Her emotions flickered, and Xiao Tingyi quickly noticed.
"You hate the Wen family, do you also detest these siblings?"
"Mm."
"Ayao, why is that?"
"He who does much evil will surely perish."
Clearly, Feng Jinyao did not wish to elaborate on the matter.
What surprised Xiao Tingyi the most was that he could find no reason for it, no matter how hard he searched.
This was unlike him in the past, so he felt Feng Jinyao still held back some things from him. However, he did not want to press her repeatedly; when the time was ripe, she would naturally explain.
He then changed the subject.
"The Sixth Prince and his entourage have already passed through Zhongzhou. In a few more days, they should arrive in Dongdu City. How are the Bai family's preparations?"
The preparations Xiao Tingyi spoke of naturally referred to Qiao Shanwei's adoption into the main branch of the family.
This was something everyone eagerly anticipated, so he naturally had to ask.
"Your Highness, please rest assured. My maternal uncle's wife is personally overseeing this matter and has long been prepared. We have also invited Elder Ge Xu, General Xu, Duke Zheng, and Earl Changyi to witness the ceremony. With them present, this matter will proceed without issue."
Xiao Tingyi nodded. This arrangement was indeed proper, befitting the matriarch of the Bai family.
"Once my cousin is integrated into the main branch, Si Ruo should also be married. Their wedding dates are drawing near. My maternal grandfather's family is experiencing consecutive joyous occasions."
Feng Jinyao smiled, genuinely happy for the Bai family.
One son entering the main lineage, one daughter marrying.
For the Bai family, these were all good things.
Seeing Feng Jinyao's smiling face, Xiao Tingyi's heart stirred.
"Soon. Once your elder brother returns from Qingzhou, the imperial decree for our marriage will be issued."
"Your Highness is certain?"
"When have I ever made a mistake?"
"That is true."
Feng Jinyao did not press him on how he managed it. These were merely matters of weighing pros and cons, not issues she needed to worry about. She would rather spend that time embroidering a few more handkerchiefs.
After Bai Siruo's marriage, it would likely be her second brother's turn.
In fact, the wedding date had been mostly decided by both parties, aiming for the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
It was a truly auspicious day, one that might not be found again even in the following year.
However, with Elder Brother's "recent mourning," it was not appropriate to discuss it openly.
Only close family members knew, and Madam Feng was secretly making preparations, just in case the wish came true and they were caught off guard.
These days, when she had nothing else to do, she hid in her courtyard, embroidering handkerchiefs for Bai Siruo.
The handkerchiefs themselves were not difficult, but the patterns on them required considerable thought.
After a trip to Jinling City, she had learned some Su embroidery. The embroidery needed to be lifelike and carry excellent meaning.
Therefore, it took a great deal of effort.
Feng Jinyao was unwilling to admit that her embroidery skills were not outstanding, which slowed down her progress.
She always claimed externally that "slow work yields fine results."
Thus, Bai Siruo would have them, and the future second sister-in-law, Xu Mingyue, could not be left out. She also had to embroider one for her elder sister-in-law and mother, treating them equally. This meant the two maternal aunts of the Bai family, and her second aunt in Liangzhou, were all included.
And Aunt Zhang.
Feng Jinyao now deeply regretted opening this Pandora's Box. She was so busy that she had no time to think about anything else each day.
However, living day by day like this, time passed quickly.
A few days later, the Sixth Prince, along with officials who had made contributions to disaster relief, entered Dongdu City. The common people lined the streets to welcome them, their cheers echoing.
They wished they could utter every flattering word they knew.
In the past, the Sixth Prince had not been particularly prominent, so few people paid him much attention.
But times had changed. It was said that good fortune nurtured a person. With this immense contribution, the Sixth Prince appeared even more spirited than usual, showing no signs of the hardship or fatigue of travel.
In the imperial palace hall, Emperor Qi had been waiting for a long time, along with his court officials, all eagerly anticipating the arrival.
Although they did not say it aloud, what they most wanted to see was the reincarnated divine child of the Bai family.
Before long, the group entered the hall.
The Sixth Prince, Bai Chao'an, and Wen Zhenghe were familiar faces, but Qiao Shanwei stood out among them.
At such a young age, he looked very tender.
Yet, he possessed a pair of steady eyes. After this period of experience, he was much improved compared to before.
If the former Qiao Shanwei were to have an audience with His Majesty, he might have been somewhat flustered.
But the current Qiao Shanwei was not only measured in his demeanor but also clear and logical in his replies, with a quick mind.
Seeing such talent in the Great Jin, Emperor Qi was overjoyed.
Especially since he carried the reputation of a reincarnated divine child, he naturally paid more attention.
"Excellent, excellent. Your grandfather was a pillar of our Great Jin, and you have achieved remarkable feats in the southwest. Tell me, what do you desire? I shall grant it to you!"
As Emperor Qi spoke, many people gasped.
What if Qiao Shanwei, with a lion's appetite, requested to remain in Dongdu City?
Would that not break the ancestral system of the imperial examinations?
However, upon further thought, it would also be unreasonable not to reward him for his contributions to flood control. Thus, an unusual calm settled over the court.
Prime Minister Bai and Bai Chao'an, on the other hand, remained remarkably composed.
Since he was a descendant of the Bai clan, he should know where to draw the line.
At such a time of great acclaim, charging forward impulsively might not be a good thing.
Qiao Shanwei was silent for a moment, then said to Emperor Qi.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor. However, Shanwei desires nothing. I only wish that the floodwaters in the southwest will no longer cause trouble, and the common people will be spared suffering."
"Good, good, good. Truly worthy of Prime Minister Bai's grandson. Not taking credit for himself, not grasping for power, truly excellent."
As Emperor Qi spoke, everyone immediately understood that his previous words might have been a test from the sovereign. If Qiao Shanwei had dared to make a request, it might have ruined his future prospects.
After a moment of thought, he said.
"However, merit must be rewarded. Since you care for the people of the southwest, I shall bestow upon you a golden tablet. Although it does not grant you an official post, seeing this tablet is like seeing me in person. Officials in the southwest region shall not have authority over you. How about it?"
This was a tangible reward, even better than an official position.
Wen Zhenghe, who had been appointed prefect of Shuzhou, still could not act with impunity in the southwest.
With this imperial golden tablet, Qiao Shanwei's life would be even more comfortable than his.
He felt envious of this reward, but not jealous.
Because it was what he deserved. His method of flood control not only provided the people of the southwest with the possibility of living and working in peace but would also be an immeasurable merit if extended to all flood-prone areas south of the Great Jin.
Therefore, Wen Zhenghe admired him from the bottom of his heart.
Unfortunately, even this immense reward was refused by Qiao Shanwei.
"Your Majesty's great favor, this humble subject dares not accept. To be able to contribute a little to the Great Jin is this subject's fortune."
Pleasant words were appreciated by everyone, including Emperor Qi.
With the prestige of being a reincarnated divine child, Emperor Qi found him increasingly pleasing to the eye, so he waved his hand grandly.
"It is settled then. You are not allowed to refuse my kindness!"
With the Emperor having spoken so firmly, Qiao Shanwei could only kowtow and express his gratitude.