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

Chapter 345 The Father's Fault for Failing to Raise a Child

Just as the sisters Zheng Shuzhen and Zheng Shuyi disappeared from the stage, the last line of the opera had just been sung.

May the venerable elder enjoy boundless happiness and longevity!

After the opera performance and the birthday celebration, everyone tactfully took their leave.

The family dinner officially began.

The Shen family all went to Old Mrs. Shen's courtyard.

With Wanyue by her side, Shen Cao brought out the birthday cake she had spent the whole day making.

Although Grandma Shen's health had improved a lot, Shen Cao still added very little sugar.

A very thin layer of cream was also applied to the surface.

Making cream is very complicated, which is the main reason why she spent the whole day on it.

In the middle of the cake, Shen Cao carved a large "longevity" character out of fruit.

Previously, when Wanyue celebrated the Emperor's birthday, she used double-skin milk instead of cake.

Shen Shuhua watched with a smile as the two sisters sang a birthday song for their mother.

Her eyes were filled with happiness, and her whole demeanor softened considerably.

"Grandma, before you blow out the candles, silently make a wish in your heart."

Following her child's advice, Grandma Shen silently made a wish in her heart.

Wishing you all the best.

Shen Cao presented a slice of cake to Old Mrs. Shen with both hands. Old Mrs. Shen had smelled the sweet aroma of the cake as soon as it was served.

She hasn't had any snacks in a long time because of her health.

Moreover, Shen Cao's pastries smelled different from ordinary pastries.

The surface was coated with a white substance, and you could tell from the way she cut it that it was very soft and fluffy.

She smiled so broadly that her eyes disappeared, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes looked especially adorable.

She first took the cake from Shen Cao's hand and placed it on the table next to her, then took Shen Cao's hand and said, "You were wronged just now."

"Don't worry, your grandmother will support you."

“If your maternal grandmother can’t handle it, your mother will still support you.”

"From now on, no one should let our grass suffer any injustice."

"Exactly, if it weren't for my grandmother's sake, I would have gone and punched her."

"Fortunately, Mother arrived in time."

Everyone in the room, except for Shen Yumo, knew Shen Cao's true identity.

The only person kept in the dark was completely focused on the remaining cake.

As soon as Shen Cao handed him the cake, he couldn't wait to take a bite.

He had never seen this kind of pastry before, let alone eaten it.

I took a bite, and it was soft, with a rich egg and milk flavor. The texture was even softer than that of a steamed bun.

What's most special is the white layer on the surface.

It has a subtle sweetness, but what's most special is its texture. When you put it in your mouth, it's incredibly smooth and creamy—it's hard to describe.

After finishing one piece, he secretly cut himself another.

Shen Cao was talking to Old Madam Shen when she turned around and saw Shen Yumo smiling at her with cream on the corner of her mouth and her eyes shining.

"Sister Shen Cao..." He was a little embarrassed, and his movements were somewhat awkward.

Shen Cao, “?”

"Um, Sister Cao'er," is that how Sister Wanyue calls you, "did you make this?"

Shen Cao nodded.

"I heard from Sister Wanyue that this is something to eat on birthdays."

Shen Cao continued to nod, but she still didn't understand Shen Yumo's intentions.

"Um, um..." He fidgeted awkwardly with his fingers.

Shen Yu'an rolled her eyes at him and spoke up for him, "Cao'er, next month is his birthday, this kid probably wants you to make one for him too."

"I see!" Shen Cao deliberately changed her tone and looked at him with a smile.

The other person looked expectant, their eyes sparkling, staring intently at Shen Cao.

It looks just like when her son, Laicai, asks for snacks.

Shen Cao thought that if he had a tail, he would probably be wagging it nonstop by now.

She smiled and nodded. "I can agree to that, but..."

"I promise, I'll agree to whatever Sister Cao'er says."

Fearing that Shen Cao might change her mind, Shen Yumo quickly agreed before she could even say it.

This kid is just as greedy as his older brother.

"Since you've agreed, you can't go back on your word."

"No regrets!"

“Starting tomorrow, you will need to take a martial arts class for one hour every day.”

"What if you become a bookworm just by studying?"

"Moreover, a healthy body is the foundation of everything."

Shen Yumo nodded somewhat reluctantly. He knew that Sister Cao'er was doing it for his own good.

However, he was really not interested in those things.

Since she wants him to study, then he should study.

……

After Zheng Shuzhen returned to the First Prince's residence, she was summoned by the First Prince's wife.

On the grounds that she was immature and had talked back to the imperial concubine, she was punished by being made to copy books in her own courtyard.

When Zheng Shuyi returned home, she saw her father, the Vice Minister of Revenue, hurrying out.

It's so late, where could her father have gone?

After her father left, she stopped the housekeeper and asked, "Father, where are you rushing off to so late?"

"The master was called back to work, saying there was an urgent matter that required his personal attention."

Zheng Zheng hadn't expected that the Ministry of Revenue would have such an important matter so late at night, requiring him to handle it personally.

When he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he found that he was the only one there.

"Lord Zheng, the higher-ups want you to finish dealing with these matters tonight, as they need them first thing tomorrow morning."

After saying that, the man went home.

Zheng Zheng worked until late at night, and when he returned, the streets were deserted.

"Drive faster," he ordered.

I have to attend the morning court session early tomorrow morning, so I can get an hour of sleep when I get back.

Upon hearing his words, the coachman pulled out his whip and lashed the horse a few times.

The streets were deserted, and their carriage sped along.

However, in his haste, the coachman failed to notice the bump in the middle of the street.

In addition, the carriage was going too fast and was tripped by a protruding rock.

The carriage flipped over to its side.

Zheng Zheng didn't react for a moment, and there was nothing nearby to grab onto.

He tumbled around inside the carriage several times.

Finally, his legs collapsed in the carriage in an extremely bizarre position.

Morning next day.

It was a rare sight for the court officials to see Ji Lingfeng appear in the court.

They were all trembling with fear, afraid that he would speak.

It turns out that Ji Lingfeng rarely attended the morning court session. Firstly, he was often away from home, and secondly, whenever he did attend, he was always subjected to a barrage of criticism.

He has interrogated almost everyone.

The morning court session ended amidst everyone's anxiety.

Surprisingly, Ji Lingfeng didn't say anything, just stood there quietly.

Afterwards, the Emperor asked, "Why didn't I see the Vice Minister of Revenue?"

His colleagues at the Ministry of Revenue asked him for leave, and everyone learned of his predicament.

They were all astonished.

"That Vice Minister of Revenue is really unlucky. His carriage tripped over late at night, and he broke his leg."

"I'm getting on in years."

On his way home from court, Grand Tutor Zhou walked up to Ji Lingfeng.

"Nephew Ji, have you heard about the matter concerning the Vice Minister of Revenue?"

"I heard that his superior suddenly summoned him to the Ministry of Revenue last night, and he was busy until the early hours of the morning."

"I remember his superior seemed to have some connection with you."

"Who do you think he offended?"

Ji Lingfeng's expression was icy as he spoke calmly, "It is the father's fault for not raising his children properly."

Grand Tutor Zhou smiled, surprised to learn that this fellow was actually vengeful.

He looks just like his father.