The Lucky Farmgirl

This is also the first time many people have seen the Emperor at the palace, and they couldn’t help but whisper, "I heard His Majesty recovered yesterday and didn’t expect a banquet would be held today."

"It seems the problem isn’t too serious, so why did they specifically invite Imperial Doctor Tan?"

"By the way, Imperial Doctor Zhou returned to the capital yesterday and only came back today. I wonder if there’s something going on?"

"Alright, let’s not speculate blindly. Nowadays, the Imperial Hospital isn’t what it used to be. On top is the Taiyi Bureau, who knows if there’s some matter going on there?"

Manbao picked up a fish ball, tasted it, and nodded slightly. Fresh fish balls indeed taste good.

Changyu and the others had a lot of exercise in the afternoon, so they were hungry and while eating, said, "We’ve played with water. In a few days, let’s go horseback riding and hunting."

Manbao asked, "I wonder what the weather will be like? Will it rain?"

Bai Shan said, "Brother Wei might know."

Wei Yu said, "They say it will rain in a few days, but the Astronomical Bureau says it’s not certain, it needs further observation."

Although the Astronomical Bureau can observe the sky at night to predict weather changes, there are still unexpected times.

Changyu pouted, "Why think so much? If it doesn’t rain the next day, we go."

Mingda also wanted to go hunting and asked Bai Erlang, "Are you going?"

Bai Erlang: "I’m going!"

Manbao said, "I don’t have time, so I might not be able to accompany you. You should ask Yin Huo to join."

Bai Shan also said, "I’m too busy."

He is even busier than Manbao. She, at least, as the main official at the palace, has flexible time and can visit the Emperor whenever she wants. It is more convenient for Wei Zhi, who doesn’t mind visits in the evening, so she has more free time.

But Bai Shan is different. Although fewer memorials were sent to the palace, there were fewer people to do the work, so Bai Shan is busier than when he was at the imperial palace.

Just because the Emperor was sick and avoiding the heat, their work schedules were also flexible. Basically, they only went over when the Emperor called, otherwise, they handled memorials in the office room.

So he’s even busier than Zhou Man.

Wei Yu also had tasks, so he couldn’t be idle.

Thus, Bai Erlang patted his chest and said, "I’ll take you."

The Emperor was still on medication and couldn’t drink much, so the ministers didn’t dare toast him too often. After drinking a cup, everyone turned to Wei Zhi.

Someone’s eyes flashed, and they brought a wine jug and cup to toast Wei Zhi, "Lord Wei, I heard you weren’t feeling well earlier, are you better now?"

Wei Zhi looked at the wine jug in their hand, nodded with a smile, "Much better."

Wei Yu, always watching from the side, saw his father being toasted and felt a bit anxious. After thinking about it, he took his cup and went over.

Changyu didn’t notice at first until Manbao signaled her, and then she saw it.

She saw Wei Yu blocking wine for her father-in-law, and in no time, his face was already red.

Changyu pursed her lips, a bit unhappy, turned and instructed the palace maid, "Go fetch the two bottles of wine stored in my room, along with the glass cups."

"Yes." The palace maid responded and left.

Changyu told Manbao and Mingda, "You should ask your consorts and Lord Bai to help me."

Manbao generously said, "You can order him around freely. He can handle a cup or two of wine."

Manbao savored the taste of the wine, and said immediately, "I can drink too."

So when the palace maid returned with the wine, Manbao enthusiastically took a cup and, together with several others, approached those who were trying to give Wei Yu wine, suggesting everyone drink together.

Princess Changyu had the wine brought to the Emperor and Empress and said with a smile, "Father, this is wine I bought last year from merchants from the Western Regions. I noticed several ministers seem to enjoy wine. Why not try my wine?"

Manbao and Bai Shan handed them cups, smiling, "Please try it, ministers."

With Princess Changyu making the offer, the Emperor agreed and told them, "I know you love wine. Tonight, let’s not talk about state affairs, but don’t overindulge either. You don’t need to crowd around Lord Wei and my consort."

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Don’t you see, even my princess cares?"

The ministers laughed and agreed, raising their cups for a drink before returning to their seats.

Still no conclusion reached, they felt Wei Zhi was indeed sick, but he had been consistently reporting to work these past few days, except for the initial two-day rest, with no decrease in work. He did not show signs of illness, so perhaps he wasn’t sick after all.

Therefore, was it truly a misdiagnosis by Zhou Man the other day when she made that shocking statement?

They were suspicious but with the Emperor and Wei Zhi having allied with the Imperial Hospital, if they intentionally concealed something, there was nothing they could do.

Manbao held her glass, smiled, and nodded to Wei Zhi, before returning to her seat, carefully sipping her wine with brightened eyes.

Changyu leaned over and asked, "How is it? Isn’t it even better than what we drank last time?"

Manbao nodded, "It’s less astringent, more aged, and sweeter than before, very good."

Changyu said, "I spent quite a bit of money on it and only got three bottles. My consort and I have only drunk half a bottle, and now both bottles are out."

She felt a bit reluctant, so she slowly finished her drink, then asked for another cup, deciding to drink more so as not to feel at a loss.

Yin Huo poured himself half a cup, sipping slowly with much delight.

Zhou Man said he could have fruit wine, so he thought about having someone buy some wine next time.

Manbao thought of the grapes at home, "The grapes at home should be bearing fruit this year. I’ll write a letter to ask Second Brother. If they are, we should try brewing wine this year."

Bai Shan said, "I’m afraid our grapes won’t match the ones from the Western Regions."

"What does it matter?" Manbao said. "At worst, they’re sour, but that’s better than bitter, right?"

Yin Huo couldn’t help but say, "They might rather drink bitter wine than sour wine."

Their lively chat reminded the Emperor, who turned and asked Gu Zhong, "I remember the estate in Yongzhou grows grapes?"

Gu Zhong thought briefly before smiling, "Yes, on the imperial estate not far from here. But Your Majesty, that estate now belongs to Princess Mingda."

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Then tomorrow I’ll ask Mingda for a bunch of grapes to eat."

Mingda wasn’t managing the estate, so she didn’t remember this detail. The Emperor’s mention of it reminded her that half of the grapes consumed in the palace were sourced from this large estate in Yongzhou. She immediately smiled, "I’ll have them pick some for my brothers, and as for what Father wants, I’ll personally pick for you."

The Emperor tapped her nose and said, "I know you’re being naughty, trying to go out and play, yet you say you’re picking grapes for me."

Mingda shook his hand, laughing, "So, will Father go with me or not?"

The Emperor smiled and nodded, "Sure, sure, sure, you can go, take a few more people with you. Hmm, should I accompany you?"

The Emperor glanced outside sneakily, whispered to her, "Go tell your mother that you want Father to accompany you."