The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Ji Lingfeng had just entered the study and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when Hefei led a young eunuch in.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor summons you to the palace!"

Ji Lingfeng glanced at the young eunuch from the palace. He was Xiao Xianzi, Li Defu's apprentice. There shouldn't be anything serious about him.

"Sir, please come to the side hall for a couple of cups of tea. I'm going to change my clothes."

Ji Lingfeng was puzzled. Why was the Emperor summoning him to the palace at this time?

He already had a solution for the border issue, and since he couldn't think of anything else, he simply stopped thinking about it.

Xiao Xianzi led Ji Lingfeng to the Imperial Study.

In the imperial study, Ji Lingfeng entered and was the first to bow to the emperor.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor sat at his desk and looked up to ask him to stand up.

"Li Defu, please take a seat."

Li Defu brought over a stool and placed it next to Ji Lingfeng.

After Ji Lingfeng sat down, the Emperor put down his pen and asked, "Lingfeng, how old are you this year?"

Ji Lingfeng stood up, clenched his fists in front of his chest, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am twenty-four years old this year."

The Emperor raised his hand and said, "Sit down and talk. There are no outsiders here, so there's no need for such formalities."

"Yes."

"You're already twenty-four. I still remember when I first met you, you were so small, only up to my knees."

"Now you're taller than me, and before I knew it, you were already twenty-four."

"Indeed, I am almost at the age of fifty. Time really flies."

"By the way, how is your mother's health these days?"

"pretty good."

"That's good, that's good."

"The Ji family is full of loyal martyrs. The Great Xia Kingdom owes its current state to the Ji family's contributions."

"Your Majesty, I am humbled. The Great Xia Kingdom is now able to enjoy long-term peace and stability, which is due to Your Majesty's effective governance. I dare not take credit for it."

The Emperor waved his hand, "Enough, enough."

"By the way, are you ever married?"

"Never."

"It's time to think about it."

"If the Empress hadn't mentioned you today, I would have almost forgotten that you've reached the age to get married."

"No, you're too late! When I was your age, the eldest princess had already been born."

Ji Lingfeng finally understood that the Emperor had summoned him for his marriage.

"Don't be nervous. I summoned you here today to ask you what kind of girl you like?"

"Should I arrange a marriage for you?"

"The Empress said she has a niece who is very well-educated and has an outstanding appearance. The key point is that she seems to like you."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Ji Lingfeng quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have someone I love."

"You've found someone you love. The Empress's niece is going to be heartbroken."

"Whose daughter is she? Should I arrange a marriage for you?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not trouble you. With such a thing happening at the border, I have no heart for marriage."

"Once the situation at the border is settled, I will certainly ask Your Majesty to grant me this marriage."

If Ji Lingfeng knew what would happen next, he would definitely regret saying those words and would wish he could ask the Emperor to write the imperial decree of marriage on the spot and take it with him.

Of course, these are all things for later.

The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Alright, now is indeed not a good time. Since you have someone you like, treat her well."

"Wei Chen understands!"

The emperor seemed to have a lot to say about this; he even stood up from his dragon throne and helped Ji Lingfeng up with both hands.

"You're just a roughneck who only knows how to lead troops into battle; you certainly don't know how to coax people."

"I'll tell you..."

"Forget it, why am I telling you all this? When you have nothing to do, go and collect some folk tales and study them."

"Wanyue recently brought back a lot of storybooks from outside, and Consort Hua also read them. She said that I don't know how to coax people, but Zhang Sheng in the storybooks is so good at coaxing people."

"Let me learn from you."

"I secretly read it and found it very beneficial."

Ji Lingfeng stared wide-eyed at the emperor who was imparting his methods to him. He never imagined that one day they, as ruler and subject, would be discussing how to coax a girl in the imperial study.

He bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I will remember this. I will definitely buy it and study it carefully."

The Emperor helped him up and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Nephew, this matter cannot be rushed. There are many intricacies involved. Learn slowly."

"Alright, now that you have someone you love, I will no longer worry about your marriage."

"Handle the border affairs well. I await your good news in the capital."

"Nothing else, you can go back now. I'm going to read."

Ji Lingfeng [...]

"Wei Chen resigns!"

On his way back to the city, Ji Lingfeng wondered when reading storybooks became popular in the capital.

Can storybooks teach people how to make girls happy?

Did he buy a few books to take with him before leaving the capital?

In the study of the general's mansion, Ji Lingfeng stared at his desk for a long time, unable to concentrate on anything.

"Crane Feather".

He Yu walked in from outside the door. "Master, you wanted to see me?"

Ji Lingfeng nodded. "Um, go and find out what kind of storybooks are popular in the capital these days."

"Go and buy me a few copies too."

He Yu looked puzzled. "Master, why do you want to buy storybooks?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't know. Do you want another beating?"

He Yu shook his head. "I won't ask anymore, I won't ask anymore."

After receiving the order, He Yu couldn't understand why his master wanted to buy storybooks.

He recalled his master's instructions when he left: "Don't let a third person know about this, or you'll be punished with military rods."

Is it...

Over here, Ji Lingfeng became more and more irritable the longer he stayed in the study, so he simply went to the back garden. As soon as he entered the garden, he heard Ji Fu's voice.

There was also a man's voice.

"Ji Fu, Uncle Ma just said you weren't feeling well. What's wrong? Have you seen a doctor? How are you now?"

Ji Fu looked at Ma Liangcai on the wall, glanced around to make sure no one was there, and then whispered, "I'm fine now. I just ran into my older brother when I went out, so..."

Ma Liangcai nodded immediately, "I understand. It's alright. I'll come find you on your birthday after your older brother leaves."

“I heard from my grandfather that they are leaving soon.”

Hearing Ma Liangcai's words, Ji Fu felt somewhat depressed; her elder brother was leaving again.

This was the longest he had ever stayed at home. He had thought his older brother was waiting until now to celebrate her birthday, but it seems that wasn't the case.

"Alright, you should go back now. I'm fine."

Don't come looking for me during this time.

After saying that, Ji Fu left with her maid.

Ma Liangcai was left alone, bewildered in the wind. Had he angered Ji Fu?

Everything was fine just now.

After the two left, Ji Lingfeng emerged from the shadows, looking thoughtfully at his sister's retreating figure.