After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 433 The Crown Prince's Invitation and the Sudden Twisted Back

Following the Ouyang family's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, the capital city is about to welcome the eldest prince's wedding.

However, for ordinary people, this is just a bit of gossip to talk about over tea.

It's a topic we talk about when we're bored, to kill time, since we don't have cell phones or televisions these days.

With limited entertainment options, gossiping about interesting things is a low-cost way to add some fun to life.

Teahouses and tea shops are the best places for people to gossip.

"Hey? Have you heard?"

"What did you hear?"

"Hehe, for the Crown Prince's wedding, His Majesty the Emperor only bestowed two golden ruyi scepters; the rest were customary additions from the Imperial Household Department."

However, recently, the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince have been receiving frequent rewards; it's estimated that their princely treasuries are almost overflowing!

"Hey? Hasn't the Fifth Prince been betrothed yet? Why is he being rewarded now?"

And the Second Prince, isn't his wedding next year? Why are they already showering him with gifts this year?

The round-faced tea drinker curled his lip and said in a pretentious manner, "What do you know? The Second Prince is the only legitimate son, so naturally he is different."

The Fifth Prince has always been obedient and timid, and His Majesty the Emperor has always taken good care of him.

After the round-faced tea drinker finished speaking, the people around him couldn't help but wonder, "So this eldest prince is the kind who is neither favored nor valued..."

He's got the title of eldest son for nothing, but he's nothing in reality!

"So the eldest prince is willing to be overshadowed by his two unmarried brothers?"

The person asking the question clearly lowered their voice, but it was still audible to several people nearby.

Although there was no concept of freedom of speech at that time, the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty were still quite bold, since no one around them had been arrested for discussing royal matters.

If there is no prohibition, then it is equivalent to permission; this is a tacit and conscious understanding among the people.

"Well, they certainly won't do anything outwardly, but who knows what they're thinking behind the scenes."

Anyway, the First Prince's residence has been quite lively lately..."

"How could it not be lively? The wedding is coming up soon, and there are so many things to do just to prepare for it. It's a prince's wedding, do you think it's a landlord getting married?"

"Hey! The kind of lively event I'm talking about isn't the kind of joyous celebration that's about preparing for a wedding."

Those coming and going from the First Prince's residence weren't just the wedding preparation staff; many officials, both high-ranking and low-ranking, also made frequent visits.

"It's only right for officials to contribute to the prince's wedding! What's so unusual about that?"

The round-faced tea drinker stroked his non-existent beard and said, "I only know that the prince's wedding will involve some officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department."

Since when have we been able to use officials from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Personnel?

"Oh?"

The crowd suddenly realized, but dared not ask any further questions. Without prior arrangement, they reached for their tea and continued watching the storyteller on the stage speak eloquently.

Minister of War Lin Shenxuan is very pleased with his newborn son. Every time he teaches him, he discovers new things.

This child grasps civil administration, military prowess, and strategic planning very quickly; he understands them instantly.

Sometimes, the Lin couple would feel anxious and worried, wondering if their good son would be taken back one day.

Madam Lin was extremely attentive to Lin Qi, expressing the maternal love that had been accumulating for many years, and releasing it all in her newly acquired eldest son.

Lin Qi, who had not experienced maternal love for many years, was once again immersed in the river of maternal love, enjoying it immensely.

Although Minister Lin also doted on Lin Qi, his primary goal was to nurture Lin Qi into a capable individual.

However, as mentioned at the beginning, Minister Lin always manages to bring new surprises with each instruction.

"Qi'er, shall we take a rest?"

The usually serious and strict Minister Lin never imagined that he would feel sorry for his child being tired.

Lin Qi was flattered and overwhelmed when his new father personally took a towel to wipe his eldest son's sweat. This new father was far superior to the old one!

Having been without a mother for so many years, he has never experienced maternal love. At the same time, his biological father only had eyes for his younger siblings and treated him like air. He had a father, but it was as if he didn't have one.

So when he practiced martial arts with Lin Shenxuan, he found it novel and had a great experience.

"It's alright, Father! I'm not tired. I want to practice a little longer. This is the Lin family's ancestral spear technique. I can't let you down, nor can I disappoint our ancestors!"

After Lin Qi was adopted, he had a new father, a new mother, and new ancestors.

The Lin family of the capital separated from the Lin family of the border town a hundred years ago, so the ancestors they worship are certainly not the same.

When Lin Qi said he didn't want to disappoint his ancestors, he was obviously referring to the new ancestors.

Whether the old ancestors were disappointed or not had nothing to do with Lin Qi; it had to do with his former father and his former father's children!

Lin Shenxuan laughed heartily upon hearing this, pleased with his eldest son's maturity and also pleased that his child had completely severed ties with the past.

The children have already done their best to give the couple a sense of security, so why should they still be so anxious every day?

We can't let our children feel that they've already tried their best. We should also encourage our son to strive to become more and more outstanding!

Just as Lin Qi and Lin Shenxuan were engrossed in practicing their shooting, the steward rushed in to report: "Master, someone from the First Prince's residence has sent an invitation, inviting Young Master Qi to a banquet at the residence tomorrow."

Lin Shenxuan and Lin Qi were both taken aback. Lin Shenxuan even frowned. The fact that the Crown Prince had invited Lin Qi to the banquet on the occasion of his wedding must have some hidden meaning.

Lin Qi pondered for a moment and said, "Father, I can go and see what the First Prince's intentions are."

Lin Shenxuan shook his head and cautioned, "This trip may be a trap. I am worried that the eldest prince is deliberately getting you involved in the princes' conflict to force the entire Lin family to take sides."

"Then... what should we do? There is a distinction between ruler and subject; we can't simply refuse the prince's invitation outright..."

"Why not?" Lin Shenxuan retorted angrily, "Who says that a prince's invitation must be accepted! Can't someone have a time when they are sick or inconvenient?"

"When you're sick and inconvenient? Father, do you mean... I should pretend to be sick?"

"Hey? Is he just faking illness? Our Qi'er is really sick. Just today, just now, he twisted his back while practicing spear fighting. The imperial physician told him to rest in bed!"

The butler immediately understood his master's intention, snatched the red-tasseled spear from his young master's hand, and threw it back onto the weapon rack.

She turned and left with a "thump thump thump" sound, going to find the family physician to come first, and then sending someone to invite the imperial physician, the bigger the commotion the better.

"Hey, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and go back to your room and lie down. You know how much your back hurts, right?"

"what?"

"What's wrong?! You usually seem so clever, why are you acting like this now! Quick, quick! Go back to your room and lie down. If you can't fake being sick, then groan a couple of times now and then!"

"Uh! Okay... I'll do whatever you say, Dad, but you have to talk to Mom first, so she doesn't really think something's wrong with me and end up making a mess of things!"

Lin Shenxuan was gratified. This child was still so considerate of his elders, and their love for him was not in vain.

"I know, I know! Your mother isn't stupid!"