were many issues. As one of the four Great General Mansions, they had numerous social obligations, not to mention relatives. Some relatives were good, but some were difficult.
When Zhang Gong and his two sons finished bathing and changing clothes and arrived at the dining hall, they saw Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Yue happily conversing with the Tenth Prince.
Zhang Gong saw his wife and daughter smiling so gently at Zhao Yao that he momentarily thought he was seeing things.
After Zhang Gong and his family took their seats, they began the dinner.
During the meal, Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Yue kept placing food in Zhao Yao’s bowl.
The roast goose made by Mrs. Zhang was exceptionally delicious, even better than that made by the Imperial Chefs of the Zhenxiu Building and the Imperial Kitchen. However, Mrs. Zhang usually didn’t make roast goose unless it was a special occasion.
Today, Mrs. Zhang specially made roast goose and immediately placed the two drumsticks into Zhao Yao’s bowl.
Zhang He had hoped to eat one of the drumsticks, but to his surprise, his mother didn’t give him any. He seriously doubted if he was adopted.
Zhang Gong had just picked up a piece of roast goose when Mrs. Zhang snatched it away, and he watched helplessly as it ended up in the Tenth Prince’s bowl.
The same happened to Zhang Jiang and Zhang Tao. They had just picked up some roast goose when their mother snatched it away with her chopsticks.
Seeing that her husband and sons had already eaten two or three pieces of roast goose, Mrs. Zhang no longer allowed them to eat more.
"Aunt Zhang, your roast goose is so delicious, a thousand times better than the one made by the palace chefs." Zhao Yao wasn’t exaggerating; Mrs. Zhang’s roast goose was indeed delicious.
"Your Highness, if you like it, please eat more," Mrs. Zhang said, smiling graciously, with a very gentle tone. "Whenever you want roast goose, just let Aunt Zhang know, I’ll make it for you."
"Alright." Zhao Yao was not at all shy, "It’s truly delicious, the best roast goose I’ve ever had."
Mrs. Zhang, elated by the compliment, placed a few more pieces of roast goose into Zhao Yao’s bowl.
Zhang Gong and his sons couldn’t believe their eyes as they watched Mrs. Zhang. Mrs. Zhang noticed their discontented looks and glared at them fiercely. They immediately cowered and lowered their heads obediently to eat.
Zhao Yao was continuously fed by Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Yue, his small mouth too busy eating to pay attention to anything else.