The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Chapter 463 Shen Tianjiao's Decision

"Well, that's fine too."

After thinking it over, the Marquis of Zhenbei concluded that it was indeed best for Shen Tianjiao to handle this matter.

Shen Tianjiao stepped in to negotiate with Duan Qingning to give him enough security and ensure that the negotiations could proceed smoothly.

"Jiao'er, should we leave Chaoyun here?"

The Marquis of Zhenbei had his reasons for considering keeping Chaoyun.

Chaoyun saved their lives, but that was a private matter between them, and how they would repay the debt of gratitude was their own business.

However, this matter is no longer a private matter between them, but involves the future of both countries, so Marquis Zhenbei has no choice but to act cautiously first and then act magnanimously.

After all, the Marquis of Zhenbei was not confident in Duan Qingning.

The things she did in the palace after she entered it back then are still chilling to hear even now.

Marquis Zhenbei had no choice but to be wary of such a dangerous person.

"No need. If Madam Duan agrees to cooperate with us, then let her take Chaoyun with her."

"It's not easy for the mother and daughter to reunite after being separated for so many years."

"Even if something unexpected happens in the future, let's just accept it as fate."

In both her past lives, Shen Tianjiao and her mother had a shallow kinship. Although she grew up under the care of her relatives, the absence of her mother made all the difference.

Both Chaoyun and Duan Qingning are pitiful people.

They were manipulated by fate and became victims of interests and power.

If it weren't for a stroke of luck, we probably would never have had the chance to reunite in this lifetime.

This hard-won reunion should be cherished by the mother and daughter, who should make the most of their time together and live a good life from now on.

Moreover, Chaoyun has not only been kind to their Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, but it can even be said that she has been kind to the entire Yunli.

As the God of War of Yunli, the Marquis of Zhenbei's responsibility is to protect Yunli. It is precisely because of the Marquis of Zhenbei that those foreign enemies dare not easily attack Yunli.

As the future heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei, Shen Yiyang's safety is also of paramount importance.

If anything happens to him, I'm afraid the morale of the entire Shen family army guarding the northern border will be shaken.

The Marquis of Zhenbei was their spiritual pillar, while Shen Yiyang was the driving force that supported them and propelled them forward. He was the soul of all the soldiers in the northern frontier.

With him there, the morale of the army could be kept stable, and the soldiers could be free from any interference.

Whether it's the Marquis of Zhenbei or Shen Yiyang, they are both guardians of the Northern Frontier and Yunli. Only when they are safe and sound can Yunli be safe and sound.

Chao Yun saved the lives of Marquis Zhenbei and Shen Yiyang, preserving not only the Marquis Zhenbei's mansion but also Yunli's peace and stability.

This time, letting Duan Qingning take Chaoyun with her was the last bit of kindness Shen Tianjiao could offer for the mother and daughter.

Even if unpleasant things happen between her and Duan Qingning in the future, Shen Tianjiao will not regret the decision she made today.

"Okay, since you've made up your mind, then do as you decide."

Marquis Zhenbei knew that Shen Tianjiao always felt indebted to Chaoyun, after all, Chaoyun almost lost her own life to save them.

The Shen family members are all the same; they don't like to owe others favors.

Let's leave this time as a way to repay Chao Yun for saving our lives, and let Duan Qingning and Chao Yun, mother and daughter, leave together.

"Since Father has no objections, then let's make the arrangements. I'll go see Madam Duan tonight."

As soon as Shen Tianjiao finished speaking, the sound of two children arguing came from outside.

The two little ones ate the milk pastry that Shen Tianjiao brought them, and some roasted chestnuts. After they were full, they started clamoring to see Shen Tianjiao.

Hearing the children making noise outside, Shen Tianjiao couldn't help but smile, and her mood improved considerably.

As soon as the Marquis of Zhenbei opened the door, Li Muyang rushed over. Having spent so much time with the Marquis of Zhenbei, the grandfather and grandson had developed a very good relationship.

Li Muyang threw himself into the arms of the Marquis of Zhenbei and put a piece of milk pastry he was holding into the Marquis's mouth.

"Grandpa, this is shortbread, it's delicious, you should try it."

This was something Li Muyang had specially set aside for his maternal grandfather and uncle before he started eating.

He had been by the side of the Marquis of Zhenbei for so long, but he had never seen his family eat milk pastry. He felt that his maternal grandfather and uncle had never eaten milk pastry, so he wanted them to try it.

"Well, it's delicious."

Marquis Zhenbei looked at Li Muyang with a smile. This child was not spoiled for nothing. Whenever he ate something delicious, he would think of his maternal grandfather.

Although this milk pastry is a rare and uncommon item, it is not unusual for the Marquis of Zhenbei.

He used to frequent the palace and had seen all sorts of fine things. The late emperor was also fond of extravagance and feasting, so he wanted to try all sorts of delicious food and fun activities.

Thanks to the late emperor, the Marquis of Zhenbei has seen plenty of good things.

Moreover, while there wasn't much else in the northern border region, dairy products were plentiful, since many families there raised cattle and sheep.

There's plenty of goat milk and cow milk; people make dairy products out of what they can't drink.

Milk-flavored pastry is also available in northern Xinjiang, but it's not as delicate and refined as the one made in the palace.

While Li Muyang was giving Zhenbei Hou Chi milk pastry, Li Muyan had already gotten into Shen Tianjiao's arms. The little girl already smelled of milk, and she had just eaten quite a lot of milk pastry.

So right now, I feel like I'm enveloped in a milky scent, it smells so good.

Once in Shen Tianjiao's arms, Li Muyan yawned, rested her head against Shen Tianjiao's chest, and her eyes were almost closed as she wanted to sleep.

Seeing that her little girl was so sleepy, Shen Tianjiao quickly picked her up and coaxed her to sleep.

Seeing Shen Tianjiao coaxing Li Muyan to sleep, the Marquis of Zhenbei pulled Li Muyang and took him to the courtyard to watch Shen Tingzhi roast meat.

The room fell silent instantly, with only the sound of Shen Tianjiao holding Li Muyan and gently patting her as she slept.

Li Muyan is still young and is prone to drowsiness. She fell asleep in Shen Tianjiao's arms not long after.

"Master, the little princess is asleep. Please put her in bed."

Seeing that Li Muyan had fallen asleep, but Shen Tianjiao was still holding her, Chun Chao stepped forward and whispered a reminder.

"I'll hold her and let her sleep for a while."

Looking at the little girl sleeping peacefully in her arms, Shen Tianjiao felt both happy and a little heartbroken.

This child has grown up quite a bit recently. Even without my company, she is still growing well.

If she doesn't spend more time with her child now, who knows, one day the child might suddenly grow up and she won't have that opportunity anymore.

Seeing that Shen Tianjiao was unwilling, Chun Chao put Li Muyan on the bed to sleep, then went to the side to get a blanket and covered Li Muyan with it so that she wouldn't catch a cold.

After getting the blanket, Chun Chao went to get the backrest and placed it behind Shen Tianjiao so that she could lean against it more comfortably.

In the courtyard, Shen Tingzhi was with Li Ziyan, and the two of them were roasting wild game together.

Shen Tingzhi had led troops and fought battles before, so doing these things was a piece of cake for him.

When the Marquis of Zhenbei arrived with Li Muyang, the venison was already half-cooked, and Shen Tingzhi and Li Ziyan were busy preparing to roast wild rabbit and pheasant.

Li Muyang sniffed and said, "It smells so good. The meat that Uncle grills must be delicious."

Hearing voices, Shen Tingzhi looked up at Li Muyang and smiled, saying, "That's natural. Putting aside everything else, just the ingredients for this marinade are better than anything the imperial chefs in the palace can match."

"This is something your uncle put a lot of effort into making. Try it later, and I guarantee you'll be so captivated by its aroma that you won't know which way is up."

Looking at Shen Tingzhi's smug face, Li Muyang asked in confusion, "Uncle, why do you know how to grill this? And why do you know how to make barbecue seasoning?"

In Li Muyang's eyes, his uncle Shen Tingzhi was a noble young master who was detached from worldly affairs, and a noble young master would not and should not do these things.

Why would you do that?

Shen Tingzhi turned to look at Li Muyang and said with a smile, "Of course it's because your mother likes to eat it."

“Your mother has loved roasted game since she was little. She doesn’t like it when others make it, but she likes it when your uncle makes it.”

The original owner of this body grew up with her second brother, Shen Tingzhi, and was cherished by him.

When Shen Tianjiao was young, she was thin and didn't eat much. Although she ate a lot of good food, her condition didn't change much.

The doctor who was in charge of taking care of Shen Tianjiao at the time said that food is the most important thing for people, and if Shen Tianjiao wanted to get better, she should eat more.

Later, on one occasion, a friend of Shen Tingzhi sent over some wild game. The family cook roasted it and served it at the table. Shen Tianjiao, unusually, had a great appetite and ate quite a bit.

From then on, wild game frequently appeared on the tables of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

To get Shen Tianjiao to eat more, Shen Tingzhi learned how to roast wild game from the family cook, and later adjusted the barbecue seasoning according to Shen Tianjiao's taste.

Before she got married, Shen Tianjiao's favorite food was all kinds of meat grilled by her second brother, Shen Tingzhi.

“My mother likes to eat it.”

Knowing that it was something Shen Tianjiao liked to eat, Li Muyang also became interested. He walked over to Shen Tingzhi and silently watched how Shen Tingzhi grilled the meat.

He thought to himself that if he learned how to make it, he could make it for his mother in the palace.

Several people were busy in the yard, and by the time everything was baked, it was almost dark.

At this moment, Li Muyan also woke up. Having slept well, Li Muyan was full of energy and kept talking to Shen Tianjiao.

Shen Tingzhi sliced ​​the roasted meat and placed it on the table.

"Come on, try the meat your second brother grilled. You haven't had it in a long time. See if it still tastes the same as you like."

Shen Tingzhi handed the chopsticks to Shen Tianjiao, and then took Li Muyan, who had been clinging to Shen Tianjiao and refusing to let go, from her arms and held her in his own.

Li Muyan became unusually quiet when she was in her second uncle's arms.

Under Shen Tingzhi's expectant gaze, Shen Tianjiao picked up a piece of meat and ate it.

Although Shen Tingzhi hadn't grilled meat for many years, the meat he grilled still tasted exactly like the one Shen Tianjiao remembered—it hadn't changed at all and was still delicious.

"It's delicious, it tastes just like before."

While eating the meat grilled by Shen Tingzhi, Shen Tianjiao felt a pang of sadness for some reason.

The only people in this world who would care about what she likes to eat are her family.

"If it tastes good, then eat more. You've lost quite a bit of weight lately."

Shen Tingzhi knew that Shen Tianjiao's life in the palace wasn't actually that easy; the daily political affairs alone were enough to exhaust her.

Dealing with state affairs is not something that others can help with; Shen Tianjiao has to shoulder it all by herself. How could she not be tired?

Shen Tingzhi looked up at Li Muyang, who was eating meat beside him, and sighed inwardly that the child was still too young. It would be several more years before he could help Shen Tianjiao handle state affairs.

Before Li Muyang grows up, Shen Tianjiao will have to work hard.

Seeing everyone at the table eating meat, Li Muyan, nestled in Shen Tingzhi's arms, grew anxious, even though the little girl had already been fed when she arrived.

But seeing everyone eating, and with the meat smelling so tempting, the gluttonous girl couldn't resist wanting some too.

Seeing that everyone was eating meat and no one was paying attention to her, Li Muyan didn't care. She seized the opportunity and took a bite of the piece of meat that her second uncle had just picked up.

Li Muyan's hands moved quickly and accurately, snatching the meat from Shen Tingzhi's chopsticks in an instant.

After snatching the meat, she put her hand in her mouth without hesitation and began to eat it heartily.

Li Muyan's actions stunned everyone at the table, and it took them a while to realize what the little girl had just done.

Everyone burst into laughter. They had been so focused on eating that they had completely forgotten about the greedy little girl.

But it's okay if they forget; they'll take good care of themselves.

After receiving special care during this period, Li Muyan has not only become much stronger, but all her teeth have now grown in.

She is now a little over two years old and can eat some meat and harder foods.

However, because she was frail in the past, the wet nurses who took care of her were always very careful and dared not let her eat meat.

Fearing that she might feel unwell if she ate meat and be blamed by Shen Tianjiao, they are still only feeding her milk, egg custard, and similar foods.

Seeing that Li Muyan was such a greedy girl, after finishing a piece of meat, she reached out to grab another piece, but Shen Tingzhi stopped her.

"Little girl, this meat is delicious, but you can't eat too much. You've already eaten a piece. I'll give you more next time."