Don't be tempted, sir

Emperor Yan stood up and spoke in a voice that was intimidating without being angry: "Xiao Yuan, come in. Last night his old man talked till dark, and now at dawn his young son is here again..."

Eunuch Li helped Emperor Yan get up from the bed. He did not dare to speak casually and signaled a palace servant to help Emperor Yan get dressed.

Emperor Yan adjusted the jade belt of his regular uniform that had just been tied by a palace maid, flicked his sleeves and sat down.

Song Xiaoyuan came to the hall and bowed: "Your Majesty, today I saw a memorial sent by Yuancheng County Magistrate Zhang Zhizhang. It would be more appropriate to present it to Your Majesty for your personal approval."

Eunuch Li took it and presented it to the emperor. Emperor Yan took the memorial and opened it while saying, "There's no need for you to ride a horse here early in the morning!"

Then he said: "I haven't seen Zhang Zhizhang's memorial for a long time, but the handwriting still retains its style and elegance."

After reading the last sentence, Emperor Yan showed a look of joy: "Great! I am tired of reading those memorials that are full of long-winded greetings and lack a few key points, so I gave some of the memorials to you for your comments. Zhang Zhizhang has not been submitted for a long time. With his new method of growing cotton, I don't have to worry about this winter."

Song Xiaoyuan replied: "County Magistrate Zhang will soon deliver the first batch of harvested cotton for tribute. We will see how the quality is then."

After he finished speaking, he glanced out the window and said, "Your Majesty, the memorial has been delivered. I will take my leave."

Emperor Yan watched Song Xiaoyuan coming and going in a hurry, and also looked at the sky outside the window, and suddenly asked curiously: "Xiaoyuan, is there something urgent?"

"Your Majesty, today I was asked by the eldest prince to be the guest of honor for his youngest sister's coming-of-age ceremony. It's almost time, so I rode my horse early in the morning."

"Oh? Is it General Shen's youngest daughter Shen Yining's coming of age?"

"Yes."

"Xiao Yuan, it is quite appropriate for you to be the guest of honor. Time flies so fast. I still remember that I went to Yongzhou three times with General Shen. It was the first day when Yongzhou was recovered. The first cry was from Shen Yining. In a blink of an eye, Yongzhou has been peaceful and prosperous for fifteen years."

Emperor Yan seemed to be lost in his memories and ordered: "Eunuch Li, go and fetch the piece of nephrite that was sent from Yongzhou not long ago and give it to Shen family's youngest daughter, Shen Yining, as a coming-of-age gift."

It was already noon, Song Xiaoyuan took the brocade box from Eunuch Li's hand, bowed and said: "I'll take my leave."

Madam Shen and Shen Changjun had already been standing at the door waiting for the guests. Madam Shen asked worriedly, "Changjun, did you invite Lord Song to be the main guest of honor for Yi Ning? Why haven't you seen Lord Song yet at this hour?"

Shen Changjun comforted her: "Don't worry, mother. Xiaoyuan will come if he promised."

As he was speaking, he saw the Song Mansion's carriage slowly approaching.

Ah Wu lifted the curtain of the carriage, and saw Song Xiaoyuan wearing a white brocade robe and a green jade hairpin on her head, exuding a scholarly air. Her face was as gentle as jade, but she had a pair of deep eyes, which seemed calm and unperturbed.

"Mrs. Shen, Brother Shen, I'm sorry for being late." Song Xiaoyuan bowed and apologized.

Madam Shen politely replied, "No problem, no problem. Lord Song is very busy with official duties. Thank you very much for coming to help my youngest daughter as the main guest. It's not too late now since it's not too late yet."

Shen Changjun stretched out his hand to lead the way: "Xiao Yuan, it's okay. I know you are busy. Come, come, I will take you to the main seat."

Ah Wu asked in a low voice: "Master! You still don't have a wife, can you figure out how to add a hairpin and a crown to Miss Shen?"

Song Xiaoyuan listened without saying anything.

After the music ended, Shen Changjun stood up and gave a speech: "Today is your sister's coming-of-age banquet. Thank you all for coming! Your sister's coming-of-age banquet ceremony officially begins!"

Shen Yining was wearing a light yellow robe today, with her long, smooth black hair draped behind her. She had the innocence of a girl, as well as the gentleness of an adult. A gust of wind blew the petals blooming on the wall off, floating in the wind like a fairy in a painting slowly walking out.